Structure and Written Expression

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SECTION TWO

STRUCTURE

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DIAGNOSTIC PRE-TEST

SECTION 2
STRUCTURE AND WRITTEN EXPRESSION
Time - 25 minutes
(including the reading of the directions)
Now set your clock for 25 minutes.

This section is designed to measure your ability to recognize language that is appropriate for standard
written English. There are two types of questions in this section, with special directions for each type.

Structure

Directions: These questions are incomplete sentences. Beneath each sentence you will see four words
or phrases, marked (A), (B), (C), and (D). Choose the one word or phrase that best completes the
sentence. Then, on your answer sheet, find the number of the question and fill in the space that
corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen.

Look at the following examples.

Example I Sample Answer

The president _________ the election by a landslide.


(A) won
(B) he won
(C) yesterday
(D) fortunately

The sentence should read, “The president won the election by a landslide.” Therefore, you should
choose answer (A).

Example II Sample Answer

When _______ the conference?


(A) the doctor attended
(B) did the doctor attend
(C) the doctor will attend
(D) the doctor’s attendance

The sentence should read, “When did the doctor attend the conference?” Therefore, you should choose
answer (B).

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1. In the early 1 900s, Eastman _____ 7. Researchers have begun studying what
inexpensive Brownie box cameras. _____ is on human circadian rhythms.
(A) it developed (A) it is the effect of light
(B) it was developed (B) the light affects
(C) developed (C) is affecting the light
(D) developing (D) the effect of light

2. _____ the discovery of the fossilized 8. If calcium oxide remains exposed to air,
remnants of tides in one-billion-year-old _____ to calcium carbonate.
rocks. (A) turning
(A) Geological reports (B) turns
(B) Geologists report (C) it turns
(C) The reports of geologists (D) the turn
(D) Geologists’ reports
9. Some early batteries used concentrated
3. The Brooklyn Bridge _____ took thirteen nitric acid, ____gave off poisonous
years to complete. fumes.
(A) in New York (A) they
(B) is in New York (B) then they
(C) it is in New York (C) but they
(D) which New York (D) but they had

4. Genes control all of the physical _____ 10. The sound produced by an object______
we inherit. in a periodic way involves more than the
(A) that traits simple sine wave.
(B) that are traits (A) it vibrates
(C) traits that (B) vibrating
(D) traits are that (C) is vibrating
(D) vibrates
5. Indigo can be extracted from a plant, and
then _____ to dye cloth blue. 11. Prior to the discovery of anesthetics in
(A) it 1846, surgery was done _____ was still
(B) using conscious.
(C) using it (A) while the patient
(D) it can be used (B) the patient felt
(C) during the patient’s
6. _____ in the United States spends 900 (D) while patiently
hours per year in class and 1,170 hours in
front of the television.
(A) The average third-grader
(B) The third grade is average
(C) There are three grades
(D) Three average grades

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12. The drastic decline of the beaver helps to 14. A yacht is steered with a rudder, _____
illustrate what _____ to the ecosystems of the flow of water that passes the hull.
the North American continent. (A) which deflecting
(A) happening (B) deflects
(B) the happening (C) it deflects
(C) has happened (D) which deflects
(D) about happening
15. For top speed and sudden acceleration, the
13. The use of shorthand died out in the accelerator pump feeds additional
Middle Ages because of _____ with gasoline from the float chamber into
witchcraft. _____ above the venturi tube.
(A) the association was imagined (A) the air flows
(B) associate the imagination (B) the air flow
(C) imagine the association (C) the air is flowing
(D) the imagined association (D) flows the air

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Written Expression

Directions: In these questions, each sentence has four underlined words or phrases. The four
underlined parts of the sentence are marked (A), (B), (C), and (D). Identify the one underlined word or
phrase that must be changed in order for the sentence to be correct. Then, on your answer sheet, find
the number of the question and fill in the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have
chosen.

Look at the following examples.

Example I Sample Answer

The four string on a violin are tuned


A B C D

in fifths.

The sentence should read, “The four strings on a violin are tuned in fifths.” Therefore, you should
choose answer (B).

Example II Sample Answer

The research for the book Roots taking


A B C

Alex Haley twelve years


D

The sentence should read, “The research for the book Roots took Alex Haley twelve years.” Therefore,
you should choose answer (C).

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16. In 1732, coach travelers could got from New York to Philadelphia in about two days.
A B C D

17. Some of the District of Columbia are on low-lying, marshy ground.


A B C D

18. Georgia’s economy is based main on agriculture


A B C D

19. The Paul Revere House was built in 1676, and today its the oldest wooden building in Boston.
A B C D

20. Conifers such as cedars, firs, and pines bear its seeds in cones.
A B C D

21. A dome is a semispherical structures on top of a building


A B C D

22. Succulents suck up water in just a few hour, but they can store it in their stems for months.
A B C D

23. Flying buttresses enabled builders to put up tall but thinnest stone walls.
A B C D

24. Weather forecasters monitor barometric pressures and record they on charts as isobars.
A B C D

25. In many languages the forms of a word varies to express such contrasts as number, gender, and tense.
A B C D

26. A Milky Way object that erupted in the constellation Scorpius has provides information to
A B
astronomers since July.
C D

27. Much fossils are found in coal-bearing rocks.


A B C D

28. When salt is added to ice, this mixture becomes coldly enough to freeze ice cream.
A B C D

29. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries Long Island was chiefly an agricultural region
A B C
with fishing, whaling, and build ships as the important industries.
D

30. No one who has studied the Battle of Little Bighorn know the exact route that Custer and his
A B C
detachment took.
D

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31. The folktales which the brothers Grimm had collecting were translated into English in 1823.
A B C D

32. In our solar system, nine planets, fifty-seven moons, several dozen comets, several million
A B
asteroids, and billions of meteorites have so far been discover.
C D

33. From the 1 850s until after the turn of the century, many of America’s super-rich families made
A B C
Newport his favorite summer resort.
D

34. Mars may looks red because it is covered with a layer of soft red iron oxide.
A B C D

35. The radioactive substances that pose the greatest harm to humanity have neither very short or
A B C
very long half lives.
D

36. A robin cocks its head to peer at a worm with one eyes and not to hear it, as was once thought.
A B C D

37. Film sound is often record by an analog system which like the compact disc, uses light.
A B C D

38. The scribes of the Middle Ages used quill pens to produce their high decorated manuscripts.
A B C D

39. The principles of physics described by Christian Doppler in 1842 for the movement of stars has
A B
been adapted to evaluate the movement of blood within the heart.
C D

40. The Pioneer 10 and 11 spacecraft were the first vehicles of humankind to venture beyond the
A B
limits of ours solar system.
C D

This is the end of the Structure and Written Expression Diagnostic Pre-Test.

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When you finish the test, you may do the following:

 Turn to the Diagnostic Chart on pages 357—363, and circle


the numbers of the questions that you missed.

 Turn to the Progress Chart on page 353, and add your score
to the chart.

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STRUCTURE AND
WRITTEN EXPRESSION

The second section of the TOEFL test is the Structure and Written Expression section. This section
consists of forty questions (some tests may be longer). You have twenty-five minutes to complete the
forty questions in this section.
There are two types of questions in the Structure and Written Expression section of the
TOEFL test:

1. Structure (questions 1—15) consists of fifteen sentences in which part of the sentence has been
replaced with a blank. Each sentence is followed by four answer choices. You must choose the
answer that completes the sentence in a grammatically correct way.

2. Written Expression (questions 16—40) consists of twenty-five sentences in which four words or
groups of words have been underlined. You must choose the underlined word or group of words
that is not correct.

GENERAL STRATEGIES

1. Be familiar with the directions. The directions on every TOEFL test are the same, so it is
not necessary to spend time reading the directions carefully when you take the test. You
should be completely familiar with the directions before the day of the test.

2. Begin with questions 1 through 15. Anticipate that questions 1 through 5 will be the
easiest. Anticipate that questions 11 through 15 will be the most difficult. Do not spend too
much time on questions 11 through 15. There will be easier questions that come later.

3. Continue with questions 16 through 40. Anticipate that questions 16 through 20 will be
the easiest. Anticipate that questions 36 through 40 will be the most difficult. Do not spend
too much time on questions 36 through 40.

4. If you have time, return to questions 11 through 15. You should spend extra time on
questions 11 through 15 only after you spend all the time that you want on the easier
questions.

5. Never leave any questions blank on your answer sheet. Even if you are not sure of the
correct response, you should answer the question. There is no penalty for guessing.

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THE STRUCTURE QUESTIONS
Questions I through 15 in the Structure and Written Expression section of the TOEFL test measure
your knowledge of the correct structure of English sentences. The questions in this section are
multiple-choice questions in which you must choose the letter of the answer that best completes the
sentence.

Example

________greeted me enthusiastically at the front door.


(A) Parental
(B) If
(C) My friends
(D) Them

In this example, you should notice immediately that the sentence has a verb, greeted, and that the verb
needs a subject. Answers (A), (B), and (D) are incorrect because parental, if, and them are not
subjects. The correct answer is answer (C).

STRATEGIES FOR THE STRUCTURE QUESTIONS

1. First study the sentence. Your purpose is to determine what is needed to complete the
sentence correctly.

2. Then study each answer based on how well it completes the sentence. Eliminate answers
that do not complete the sentence correctly.

3. Do not try to eliminate incorrect answers by looking only at the answers. The incorrect
answers are generally correct by themselves. The incorrect answers are generally incorrect
only when used to complete the sentence.

4. Never leave any answers blank. Be sure to answer each question even if you are unsure of
the correct response.

5. Do not spend too much time on the Structure questions. Be sure to leave adequate time
for the Written Expression questions.

The following skills will help you to implement these strategies in the Structure section of the TOEFL
test.

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SKILL 1: SUBJECTS AND VERBS______________________________

You know that a sentence in English should have a subject and a verb. The most common types of
problems that you will encounter in the Structure section of the TOEFL test are related to subjects and
verbs; perhaps the sentence is missing either the subject, or the verb, or both; perhaps the sentence has
an extra subject or verb.

Example I

______was ringing continuously for hours.

(A) Loudly
(B) In the morning
(C) The phone
(D) The bells

In this example, you should notice immediately that there is a verb, was ringing, but there is no
subject. Answer (C) is the best answer because it is a singular subject that agrees with the singular
verb was ringing. Answer (A), loudly, and answer (B), in the morning, are not subjects, so they are not
correct. Although answer (D), bells, could be a subject, it is not correct because bells is plural and it
does not agree with the singular verb was ringing.

Example II

Newspapers _______ every morning and every evening.

(A) delivery
(B) are delivered
(C) on time
(D) regularly

In this example, you should notice immediately that the sentence has a subject, newspapers, but that
there is no verb. Because answer (B), are delivered, is a verb, it is the best answer. Answers (A), (C),
and (D) are not verbs, so they are not correct.

Example III

The plane __________ landing at the airport in five minutes.

(A) it is
(B) it really is
(C) is descending
(D) will be

This sentence has a subject, plane, and has part of a verb, landing; to be correct, some form of the verb
be is needed to make the verb complete. Answers (A) and (B) are incorrect because the sentence

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already has a subject, plane, and does not need the extra subject it. Answer (C) is incorrect because
descending is an extra part of a verb that is unnecessary because of landing. Answer (D) is the best
answer; will be together with landing is a complete verb.

The following chart outlines the key information that you should remember about subjects and verbs.

SUBJECTS AND VERBS


A sentence in English must have at least one subject and one verb. The first thing you should do as
you read a sentence in the Structure section of the TOEFL test is to find the subject and the
verb.

EXERCISE 1: Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice in each of the following sentences.
Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

I 1. My best friend always helpful with problems.

C 2. The bus schedule has changed since last week.

3. Accidentally dropped the glass on the floor.

4. The customer paying the clerk for the clothes.

5. The professor handed the syllabus to the students.

6. Each day practiced the piano for hours.

7. The basketball player tossed the ball into the hoop.

8. The new student in the class very talkative and friendly.

9. Walking with the children to school.

10. The whales headed south for the winter.

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SKILL 2: OBJECTS OF PREPOSITIONS______________________
An object of a preposition is a noun or a pronoun that comes after a preposition such as in, at, of to,
by, behind, and on to form a prepositional phrase.

The trip (to the island) (on Saturday) will last (for three hours).

This sentence contains three objects of prepositions. Island is the object of the preposition to; Saturday
is the object of the preposition on; hours is the object of the preposition for.
An object of a preposition can cause confusion in the Structure section of the TOEFL test
because it can be mistaken for the subject of a sentence.

Example

To Mike ____ was a big surprise.

(A) really
(B) the party
(C) funny
(D) when

In this example, you should look first for the subject and the verb. You should notice the verb was and
should also notice that there is no subject. Do not think that Mike is the subject; Mike is the object of
the preposition to, and one noun cannot be both a subject and an object at the same time. Because a
subject is needed in this sentence, answer (B), the party, is the best answer. Answers (A), (C), and (D)
are not correct because they cannot be subjects.

The following chart outlines the key information that you should remember about objects of
prepositions.

OBJECTS OF PREPOSITIONS
A preposition is followed by a noun or pronoun that is called an object of the preposition. If a word is
an object of a preposition, it is not the subject.

NOTE: A list of prepositions and exercises to practice recognizing


these prepositions can be found in Appendix B at the back of the
text. You may want to complete these exercises before continuing
with Exercise 2.

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EXERCISE 2: Each of the following sentences contains one or more prepositional phrases. Underline
the subjects once and the verbs twice. Circle the prepositional phrases that come before the verb. Then
indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

C 1. The name of the baby in the crib is Jack.

I 2. By the next meeting of the class need to turn in the papers.

3. The directions to the exercise on page 20 unclear.

4. Because of the heavy rain throughout the night, the walkways are muddy.

5. During the week eat lunch in the school cafeteria.

6. In the morning after the concert was tired.

7. In the summer the trip to the mountains is our favorite trip.

8. In a box on the top shelf of the cabinet in the hallway of the house.

9. With her purse in her hand ran through the door.

10. At 1:00 in the morning the alarm clock on the table beside the bed rang.

EXERCISE (Skills 1—2): Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice. Circle the prepositional
phrases that come before the verb. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

1. During the meeting in the office discussed the schedule.

2. The doctor gave the patient a prescription.

3. The tall evergreen trees along the road.

4. The watch in the jewelry box needs a new battery

5. Pleasantly greets everyone in all the offices every morning.

6. In the office of the building across the street from the park on the corner.

7. The dishes in the sink really need to be washed as soon as possible.

8. In a moment of worry about the problem with the cash in the account.

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9. The plane from New York circling the airport.

10. On a regular basis the plants in the boxes under the window in the kitchen are watered and
fed.

TOEFL EXERCISE (Skills 1-2): Choose the letter of the word or group of words that best completes
the sentence.

1. Mark Twain _____ the years after the 6. The large carotid artery ____ to the main
Civil War the “Gilded Age.” parts of the brain.
(A) called (A) carrying blood
(B) calling (B) blood is carried
(C) he called (C) carries blood
(D) his calls (D) blood carries

2. Early ____ toes instead of hooves on their 7. _____ radio as the first practical system of
feet. wireless telegraphy.
(A) horses (A) Marconi’s development
(B) had horses (B) The development by Marconi
(C) horses had (C) Developing Marconi
(D) horses having (D) Marconi developed

3. ______ grow close to the ground in the 8. In 1975, the first successful space probe
short Arctic summer. to ____ beginning to send information
(A) Above tundra plants back to Earth.
(B) Tundra plants (A) Venus
(C) Tundra plants are found (B) Venus the
(D) For tundra plants (C) Venus was
(D) Venus it was
4. In 1867, ____ Alaska from the Russians
for $7.2 million. 9. The two biggest resort _____ Arkansas
(A) purchased the United States are Hot Springs and Eureka Springs.
(B) to purchase the United States (A) in
(C) the United States’ purchase of (B) towns in
(D) the United States purchased (C) towns are
(D) towns are in
5. Between 1725 and 1750, New England
witnessed an increase in the specialization 10. NASA’S Lyndon B. Johnson Space
of _____. Center _________ control center for the
(A) occupations Mercury Gemini, and Apollo space
(B) occupies flights.
(C) they occupied (A) it was at the
(D) it occupied them (B) it was the
(C) was the
(D) the

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SKILL 3: PRESENT PARTICIPLES______________________________

Present participles can-cause confusion in the Structure section of the TOEFL test because a present
participle can be either an adjective or a part of the verb. A present participle is the - ing form of the
verb. It is part of the verb when it is pre— ceded by some form of the verb be.

The train is arriving at the station now.


VERB

In this sentence, arriving is part of the verb because it is accompanied by is.


A present participle is an adjective when it is not accompanied by some form of the verb be.

The train arriving at the station now is an hour late.


ADJECTIVE

In this sentence, arriving is an adjective and not part of the verb because it is not accompanied by
some form of be. The verb in this sentence is is.
The following example shows how a present participle can be confused with the verb in the
Structure section of the TOEFL test.

Example

The film ____ appearing at the local theater is my favorite.


(A) now
(B) is
(C) it
(D) was

In this example, if you look at only the first words of the sentence, it appears that film is the subject
and appearing is part of the verb. If you think that appearing is part of the verb, you might choose
answer (B), is, or answer (D), was, to complete the verb. However, these two answers are incorrect
because appearing is not part of the verb. You should recognize that appearing is a participial adjective
rather than a verb because there is another verb in the sentence, is. In this sentence, there is a complete
subject, film, and a complete verb, is, so this sentence does not need another subject or verb. The best
answer to this question is answer (A).

The following chart outlines the key information you should remember about present
participles.

PRESENT PARTICIPLES
A present participle is the -ing form of the verb. The present participle can be (1) part of the verb or
(2) an adjective. it is part of the verb when it is accompanied by some form of the verb be. It is an
adjective when it is not accompanied by some form of the verb be.

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EXERCISE 3: Each of the following sentences contains one or more present participles. Underline
the subjects once and the verbs twice. Circle the present participles, and label them as adjectives or
verbs. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

C 1. The crying baby needs to be picked up.


ADJ.

I 2. The clothes are lying the floor should go into the washing machine.
VERB

3. The waitress bringing the steaming soup to the waiting diners.

4. Most of the striking workers are walking the picket line.

5. For her birthday, the child is getting a talking doll.

6. The setting sun creating a rainbow of colors in the sky.

7. The ship is sailing to Mexico is leaving tonight.

8. The letters needing immediate answers are on the desk.

9. The boring class just ending a few minutes ago.

10. The fast-moving clouds are bringing freezing rain to the area.

SKILL 4: PAST PARTICIPLES ___________________________________

Past participles can cause confusion in the Structure section of the TOEFL test because a past
participle can be either an adjective or a part of the verb. The past participle is the form of the verb that
appears with have or be. It often ends in -ed, but there are also many irregular past participles in
English.

The mailman has left a letter in the mailbox.


VERB

The classes were taught by Professor Smith.


VERB

In the first sentence, the past participle left is part of the verb because it is accompanied by has. In the
second sentence, the past participle taught is part of the verb because it is accompanied by were.

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A past participle is an adjective when it is not accompanied by some form of be or have.

The letter left in the mailbox was for me.


ADJECTIVE

The classes taught by Professor Smith were very interesting.


ADJECTIVE

In the first sentence, left is an adjective rather than a verb because it is not accompanied by a form of
be or have (and there is a verb, was, later in the sentence). In the second sentence, taught is an
adjective rather than a verb because it is not accompanied by a form of be or have (and there is a verb,
were, later in the sentence).
The following example shows how a past participle can be confused with the verb in the
Structure section of the TOEFL test.

Example

The bread _____ baked this morning smelled delicious.

(A) has
(B) was
(C) it
(D) just

In this example, if you look only at the first few words of the sentence, it appears that bread is the
subject and baked is either a complete verb or a past participle that needs a helping verb. But if you
look further in the sentence, you will see the verb smelled. You will then recognize that baked is a
participial adjective and is therefore not part of the verb. Answers (A) and (B) are incorrect because
baked is an adjective and does not need a helping verb such as has or was. Answer (C) is incorrect
because there is no need for the subject it. Answer (D) is the best answer to this question.

The following chart outlines the key information that you should remember about past
participles.

PAST PARTICIPLES

A past participle often ends in -ed, but there are also many irregular past participles. For many verbs,
including -ed verbs, the simple past and the past participle are the same and can be easily confused.
The -ed form of the verb can be (1) the simple past, (2) the past participle of a verb, or (3) an
adjective.

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EXERCISE 4: Each of the following sentences contains one or more past participles. Underline the
subjects once and the verbs twice. Circle the past participles, and label them as adjectives or verbs.
Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

I 1. The food is served in this restaurant is delicious.


VERB

C 2. The plane landed on the deserted runway.


ADJ

3. The unexpected guests arrived just at dinnertime.

4. The courses are listed in the catalogue are required courses.

5. The teacher found the lost exam.

6. The small apartment very crowded and disorganized.

7. The photographs developed yesterday showed Sam and his friends.

8. The locked drawer contained the unworn jewels.

9. The tree was blown over in the storm was cut into logs.

10. The students registered in this course are listed on that sheet of paper.

EXERCISE (Skills 3 - 4): Each of the following sentences contains one or more participles.
Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice. Circle the participles, and label them as adjectives or
verbs. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

1. Our hosts are serving drinks on the tiled patio.

2. The tired woman taking a much needed nap.

3. The letters were sent on Monday arrived on Wednesday.

4. The winners deserved the big prize.

5. The plants are growing in the garden need a lot of water.

6. The shining stars lit up the darkened sky.

7. The driver rapidly increased the speed of the racing car.

8. The excited children trying to build a snowman in the falling snow.

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9. The students are completing the course will graduate in June.

10. The dissatisfied customer is returning the broken toaster to the store.

TOEFL EXERCISE (Skills 3 - 4): Choose the letter of the word or group of word that best
completes the sentence.

1. The first _____ appeared during the last 6. Robert E. Lee ____ the Confederate army
period of the dinosaurs’ reign. to General Grant in 1865 at the
(A) flowers are plants Appomattox Courthouse.
(B) plants have flowers (A) surrendered
(C) plants flowers (B) he surrendered
(D) flowering plants (C) surrendering
(D) surrender
2. The earliest medicines _____ from plants
of various sorts. 7. The pituitary gland, _____ the brain,
(A) obtaining releases hormones to control other glands.
(B) they obtained (A) found below
(C) were obtained (B) it is found below
(D) they were obtained (C) its foundation below
(D) finds itself below
3. Simple sails were made from canvas
_____ over a frame. 8. At around two years of age, many
(A) a stretch children regularly produce sentences
(B) stretched _____ three or four words.
(C) was stretched (A) are containing
(D) it was stretched (B) containing
(C) contain.
4. Pluto’s moon, Charon, _____ in a slightly (D) contains planet.
elliptical path around the planet.
(A) moving 9. Multinational companies ________ it
(B) is moving increasingly important to employ
(C) it was moving internationally acceptable brand names.
(D) in its movement (A) finding
(B) are finding
5. Techniques of breath control form an (C) they find
essential part of any _____ program to (D) they are finding
improve the voice.
(A) it trains 10. The cornea is located under the
(B) train conjunctiva, on ______ of the eye.
(C) trains (A) the part is exposed
(D) training (B) exposed the part
(C) the exposed part
(D) exposes the part

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TOEFL REVIEW EXERCISE (Skills 1 - 4): Choose the letter of the word or group of words that
best completes the sentence.

1. _____ first settled the Hawaiian Islands 6. The Earth’s plates meet each other at
between A.D. 300 and 750. cracks in the Earth _____ faults.
(A) The Polynesians (A) were called
(B) The Polynesians arrived (B) calls
(C) Because of the Polynesians (C) called
(D) It was the Polynesians (D) it was called
7. The first plant-like organisms probably
2. In 1066, a bright comet _____ in the sky _____ in the sea, perhaps 3 billion years
attracted much attention. ago.
(A) was appearing (A) life
(B) appears (B) living
(C) it appeared (C) lived
(D) appearing (D) it was living

3. In some daguerreotype cameras, _____ 8. In male pattern baldness, ______strongly


through a hole in the back of the box. influences the degree of hair loss.
(A) the objects view (A) heredity
(B) the object was viewed (B) inherited
(C) from the view of the object (C) inherits
(D) viewed the object (D) heredity has

4. In the Stone Age, stone tools _____ with 9. In Watch the Skies, Curtis Peebles
other rock materials. ______attempt to explain America’s
(A) polishing belief in flying saucers.
(B) they polished (A) makes a fascinating
(C) for polish (B) making a fascinating
(D) were polished (C) fascination with making
(D) fascination made a
5. The first steamship to cross the Atlantic
____ Savannah, in 1819. 10. The irregular coastline of _____ a
(A) was the succession of bays and inlets, with the
(B) it was the hook of the Cape Cod peninsula in the
(C) the southeast.
(D) in it the (A) Massachusetts
(B) Massachusetts is
(C) Massachusetts it is
(D) Massachusetts on

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SKILL 5: COORDINATE CONNECTORS________________________

Many sentences in English have more than one clause. (A clause is a group of words containing a
subject and a verb.) When you have two clauses in an English sentence, you must connect the two
clauses correctly. One way to connect two clauses is to use and, but, or, or so between the clauses.

The sun was shining and the sky was blue.


The sky was blue, but it was very cold.
It may rain tonight, or it may be clear.
It was raining outside, so I took my umbrella.

In each of these examples, there are two clauses that are correctly joined with a coordinate
connector—and, but, or, or so—and a comma (,).
The following example shows how this sentence pattern could be tested in the Structure
section of the TOEFL test.

Example

I forgot my coat, ____ I got very cold.


(A) then
(B) so
(C) later
(D) as a result

In this example, you should notice quickly that there are two clauses, I forgot my coat and I got very
cold. This sentence needs a connector to join the two clauses. Then, later, and as a result are not
connectors, so answers (A), (C), and (D) are not correct. The best answer is answer (B) because so can
connect two clauses in this manner.

The following chart lists the coordinate connectors and the sentence pattern used with them.

COORDINATE CONNECTORS
and but or so
S V , S V
Was
It , but Bill went Out to play
raining

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EXERCISE 5: Each of the following sentences contains more than one clause. Underline the
subjects once and the verbs twice. Circle the connectors. Then indicate if the sentences are correct ‘(C)
or incorrect (I).

C 1. The lawn needs water every day, or it will turn brown.

I 2. The book was not long, it difficult to read.

3. It was raining, so decided not to go camping.

4. The material has been cut, and the pieces have been sewn together.

5. The patient took all the medicine, he did not feel much better.

6. The bill must be paid immediately, or the electricity will be turned off.

7. The furnace broke so the house got quite cold.

8. The dress did not cost too much, but the quality it seemed excellent.

9. The leaves kept falling off the trees, and the boys kept raking them up, but the yard was
still covered.

10. The mail carrier has already delivered the mail, so the letter is not going to arrive today, it
probably will arrive tomorrow.

SKILL 6: ADVERB CLAUSE CONNECTORS ______________________


Sentences with adverb clauses have two basic patterns in English. Study the clauses and connectors in
the following sentences:

He is tired because he has been working so hard.


Because he has been working so hard, he is tired.

In each of these examples, there are two clauses: he is tired and he has been working so hard. The
clause he has been working so hard is an adverb clause that is introduced with the connector because.
In the first example, the connector because comes in the middle of the sentence, and no comma (,) is
used. In the second example, the connector because comes at the beginning of the sentence. In this
pattern, when the connector comes at the beginning of the sentence, a comma (,) is required in the
middle of the sentence.
The following example shows how this sentence pattern could be tested in the Structure
section of the TOEFL test.

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Example

_____ arrived at the library, he started to work immediately.

(A) The student


(B) When
(C) He
(D) After the student

In this example, you should recognize easily that the verb arrived needs a subject. There is also
another clause, he started to work immediately. If you choose answer (A) or answer (C), you will have
a subject for the verb arrived, but you will not have a connector to join the two clauses. Because you
need a connector to join two clauses, answers (A) and (C) are incorrect. Answer (B) is incorrect
because there is no subject for the verb arrived. Answer (D) is the best answer because there is a
subject, student, for the verb, arrived, and there is a connector, after, to join the two clauses.
The following chart lists common adverb connectors and the sentence patterns used with
them.

ADVERB CLAUSE CONNECTORS


TIME CAUSE CONDITION CONTRAST
after until because if although
as when since whether even though
before while though
since while
S V S V

Matt felt good because he passed


S V , S V

Because Matt passed , he felt good.

EXERCISE 6: Each of the following sentences contains more than one clause. Underline the subjects
once and the verbs twice. Circle the connectors. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or
incorrect (I).

C 1. After the plane circled the airport, it landed on the main runway.

I 2. The registration process took many hours since the lines so long.

3. This type of medicine can be helpful, it can also have some bad side effects.

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4. The waves were amazingly high when the storm hit the coastal town.

5. We need to get a new car whether is on sale or not.

6. Just as the bread came out of the oven, while a wonderful aroma filled the kitchen.

7. Everyone has spent time unpacking boxes since the family moved into the new house.

8. Although the area is a desert many plants bloom there in the springtime.

9. The drivers on the freeway drove slowly and carefully while the rain was falling heavily
because they did not want to have an accident.

10. If you plan carefully before you take a trip, will have a much better time because the small
details will not cause problems.

EXERCISE (Skills 5—6): Each of the following sentences contains more than one clause. Underline
the subjects once and the verbs twice. Circle the connectors. Then indicate if the sentences are correct
(C) or incorrect (I).

1. The lawyer presented a strong case, but the client was still found guilty.

2. After the children read some stories before they went to bed.

3. The report needed to be completed, the workers stayed late every night for a week.

4. If you do not turn on the lights, you will trip in the dark.

5. A thick fog came rolling in, so planes unable to land.

6. All of the shoes are on sale until the current stock is gone.

7. The ship leaving the dock even though some passengers were not on board.

8. The outline must be turned in to the teacher a week before the paper is due, and must
approve it.

9. Because the food was cold when it was served the diners sent it back to the kitchen.

10. You should slow down while you are driving, or the police will pull your car over.

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TOEFL EXERCISE (Skills 5—6): Choose the letter of the word or group of words that best
completes the sentence.

1. A spacecraft is freed from friction ____ 7. mostly made of granite, it also


launched into space. contains some human-made materials.
(A) it (A) The Empire State Building
(B) it is (B) The Empire State Building is
(C) after is (C) Although the Empire State Building is
(D) after it is (D) Although the Empire State Building is
built
2. ____ with their surroundings, or they hide
in crevices for protection. 8. Pressure differences make the eardrum
(A) Lobsters vibrate _____ the ear.
(B) Lobsters blend (A) enters the sound waves
(C) Lobsters blending (B) as sound waves
(D) Because lobsters blend (C) sound waves enter
(D) as sound waves enter
3. _____ a ball-and-socket joint, the elbow is
a simple hinge joint. 9. An optical microscope magnifies as much
(A) While the shoulder as 2,000 times, but an electron
(B) While the shoulder is microscope as much as a million
(C) The shoulder is times.
(D) The shoulder (A) magnifying
(B) it magnifies
4. A car has several sections with moving (C) can magnify
parts, of those parts is essential. (D) magnify it
(A) good lubrication
(B) well lubricated 10. If scientific estimates are accurate, ___
(C) and good lubrication _ with the Earth about 20,000 years ago.
(D) and well lubricated (A) the Canon Diablo meteorite collided
(B) the collision of the Canon Diablo
5. Bears cannot see well _____ small eyes. meteorite
(A) bears have (C) the Canon Diablo meteorite colliding
(B) because having (D) colliding the Canon Diablo meteorite
(C) because they have
(D) because of bears

6. _____ at the Isthmus of Panama, so


animals were able to migrate between
North and South America.
(A) A land bridge existed
(B) When a land bridge existed
(C) A land bridge
(D) With a land bridge

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TOEFL REVIEW EXERCISE (Skills 1—6): Choose the letter of the word or group of words that
best completes the sentence.

1. _____ of the Pueblo Indians centered on 7. During the late 1880s, urban streetcars
intensive agriculture. were electrified through ______ large
(A) The economic activity motors.
(B) Because the economic activity (A) they used
(C) The economy was active (B) used
(D) When the economic activity (C) the use of
(D) when they used
2. In popular terminology, any long
snowstorm with ____ is called a blizzard. 8. _____ almost 274 square miles, but 96
(A) the amount of wind is large percent of the park is under water.
(B) a large amount of wind (A) Although Biscayne National Park
(C) it is very windy encompasses
(D) very windy (B) Biscayne National Park encompasses
(C) Biscayne National Park encompassing
3. Nuclear power can be produced by fusion, (D) Biscayne National Park
_____ produced by fission.
(A) it can also be 9. Legislation _______ in 1916 and 1917
(B) it can also gave the Wilson administration authority
(C) and it can also be to intervene in the national economy if it
(D) and it can also proved necessary.
(A) it was passed
4. _____, igneous rocks may be changed (B) was passed
into gneisses. (C) passed
(A) The temperature is high (D) passes
(B) If the temperature is high
(C) High temperatures 10. Because a family of birds set up
(D) If high temperature housekeeping in Joel Chandler Harris’s
mailbox when the birds were in need of a
5. In 1905, Henry Flagler _____ his plans to place to stay, ______ the Wren’s Nest.
extend his Florida East Coast Railway out (A) the home is named
across the sea to Key West. (B) so the home is named
(A) it was announced (C) naming the home
(B) announcement (D) the home’s name
(C) the announcement of
(D) announced

6. The sound ____ from a vibrating object


will be high or low depending on the
number of vibrations.
(A) Comes
(B) it is coming
(C) is coming
(D) coming

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SKILL 7: NOUN CLAUSE CONNECTORS_________________________

A noun clause is a clause that functions as a noun; because the noun clause functions as a noun, it can
be used in a sentence as an object of a verb (if it follows a verb) or an object of a preposition (if it
follows a preposition). Study the clauses and connectors in the following sentences.

I don’t know why he said such things


NOUN CLAUSE AS OBJECT OF VERB

I am thinking about why he said such thin


NOUN CLAUSE AS OBJECT OF PREPOSITION

In the first example, there are two clauses, I don’t know and he said such things. These two clauses are
joined with the connector why. Why changes the clause he said such things into a noun clause which
functions as the object of the verb don’t know.
In the second example, the two clauses I am thinking and he said such things are also joined
by the connector why. Why changes the clause he said such things into a noun clause which functions
as the object of the preposition about.
The following example shows how these sentence patterns could be tested in the Structure
section of the TOEFL test.

Example

The citizens worry about ____ is doing.

(A) what the government


(B) the government
(C) what
(D) what the government it

In this example, the sentence contains the main subject and verb, the citizens worry, and it also
contains an additional verb, is doing. The sentence needs a subject for the verb is doing and a
connector to join the two clauses. The best answer is answer (A) because it has the connector what and
the subject government. Answer (B) is incorrect because it does not have a connector. Answer (C) is
incorrect because it does not have a subject for is doing. Answer (D) is incorrect because it has two
subjects for is doing.

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The following chart lists the noun clause connectors and the sentence patterns used with them.

NOUN CLAUSE CONNECTORS


• what, when, where, why, how
• whether, if
• that
S V S V

Sally explained why she did it.

EXERCISE 7: Each of the following sentences contains more than one clause. Underline the subjects
once and the verbs twice. Circle the connectors. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or
incorrect (I).

C 1. It is unfortunate that the meal is not ready yet.

I 2. She told me when should pick up the children.

3. The instructor explained where was the computer lab located.

4. We could not believe what he did to us.

5. Do you want to know if it going to rain tomorrow?

6. We never know whether we will get paid or not.

7. This evening you can decide what do you want to do.

8. The manager explained how wanted the work done.

9. The map showed where the party would be held.

10. Can you tell me why was the mail not delivered today?

SKILL 8: NOUN CLAUSE CONNECTOR/SUBJECTS________________


In Skill 7 we saw that noun clause connectors can be used to introduce noun clauses. In Skill 8 we will
see that in some cases a noun clause connector is not just a connector; a noun clause connector can
also be the subject of the clause at the same time. Study the clauses and connectors in the following
sentences.

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I know what happened yesterday
NOUN CLAUSE AS OBJECT OF VERB

We are thinking about what happened yesterday.


NOUN CLAUSE AS OBJECT OF PREPOSITION

In the first example, there are two clauses: I know and what happened yesterday. These two clauses
are joined by the connector what. It is important to understand that in this sentence the word what
serves two functions. It is both the subject of the verb happened and the connector that joins the two
clauses.
In the second example, there are two clauses. In the first clause we is the subject of are
thinking. In the second clause what is the subject of happened. What also serves as the connector that
joins the two clauses. The noun clause what happened yesterday functions as the object of the
preposition about.
The following example shows how this sentence pattern could be tested in the Structure
section of the TOEFL test.

Example

The company was prepared for ________ happened with the economy.
(A) it
(B) the problem
(C) what
(D) when

In this example, the sentence contains the main clause the company was prepared and another verb,
happened. The sentence needs a subject for the verb happened and a connector to join the two clauses.
Answer (C) is the best answer because what is both a connector and a subject. Answer (A) is incorrect
because it is a subject, but there is no connector. Answer (B) is incorrect because the problem is a
subject, but there is no connector. Answer (D) is incorrect because why is a connector, but it is not a
subject.
The following chart lists the noun clause connector/subjects and the sentence pattern used with
them.

NOUN CLAUSE CONNECTOR/SUBJECTS


who what which
S V
V

Al told me what happened

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EXERCISE 8: Each of the following sentences contains more than one clause. Underline the subjects
once and the verbs twice. Circle the connectors. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or
incorrect (I).

C 1. The teacher heard answered the question.

I 2. I do not understand it went wrong.

3. Of the three movies, I can’t decide which is the best.

4. She did not remember who in her class.

5. No one is sure what did it happen in front of the building.

6. We found out which was her favorite type of candy.

7. Do you know what caused the plants to die?

8. I am not sure which it is the most important course in the program.

9. We thought about who would be the best vice president.

10. She saw what in the box in the closet.

EXERCISE (Skills 7—8): Each of the following sentences contains more than one clause.
Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice. Circle the connectors. Then indicate if the sentences
are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

1. It doubtful whether he will pass the test or not.

2. The group discussed who he should receive the prize.

3. It is not certain why the class was cancelled.

4. I will do what does it need to be done.

5. We forgot when did the movie start.

6. I would like to ask if you could come over for dinner this weekend.

7. The children knew which the best game to play.

8. The advisor informed her that needed to add another class.

9. He saw who took the money.

10. It is unclear how the window got broken.

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TOEFL EXERCISE (Skills 7—8): Choose the letter of the word or group of words that best
completes the sentence.

1. Today, the true story of _____ at Little (C) know whether


Bighorn remains a mystery. (D) sure whether
(A) Happened
(B) it happened 7. Minute Man National Historical Park is a
(C) what happened monument to where _____
(D) what happening (A) the beginning of the Revolutionary
War
2. For more than a decade, ____ that certain (B) in the beginning of the Revolutionary
species are becoming scarce. War
(A) the warnings of bird-watchers (C) the Revolutionary War to begin
(B) warn the bird-watchers (D) the Revolutionary War began
(C) birdwatchers have warned
(D) a warning for bird-watchers 8. Tests on the colors of cars were conducted
at the University of California to
3. Early in the eighteenth century, Halley determine _____ the safest colors for cars.
accurately predicted when ____ of 1682 (A) which
would return. (B) which were
(A) the comet (C) if
(B) was the comet (D) how were
(C) the comet was
(D) had the comet 9. The National Institute of Dental Research
estimates _____ in fluoridated areas have
4. No single factor explains why _____ vary about 25 percent less tooth decay than
so greatly among individuals. children elsewhere.
(A) aging affects (A) for school children
(B) the effects of aging (B) school children’s
(C) aging has an effect (C) that school children
(D) the aging effect (D) that for school children

5. Lack of clarity about ____ the party in the 10. The process of photosynthesis explains
coming year will be removed at the how ____ able to use the energy in
party’s convention. sunlight to manufacture foods from the
(A) will lead simple chemicals in air and water.
(B) lead (A) green plants
(C) they will lead (B) green plants are
(D) who will lead (C) planting greens
(D) with green plants are
6. We do not ____ the bow drill was first
developed for woodworking or fire
making.
(A) whether it
(B) know whether it

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TOEFL REVIEW EXERCISE (Skills 1 - 8): Choose the letter of the word or group of words
that best completes the sentence.

1. Air near the equator ____ a faster west-to- 6. The Moon’s gravity pulls water on the
east motion than air farther from the near side of the Earth toward the Moon,
equator. and this is what _____ tides to occur.
(A) to have (A) the cause
(B) it has (B) causes
(C) has (C) causing
(D) having (D) the cause of

2. About 4000 B.C., humans discovered that 7. ____, they pick up fragments of rock
____ obtained from special rocks called which become frozen into the base of the
ores. ice.
(A) metals could be (A) Glaciers move
(B) the ability of metallic (B) Glaciers moving
(C) possibly metallic (C) They were glaciers
(D) could metals be (D) As glaciers move

3. ____ quickly after an animal dies. 8. The tape measure first evolved from ____
(A) In the degradation of DNA used by the Egyptians.
(B) Degrading DNA (A) the chains measure
(C) DNA degrades (B) the chains are measured
(D) For DNA to degrade (C) the chains are measuring
(D) the measuring chains
4. ____ aerodynamic design has contributed
greatly to reducing resistance to motion. 9. A typical Atlantic hurricane starts as a
(A) Improved low pressure system near _____.
(B) It improves (A) Africa coasts
(C) Improvement (B) coast to Africa
(D) They improve (C) the African coast
(D) Africa has a coast
5. The southern part of Florida is much
warmer in the winter than the northern 10. It is not clear whether the subdivisions of
part, so more _____ to the south. the neocortex _____ units.
(A) flocking tourists (A) individual
(B) touring flocks (B) are individual
(C) flocks of tourists (C) they are individual
(D) tourists flock (D) individually

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SKILL 9: ADJECTIVE CLAUSE CONNECTORS________________________________

An adjective clause describes a noun. Because the clause is an adjective, it is positioned directly after
the noun that it describes.

This is the house that I want to buy


ADJECTIVE CLAUSE

The house that I want to buy is quite expensive.


ADJECTIVE CLAUSE

In the first example, there are two clauses: this is the subject of the verb is, and I is the subject of the
verb want. That is the adjective clause connector that joins these two clauses, and the adjective clause
that I want to buy describes the noun house.
In the second example, there are also two clauses: house is the subject of the verb is, and I is
the subject of the verb want. In this sentence also, that is the adjective clause connector that joins these
two clauses, and the adjective clause that I want to buy describes the noun house.
The following example shows how these sentence patterns could be tested in the Structure
section of the TOEFL test.

Example

The job _____ started yesterday was rather difficult.


(A) when
(B) was
(C) after
(D) that he

In this example, you should notice quickly that there are two clauses: job is the subject of the verb
was, and the verb started needs a subject. Because there are two clauses, a connector is also needed.
Answers (A) and (C) have connectors, but there are no subjects, so these answers are not correct.
Answer (B) changes started into a passive verb; in this case the sentence would have one subject and
two verbs, so answer (B) is not correct. The best answer to this question is answer (D). The correct
sentence should say: The job that he started yesterday was rather difficult. In this sentence job is the
subject of the verb was, he is the subject of the verb started, and the connector that joins these two
clauses.

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The following chart lists the adjective clause connectors and the sentence pat terns used with them.

ADJECTIVE CLAUSE CONNECTORS


whom which that
(for people) (for things) (for people or things)
S V S V

I like the dress that You are warning


S S V V

The dress that you are wearing is beautiful

NOTE: The adjective connectors can be omitted. This omission is very common in spoken English or
in casual written English. It is not as common in formal English or in the Structure section of the
TOEFL test.

EXERCISE 9: Each of the following sentences contains more than one clause. Underline the subjects
once and the verbs twice. Circle the connectors. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or
incorrect (I).

C 1. I did not believe the story that he told me.

I 2. Ms. Brown, whom did you recommend for the job, will start work tomorrow.

3. The lecture notes which lent me were not clearly written.

4. Sally has an appointment with the hairdresser whom you recommended.

5. The phone number that you gave me.

6. She is able to solve all the problems which did she cause.

7. The day that she spent on the beach left her sunburned.

8. Next week I am going to visit my cousins, whom have not seen in several years.

9. Did you forget the promise whom you made?

10. The teacher whom the students like the most is their history teacher.

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SKILL 10: ADJECTIVE CLAUSE CONNECTOR/SUBJECTS___________________

In Skill 9 we saw that adjective clause connectors can be used to introduce clauses that describe nouns.
In Skill 10 we will see that in some cases an adjective clause connector is not just a connector; an
adjective clause connector can also be the subject of the clause at the same time.

We are looking at a house that is quite expensive.


ADJECTIVE CLAUSE

The house that is quite expensive seems like a great house.


ADJECTIVE CLAUSE

In the first example, there are two clauses: we is the subject of the verb are looking, and that is the
subject of the verb is. These two clauses are joined with the connector that. Notice that in this example
the word that serves two functions at the same time: it is the subject of the verb is, and it is the
connector that joins the two clauses. The adjective clause that is quite expensive describes the noun
house.
In the second example, there are also two clauses: house is the subject of the verb seems, and
that is the subject of the verb is. In this example, that also serves two functions: it is the subject of the
verb is, and it is the connector that joins the two clauses. Because that is quite expensive is an
adjective clause describing the noun house, it directly follows house.
The following example shows how these sentence patterns could be tested in the Structure
section of the TOEFL test.

Example

______ just dropped off a package for you is my sister.

(A) The woman


(B) The woman who
(C) Because the woman
(D) With the woman

In this example, you should notice immediately that the sentence has two verbs, dropped and is, and
each of them needs a subject. The only answer that has two subjects is answer (B), so answer (B) is the
correct answer. The correct sentence should say: The woman who just dropped off a package for you
is my sister. In this sentence woman is the subject of the verb is, and who is the subject of the verb
dropped. Who is also the connector that joins the two clauses.

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The following chart lists the adjective clause connector/subjects and the sentence patterns used
with them.

ADJECTIVE CLAUSE CONNECTOR/SUBJECTS


who which that
(for people) (for things) (for people or things)
S V V

I bought the dress that was on sale.


S V V

The dress that was on sale was beautiful.

NOTE: Although adjective clause connectors (Skill 9) can be omitted in informal English, adjective
clause connector/subjects (Skill 10) can never be omitted.

EXERCISE 10: Each of the following sentences contains more than one clause. Underline the
subjects once and the verbs twice. Circle the connectors. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C)
or incorrect (I).

C 1. The children that were vaccinated did not get sick.

I 2. I did not vote for the politician who he just won the election.

3. The dog that barking belongs to my neighbor.

4. I took two of the blue pills, which were very effective.

5. We rented an apartment from the landlord who does he own the buildings on Maple Street.

6. She forgot to attend the meeting which it began at 11:00.

7. Any student who does not turn in the paper by Friday will fail the class.

8. The people which came in late had to sit at the back.

9. The courses that satisfy the graduation requirements they are difficult.

10. After dinner she went to visit her parents, who were living down the street.

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EXERCISE (Skills 9—10): Each of the following sentences contains more than one clause.
Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice. Circle the connectors. Then indicate if the sentences
are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

1. My sisters prefer to eat food that have cooked themselves.

2. The boat that hit the underwater rock sank.

3. The car which he was driving could not possibly be his.

4. The children built a house in the tree that in the backyard.

5. The cost of the trip which we wanted to take.

6. The children are playing with the toys which their mother told them to put away.

7. The guests who were seated around the dinner table.

8. The students have to read all the chapters which are on the test.

9. I really do not like the artists which you like.

10. The stones that they were set in the ring were quite valuable.

TOEFL EXERCISE (Skills 9-40): Choose the letter of the word or group of words that best
completes the sentence.

1. Modern humans, who first appeared about 3. _____ drought-resistant plants which
600,000 years ago, _____ Homo sapiens. store water in fleshy tissue.
(A) calling (A) Succulents are
(B) were called (B) Succulents
(C) they called (C) They are succulents
(D) they were called (D) Succulents which are

2. The first writing _____ evidence of is on 4. Benjamin Kabelsky, whom ____ as Jack
Mesopotamian clay tablets. Benny, was a famous comedian in
(A) we vaudeville and on radio and television.
(B) that we (A) most people’s knowledge
(C) has (B) most people know
(D) that we have (C) knowing most people
(D) the knowledge of most people

88 | P a g e
5. _____ that hunted other animals tended to 8. _____ that accompany recurring bouts of
have very narrow, sharp, curved claws. severe depression reduce bone density.
(A) For dinosaurs (A) It changes hormones
(B) Dinosaurs are known (B) Hormonal changes
(C) Dinosaurs (C) The hormones change
(D) Like dinosaurs (D) The change in hormones is

6. The first eyeglasses had convex lenses for 9. Willa Cather is an author _____ for her
the aged who ____ farsighted. evocative and memorable vision of
(A) had become frontier prairie life.
(B) they had become (A) whom readers
(C) becoming (B) the praise of readers
(D) it became (C) whom praisings
(D) whom readers praise
7. Chimney Rock, ____ 500 feet above the
North Platte River, has eroded 10. Mars’s tiny moon Phobos is a small
considerably in the last two centuries, mountain of rock that _____ from the
(A) stands asteroid belt by Mars’s gravitational pull.
(B) is standing (A) was probably captured
(C) it stands (B) it probably
(D) which stands (C) the probable capture
(D) probably the capture

TOEFL REVIEW EXERCISE (Skills 1 - 10): Choose the letter of the word or group of words that
best completes the sentence.

1. _____ is famous as the home of the U.S. 3. With _____ of sophisticated oil lamps,
Naval Academy. elaborate tools were made to cut the
(A) Annapolis wicks.
(B) Because of Annapolis (A) appeared
(C) Why Annapolis (B) the appearance
(D) Because Annapolis (C) the appearance was
(D) it appeared
2. Some scientists think _____ be a planet
but a moon of Neptune. 4. Fort Union was the site of what ____
(A) that Pluto does not seem. principal fur-trading post on the upper
(B) not Pluto Missouri River.
(C) Pluto that might not (A) the
(D) that Pluto might not (B) being the
(C) was the
(D) it was the

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5. Since _____ commercial risk, it has to 8. Genes, _____ the blueprints for cell
appeal to a large audience to justify its construction, exist in tightly organized
cost. packages called chromosomes.
(A) the face of the movie (A) are
(B) moving faces (B) they are
(C) a movie faces (C) which
(D) to face a movie (D) which are

6. A current of water known as the Gulf 9. The Earth’s atmosphere consists of gases
Stream comes up from the Gulf of _____ in place around the Earth by the
Mexico, and then ____ the North Atlantic gravitational pull of the planet.
toward Europe. (A) held
(A) it crosses (B) hold
(B) crossing (C) it holds
(C) with its crosses (D) the hold
(D) crosses it
10. Oscar Hammerstein II collaborated with a
7. Systems ____ the two symbols 0 and 1 number of composers including Jerome
are called binary number systems. Kern, whom _____ in writing the musical
(A) use Show Boat.
(B) they use (A) joined
(C) uses (B) was joined
(D) using (C) he joined
(D) joining

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THE WRITTEN EXPRESSION QUESTIONS

Questions 16 through 40 in the Structure and Written Expression section of the TOEFL test measure
your knowledge of the correct way to express yourself in English writing. Each question in this section
consists of one sentence in which four words or groups of words have been underlined. You must
choose the letter of the word or group of words that is not correct.

Example

The result of the study are not accurate.


A B C D

If you look at the underlined words in this example, you should see that the verb are is not correct. The
verb should be the singular is because the subject result is singular. Therefore, you should choose
answer (C) because (C) is not correct.

STRATEGIES FOR THE WRITTEN EXPRESSION QUESTIONS

1. First look at the underlined word or groups of words. You want to see if you can spot
which of the four answer choices is not correct.

2. If you have been unable to find the error by looking only at the four underlined
expressions, then read the complete sentence. Often an underlined expression is incorrect
because of something in another part of the sentence.

3. Never leave any answers blank. Be sure to answer each question even if you are unsure of
the correct response.

The following skills will help you to implement these strategies in the Written Expression questions.

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SKILL 11: AGREEMENT AFTER PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES_______

Subject/verb agreement is simple: if the subject of a sentence is singular, then the verb must be
singular; if the subject of the sentence is plural, then the verb must be plural. An s on a verb usually
indicates that a verb is singular, while an s on a noun usually indicates that the noun is plural. (Do not
forget irregular plurals of nouns such as women, children, and people.)

The dog barks at night.

The dogs bark at night.

In the first example, the singular subject dog requires a singular verb, barks. In the second example,
the plural subject dogs requires a plural verb, bark.
Sometimes prepositional phrases can come between the subject and the verb on the TOEFL
test, and this can cause confusion. If the object of the preposition is singular and the subject is plural,
or if the object of the preposition is plural and the subject is singular, there can be a problem in making
the subject and verb agree.

The door (to the rooms) are* locked.


SINGULAR PLURAL

The doors (to the room) is* locked.


PLURAL SINGULAR
(* indicates an error)

In the first example, you might think that rooms is the subject because it comes directly in front of the
verb are. However, rooms is not the subject because it is the object of the preposition to. The subject
of the sentence is door, so the verb should be is. In the second example, you might think that room is
the subject because it comes directly in front of the verb is. You should recognize in this example that
room is not the subject because it is the object of the preposition to. Because the subject of the
sentence is doors, the verb should be are.

The following chart outlines the key information that you should understand about
subject/verb agreement with prepositional phrases.

SUBJECT/VERB AGREEMENT WITH PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

S (prepositional phrase) V
When a prepositional phrase comes between the subject and the verb, be sure that the
verb agrees with the subject.

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EXERCISE 11: Each of the following sentences has one or more prepositional phrases between the
subject and verb. Put parentheses around the prepositional phrases. Underline the subjects once and
the verbs twice. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

C 1. The subject (of the lectures) was quite interesting.

I 2. The supplies (for the camping trip) needs to be packed.

3. The chairs under the table in the dining room is quite comfortable.

4. The players on the winning team in the competition were very talented.

5. The food for the guests at the party are on the long tables.

6. The cost of the clothes was higher than I had expected.

7. The rugs in the front rooms of the house are going to be washed today.

8. The servers in this restaurant always does their job efficiently.

9. The lights in the corner of the room need to be kept on all night.

10. The meeting of the members of the council begins at 3:00 in the afternoon.

SKILL 12: AGREEMENT AFTER EXPRESSIONS OF QUANTITY______________


A particular agreement problem occurs when the subject is an expression of quantity such as all, most,
or some followed by the preposition of In this situation, the subject (all, most, or some) can be singular
or plural, depending on what follows the preposition of

Most (of the meal) was delicious.


SINGULAR

Most (of the meals) were delicious.


PLURAL

Most (of the food) was delicious.


UNCOUNTABLE

In the first example, the subject most refers to the singular noun meal, so the correct verb is therefore
the singular verb was. In the second example, the subject most refers to the plural noun meals, so the
correct verb is the plural verb were. In the third example, the subject most refers to the uncountable
noun food, so the correct verb is therefore the singular verb was.

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These sentences contain examples of the types of problems that are common on the TOEFL test.

All (of the book) were* interesting.

Half (of the students) is* late to class.

In the first example, the plural verb were should be the singular verb was because the subject all refers
to the singular noun book. In the second example, the singular verb is should be the plural verb are
because the subject half refers to the plural noun students.

The following chart outlines the key information that you should understand about
subject/verb agreement after expressions of quantity.

SUBJECT/VERB AGREEMENT AFTER EXPRESSIONS OF QUANTITY

all
most
some of the (object) V
half
part

When an expression of quantity using of is the subject, the verb agrees with the object.

EXERCISE 12: Each of the following sentences has a quantity expression as the subject. Underline
the subjects once and the verbs twice. Circle the objects that the verbs agree with. Then indicate if the
sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

C 1. Half of the students in the class arrive early.

I 2. Some of the fruit are rotten.

3. All of the next chapter contains very important information.

4. Most of the people in the room is paying attention.

5. Part of the soup is left on the stove.

6. Some of the movie were just too violent for me.

7. All of the details in the report needs to be checked.

8. Most of the money is needed to pay the bills.

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9. The first half of the class consists of lecture and note taking.

10. Some of the questions on-the test was impossible to answer.

SKILL 13: AGREEMENT AFTER CERTAIN WORDS__________________________

Certain words in English are always grammatically singular, even though they might have plural
meanings.

Everybody in the theater are watching* the film attentively.

Even though we understand from this example that a lot of people are watching the film, everybody is
singular and requires a singular verb. The plural verb are watching should be changed to the singular
verb is watching.

The following chart lists the grammatically singular words that have plural meanings.

SUBJECT/VERB AGREEMENT AFTER CERTAIN WORDS


These words or expressions are grammatically singular, so they take singular verbs:
anybody everybody nobody somebody each (+ noun)
anyone everyone no one someone every (+ noun)
anything everything nothing something

EXERCISE 13: Each of the following sentences contains one of the words that is grammatically
singular but has a plural meaning. Underline these words once and underline the verbs twice. Then
indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

I 1. Anybody are welcome at the party.

C 2. No one here is afraid of skydiving.

3. Everyone in the world needs love and respect.

4. Someone have to clean up the house.

5. Each plant in the garden appear healthy and strong.

6. You should understand that anything is possible.

7. Everything in the salad are good for you.

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8. Nobody in the class have completed the assignment on time.

9. I am sure that -every detail have been considered.

10. Everybody know the rules, but somebody is not following them.

EXERCISE (Skills 11—13): Each of the following sentences may have a problem with
subject/verb agreement. Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice. Then indicate if the
sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

1. The receptionist in the entryway to the offices is able to answer your questions.

2. All of the information in the documents are important.

3. Anyone in one of the classes has to take the final exam.

4. The coordinator of community services are arranging the program.

5. Most of the car are covered with mud.

6. Nothing more is going to be completed today.

7. The drinks in the pitchers on the table in the ballroom is for everyone.

8. Everybody were told to be here at 8:00, but somebody is not here.

9. Some of the meetings at the conference are limited to ten participants.

10. The sauce on the vegetables in the yellow bowl taste really delicious.

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TOEFL EXERCISE (Skills 11—13): Choose the letter of the underlined word or group of words
that is not correct.

1. Nobody know when the process of glass-making was invented.


A B C D

2. Sugars like glucose is made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms.


A B C D

3. Part of the electricity used in the United States today come from hydroelectric sources.
A B C D

4. The languages of the world presents a vast array of structural similarities and differences.
A B C D

5. The rise of multinationals have resulted in a great deal of legal ambiguity because
A B

multinationals can operate in so many jurisdictions.


C D

6. All of the east—west interstate highways in the United States has even numbers while
A B

north - south interstate highways are odd-numbered


C D

7. When a massive star in the large Magellanic Cloud exploded in 1987, a wave of neutrinos
A B

were detected on Earth.


C D

8. Some of the agricultural practices used today is responsible for fostering desertification.
A B C D

9. Every open space in the targeted area that has grass and a few bushes are occupied by the
A B C D

white-crowned sparrow.

10. Krakatoa is remembered as the volcano that put so much ash into the air that sunsets
A B

around the world was affected for two years afterward


C D

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TOEFL REVIEW EXERCISE (Skills 1-13): Choose the letter of the word or group of words
that best completes the sentence.

1. _____ the earliest system of writing. 3. The Earth’s one-year revolution around
(A) The constitution of pictograms the Sun changes how _____ on one
(B) Pictograms in the constitution hemisphere or the other.
(C) Constitute the pictograms (A) falling sunlight
(D) Pictograms constitute (B) the fall of sunlight
(C) sunlight in the fall
2. At temperatures _____ absolute zero, (D) sunlight falls
substances possess minimal energy.
(A) approach 4. Though sporadic interest in regional
(B) approaches dialects _____ for centuries, the first
(C) approaching large-scale systematic studies did not take
(D) they approach place until the nineteenth century.
(A) has existed
(B) it existed
(C) has it existed
(D) existing with it

Choose the letter of the underlined word or group of words that is not correct.

____ 5. The waters of the Chattahoochee River fills Lake Lanier.


A B C D

____ 6. The first set of false teeth similar to those in use today it was made in France in the 1780s.
A B C D

____ 7. The term “Yankee” was originally a nickname for people from New England, but now anyone
A
from the United States are referred to as a Yankee.
B C D

____ 8. A network of small arteries, mostly sandwiched between the skin and the underlying muscles,
A B
supply blood to the face and scalp.
C D

____ 9. Mesquite is a small tree in the Southwest who can withstand the severest drought.
A B C D

____ 10. At the end of the Revolution, most of the army units of the young nation was almost entirely
A B
disbanded, leaving a total national military force of 80 men
C D

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SKILL 14: PARALLEL STRUCTURE WITH COORDINATE
CONJUNCTIONS____________________________________

The job of the coordinate conjunctions (and, but, or) is to join together equal expressions. In other
words, what is on one side of these words must be parallel to what is on the other side. These
conjunctions can join nouns, or verbs, or adjectives, or phrases, or clauses; they just must join together
the same structures. Here are examples of equal structures correctly joined by coordinate conjunctions:

He discussed the problem with the nurse and the doctor

The professor was knowledgeable but boring

She hikes, jogs, or rides her bicycle whenever she can.

There are meetings in the morning, in the afternoon and in the evening

You can do the work because you want to do it or because you have to do it

In the first example, two nouns are joined by the coordinate conjunction and. In the second example,
two adjectives are joined by the coordinate conjunction but. In the third example, three verbs are
joined by the coordinate conjunction or. In the fourth example, three phrases are joined by the
coordinate conjunction and. In the last example; two clauses are joined by the coordinate conjunction
or.
The sentences that follow show the types of errors in parallel structure that are common on the
TOEFL test.

The evening dress was beauty* but expensive.

The student reads each chapter, takes a lot of notes, and memories* the material.

In the first example, the coordinate conjunction but joins the noun beauty and the adjective expensive.
The adjective beautiful is needed in place of beauty. In the second example, the coordinate conjunction
and joins the verb reads, the verb takes, and the plural noun memories. The verb memorizes is needed
in place of memories.
The following chart outlines the use of parallel structures with coordinate con junctions.

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PARALLEL STRUCTURE WITH COORDINATE CONJUNCTIONS

and
(same structure) (same structure)
but

and
(same structure), (same structure), (same structure)
but

NOTE: A list of common word endings and exercises to practice their


use are included at the back of the text in Appendix C. You may want to
complete these exercises before you continue with Skills 14 through 15.

EXERCISE 14: Each of the following sentences contains words or groups of words that should be
parallel. Circle the word that indicates that the sentence should have parallel parts. Underline the parts
that should be parallel. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

I 1. The pastries in that shop are very expensive but quite deliciously

C 2. You can find some change to buy a paper in the drawer, on top of the dresser, or in the jar

____ 3. The living room was decorated with expensive paintings and elegance lamps.

____ 4. He knew that the financial problems were serious, that the situation was not going to improve,
and that he needed to get a job.

____ 5. All day long during the trip to the mountains, they were skiing, sledding, or played in the
snow.

____ 6. The car needs new tires but not a new engine.

____ 7. He stops working when he gets too tired to continue or when he has finished.

____ 8. To get to the office, you should go through this door, turn to the left, and continuation down
the hall.

____ 9. For dessert we could serve lemon pie, fruit tarts, chocolate cake, or butter cookies.

____ 10. The sick child needs some medicine, some juice, and to rest.

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SKILL 15: PARALLEL STRUCTURE WITH PAIRED
CONJUNCTIONS. ___________________________________

The paired conjunctions both …… and, either …… or; neither …… nor; and not only ….. but also
require parallel structures.

The lecture was both informative and enjoyable

Either the history exam or the physics exam is on Tuesday.

The missing papers are neither on his desk nor in the file

He visited not only his cousin but also his grandmother.

The following is not parallel and must be corrected:

They want either to play tennis or golf*.

It is not correct because to play tennis is not parallel to golf It can be corrected in different ways.

They want either to play tennis or to play golf

They want to play either tennis or golf.

When you are using these paired conjunctions, be sure that the correct parts are used together. The
following are incorrect:

He lent me both some paper or a pencil

Either breakfast nor* lunch is included in the price.

These sentences are incorrect because the wrong parts of the paired conjunctions are used together. In
the first example, and should be used with both. In the second example, or should be used with either.

The following chart outlines the use of parallel structure with paired conjunctions.

PARALLEL STRUCTURE WITH PAIRED CONJUNCTIONS

Both and

Either (same structure) or (same structure)

Neither nor

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EXERCISE 15: Each of the following sentences contains words or groups of words that should be
parallel. Circle the word or words that indicate that the sentence should have parallel parts. Underline
the parts that should be parallel. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

I 1. He either lied or telling an unbelievable story

C 2. The music at the concert was neither well played nor well liked.

_____ 3. He regularly studies both in the morning or in the evening.

_____ 4. The play that we saw last night was not only rather delightful but also quite meaningful.

_____ 5. He married her neither for her ability to cook nor her ability to clean house.

_____ 6. The discussion was both exciting and interest.

_____ 7. He withdrew all the money not only from the checking account but also from the savings
account.

_____ 8. Neither the teacher or the students are ready to leave the classroom.

_____ 9. You can meet with me either in the next few minutes or at 4:00.

_____ 10. John is an adventurous person who enjoys not only skydiving but also goes parasailing.

EXERCISE (Skills 14 - 15): Each of the following sentences contains words or groups of words
that should be parallel. Circle the word or words that indicate that the sentence should have parallel
parts. Underline the parts that should be parallel. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or
incorrect (I).

_____ 1. The advertisements appeared in the newspaper and on the radio.

_____ 2. She is trained as both an accountant and in nursing.

_____ 3. We can take either my car or yours to the party.

_____ 4. The coffee is too hot, too bitter, and too strength.

_____ 5. He not only passed the test but also receiving the highest score in the class.

_____ 6. Your ideas are neither more important or less important than the ideas of the others.

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_____ 7. The meeting lasted only an hour but still seeming too long.

_____ 8. The novel was both emotional and description.

_____ 9. Either the counselor or her secretary can help you with that problem.

_____ 10. The leaves from the tree fell in the yard, in the pool, the driveway, and on the sidewalk.

TOEFL EXERCISE (Skills 14 - 15): Choose the letter of the underlined word or group of words
that is not correct.

_____ 1. Ballpoint pens are less versatile but more population than fountain pens
A B C D

_____ 2. Riddles vary greatly in both grammatical and phonology form


A B C D

_____ 3. Blood pressure is measured by feeling the pulse and apply a force to the arm.
A B C D

_____ 4. The Moon has no atmosphere, no air, and no watery


A B C D

_____ 5. The first matches were too hard to ignite, a mess or too dangerously easy to ignite.
A B C D

_____ 6. A 1971 U.S. government policy not only put warnings on cigarette packs but
A B
also banning television advertising of cigarettes.
C D

_____ 7. Demand beauty, durability, rare, and perfection of cutting determine the value of a gemstone.
A B C D

_____ 8. The Harvard Yard, which was Harvard’s original campus, is still a major attraction for both
A B C
students and visiting
D

_____ 9. In 1862, the American Confederacy raised the Merrimack, renamed it the Virginia, covered it
A B
with iron plates and an outfit it with ten guns.
C D

_____ 10. The liquid crystals in a liquid crystal display (LCD) affect the polarized light so that it is
A B C
either blocked and reflected by the segments of the display.
D

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TOEFL REVIEW EXERCISE (Skills 1-15): Choose the letter of the word or group of words
that best completes the sentence.

1. Most cells in multicelled organisms 3. 3. The Sun uses up over 4 million tons of
perform _____ functions. hydrogen per second, ____still has
(A) specialize enough hydrogen to last for the next 5
(B) specialized billion years.
(C) they specialize (A) it does not
(D) specialization (B) it
(C) but it
2. The big island of Hawaii, in the middle of (D) to it
the Pacific Ocean, ____ by five volcanoes
(A) creation 4. For Katherine L. Bates, who _____ the
(B) it was created top of Pikes Peak in 1893, the view
(C) creating provided the inspiration for her hymn
(D) was created America the Beautiful.
(A) reached
(B) she reached
(C) reaching
(D) she was reaching

Choose the letter of the underlined word or group of words that is not correct.

____ 5. Coal, petroleum, and natural gaseous are all fossil fuels
A B C D

____ 6. The mass of neutron stars generally range from one-tenth to twice the mass of the Sun.
A B C D

____ 7. Grasses grow in ways that help them to survive being nibbled, chilly or dried.
A B C D

____ 8. Most of Hemingway’s novels glorifies heroic exploits such as bullfighting or boxing
A B C D

____ 9. Paleographers study ancient and medieval handwriting in order to establish not only its age
A B C
and also its background.
D

____ 10. The sounds produced by bullfrogs and toads vary greatly because each species have its own
A B C
particular call.
D

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SKILL 16: PAST PART1CIPLES AFTER HAVE _______________________________

Whenever you see the verb have in any of its forms (have, has, having, had), be sure that the verb that
follows it is in the past participle form.

We had complete* the work.

They have went* to the market.

In the first example, complete should be the past participle completed because it is after had. In the
second example, went should be the past participle gone because it is after have.

The following chart outlines the use of verb forms after have.

VERB FORMS AFTER HAVE

have + past participle

NOTE: Exercises to practice irregular verb forms are included at


the back of the text in Appendix D. You may want to complete
these exercises before you continue with Skills 16 through 18.

EXERCISE 16: Each of the following sentences contains a verb formed with have. Underline the
verbs twice. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).
I 1. We have already hearing the good news.

C 2. She has ridden her bicycle to school every day.

____ 3. I have always believe you.

____ 4. He has find the missing car keys.

____ 5. They have put their money in a savings account.

____ 6. Their parents have allowed them to stay up late.

____ 7. She has never ran away from home before.

____ 8. Have you ever saw a ghost?

____ 9. They have taken three tests already this week.

____ 10. He has offer me a high-paying job.

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SKILL 17: PRESENT PARTICIPLES OR PAST PARTICIPLES
AFTER BE__________________________________________

The verb be in any of its forms (am, is, are, was, were, be, been, being) can be fol lowed by another
verb. This verb should be in either the present participle or the past participle form.

They are turn on all the lamps.

The office door is lock* in the evening.

In the first example, turn on should be turning on because it is after are. In the second example, lock
should be locked because it is after is.

The following chart outlines the use of verb forms after be.

VERB FORMS AFTER BE


(1) present participle
be +
(2) past participle

EXERCISE 17: Each of the following sentences contains a verb formed with be. Underline the verbs
twice. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

I 1. She was study the textbooks all night long.

C 2. The pie was cut into six equal pieces.

____ 3. Today the teacher is allow the students to leave class a few minutes early.

____ 4. The class is teach every other semester.

____ 5. Tom is bringing some drinks to the party.

____ 6. The sick child was taken to see a doctor.

____ 7. The children are swim in the backyard pool.

____ 8. The diamond jewelry is always keep in a safe place.

____ 9. The teacher is preparing a difficult exam for the students.

____ 10. Dinner is served from 6:00 to 8:00.

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SKILL 18: BASE FORM VERBS AFTER MODALS __________________

Whenever you see a modal such- will, would, shall, should, can, could, may, might, or must, you
should be sure that the verb that follows it is in its base form.

You must telling* her the truth.

The child may comes* in now.

In the first example, telling should be the base form tell because it follows must. In the second
example, comes should be the base form come because it follows may.

The following chart outlines the use of verb forms after modals.

VERB FORMS AFTER MODALS


modal + base form of the verb

EXERCISE 18: Each of the following sentences contains a verb formed with a modal. Underline the
verbs twice. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

C 1. You should try to respond politely.

I 2. Everyone must leaves the room immediately.

____ 3. I could sat on the beach for hours.

____ 4. She will asking you many difficult questions.

____ 5. You can look at the book, but you cannot borrow it.

____ 6. He may lies to you because he is not very truthful.

____ 7. He knew that he would forgot the phone number.

____ 8. The weatherman said that it might snowing tonight.

____ 9. Perhaps we could bought a new car this year.

____ 10. This course will satisfy the graduation requirement.

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EXERCISE (Skills 16—18): Each of the following sentences contains a verb formed with several
parts. Underline the verbs twice. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) r incorrect (I).

____ 1. We have became good friends in the last year.

____ 2. Your name will be list in the new directory.

____ 3. The new movie is receive good reviews.

____ 4. She must have feel sorry about her bad behavior.

____ 5. They have always given their family many presents.

____ 6. We may be taking a vacation next week.

____ 7. We could have taking a vacation last week.

____ 8. The package might had been deliver by an express mail service.

____ 9. I have not wrote very many letters to my friends.

____ 10. The car should not have be drive anymore today.

TOEFL EXERCISE (Skills 16—18): Choose the letter of the underlined word or group of words
that is not correct.

____ 1. By the 1920s, many radio transmitters had been build


A B C D

____ 2. Fish farming has rose in the United States in recent years.
A B C D

____ 3. In areas of volcanic activity, beach sand may contains dark minerals and little quartz.
A B C D

____ 4. Cro-Magnon man was names after the caves in southwest France where the first remains were
A B C
discovered.
D

____ 5. Lassie, the famous collie who made her first screen appearance in 1943, has always be played
A B C D
by a male dog.

____ 6. A blue bigwig lizard stakes out a territory and will defending females within it against
A B C
courting males.
D

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____ 7. President George Washington was inaugurates on the steps of the Federal Building in New
A B C D
York City

____ 8. By 1627, Plymouth had became a viable and growing community of 50 families, 25 goats,
A B C
15 cows, and more than 50 pigs.
D

____ 9. Tobacco was the crop on which the eminence of Williamsburg and the prosperity of Virginia
A B C
were base.
D

____ 10. Because there may be scores of genes in each suspect DNA region, scientists
A
must identifying and sequence the actual genes contributing to Type I diabetes.
B C D

TOEFL REVIEW EXERCISE (Skills 1—18): Choose the letter of the word or group of words that
best completes the sentence.

1. _____ the deepest valleys and canyons on 3. Some composers, such as Richard
the Earth. Wagner, have felt that _____ the action of
(A) In the Pacific Ocean with the opera too much and have written
(B) In the Pacific Ocean operas without them.
(C) The Pacific Ocean (A) arias interrupt
(D) The Pacific Ocean has (B) interrupt arias
(C) the interruption of arias
2. In the United States, the participation of (D) areas of interruption
females in the labor force _____ from 37
percent in 1965 to 51 percent in 1980.
(A) it jumped
(B) jump
(C) jumping
(D) jumped

Choose the letter of the underlined word or group of words that is not correct.

____ 4. Water stored behind a dam can used to drive turbines.


A B C D

____ 5. Our universe may continue to expand as it gets colder, empty and deader.
A B C D

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____ 6. Every form of matter in the world are made up of atoms.
A B C D

____ 7. The lens and cornea are supply with nutrients and oxygen by the aqueous fluid.
A B C D

____ 8. Dodge City, laid out in 1872, owed both its prosperity and its famous to the buffalo in its
A B C
early years
D

____ 9. The amount of the two kinds of cholesterol in the blood have been shown to have an effect
A B C D
on the risk of heart attack.

____ 10. By the time Noah Webster reached his mid-twenties, he had already publish an elementary
A B C D
speller.

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SKILL 19: SINGULAR AND PLURAL NOUNS_______________________________

A problem that is common in the Written Expression section of the TOEFL test is a singular noun
used where a plural noun is needed, or a plural noun used where a singular noun is needed.

He just finished several book*.

She studied each chapters

In the first example, several indicates that the plural books is needed. In the second example, each
indicates that the singular chapter is needed.
In the Written Expression section of the TOEFL test you should watch very carefully for key
words such as each, every, a, and single that indicate that a noun should be singular. You should also
watch carefully for key words such as many, several, and three that indicate that a noun should be
plural.

The following chart lists the key words that indicate to you whether a noun should be singular
or plural.

KEY WORDS FOR SINGULAR AND PLURAL NOUNS


For singular nouns each every single one a
For plural nouns both two many several various

EXERCISE 19: Each of the following sentences contains at least one key word to tell you if a noun
should be singular or plural. Circle the key words. Draw arrows to the nouns they describe. Then
indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

I 1. She talked to each people in the room.

C 2. There is not a single bit of food in the refrigerator.

____ 3. You need two piece of identification to cash a check.

____ 4. Both classes started on time.

____ 5. We took a new routes to the beach house.

____ 6. He gave many different reasons for his actions.

____ 7. You must answer every questions on the test.

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____ 8. She tried several times to call me.

____ 9. He offered me only one glass of water.

____ 10. We had various kind of drinks with the meal.

SKILL 20: COUNTABLE AND UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS_______________________

In English, nouns are classified as countable or uncountable. For certain questions on the TOEFL test,
it is necessary to distinguish countable and uncountable nouns in order to use the correct modifiers
with them.
As the name implies, countable nouns are nouns that can be counted. Count able nouns can
come in quantities of one, or two, or a hundred, etc. The noun book is countable because you can have
one book or several books.
Uncountable nouns, on the other hand, are nouns that cannot be counted because they come in
some indeterminate quantity or mass. A noun such as milk or happiness cannot be counted; you cannot
have one milk or two milks, and you cannot find one happiness or two happinesses. Uncountable
nouns are often liquid items such as water oil, or shampoo. Uncountable nouns can also refer to
abstract ideas such as security, friendship, or hope.
It is important for you to recognize the difference between countable and uncountable nouns
when you come across such key words as much and many.

They have taken much* trips recently.

There was not many* water in the pool.

In the first example, much is incorrect because trips is countable. This sentence should say many trips.
In the second example, many is incorrect because water is uncountable. This sentence should say
much water.

The following chart lists the key words that indicate to you whether a noun is countable or
uncountable.

KEY WORDS FOR COUNTABLE AND UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS


For countable nouns many number few fewer
For uncountable nouns much amount little less

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EXERCISE 20 : Each of the following sentences contains at least one key word to tell you if a noun
is countable or uncountable. Circle the key words. Draw arrows to the nouns they describe. Then
indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

C 1. She will visit in a few months.

I 2. Many are unnecessary.

____ 3. You need to show a little kindness.

____ 4. You have a number of choice.

____ 5. There was a large amount of apples in the bowl.

____ 6. We have fewer opportunities now.

____ 7. How much money is left?

____ 8. He caused less problems this time.

____ 9. They need a little times to finish their work.

____ 10. He visited many exotic places.

EXERCISE (Skills 19—20): Each of the following sentences contains at least one key word to tell
you if a noun is singular, plural, countable, or uncountable. Circle the key words. Draw arrows to the
nouns they describe. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

____ 1. She enjoys food from many culture.

____ 2. He could not give me much good reasons.

____ 3. Each owner must register his or her car.

____ 4. They came up with a number of ideas.

____ 5. Various new law go into effect on the first of the year.

____ 6. The car now uses less oil.

____ 7. The meal did not cost a single cents.

____ 8. You need to make fewer mistake.

____ 9. You can take one course or both courses.

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____ 10. He only smokes a small amount of cigarettes.

TOEFL EXERCISE (Skills 19—20): Choose the letter of the underlined word or group of words
that is not correct.

____ 1. Cone shells live in much different seas and feed mainly on small fish and worms
A B C D

____ 2. The leaves of the common sunflower are rough to the touch on both side.
A B C D

____ 3. Hemoglobin enables the red blood cells to carry oxygen and small numbers of carbon dioxide.
A B C D

____ 4. Those with narcolepsy experience the uncontrollable desire to sleep, perhaps several time in
A B C
one day.
D

____ 5. Another great artists of the time and possibly the most gifted silversmith in the colonies was
A B C D
Paul Revere.

____ 6. Alzheimer’s disease afflicts two in ten person over the age of seventy in the
A B C D
United States.

____ 7. The red cardinal spends many of its time feeding on the ground.
A B C D

____ 8. In the 1920s, Tulsa had a higher number of millionaire than any other U.S. city
A B C D

____ 9. Because Washington is a district and not a state, its residents have less rights than other
A B C D
citizens.

____ 10. Implosive consonants occur in many different language but they are particularly common in
A B C D
American Indian and African languages.

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TOEFL REVIEW EXERCISE (Skills 1—20): Choose the letter of the word or group of words
that best completes the sentence.

1. _____ the second most common metal in 3. _____ which climatologists have
the Earth’s crust, and it always occurs in determined is the wettest place on Earth
combination with other substances. not under water is a spot on the island of
(A) Iron Kauai.
(B) Iron is (A) The place
(C) With iron (B) It is the place
(D) With iron is (C) The place is
(D) In the place is
2. In most parts of the globe, the _____ not
exceed roughly 31 degrees centigrade.
(A) ocean surface
(B) ocean has a surface
(C) ocean surface does
(D) ocean has surfaced

Choose the letter of the underlined word or group of words that is not correct.

____ 4. A single protein molecule may being composed of tens of thousands of atoms
A B C D

____ 5. Less plants grow in the poor taiga soils beneath the trees.
A B C D

____ 6. Vast reserves of oil and gas is located in the Gulf of Mexico.
A B C D

____ 7. Helium is a colorless, odorless, taste element often used to inflate balloons.
A B C D

____ 8. The common was the heart of every New England villages built in the eighteenth century
A B C D

____ 9. Some of the regulations that bind U.S. institutions allows foreign banks to package loans at
A B C
hard-to-beat interest rates.
D

____ 10. In angioplasty, a catheter is thread through an artery and guided through the body to the
A B C
blocked area.
D

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SKILL 21: SUBJECT AND OBJECT PRONOUNS___________________

Pronouns are words such as he, she, or it that take the place of nouns. One common problem with
pronouns on the TOEFL test is that subject and object pronouns are confused, so you should be able to
recognize these two types of pronouns.

SUBJECT OBJECT
I Me
You You
He Him
She Her
It It
We Us
They Them

A subject pronoun is used as the subject of a verb. An object pronoun can be used as the object of a
verb or the object of a preposition. Compare the following two sentences.

Marie saw the film with Barry.

She saw it with him.

In the second sentence, the subject pronoun she is replacing the noun Marie. The object of the verb it
is replacing the noun phrase the film, and the object of the preposition him is replacing the noun Barry.
The following are examples of the types of subject or object pronoun errors that you might see
on the TOEFL test.

Me* and my friend are taking a trip.

Our neighbors are going with you and I*

In the first example, the object pronoun me is incorrect because this pronoun serves as the subject of
the sentence. The object pronoun me should be changed to the subject pronoun I. It can be difficult to
recognize that me is the subject because the verb are has a double subject, me and my friend. In the
second example, the subject pronoun I is incorrect because this pronoun serves as the object of the
preposition with. The subject pronoun I should be changed to the object pro noun me. It can be
difficult to recognize that I is the object of the preposition with because the preposition with has two
objects: the correct object you and the incorrect object I.

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EXERCISE 21: Each of the following sentences contains at least one subject or object pronoun.
Circle the pronouns. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

C 1. You should do it for her.

I 2. They helped she with the work.

____ 3. Her and Bob came over to visit me.

____ 4. I brought it for you and them.

____ 5. He opened the refrigerator and took some food from it.

____ 6. She lent it to you and I.

____ 7. She spent all the money on them.

____ 8. You forgot to give it to they.

____ 9. We offered she a place to stay.

____ 10. They watched us play with it.

SKILL 22: POSSESSIVES_______________________________________

Possessive adjectives and pronouns both show who or what “owns” a noun. However, possessive
adjectives and possessive pronouns do not have the same function, and these two kinds of possessives
can be confused on the TOEFL test. A possessive adjective describes a noun: it must be accompanied
by a noun. A possessive pronoun takes the place of a noun: it cannot be accompanied by a noun.

Beth gave us her television.


ADJECTIVE

Beth gave us hers.


PRONOUN

Notice that in the first example the possessive adjective her is accompanied by the noun television. In
the second example, the possessive pronoun hers is not accompanied by a noun.

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The following chart outlines the possessives and their uses.

POSSESSIVE ADJECTIVES POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS


My Mine
Your Yours
His His
Her hers
Its ---
Our Ours
their Theirs
must be accompanied by a noun cannot be accompanied by a noun

These examples show the types of errors that are possible with possessive adjectives and possessive
pronouns on the TOEFL test.

The students turned in theirs* papers.

I would like to borrow your*.

In the first example, the possessive pronoun theirs is incorrect because it is accompanied by the noun
papers, and a possessive pronoun cannot be accompanied by a noun. The possessive adjective their is
needed in the first example. In the second example, the possessive adjective your is incorrect because
it is not accompanied by a noun, and a possessive adjective must be accompanied by a noun. The
possessive pronoun yours is needed in the second example.

EXERCISE 22: Each of the following sentences contains at least one possessive pronoun or
adjective. Circle the possessives in these sentences. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or
incorrect (I).

I 1. She cut hers hair recently.

C 2. We will take our car or theirs.

____ 3. Please lend me yours notes from the history lecture.

____ 4. I like his ideas and hers.

____ 5. The tree fell on its side during the storm.

____ 6. My desk is located near hers.

____ 7. Theirs suggestion was unrealistic.

____ 8. Our appointment is just after your.

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____ 9. Your friends and my friends are coming to our party

____ 10. You don’t have yours gloves with you, but I have mine.

SKILL 23: PRONOUN REFERENCE_____________________________

After you have checked that the subject and object pronouns and the possessives are used correctly,
you should also check each of these pronouns and possessives for agreement. The following are
examples of errors of this type that you might find on the TOEFL test.

The cookies are for you, so please take it*.

Each person has to sign their* application form.

In the first example, the singular pronoun it is incorrect because it refers to the plural noun cookies.
This pronoun should be replaced with the plural pronoun them. In the second example, the plural
possessive adjective their is incorrect because it refers to the singular each person. This adjective
should be replaced with the singular his or his or her.

The following chart outlines what you should remember about checking pro-. noun reference.

PRONOUN AGREEMENT
1. Be sure that every pronoun and possessive agrees with the noun it refers to.
2. You generally check earlier in the sentence for agreement.

EXERCISE 23: Each of the following sentences contains at least one pronoun or possessive. Circle
the pronouns and possessives. Draw arrows to the nouns they refer to. Then indicate if the sentences
are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

I 1. If my friend calls, please tell them that I will return the call.

C 2. I don’t like the idea because it is too costly.

____ 3. The tables at the restaurant are so large that it can seat 12 people.

____ 4. The soup needs more salt because he does not taste very good.

____ 5. The girls ran too fast, and she fell down.

____ 6. In the autumn, the tree lost its leaves.

____ 7. The windows were open, so I closed it.

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____ 8. The travelers lost their way in the storm.

____ 9. The boy got the box, and he opened it carefully.

____ 10. The woman left their earrings at home, so she wasn’t wearing them.

EXERCISE (Skills 2 1—23): Each of the following sentences contains at least one pronoun or
possessive. Circle the pronouns and possessives. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or
incorrect (I).

____ 1. They sold the car to you and I.

____ 2. Please tell your brother that I need to talk to him.

____ 3. The bicycle lost it front wheel.

____ 4. Martha was happy when her boss gave her a pay raise.

____ 5. Just between us, I am not sure if we can trust them.

____ 6. The mother talked to her son about his behavior.

____ 7. I told his the truth, but he didn’t believe me.

____ 8. You and she should look for they.

____ 9. The student left his notebooks in the class, so he went back to get it.

____ 10. If they don’t have their car, we will lend them ours.

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TOEFL EXERCISE (Skills 2 1—23): Choose the letter of the underlined word or group of words
that is not correct.

____ 1. Animals like frogs have waterproof skin that prevents they from drying out quickly in air,
A B C
sun, or wind
D

____ 2. Because of its ability to survive close to human habitations, the Virginia deer has actually
A B C
increased their range and numbers.
D

____ 3. John D. Rockefeller was the founder of the Standard Oil Company, and he was the richest
A B
man in the world at the time of her retirement.
C D

____ 4. The aorta arches out of the heart, and then its moves down toward the lower body.
A B C D

____ 5. Global average temperatures are now .6 degrees Celsius warmer than we were 100 years ago
A B C D

____ 6. During the Civil War, Clara Barton became known as the “Angel of the Battlefield” for hers
A B C
fearless care of wounded soldiers.
D

____ 7. Our Sun is a medium-sized star orbiting near the edge of a collection of stars that our call the
A B C D
Milky Way.

____ 8. Francis Scott Key wrote the words to “The Star-Spangled Banner” as they stood alone
A B C D
watching the British bombardment of Fort McHenry.

____ 9. Some scallops can open and close theirs valves and swim away rapidly when they are disturbed
A B C D

____ 10. Pearl S. Buck began her first novel, East Wind, West Wind, in 1925, while her was traveling
A B C D
between the United States and China.

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TOEFL REVIEW EXERCISE (Skills 1-23): Choose the letter of the word o group of words
that best completes the sentence.

1. Although knives and forks ____ of 3. A dip pen’s nib is split into two
prehistoric origin, spoons are relatively halve_____ at the point of the nib.
new. (A) who meet
(A) are (B) which meet
(B) they are (C) they meet
(C) are they (D) meet
(D) which are

2. Neptune’s ____ the planet in the direction


opposite to the other seven moons.
(A) moon Triton orbiting
(B) moon Triton orbits
(C) moon Triton in orbit
(D) moon is in Triton’s orbit

Choose the letter of the underlined word or group of words that is not correct.

____ 4. In 1785 Henry Knox was appoint the new republic’s first secretary of war.
A B C D

____ 5. Biophysics is one of the various branch of physics


A B C D

____ 6. Unlike many great writers, Longfellow was an enormously popular poet in him day.
A B C D

____ 7. After Lincoln’s assassination, Ford’s Theater was closed and parts of it was converted to
A B C
government office space
D

____ 8. Most of the Earth’s ice is found either in the two great ice caps of Antarctica and Greenland and
A B C D
on the tall mountains of the world.

____ 9. Except for a few species, such as the spotted salamander, the courtship of salamanders are
A B
secretive and not often observed.
C D

____ 10. Unlike most mollusks, crustaceans outgrow their shells and need to build several completely
A B C
new casings throughout they lives.
D

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SKILL 24: ADJECTIVES AND ADVERBS_________________________

Sometimes in the Written Expression section of the TOEFL test, adjectives are incorrectly used in
place of adverbs, or adverbs are incorrectly used in place of adjectives. Adjectives and adverbs have
very different uses in sentences. Adjectives have only one job: they describe nouns or pronouns.

It is a delicious meal.
ADJ. NOUN

It is delicious.
PRON. ADJ.

In the first example, the adjective delicious describes the noun meal. In the sec ond example, the
adjective delicious describes the pronoun it.
Adverbs have three different uses. They can describe verbs, adjectives, or other
adverbs.

He writes letters quickly.


VERB ADV.

It is a quickly written letter.


ADV. ADJ. NOUN

It is an extremely quickly written letter.


ADV. ADV. ADJ. NOUN

In the first example, the adverb quickly describes the verb writes. In the second example, the adverb
quickly describes the adjective written (which describes the noun letter). In the third example, the
adverb extremely describes the adverb quickly, which describes the adjective written (which describes
the noun letter).

The following are examples of incorrect sentences as they might appear on the
TOEFL test.

They were seated at a largely* table.


ADV. NOUN

The child talked soft* to her mother.


VERB ADJ.

We read an extreme* long story.


ADJ. ADJ.

She speaks unbelievable* quickly.


ADJ. ADV.

In the first example, the adverb largely is incorrect because the adjective large is needed to describe
the noun table. In the second example, the adjective soft is incorrect because the adverb softly is
needed to describe the verb talked. In the third

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example, the adjective extreme is incorrect because the adverb extremely is needed to describe the
adjective long. In the last example, the adjective unbelievable is incorrect because the adverb
unbelievably is needed to describe the adverb quickly.

The following chart outlines the important information that you should remember about the
use of adjectives and adverbs.

USE OF ADJECTIVES AND ADVERBS


Adjectives Adjectives describe nouns or pronouns.
Adverbs Adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.

NOTE: A list of common word endings (including adjective and adverb


endings) and exercises to practice their use are included at the back of the text
in Appendix C. You may want to complete these exercises (if you have not
already done so) before you continue with Skills 24 through 25.

EXERCISE 24: Each of the following sentences has at least one adjective or adverb. Circle the
adjectives and adverbs, and label them. Draw arrows to the words they describe. Then indicate if the
sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

I 1. Her hair was an unusually color of red.


ADV

C 2. The weather is really comfortable.


ADV. ADJ.

____ 3. We attended a poor planned conference.

____ 4. He talked slowly and carefully.

____ 5. The composition was careful prepared.

____ 6. She had an incredible story about her long trip.

____ 7. He sent me a quickly written note.

____ 8. The cat meowed sad.

____ 9. The children are hungry and tired.

____ 10. The lecturer spoke extremely loud.

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SKILL 25: ADJECTIVES AFTER LINKING VERBS_________________

Generally an adverb rather than an-adjective will come directly after a verb because the adverb is
describing the verb.

She spoke nicely.


VERB ADV.

In this example, the verb spoke is followed by the adverb nicely. This adverb describes the verb spoke.
However, you must be very careful if the verb is a linking verb. A linking verb is followed by
an adjective rather than an adverb.

She looks nice.


SUBJ. ADJ.

In this example, the linking verb looks is followed by the adjective nice. This adjective describes the
subject she.
You should be sure to use an adjective rather than an adverb after a linking verb. Be careful,
however, because the adjective that goes with the linking verb does not always directly follow the
linking verb.

He seems unusually nice.


SUBJ. ADV. ADJ.

In this example, the adjective nice, which describes the subject he, is itself described by the adverb
unusually. From this example, you should notice that it is possible to have an adverb directly after a
linking verb, but only if the -adverb describes an adjective that follows.
These sentences show the types of errors with linking verbs that are common on the TOEFL
test.

The test looks easily* to me.

Sally feels unbelievable* happy about the news.

In the first example, the linking verb looks should be followed by the adjective easy rather than the
adverb easily. In the second example, the linking verb feels is followed by the adjective happy. The
incorrect adjective unbelievable should be the adverb unbelievably because it describes the adjective
happy.

The following chart lists commonly used linking verbs and outlines the differ ent uses of
adjectives and adverbs after regular verbs and linking verbs.

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ADJECTLVES AND ADVERBS AFTER VERBS

(subject) + (regular verb) ÷ (adverb)


A regular verb is followed by an adverb. The adverb describes the verb.

(subject) + (linking verb) + (adjective)


A linking verb is followed by an adjective. The adjective describes the subject.

(subject) + (linking verb) + (adverb) + (adjective)


It is possible for a linking verb to be followed by an adverb and an adjective. The adverb describes
the adjective, and the adjective describes the subject.
Linking verbs: appear feel seem
be look smell
become prove taste

EXERCISE 25: Each of the following sentences contains at least one adjective or adverb. Circle the
adjectives and adverbs, and label them. Draw arrows to the words they describe. Then indicate if the
sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

I 1. Kathy looks gorgeously in that dress.


ADV.

C 2. The children have grown considerably.


ADV.

____ 3. Steve walked rapid to the corner to catch the bus.

____ 4. The boys became sick with the flu.

____ 5. The mother closed the door careful.

____ 6. Tom appeared rather unhappily at what had happened. -

____ 7.The choir members sang enthusiastically.

____ 8. The soup tastes too salty.

____ 9. The book seemed easily for the students.

____ 10. In the late afternoon, the sun set slow in the west.

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EXERCISE (Skills 24—25): Each of the following sentences contains at least one adjective or
adverb. Circle the adjectives and adverbs, and label them. Draw arrows to the words they describe.
Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

____ 1. The chef prepared a delicately sauce.

____ 2. Matthew feels terribly angry about the issue.

____ 3. The swimmer swam powerful across the pool.

____ 4. The receptionist answered the phone carefully.

____ 5. The dishes in the sink were dirty.

____ 6. The physics exam seemed quite simply to me.

____ 7. He acted unbelievably rude.

____ 8. The burned toast did not taste very good.

____ 9. His decision was absolutely necessary.

____ 10 The job applicant dressed carefully for the important interview.

TOEFL EXERCISE (Skills 24—25): Choose the letter of the underlined word or group of words
that is not correct.

____ 1. Sounds quieter than 10 decibels are impossibly for the human ear to hear
A B C D

____ 2. Often the best farmland is next to a river that floods periodical
A B C D

____ 3. The planet Mercury has a moderately elliptically orbit.


A B C D

____ 4. An 18-watt fluorescent bulb seems as brightly as a 75-watt incandescent bulb.


A B C D

____ 5. The telephone works by changing the voice’s sound waves into electrically signals.
A B C D

____ 6. In the northern United States, two European species of small white birch are extensive planted
A B C
as ornamentals.
D

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____ 7. Fifty million Americans continue to smoke despite abundant evidence that smoking is
A B
extremely unhealthfully
C D

____ 8. The U.S. Military Academy sits on scenic heights overlooking a strategically bend in the
A B C D
Hudson River.

____ 9. The Erie Canal became so successfully at providing cheap transportation that it was greatly
A B C
enlarged between 1835 and 1862.
D

____ 10. The Infra-Red Astronomy Satellite (IRAS), launched in 1983, contained a special coded
A B C
reflecting telescope that detected infrared rays.
D

TOEFL REVIEW EXERCISE (Skills 1-25): Choose the letter of the word or group of words
that best completes the sentence.

1. On December 17, 1903, the Flyer ____ 3. Researchers have long debated about
near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, with _____ moon Titan contains hydrocarbon
Orville Wright as pilot. oceans or lakes.
(A) took off (A) Saturn’s
(B) it took off (B) whether it is Saturn’s
(C) taking off (C) whether Saturn’s
(D) took it off (D) whether Saturn is a

2. Comets are relatively small celestial


bodies ______ up chiefly of dirt and icy
materials.
(A) make
(B) made
(C) they make
(D) make them

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Choose the letter of the underlined word or group of words that is not correct.

____ 4. The abrasively action of the wind wears away softer layers of rock.
A B C D

____ 5. There are two way of making a gas condense: cooling it or putting it under pressure.
A B C D

____ 6. Researchers have discovered that the application of bright light can sometimes be uses to
A B C
overcome jet lag.
D

____ 7. Salmon migrations may include having to jump up waterfalls, swim up rapids, or climbing
A B C
fish ladders at dams.
D

____ 8. If a strike is called in violation of an existing contract between labor and management, its a
A B C D
wildcat strike.

____ 9. Snapping turtles are easily recognized because of the large head, the long tail, and the shell
A B C
that seems insufficiently to protect the body.
D

____ 10. The long string of genes making up a chromosome have been likened to a string of pearls.
A B C D

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TOEFL POST-TEST
SECTION 2
STRUCTURE AND WRITTEN EXPRESSION
Trme—25 minutes
(including the reading of the directions)
Now set your clock for 25 minutes.

This section is designed to measure your ability to recognize language that is appropriate for standard
written English. There are two types of questions in this section, with special directions for each type.

Structure

Directions: These questions are incomplete sentences. Beneath each sentence you will see four words
or phrases, marked (A), (B), (C), and (D). Choose the one word or phrase that best completes the
sentence. Then, on your answer sheet, find the number of the question and fill in the space that
corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen.

Look at the following examples.

Example 1 Sample Answer

The president the election by a landslide.

(A) won
(B) he won
(C) yesterday
(D) fortunately

The sentence should read, “The president won the election by a landslide.” Therefore, you should
choose answer (A).

Example II Sample Answer

When _____ the conference?

(A) the doctor attended


(B) did the doctor attend
(C) the doctor will attend
(D) the doctor’s attendance

The sentence should read, “When did the doctor attend the conference?” Therefore, you should choose
answer (B).

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1. _____ lived on Earth for nearly 150 6. The ear is a flexible organ, _____ simply
million years. was not designed to withstand the noise of
(A) Dinosaurs modern living.
(B) Dinosaurs who (A) but it
(C) If dinosaurs (B) it
(D) Since dinosaurs (C) but
(D) its
2. Early printers arranged type into _____ a
small, flat composing stick. 7. In 1934, chemist Wallace Carothers
(A) words produced a plastic which _____ nylon.
(B) are words on (A) his call
(C) words on (B) he called
(D) the words are on (C) to call him
(D) calling
3. ____ along most of its length into an
upper chamber and a lower chamber. 8. As _____ grows, the shell in which it
(A) The divided cochlea lives grows, too.
(B) Dividing the cochlea (A) a mollusk
(C) The cochlea is divided (B) a mollusk it
(D) With a divided cochlea (C) has a mollusk
(D) it has a mollusk
4. Yeast is an organic catalyst _____ known
to prehistoric humanity. 9. The first _____ the Civil War was fired
(A) was from Fort Johnson upon Fort Sumter on
(B) which was April 12,
(C) which it 1861.
(D) which (A) shot
(B) shot in
5. Many communities _____ a complex (C) shot was in
system of linguistic levels in order to (D) it was shot
show respect.
(A) useful 10. Stalactites are formed in caves by
(B) use already made groundwater ______ dissolved lime.
(C) making it useful (A) it contains
(D) make use of (B) containing
(C) contains
(D) containment

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11. By studying the movements of the Sun 14. A group of winged reptiles pterosaurs is
and Moon, even early astronomers could believed to have been the first vertebrates
_____ eclipses would take place. with the power of flight.
(A) predicting when (A) call
(B) when it predicts (B) calls
(C) the prediction when (C) called
(D) predict when (D) is called

12. Coffee probably originally grew wild in 15. On November 23, 1863, Grant stunned
Ethiopia in the province of Kaffe, and the Confederates on Missionary Ridge
from there _____ to southern Arabia. with what _____ to be a full-dress
(A) bringing it military parade of troops who
(B) it was brought unexpectedly opened fire.
(C) brought it (A) appeared
(D) brought with it (B) appearing
(C) appearance
13. Alabama was occupied by the French and (D) apparent
Spanish before _____ to England in 1763.
(A) was ceded
(B) ceded to it
(C) it was ceded
(D) ceded it

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Written Expression

Directions: In these questions, each sentence has four underlined words or phrases. The four
underlined parts of the sentence are marked (A), (B), (C), and (D). Identify the one underlined word or
phrase that must be changed in order for the sentence to be correct. Then, on your answer sheet, find
the number of the question and fill in the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have
chosen.

Look at the following examples.

Example I Sample Answer

The four string on a violin are tuned in fifths.


A B C D

The sentence should read, “The four strings on a violin are tuned in fifths.” Therefore, you should
choose answer (B).

Example II Sample Answer

The research for the book Roots taking Alex Haley twelve years
A B C D

The sentence should read, “The research for the book Roots took Alex Haley twelve years.” Therefore,
you should choose answer (C).

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16. Vast flows of information is carried on hair-thin fiber-optic cables
A B C D

17. The crafting of fine violins has been proceeding for several century as a secret art.
A B C D

18. Linguistic conflicts due to divided ethnic and national loyalties can be both bitter or violent
A B C D

19. In 1851, with the publication of hers antislavery novel, Harriet Beecher Stowe rocketed to fame
A B C

20. The smallest and simple living organisms on Earth are bacteria.
A B C D

21. The effort to determine the exact numerical value of pi has now reach 2.16 billion decimal digits.
A B C D

22. The hammerhead shark is usual found in warm, temperate waters


A B C D

23. Princeton University, which was establish in 1746, is one of the oldest universities in the United States.
A B C D

24. According to a World Resources Institute report, a significant part of forest acreage disappear each year.
A B C D

25. The Earth’s crust is composed of 15 plates which float on the partially molten layer below they.
A B C D

26. As one climbs high up a mountain, the air becomes both colder or thinner.
A B C D

27. When a bone is broke into several pieces doctors may pin the pieces together for proper healing
A B C D

28. The long necks of much plant-eating dinosaurs were useful for reaching up to the treetops to feed.
A B C D

29. Hippocrates believed that good health was dependently on the balance of the four fluids of the body.
A B C D

30. A jet stream is a flat and narrow tube of air that moves more rapid than the surrounding air.
A B C D

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31. Because mistletoe berries are poisonous everyone with Christmas decorations containing mistletoe
A B
need to be aware of the potential danger
C D

32. When Pierre L`Enfant designed the national capital in 1791, her envisioned a broad boulevard
A B C
linking the White House and the Capitol.
D

33. In a copperhead snake the venom flows from a single venom glands to a pair of hollow teeth.
A B C D

34. A hawk swallows its food in large pieces digests some of it, and regurgitating the rest.
A B C D

35. Defects can occurring when liquid helium undergoes a phase transition to its super fluid phase.
A B C D

36. Cavemen created a large amount of early works of art using a mixture of clay, chalk, and burned
A B C
wood and bones.
D

37. Variations in melody, rhythm and tone of voice becomes a major feature of child speech toward
A B C D
the end of the first year.

38. As a protective protein molecule, an antibody can combines with a foreign virus protein.
A B C D

39. The water moccasin is a high venomous and extremely dangerous pit viper.
A B C D

40. Though aluminum is more common than iron, it is extremely difficult to break their hold on
A B C
other atoms.
D

This is the end of Section 2.


If you finish before 25 minutes has ended,
check your work on Section 2 only.

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