United Nations - TOEFL Reading Practice Test

In the TOEFL iBT^® exam, you need to develop skills in mastering academic texts in English which is a necessity in the TOEFL Reading section. The  TOEFL Practice Test centered on the passage 'United Nations' closely resembles the difficulties in English-speaking academic settings which will help you to assess your skills such as identifying main ideas, extracting details, making inferences, and recognising text structure. Always remember to note down your areas of improvement so that you can focus on them.

So, are you ready to take the test? Let's dive into the practice test paper on the passage 'United Nations' and let's get started!

Reading Instructions:

• You have 15 minutes to read the following passage and answer all 9 questions related to it.  
• Most questions are worth 1 point. The directions indicate how many points you will receive for that specific question. 
• The specific section/paragraphs have been provided again with the question for ease of understanding and quick solution.
• Some questions include a word or phrase that is highlighted in the question as well as in the paragraph for quick reference. 

The United Nations (UN) is a global group founded in 1945 after World War II, with the main goal of encouraging working together between countries and maintaining peace and security worldwide. The UN was created on the idea that collective action could help prevent future conflicts. It has grown to include 193 member states, making it one of the largest international organizations today. Its structure is complicated, made up of various specific agencies, programs, and bodies, each focused on addressing specific global challenges like aid-related crises, environmental issues, and human rights violations. This structure allows the UN to tackle a wide range of issues that go beyond national borders.

The UN's main parts include the General Assembly, the Security Council, the International Court of Justice, and the Secretariat. The General Assembly serves as a meeting place where all member states are represented equally. It facilitates discussions on many topics, including development, international law, and human rights. On the other hand, the Security Council, which has 15 members, is responsible for maintaining international peace and security. It has the power to impose sanctions, authorize military actions, and set up peacekeeping missions. The different roles of these parts show the UN's varied approach to global governance, but they also highlight the complexities and challenges inherent in international diplomacy.

One of the UN's most significant successes has been its role in peacekeeping operations. Since starting its first peacekeeping mission in 1948, the UN has sent many missions worldwide to stabilize conflict zones and help transition to peace. These missions usually involve military personnel, police, and civilian experts working together to support peace agreements and protect at-risk populations. However, the efficiency of UN peacekeeping has been widely debated. Critics say that missions can struggle due to lack of resources, unclear orders, and the complex nature of local conflicts. Despite these challenges, peacekeeping remains a key part of the UN's efforts to promote global stability. This underscores the need for ongoing evaluation and reform.

In addition to peacekeeping, the UN plays an important role in addressing aid-related crises. Various UN agencies, like the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the World Food Programme (WFP), provide essential help to millions affected by conflict, natural disasters, and poverty. For example, the UNHCR works hard to protect the rights of refugees and displaced persons, while the WFP focuses on fighting hunger and malnutrition. Guided by principles of fairness and objectivity, the UN's humanitarian efforts ensure that aid is given based on need rather than political factors. Still, the increasing frequency and complexity of humanitarian crises present significant challenges to the UN's ability to respond effectively.

The UN also tackles important global issues through its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The 17 SDGs aim to eliminate poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for everyone by 2030. These goals cover a wide range of challenges, including climate change, gender equality, and access to education. While the SDGs show a collective commitment by member states to work toward a more sustainable and fair future, achieving these challenging targets requires coordinated efforts at local, national, and international levels, along with significant financial resources. The connection between these goals and the UN's broader mission illustrates the changes in global governance today.

Despite its successes, the UN faces many challenges that threaten its efficiency and trustworthiness. International tensions, funding shortages, and criticisms of its decision-making processes have led to calls for reform. For example, the structure of the Security Council, which reflects the power dynamics of the post-World War II era, has been criticized for not representing the current global landscape. Furthermore, the growing influence of non-state actors and cross-border issues complicates the UN's ability to address modern challenges effectively. As the world keeps changing, the UN must adapt to these new realities to remain a relevant and effective force for peace and cooperation. The future of the UN will depend on its ability to promote collaboration among member states and tackle the complex issues facing humanity in the 21st century, raising the question of how it can best fulfill its foundational mission in an increasingly linked world.

Directions: Once you have read the passage, answer the following questions.

Paragraph 1 

The United Nations (UN) is a global group founded in 1945 after World War II, with the main goal of encouraging working together between countries and maintaining peace and security worldwide. The UN was created on the idea that collective action could help prevent future conflicts. It has grown to include 193 member states, making it one of the largest international organizations today. Its structure is complicated, made up of various specific agencies, programs, and bodies, each focused on addressing specific global challenges like aid-related crises, environmental issues, and human rights violations. This structure allows the UN to tackle a wide range of issues that go beyond national borders.

1. According to paragraph 1, what is the main goal of the United Nations?  
   1. To promote economic growth among member states 
   2. To encourage cooperation between countries and maintain peace and security 
   3. To provide military support to member states 
   4. To establish a global government 

1. In paragraph 1, the author mentions all of the following as aspects of the UN's structure EXCEPT: 
   1. Various specific agencies 
   2. A single governing body 
   3. Programs addressing global challenges 
   4. Bodies focused on human rights violations 

Paragraph 2

The UN's main parts include the General Assembly, the Security Council, the International Court of Justice, and the Secretariat. (A) The General Assembly serves as a meeting place where all member states are represented equally. (B) It facilitates discussions on many topics, including development, international law, and human rights. (C) On the other hand, the Security Council, which has 15 members, is responsible for maintaining international peace and security. (D) It has the power to impose sanctions, authorise military actions, and set up peacekeeping missions. The different roles of these parts show the UN's varied approach to global governance, but they also highlight the complexities and challenges inherent in international diplomacy.

1. What can be inferred about the General Assembly's role in the UN from Paragraph 2?
   
   1. It has more power than the Security Council.
   2. It is primarily focused on military actions.  
   3. It provides a platform for equal representation among member states.   
   4. It is responsible for enforcing international law. 

1. In paragraph 2, there is a missing sentence. The paragraph shows four letters  (A),  (B),  (C),  (D) that indicate where the following sentence could be added. 
   

   "The General Assembly is crucial for fostering dialogue among member states." 

   Where would the sentence best fit? 

   1. Option A
   2. Option B
   3. Option C
   4. Option D

Paragraph 3

One of the UN's most significant successes has been its role in peacekeeping operations. Since starting its first peacekeeping mission in 1948, the UN has sent many missions worldwide to stabilise conflict zones and help transition to peace. These missions usually involve military personnel, police, and civilian experts working together to support peace agreements and protect at-risk populations. However, the efficiency of UN peacekeeping has been widely debated. Critics say that missions can struggle due to lack of resources, unclear orders, and the complex nature of local conflicts. Despite these challenges, peacekeeping remains a key part of the UN's efforts to promote global stability. This underscores the need for ongoing evaluation and reform.

1. Why does the author mention the challenges faced by UN peacekeeping missions in paragraph 3?
   
   1. To highlight the need for more military personnel
   2. To illustrate the complexities of maintaining global stability   
   3. To argue against the existence of peacekeeping missions 
   4. To suggest that peacekeeping is no longer necessary  
      

Paragraph 4

In addition to peacekeeping, the UN plays an important role in addressing aid-related crises. Various UN agencies, like the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the World Food Programme (WFP), provide essential help to millions affected by conflict, natural disasters, and poverty. For example, the UNHCR works hard to protect the rights of refugees and displaced persons, while the WFP focuses on fighting hunger and malnutrition. Guided by principles of fairness and objectivity, the UN's humanitarian efforts ensure that aid is given based on need rather than political factors. Still, the increasing frequency and complexity of humanitarian crises present significant challenges to the UN's ability to respond effectively.

1. In paragraph 4, the word "objectivity" is closest in meaning to:  
   1. Bias
   2. Fairness
   3. Indifference
   4. Subjectivity

Paragraphs 5

The UN also tackles important global issues through its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The 17 SDGs aim to eliminate poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for everyone by 2030. These goals cover a wide range of challenges, including climate change, gender equality, and access to education. While the SDGs show a collective commitment by member states to work toward a more sustainable and fair future, achieving these challenging targets requires coordinated efforts at local, national, and international levels, along with significant financial resources. The connection between these goals and the UN's broader mission illustrates the changes in global governance today.

1. Which of the following sentences best expresses the essential information in the following text from paragraph 5?

 "The 17 SDGs aim to eliminate poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for everyone by 2030."   

1. 1. The SDGs focus on environmental protection and poverty reduction. 
   2. The SDGs are a set of goals aimed at improving global conditions by 2030. 
   3. The SDGs are primarily concerned with economic growth. 
   4. The SDGs are only relevant to developing countries. 

Paragraphs 6

Despite its successes, the UN faces many challenges that threaten its efficiency and trustworthiness. International tensions, funding shortages, and criticisms of its decision-making processes have led to calls for reform. For example, the structure of the Security Council, which reflects the power dynamics of the post-World War II era, has been criticised for not representing the current global landscape. Furthermore, the growing influence of non-state actors and cross-border issues complicates the UN's ability to address modern challenges effectively. As the world keeps changing, the UN must adapt to these new realities to remain a relevant and effective force for peace and cooperation. The future of the UN will depend on its ability to promote collaboration among member states and tackle the complex issues facing humanity in the 21st century, raising the question of how it can best fulfil its foundational mission in an increasingly linked world.

1. What is the main purpose of paragraph 6?   
   1. To discuss the historical context of the UN 
   2. To highlight the challenges the UN faces in modern times 
   3. To outline the successes of the UN 
   4. To describe the structure of the UN 

Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage. Some sentences do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the passage. This question is worth 2 points.  

1. The United Nations plays a crucial role in promoting global cooperation and addressing various challenges.   
   
   
   1. The UN was founded in 1945 to maintain peace and security worldwide.
   2. The UN's peacekeeping missions have been universally successful. 
   3. The Sustainable Development Goals aim to create a fair and sustainable future.
   4. The UN faces significant challenges that threaten its effectiveness and trust.

Hold on!  Before checking your answers and matching them, explore the TOEFL Exam Pattern and Syllabus!

Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL Reading Passage - United Nations

1.  Answer: B

Explanation: The passage clearly states that the main goal of the United Nations is to encourage collaboration among countries and to maintain peace and security worldwide. This aligns directly with the information presented in the first paragraph, which emphasizes the UN's foundational purpose.

2. Answer: B

Explanation: The passage describes the UN's structure as being made up of various specific agencies, programs, and bodies, but it does not mention a single governing body. This makes option B the correct choice, as it is the only aspect not included in the description of the UN's structure.

3. Answer: C

Explanation: The passage indicates that the General Assembly serves as a meeting place where all member states are represented equally. This suggests that its primary role is to facilitate equal representation, making option C the most accurate inference. Therefore, the correct answer is Option C.

4. Answer: A

Explanation: The sentence "The General Assembly is crucial for fostering dialogue among member states" fits best after the first sentence in paragraph 2. It logically follows the introduction of the General Assembly and emphasizes its role in facilitating discussions.

5. Answer: B

Explanation: The author discusses the challenges faced by UN peacekeeping missions to highlight the difficulties involved in maintaining global stability. This serves to illustrate the complexities rather than to argue against peacekeeping or suggest it is unnecessary.

6. Answer: B

Explanation: The correct answer is option B. The term "objectivity" refers to the quality of being fair and impartial. In the context of the passage, it emphasizes the UN's commitment to providing aid based on need rather than political considerations, making "fairness" the closest meaning.

7. Answer: B

Explanation: The correct answer is option B. This option encapsulates the essential information from the original sentence by summarizing the purpose of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) without omitting any critical details. It accurately reflects the aim of the SDGs as stated in the passage.

8. Answer: B

Explanation: The correct answer is option B. The main purpose of paragraph 6 is to discuss the various challenges that the UN currently faces, including international tensions and funding shortages. This focus on challenges makes option B the most appropriate choice.

9. Answer: A, C, D

Explanation: - Option A accurately reflects the founding purpose of the UN. Option C captures the essence of the Sustainable Development Goals and their aim for a fair future. Option D highlights the need for the UN to adapt to remain effective, which is a significant theme in the passage. Option B is incorrect as it inaccurately states that peacekeeping missions have been universally successful, which is not supported by the text.

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