A discourse analysis of the synonymous and antonymous expressions Used in reading passages of toefl ibt

Abstract

This study attempted to investigate the syntactic and semantic features of the synonymous and antonymous expressions in reading passages of TOEFL iBT. The study explored the use of synonyms and antonyms as well as context clues of synonyms and antonyms. This research was designed by using descriptive and qualitative approaches. The data source of this research was reading passages of TOEFL iBT books. The data of this study were all sentences in the form of written text collected from reading passages. Syntactic realizations of synonymous and antonymous expressions in the reading passages of TOEFL iBT included verbs, nouns, adjectives and adverbs with various functions in sentences. Context clues found in many TOEFL iBT reading passages were definition by synonym, synonym clues, definition by contrast, antonym clues and transitions that signal the contrast. Referring expressions could also be used as synonymous expressions in most of the reading passages of the data. Moreover, the research revealed teachers’ strategies for dealing with synonymous and antonymous expressions. It is hoped that the results of the study can be beneficial for both learners and teachers. While learners and potential test takers may be more aware of the importance of discourse so that they can improve their reading skills, teachers may develop a more effective reading syllabus and pay more attention to the development of learners’ skills in facing synonymous and antonymous expressions in reading texts of TOEFL iBT