| Book of the Month | ||
|
Delta's Key to the TOEFL Test | |
Publisher: Delta Publishing
Authors: Nancy Gallagher
US$19.95
ISBN 1-887744-60-6
If this book does not enable you to do well in the TOEFL test, it will at least add to your muscle tone.The book ways about a kilogram and a half and just lifting this volume to do some of the exercises gives your muscles a healthy work-out. But in this case does bigger equal better? A first indication that is does is that Ms Gallagher's books have been reprinted several times, and printers do not reprint books that do not sell, and customers do not keep buying an exam preparation book that does not work. However, the writer says clearly that this book does not 'teach to the test' - while it does teach how to do well in the TOEFL test, it also teaches essential skills to any student of English whether that person is doing an exam of not.
There are 729 pages to this book, and no illustrations apart from the occasional icon or diagram. A useful aspect to the book is that each of the tests and parts of the test are marked in dark ink on the edge of the page, so it is much easier to open the book at the required section. The format of the book is farly standard - after a brief introduction there is a diagnostic test to let students see how much study they have to do before they are ready for the TOEFL. Most of the book is four sections on the main parts of the test. Listening, for example, does not just give numerous tests for students to practice, but trains them to know what to listen for with sections such as 'Listening for implication' and 'Understanding intonation'. (The listening also comes with a practice CD, but this was not included in our review copy.)The structure section does not try to teach the whole of English grammar, but trains students how to recognize the grammar when they see it. So we get sections with headings such as 'Recognizing noun clauses' and 'Checking adjective word order'. There are also four practice exams and an index. The text is well-spaced, and explains how the computer-based exam works for those people more used to taking exams on paper.
Who is this book for? Both those studying alone and teachers taking TOEFL classes will find this the only TOEFL preparation book they need (though classes will need the version without an answer key). Given the amount of material it contains, this book is good value and should be seriously considered by anyone studying for or teaching classes preparing for the TOEFL.
Verdict: All the TOEFL preparation you need
Assessment 9/10