TOEFL Read in Daily Life: Casual Email (Intermediate)
Casual E-Mail Format on New TOEFL
In TOEFL Reading Section Part 2, emails can be broadly classified into three types: business emails, casual emails, and inquiry emails. The level of formality varies depending on the purpose and the relationship between the sender and the recipient.
However, regardless of the email type, the key information you need to identify remains largely the same.
When reading an email, focus on the following points:
- The date and time of an event
- The content or agenda of the event
- Important notes or instructions
- Information about reservations or sign-ups, if applicable
In particular, numerical information such as dates, times, and quantities is frequently tested. When you encounter numbers in an email, make sure to pay close attention to the surrounding context, as questions often target these details.
A casual email typically involves communication between friends or business partners with whom you have a friendly relationship. As a result, the tone is less formal and may include idiomatic or conversational expressions. Even so, the task remains the same: identify the purpose of the message and accurately extract the key details.
Practice Questions
Question 1
Explanation
(1) What is the main purpose of this email?
Key evidence from the post:
- “Just wanted to give you a quick heads-up about returning the gear this weekend”
- “things will run a bit differently than usual.”
“Heads-up” is a casual expression used to alert someone to important information in advance. In this email, the main purpose is to explain temporary changes in how equipment returns will be handled over the weekend. It does not confirm that a return has already been completed, nor does it discuss payment or fees.
(2) What can be inferred about items returned after 4:00 p.m.?
Key evidence from the post:
- “items brought in after 4:00 p.m. may not be checked in right away”
- “Anything held in storage over the weekend will be handled first thing Monday morning.”
These lines show that late returns are not processed immediately and are handled when staff return on Monday.
(3) According to the email, what should Alex do if late?
Key evidence from the post:
- “feel free to let us know in advance if you expect to arrive later”
- “we can make a note in our system to flag the return.”
Jamie advises Alex to contact staff ahead of time, so the return is properly noted even if processing is delayed.
Question 2
Explanation
(1) What is the main purpose of this email?
Key evidence from the post:
- “a couple of things shifted after I checked the forecast again”
- “I’m thinking we should leave a bit earlier than planned”
Chris is writing to adjust their plan based on new information, not to cancel or confirm anything.
(2) What can be inferred about Chris’s attitude toward scheduling?
Key evidence from the post:
- “I’m flexible”
- “Worst case, we can always change plans”
These lines show Chris is open to changes and does not insist on the original schedule.
(3) Why does Chris mention the lunch place’s payment policy?
Key evidence from the post:
- “it might save us some hassle if we’re prepared”
- “instead of scrambling around later”
Chris mentions the payment policy to avoid trouble later, not to change the restaurant.
Question 3
Explanation
(1) What is the main purpose of this email?
Key evidence from the post:
- “I recently started working from home full-time, and it made me wonder whether that affects how my coverage is viewed.”
- “I figured it was better to ask now rather than assume it’s irrelevant.”
Kevin is not requesting changes or reporting a problem. He is checking whether a change in his working situation might matter for his coverage (insurance). The phrase “made me wonder whether that affects how my coverage is viewed” shows that the purpose is to confirm relevance, not to take action. Therefore, the email’s main purpose is to ask whether lifestyle changes affect coverage terms.
(2) What can be inferred about Kevin’s situation?
Key evidence from the post:
- “I recently started working from home full-time”
- “my day-to-day use of the place is definitely different”
These lines show that Kevin’s daily use of his home has changed. The email does not say his coverage is insufficient or that his policy is expiring early. It also does not mention advice from the agent.
The correct inference is simply that his home use has changed recently.
(3) Why does Kevin emphasize asking now rather than later?
Key evidence from the post:
- “rather than assume it’s irrelevant and find out later that it wasn’t”
- “before my policy renews next month”
Kevin wants to avoid discovering a problem after the renewal, when it might be harder to address. He is being cautious, not demanding faster service or pushing for changes. This shows his motivation is risk avoidance, not urgency or pressure.
