Reading question types - Prose Summary and Table completion

Learning Outcomes

After reading this article, you will be able to recognize and confidently answer Prose Summary and Table Completion questions in the TOEFL Reading section. You will understand how to identify major points versus minor details, select or classify information appropriately, and apply practical methods to avoid frequent mistakes. You will also see model examples and learn strategies for efficient exam practice.

TOEFL iBT Syllabus

For TOEFL, you are required to become proficient in both Prose Summary and Table (classification) questions found at the end of Reading passages. For revision, focus on these syllabus points:

• Distinguish between main ideas (major points) and supporting details or examples within a passage.
• Complete summary tasks by selecting sentences that best represent the passage’s major points, omitting minor ideas or unrelated content.
• Accurately classify or match information into given categories according to the passage (e.g., Table Completion questions).
• Recognize distractors—answer choices that may be true but are minor, incomplete, unrelated, or directly incorrect.
• Practice systematic approaches to select, reject, or classify information effectively in exam time.

Test Your Knowledge

Attempt these questions before reading this article. If you find some difficult or cannot remember the answers, remember to look more closely at that area during your revision.

1. In a Prose Summary question, what distinguishes a correct answer from a distractor?
2. What does Table Completion require you to do with information from a passage?
3. If a statement is factually correct but only explains one sentence from the reading, should you select it for a Prose Summary question? Why or why not?
4. In a Table Completion task with more answer options than table cells, how should you approach eliminating incorrect choices?

Introduction

Prose Summary and Table Completion are summary-type questions that appear at the end of most TOEFL Reading sets. They test your skill in extracting main ideas, sorting information according to the author's focus, and efficiently discarding minor or unrelated points.

Key Term: Prose Summary Question
A TOEFL Reading task requiring you to pick main points from a list and complete a short summary, typically by dragging statements that belong in a summary box.

Key Term: Table Completion Question
A TOEFL Reading task where you must assign statements or examples to the correct categories in a table, based on classification in the passage.

Understanding Prose Summary Questions

Prose Summary questions appear as a summary sentence followed by six or more answer choices. You must select the three most important points that support the summary. These questions are worth two points.

• Correct answers represent major ideas, the main argument, or broad conclusions of the passage.
• Distractors may be true, but they might only detail a minor point, example, or supporting evidence.
• Some distractors introduce new information or are unrelated to the main idea.
• Often, at least one answer is factually wrong despite sounding plausible.

Key Term: Major Point
The main idea or conclusion of a passage, or a point that unifies an entire paragraph or section.

Key Term: Minor Point
A detail, example, explanation, or supporting fact that illustrates or extends a major point but is not central to the passage’s logic.

How to Approach Prose Summary Questions

1. Read the summary statement in bold at the top of the answer choices.
2. Skim the passage to remind yourself of the main points of each paragraph.
3. Review all answer choices one by one:
   • Choose statements that restate large, general points covered in significant portions of the passage.
   • Eliminate those that address only a single sentence, detail, or example.
   • Ignore answer choices that present minor, incomplete, or incorrect ideas—even if they sound familiar.
4. Drag (or mentally select) the three best options to fill the summary box. The order is not important.

Worked Example 1.1

Passage Excerpt:
Meteor impacts have shaped the surfaces of many planets. Most meteorites burn up in the Earth's atmosphere and never reach the ground. Larger meteorites, however, can create craters or cause mass extinctions. Around 66 million years ago, scientists believe a large asteroid impact contributed to the extinction of dinosaurs. Evidence includes a worldwide layer of iridium and a massive crater in Mexico.

Prose Summary Question:
The passage discusses the effects of meteor impacts on Earth.

Choose the THREE statements that best summarize the passage.

• A. Meteorite impacts can produce mass extinctions and global change.
• B. Most meteorites reach the surface and leave visible marks.
• C. Small meteorites burn up before reaching Earth.
• D. Scientists discovered iridium, a rare element, in a layer from the dinosaur era.
• E. Large impacts can cause craters and environmental disasters.
• F. The Chicxulub crater is in Mexico.

Answer:
Choose A, C, and E.
A and E clearly summarize the main effects described (mass extinctions and craters). C represents another widespread major point (small meteorites burn up). D and F are specific examples or details; B is incorrect.

Table Completion and Classification Questions

Table or classification questions require you to sort given statements, facts, or examples into categories or columns based on information from the reading. Some tables have two or three columns; most have more answer choices than empty cells, so not every statement will be used.

• You must decide if an item belongs in Category A or Category B (sometimes more options).
• Carefully read the category headings. Check the reading for how the author defines or groups items.
• Distractors are statements not covered, that contradict the passage, or that fit neither category.
• Full points require placing all correct items in their proper columns; partial marks are possible for close attempts.

Key Term: Classification
Grouping items, facts, or examples into categories as defined in the passage.

Worked Example 1.2

Passage Excerpt:
There are two types of volcanic eruptions: explosive and effusive. Explosive eruptions send ash and gas high into the atmosphere, forming steep volcanoes. Effusive eruptions involve the slow flow of lava, creating wide, low volcanoes.

Table Completion Question:
Place each statement in the correct column. (Some items may not be used.)

Answer:

• Forms steep volcanoes → Explosive
• Produces slow lava flows → Effusive
• Ejects ash high into air → Explosive
• Builds wide, low volcanoes → Effusive

Note: Ignore any statements about unique or special eruptions unless mentioned.

Common Errors and Exam Warnings

Exam Warning

A frequent mistake is to select specific examples, supporting details, or new ideas as if they were major points for summaries or classifications. Main points usually cover broad conclusions, not narrow facts.

Revision Tip

Before answering Prose Summary or Table Completion questions, write down or highlight the main idea of each paragraph. Then, compare answer choices closely—ask yourself if each one covers a main idea or only illustrates a detail or example.

Key Point Checklist

This article has covered the following key knowledge points:

• What Prose Summary and Table Completion questions test in the TOEFL Reading section.
• How to distinguish major points from minor examples or supporting details.
• Strategies for selecting and organizing correct answers in summary and classification tables.
• The importance of carefully analyzing answer choices for broad coverage and avoiding distractors.
• Common pitfalls and quick review tips for efficient revision.

Key Terms and Concepts

• Prose Summary Question
• Table Completion Question
• Major Point
• Minor Point
• Classification