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100+ Free TOEFL Primary Step 1 Practice Questions

Pass your TOEFL Primary Reading and Listening Test - Step 1 exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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Look at two pictures. In the first, two people stand on the same side of a road. In the second, they stand on different sides. What word shows the change?

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Key Facts: TOEFL Primary Step 1 Exam

TOEFL Primary Step 1 is an ETS multiple-choice English test for young beginners ages 8+, with 36 Reading and 36 Listening questions scored as 1-4 Stars and a 101-109 scale score; there is no pass or fail.

Sample TOEFL Primary Step 1 Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your TOEFL Primary Step 1 exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Look at the picture. A boy is talking on the phone. Which sentence matches the picture?
A.The boy is talking on the phone.
B.The boy is drawing a picture.
C.The boy is taking a photo.
D.The boy is reading a book.
Explanation: The picture shows a boy holding a phone to his ear and speaking, so 'talking on the phone' matches. In Match Picture to Words items you choose the sentence that describes exactly what you see.
2Look at the picture. A woman is folding clean clothes. Which sentence matches the picture?
A.The woman is ironing the laundry.
B.The woman is folding the laundry.
C.The woman is washing the laundry.
D.The woman is hanging the laundry.
Explanation: To fold means to bend clothes neatly into a smaller shape, which is what the woman is doing. These items test that you know the meaning of everyday action words.
3Look at the picture. It shows a small yellow and black insect with wings. Which word matches the picture?
A.Bird
B.Butterfly
C.Bee
D.Fish
Explanation: A bee is a small yellow-and-black insect that flies and can sting. The picture shows these features, so 'bee' is correct. Single-word items test basic animal vocabulary.
4Look at the picture. A woman is at the front of a classroom making marks on a board. Which sentence matches the picture?
A.She is sitting at a desk.
B.She is reading from a book.
C.She is writing on a board.
D.She is cleaning the floor.
Explanation: The woman is making marks on the board with a pen or chalk, so 'writing on a board' matches. You must read all three sentences and pick the one that fits the action shown.
5Look at two pictures. In the first, two people stand on the same side of a road. In the second, they stand on different sides. What word shows the change?
A.Opposite
B.Behind
C.Around
D.Between
Explanation: In the second picture the two people are now on opposite (different) sides of the road, so 'opposite' shows the change. Two-picture items ask you to find what is different.
6Look at the picture. A cat is sleeping under a chair. Which sentence matches the picture?
A.The cat is under the chair.
B.The cat is on the chair.
C.The cat is next to the chair.
D.The cat is behind the chair.
Explanation: 'Under' means below something. The cat is below the chair, so 'under the chair' matches. These items test simple position words called prepositions.
7Look at the picture. It shows a piece of fruit that is red and round with a small stem. Which word matches the picture?
A.Banana
B.Carrot
C.Apple
D.Grape
Explanation: An apple is a red, round fruit with a small stem on top, which matches the picture. This item tests common food vocabulary.
8Look at the picture. A girl is jumping into a swimming pool. Which sentence matches the picture?
A.The girl is swimming in the pool.
B.The girl is sitting by the pool.
C.The girl is jumping into the pool.
D.The girl is drinking water.
Explanation: The girl is in the air going into the water, so 'jumping into the pool' matches. You must match the exact action shown in the picture.
9Look at the picture. It shows a clock with the hands pointing to 3:00. Which sentence matches the picture?
A.It is three o'clock.
B.It is six o'clock.
C.It is nine o'clock.
D.It is twelve o'clock.
Explanation: When the short hand points to 3 and the long hand points to 12, the time is three o'clock. This item tests reading the time on a clock.
10Look at the picture. A boy is putting on his shoes. Which sentence matches the picture?
A.The boy is washing his hands.
B.The boy is eating breakfast.
C.The boy is brushing his teeth.
D.The boy is putting on his shoes.
Explanation: The boy is placing shoes on his feet, so 'putting on his shoes' matches. These items test everyday daily-routine actions.

About the TOEFL Primary Step 1 Exam

The TOEFL Primary Reading and Listening Test - Step 1 is an English-language test from ETS for young learners ages 8 and older who are at the beginning stages of learning English. It has two all-multiple-choice sections: Reading (36 scored questions in 30 minutes) and Listening (36 scored questions in about 30 minutes), for 72 scored questions in roughly one hour. Each question offers three answer choices, and Reading items test simple words, sentences and short texts such as signs, menus and schedules, while Listening items test simple words, directions, conversations and short monologues. There is no pass or fail: each section earns 1 to 4 Stars, a scale score of 101-109 and a CEFR level from Below A1 to A2, and Reading scores are matched to Lexile measures. Step 1 is easier than Step 2 and is designed to give beginning learners an encouraging, accurate picture of their English skills.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

About 1 hour: 30 minutes for Reading and about 30 minutes for the audio-paced Listening section.

Passing Score

No pass or fail. Each section is reported as 1-4 Stars, a scale score of 101-109 and a CEFR level (Below A1 to A2); Reading also gives a Lexile measure. More correct answers raise the Star level and scale score.

Exam Fee

Set locally by ETS Preferred Network offices because schools order the test; the per-test price is typically around US$30-40 (for example HK$800 in Hong Kong includes registration, one Step 1 score report and a certificate). (ETS (Educational Testing Service))

TOEFL Primary Step 1 Exam Content Outline

17%

Reading: Match Picture to Words

Choose the single word or short sentence that matches a picture; some items show two pictures and ask what changed.

16%

Reading: Sentence Clues

Read a short description and choose the word, person, object or action it describes, testing everyday vocabulary.

17%

Reading: Reading Sets

Read a short paragraph, menu, schedule, sign or poster and answer questions to find and connect information.

13%

Listening: Match to a Picture

Hear a word or simple sentence and choose the matching picture, testing basic vocabulary and simple actions and positions.

12%

Listening: Directions and Procedures

Listen to simple directions or instructions at home or school and choose the correct action, object or place.

13%

Listening: Basic Conversations

Hear a short greeting, question or statement and choose the best reply using common everyday expressions.

12%

Listening: Details and Monologues

Listen to a short conversation or monologue and answer who, what, where, when and why questions.

How to Pass the TOEFL Primary Step 1 Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: No pass or fail. Each section is reported as 1-4 Stars, a scale score of 101-109 and a CEFR level (Below A1 to A2); Reading also gives a Lexile measure. More correct answers raise the Star level and scale score.
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: About 1 hour: 30 minutes for Reading and about 30 minutes for the audio-paced Listening section.
  • Exam fee: Set locally by ETS Preferred Network offices because schools order the test; the per-test price is typically around US$30-40 (for example HK$800 in Hong Kong includes registration, one Step 1 score report and a certificate).

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

TOEFL Primary Step 1 Study Tips from Top Performers

1Build everyday vocabulary in groups such as home, school, family, colors, body parts, animals and actions.
2Practice reading short simple sentences and matching them to pictures to get faster at the Match Picture to Words items.
3Read short texts like menus, schedules, signs and posters, then practice finding specific details quickly.
4Listen to simple English daily, such as short stories, songs and classroom directions, to train your ear.
5Learn common social expressions and greetings so you can pick the best reply in Basic Conversation items.
6Answer every question because there is no penalty for wrong answers; make your best guess if you are unsure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TOEFL Primary Step 1 test?

TOEFL Primary Step 1 is an ETS English-language test for young learners ages 8 and older at the beginning stages of learning English. It has two multiple-choice sections, Reading and Listening, and uses simple everyday vocabulary and short texts.

How many questions are on TOEFL Primary Step 1?

There are 72 scored questions: 36 in Reading (plus 3 examples, 39 answered) and 36 in Listening (plus 5 examples, 41 answered). Reading takes 30 minutes and Listening takes about 30 minutes.

How is TOEFL Primary Step 1 scored?

There is no pass or fail. Each section earns 1 to 4 Stars and a scale score of 101-109 based on the number of correct answers, plus a CEFR level (Below A1 to A2). There is no penalty for wrong answers.

What is the difference between Step 1 and Step 2?

Step 1 is for beginning learners and uses simpler words, sentences and texts, with scale scores of 101-109 and Stars. Step 2 is for students with some communicative English skills, uses Badges and scale scores of 104-115.

What kinds of questions are on the test?

Reading uses Match Picture to Words, Sentence Clues and Reading Sets. Listening uses match-to-a-picture, directions, basic conversations, conversation details and short monologues. Every question has three answer choices.

How much does TOEFL Primary Step 1 cost?

It is ordered by schools through local ETS Preferred Network offices, so the price is set locally, usually around US$30-40 per test taker. For example, in Hong Kong it is HK$800 including a score report and certificate.