Updated 2026-09-12easy

New TOEFL Reading: Read in Daily Life Practice #020 — Library Hours, a Canceled Class, a New Plant, and an Airport Bus

Free practice for the new TOEFL Reading section's short daily-life texts: 4 everyday texts and 12 questions with an answer key.

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How to use this practice: Each text is something you could actually receive — an email, a notice, a memo, a post. Read it once at normal speed, then answer the three questions under it. Watch the options that reuse a word from the text: matching words are the most common trap in this part.
1

Text 1 — Notice

Read the text, then answer the three questions below it.

Notice: Early closing this week

Riverside Library

The library will close at 5:00 PM this week, from Monday to Friday. We usually close at 8:00 PM.

The reason is new lights in the reading room. The workers need the room empty after 5:00.

Normal hours start again next Monday.

You can still return books after we close. The return box by the front door is open all night.

Books due this week will not be late until next Monday. You do not need to ask for this; the computer does it.

The children's room is closed all week. Story time on Wednesday moves to the meeting room upstairs.

Q1 · Detail
Why is the library closing early?
  1. A. New lights are being put in
  2. B. Fewer people come in winter
  3. C. The staff are in training
  4. D. The return box is broken
Answer
Correct: A
Q2 · Detail
How can someone return a book at 7:00 PM?
  1. A. Use the return box by the front door
  2. B. Give it to a worker in the reading room
  3. C. Wait until next Monday
  4. D. Leave it in the children's room
Answer
Correct: A
Q3 · Inference
A book is due on Thursday this week. What does the notice mean for that book?
  1. A. It is late from Friday
  2. B. It cannot be returned this week
  3. C. It is not late until next Monday
  4. D. It must be renewed at the desk
Answer
Correct: C
2

Text 2 — Email

Read the text, then answer the three questions below it.

Subject: Tuesday yoga class is canceled

From: Hillside Sports Centre

To: Tuesday 7 PM class

Hello, the yoga class on Tuesday, 7 PM, is canceled this week. Our teacher is ill.

We are sorry for the short notice. We only heard this morning.

You have two choices. You can come to the Thursday class at 7 PM instead, at no extra cost. Or you can do nothing, and we will add one week to your ten-week card.

If you want the Thursday class, reply to this email today. The Thursday room is smaller and we can take only six extra people.

The class will be normal again next Tuesday.

Please do not come to the centre on Tuesday evening for this class. The room will be locked.

Q4 · Detail
Why is the class canceled?
  1. A. The room is too small
  2. B. The centre is closed on Tuesday
  3. C. Too few people joined
  4. D. The teacher is ill
Answer
Correct: D
Q5 · Expected Action
What should a member do to join the Thursday class?
  1. A. Pay a small extra fee
  2. B. Come to the centre on Tuesday
  3. C. Reply to the email today
  4. D. Ask for an extra week on the card
Answer
Correct: C
Q6 · Inference
What happens to a member who does not reply?
  1. A. They lose one week of their card
  2. B. They are moved to Thursday anyway
  3. C. They must pay for the missed class
  4. D. They get one extra week on their card
Answer
Correct: D
3

Text 3 — Social Media Post

Read the text, then answer the three questions below it.

window_ledge_nari @windowledgenari - 6h

I bought my first plant three months ago. It is still alive, which surprises me.

The shop told me to water it once a week. I watered it every two days because I was worried, and the leaves turned yellow. Too much water, not too little.

Now I put my finger in the soil first. If the soil is dry, I water it. If it is wet, I wait. That is the whole method.

It sits near the window but not in the sun all day. The shop said strong afternoon sun is too much for this kind.

New leaves came out last week. I am very happy about this.

Any tips for a second plant? Something easy, please.

52 replies - 9 reposts - 730 likes

Q7 · Detail
Why did the leaves turn yellow?
  1. A. The plant had too much water
  2. B. The plant had too little water
  3. C. The room was too cold
  4. D. The plant was too near the window
Answer
Correct: A
Q8 · Detail
How does she decide when to water the plant now?
  1. A. Once a week, as the shop said
  2. B. Every two days
  3. C. When she sees new leaves
  4. D. When the soil feels dry
Answer
Correct: D
Q9 · Purpose
Why did she write this post?
  1. A. To sell her plant
  2. B. To share what she learned and ask for a tip
  3. C. To complain about the plant shop
  4. D. To explain why the plant died
Answer
Correct: B
4

Text 4 — Schedule

Read the text, then answer the three questions below it.

Airport bus - route 90

City centre to the airport

Buses leave the city centre every 30 minutes, from 4:30 AM to 11:00 PM.

  • Trip time: about 45 minutes
  • Ticket: $9 one way, $16 return
  • Bags: two free per person

Buy your ticket from the driver or on the app. The app is $1 cheaper.

The bus stops at the train station and at the north hotel, then goes to the airport.

Return tickets are good for one month.

Between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM the road is busy and the trip can take one hour. Please plan for this.

There is no night bus. After 11:00 PM, please take a taxi.

Q10 · Detail
What is the cheapest way to buy a one-way ticket?
  1. A. From the driver
  2. B. On the app
  3. C. At the train station
  4. D. At the north hotel
Answer
Correct: B
Q11 · Inference
Someone takes the bus at 8:00 AM. What should they expect?
  1. A. A trip of about 45 minutes
  2. B. A trip of up to one hour
  3. C. No bus at that time
  4. D. A higher ticket price
Answer
Correct: B
Q12 · Detail
What should someone do after 11:00 PM?
  1. A. Wait for the next bus
  2. B. Buy a return ticket
  3. C. Take a taxi
  4. D. Go to the north hotel
Answer
Correct: C