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Timed Reading — TOEFL Academic

#6. The Sense of Smell

Timed Reading icon
Published: June 2026
Level 3  |  Words: ~300
Reading: 6 of 10
TOEFL Academic

Of all the senses, smell has the strongest connection to memory and emotion — but why?

You can download the [ scorecard ] or a [ .pdf ] or [ .docx ] version of this timed reading set.

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triangle Directions 이용안내 Direcciones Instruções Інструкції

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What is timed reading?

Timed readings are a great way to track your reading speed and fluency over time. Each passage is the same length, so you can clearly see your speed and accuracy improve with each reading.

They are not meant to be your main reading practice. Instead, they are a tool to measure progress. For real reading practice, you can use graded readers or explore the reading materials on [ this site ].

Ideally, complete one or two passages per week. You can do them online and track your progress. You can also print the PDF versions and record your results yourself.

  1. Press START READING.

    This will start the timer.

  2. READ the passage.

    Read at a normal speed. Focus on comprehension. Do not look up difficult words. Just read.

  3. Press FINISHED READING.

    This will stop the timer, hide the passage, and reveal the comprehension questions.

  4. Answer the CHECK COMPREHENSION questions.

    Answer the questions from memory. Do not look back at the passage.

  5. Press CHECK ANSWERS and then VIEW your progress.

    This will give you your score and reveal the passage. You can also click "View" at the top to see your progress.

  6. DO the other ACTIVITIES.

    You can review the vocabulary or listen to the text.

¿Qué es la lectura cronometrada?

Las lecturas cronometradas son una excelente forma de hacer un seguimiento de tu velocidad de lectura y fluidez con el tiempo. Cada texto tiene la misma longitud, por lo que puedes ver claramente cómo mejoran tu velocidad y precisión con cada lectura.

No están diseñadas para ser tu práctica principal de lectura. En su lugar, sirven para medir tu progreso. Para una práctica real de lectura, puedes usar lectores graduados o explorar los materiales de lectura de [ este sitio ].

Lo ideal es completar uno o dos textos por semana. Puedes hacerlo en línea y seguir tu progreso. También puedes imprimir las versiones en PDF y registrar tus resultados tú mismo.

  1. Presiona START READING.

    Esto iniciará el temporizador.

  2. LEE el texto.

    Lee a una velocidad normal. Concéntrate en la comprensión. No busques palabras difíciles. Solo lee.

  3. Presiona FINISHED READING.

    Esto detendrá el temporizador, ocultará el texto y mostrará las preguntas de comprensión.

  4. Responde las preguntas de CHECK COMPREHENSION.

    Responde de memoria. No mires el texto.

  5. Presiona CHECK ANSWERS y luego VIEW tu progreso.

    Esto mostrará tu puntuación y revelará el texto. Puedes hacer clic en "View" en la parte superior para ver tu progreso.

  6. Haz las otras ACTIVIDADES

    Puedes revisar el vocabulario o escuchar el texto.

O que é leitura cronometrada?

Leituras cronometradas são uma ótima forma de acompanhar sua velocidade de leitura e fluência ao longo do tempo. Cada texto tem o mesmo comprimento, então você pode ver claramente como sua velocidade e precisão melhoram a cada leitura.

Elas não foram criadas para serem sua principal prática de leitura. Em vez disso, servem para medir seu progresso. Para prática real de leitura, você pode usar leitores graduados ou explorar os materiais de leitura [ deste site ].

O ideal é completar um ou dois textos por semana. Você pode fazer isso online e acompanhar seu progresso. Também pode imprimir as versões em PDF e registrar seus resultados manualmente.

  1. Pressione START READING.

    Isso iniciará o cronômetro.

  2. LEIA o texto.

    Leia em velocidade normal. Foque na compreensão. Não procure palavras difíceis. Apenas leia.

  3. Pressione FINISHED READING.

    Isso irá parar o cronômetro, esconder o texto e mostrar as perguntas de compreensão.

  4. Responda às perguntas de CHECK COMPREHENSION.

    Responda de memória. Não olhe o texto.

  5. Pressione CHECK ANSWERS e depois VIEW para ver seu progresso.

    Isso mostrará sua pontuação e revelará o texto. Você também pode clicar em "View" no topo para ver seu progresso.

  6. Faça as outras ATIVIDADES

    Você pode revisar o vocabulário ou ouvir o texto.

타임드 리딩이란 무엇인가요?

타임드 리딩은 시간에 따른 읽기 속도와 이해 능력을 추적하는 좋은 방법입니다. 각 지문은 길이가 동일하므로 읽을 때마다 속도와 정확도가 어떻게 향상되는지 명확하게 확인할 수 있습니다.

이것은 주요 독해 연습을 위한 것이 아닙니다. 대신 학습 진행 상황을 측정하기 위한 도구입니다. 실제 독해 연습을 위해서는 단계별 리더스나 [ 이 사이트의 ] 독해 자료를 활용할 수 있습니다.

이상적으로는 일주일에 한두 개의 지문을 완료하는 것이 좋습니다. 온라인으로 진행하면서 자신의 진행 상황을 기록할 수 있습니다. PDF 버전을 인쇄하여 직접 결과를 기록할 수도 있습니다.

  1. START READING을 누르세요.

    타이머가 시작됩니다.

  2. 지문을 읽으세요.

    보통 속도로 읽으세요. 이해에 집중하세요. 어려운 단어를 찾지 마세요. 그냥 읽으세요.

  3. FINISHED READING을 누르세요.

    타이머가 멈추고, 지문이 숨겨지며, 이해 문제들이 표시됩니다.

  4. CHECK COMPREHENSION 문제에 답하세요.

    기억을 바탕으로 답하세요. 지문을 다시 보지 마세요.

  5. CHECK ANSWERS를 누른 후 VIEW를 눌러 진행 상황을 확인하세요.

    점수가 표시되고 지문이 다시 나타납니다. 상단의 "View"를 클릭하면 진행 상황을 확인할 수 있습니다.

  6. 다른 활동을 하세요

    어휘를 복습하거나 텍스트를 들을 수 있습니다.

Що таке читання на час?

Читання на час — це чудовий спосіб відстежувати швидкість читання та вільне володіння мовою з часом. Кожен текст має однакову довжину, тому ви можете чітко бачити, як ваша швидкість і точність покращуються з кожним читанням.

Вони не призначені бути вашою основною практикою читання. Натомість це інструмент для вимірювання прогресу. Для справжньої практики читання ви можете використовувати адаптовані книги або переглянути матеріали для читання на [ цьому сайті ].

В ідеалі виконуйте один-два тексти на тиждень. Ви можете робити це онлайн і відстежувати свій прогрес. Також можна роздрукувати версії у форматі PDF і записувати результати самостійно.

  1. Натисніть START READING.

    Це запустить таймер.

  2. ПРОЧИТАЙТЕ текст.

    Читайте у звичайному темпі. Зосередьтеся на розумінні. Не шукайте значення складних слів. Просто читайте.

  3. Натисніть FINISHED READING.

    Це зупинить таймер, приховає текст і покаже запитання на розуміння.

  4. Дайте відповіді на запитання CHECK COMPREHENSION.

    Відповідайте на запитання з пам'яті. Не повертайтеся до тексту.

  5. Натисніть CHECK ANSWERS, а потім VIEW, щоб переглянути прогрес.

    Це покаже ваш результат і знову відкриє текст. Ви також можете натиснути "View" вгорі, щоб переглянути свій прогрес.

  6. ВИКОНАЙТЕ інші ЗАВДАННЯ.

    Ви можете повторити лексику або прослухати текст.

Passage hidden
Answer the questions, then press Check Answers to reveal the text.

Of all the human senses, smell has the most direct and immediate connection to memory and emotion. A single smell can instantly bring back a childhood memory or trigger a strong feeling. This happens because smell signals travel directly to the limbic system — the part of the brain that processes emotion and long-term memory — without first passing through other brain regions the way most other senses do.

When you smell something, tiny molecules released by objects around you enter your nose. These molecules travel to a small patch of tissue at the top of the nasal passage called the olfactory epithelium, which contains millions of specialized receptor cells. Each receptor is designed to detect one or more specific molecules. When the right molecule meets the right receptor, a signal travels along the olfactory nerve to the brain, which identifies the smell almost instantly.

Humans can distinguish an estimated one trillion different smells — far more than scientists once believed possible. However, naming a smell without seeing its source is surprisingly difficult, even for a familiar one. Most people recognize a familiar smell immediately but cannot find the word for it. Researchers call this the “tip of the nose” experience.

Smell also affects how we taste things far more than most people assume. When you eat, molecules from your food travel through the back of your throat to the same olfactory receptors. This is why food seems bland when you have a blocked nose — since the flavor information is simply missing. Scientists estimate that up to 80 percent of what we normally call taste is actually smell.

Finally, the sense of smell can deteriorate gradually with age. Many people over 60 notice a significant decline in their ability to detect odors, which can affect appetite, safety awareness, and overall quality of life.

triangle Check Comprehension 이해도 확인 Verificar compreensão Comprobar comprensión Перевірте розуміння

  1. Why can a smell trigger a strong memory or emotion?
    Smell signals pass through several other brain regions before reaching the limbic system.
    Smell signals travel directly to the brain’s emotion and memory center.
    Smell molecules are stronger than other sensory signals.

  2. What happens when a smell molecule connects with the correct receptor cell?
    The signal bypasses the olfactory nerve and travels straight to the limbic system.
    The molecule is broken down and absorbed into the bloodstream.
    A signal travels along the olfactory nerve to the brain.

  3. What is the “tip of the nose” experience?
    Being unable to recognize a smell even though it feels vaguely familiar
    Recognizing a smell instantly but being unable to name it
    Confusing two similar smells with each other

  4. According to the passage, how much of what we call taste is actually smell?
    Around 20 percent
    Around 50 percent
    Around 80 percent

  5. Where in the body is the olfactory epithelium located?
    At the back of the throat near the esophagus
    Deep within the limbic system of the brain
    At the top of the nasal passage

  6. What does the passage say happens to the sense of smell as people age?
    It slowly gets worse, which affects quality of life.
    It becomes more sensitive to certain types of harmful smells.
    It loses its ability to trigger memories and emotions.

Score:


triangle Vocabulary Review 어휘 검토 Revisão de vocabulário Vocabulario revisión Огляд лексики

Directions: Choose the word or phrase closest in meaning to each bold word or expression in the passage.



molecules
substances particles organisms compounds
tissue
sense paper layer action
nasal
relating to the throat relating to the nose relating to the mouth relating to the ears
distinguish
separate detect compare combine
bland
unpleasant tasteless mild bitter
deteriorate
weaken slow disappear change

Score:


triangle Listen & Read 듣고 읽기 Ouvir e ler Escuchar y leer Слухайте і читайте

Directions: This is designed as a reading activity. However, you can also listen to the text.


Voice #1




square Read Next 다음 읽기 Próxima leitura Siguiente lectura Читайте далі


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