TOEFL Reading Sample Paper 04 - Reading Comprehension - Prose Summary Scoring & Rules - Timing 35 minutes

Oct 2, 2026

TOEFL Reading Sample Paper 04 provides a Reading Comprehension section outline with 20 total questions across two passages, 10 per passage, and specifies the marking scheme. It details how standard multiple-choice and text-insertion items earn 1 point, while the prose summary at the end of each set earns 2 points. It also explains partial credit rules, states that there is no negative marking for incorrect answers, and recommends 35 minutes for the entire section, followed by the first passage on the evolution of the perfume industry.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages7

Reading Time18 min

AccessFree to download

Passage I: The Evolution of the Perfume Industry

Questions 1-8

Passage II: Behavioral Economics in Primates

Question set overview

TOEFL Reading Sample Paper 04 A) Subject: Reading Comprehension B) Total Questions: 20 Questions (2 Passages—10 Questions per Passage) C) Marking Scheme & Rules: • Standard Questions: 1 Point (Multiple Choice, Insert Text, etc.) • Prose Summary: 2 Points. This is the final question of each set. • Partial Credit: Awarded for the Prose Summary (usually 1 point if 2 out of 3 choices are correct) . • Negative Marking: None. 0 points for incorrect answers. • Timing: Recommended 35 minutes for the entire section. PASSAGE I: The Evolution of the Perfume Industry Paragraph 1: The history of perfumery is a global narrative spanning thousands of years. In Ancient Rome, scent was a symbol of status, with emperors reportedly bathing in aromatic waters. Following the decline of Rome, much of this olfactory knowledge was preserved and advanced by Islamic civilizations. Arab and Persian pharmacists pioneered the use of alcohol in distillation, a technique that required significantly fewer raw materials—such as flower petals—compared to the ancient method of soaking flora in warm oil. During the Crusades, this sophisticated chemical knowledge was eventually reintroduced to Europe via monasteries. Paragraph 2: [A] Initially, fragrances were inextricably linked to medicine and spirituality. [B] During the Black Death, the bubonic plague was erroneously thought to be spread by ”miasma” or foul air. [C] Consequently, people inhaled pungent spices like cinnamon to ward off disease. [D] This era also fostered a deep-seated fear of water, leading many to use alcohol-based perfumes as cleaning agents rather than bathing. Paragraph 3: By the 17th century, France emerged as the epicenter of the trade under Louis XIV, whose protectionist policies encouraged the consumption of luxury goods. At this time, perfumery was the domain of glove-makers. The connection between these two crafts existed because the tanning process for leather involved the use of putrid substances, requiring a heavy application of scent to make the final product wearable. This collaboration eventually birthed powerful guilds that required seven years of apprenticeship, ensuring high standards of quality and secrecy. 1 1. The word ”pioneered” in Paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to: A. Evaluated C. Simplified B. Introduced D. Rejected 2. According to Paragraph 1, how did Islamic pharmacists improve perfume production? A. By discovering new species of flowers in India. B. By utilizing alcohol to make the extraction process more efficient. C. By reviving the Roman tradition of bathing in scent. D. By teaching European monks how to grow aromatic plants. 3. The word ”putrid” in Paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to: A. Prestigious C. Decaying B. Fragile D. Rare 4. Why does the author mention ”cinnamon” in Paragraph 2? A. To provide an example of a scent used to combat the plague. B. To show that exotic spices were widely available in Europe. C. To explain how the distillation process was first discovered. D. To argue that cinnamon has genuine medicinal properties. 5. According to Paragraph 3, why were glove-makers originally the primary producers of perfume? A. They were the only craftsmen with access to the royal court. B. Leather required scenting to mask the unpleasant smells of production. C. They had invented the first glass bottles for liquid storage. D. Perfume was only sold in shops that sold leather clothing. 6. What can be inferred from Paragraph 1 about the reintroduction of perfume to Europe? A. It occurred before the fall of the Roman Empire. B. It was facilitated by the exchange of knowledge during the Crusades. C. It was initially resisted by the Church for being too luxurious. D. It led to the immediate end of oil-based perfume techniques. 7. Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in Paragraph 3? A. Leather goods were once considered

FAQs

How many questions are in TOEFL Reading Sample Paper 04, and how are they divided?

There are 20 questions in total, divided into 2 passages with 10 questions per passage.

What is the scoring rule for the prose summary in each set?

The prose summary is the final question of each set and is worth 2 points, with partial credit typically awarded (usually 1 point if 2 out of 3 choices are correct).

Is there negative marking for incorrect answers?

No. Incorrect answers receive 0 points, and negative marking is not used.

Oct 2, 2026

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