Toefl: (Structure and Written Expression)

 

TOEFL (STRUCTURE AND WRITTEN EXPRESSION)

 

SECTION 2 STRUCTURE AND WRITTEN EXPRESSION 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 th e sentence. Then, on you answer sheet, find the number of the question and fill in the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen

 

OVERVIEW 

Structure and Written Expression is the second section sect ion in TOEFL. You You have 25 minutes to complete 40 questions



In this part, there are two types of questions in Structure and Written Expression 1. St Stru ruct ctur ure e (que (quest stio ions ns 1 – 15), 15), part  part of sentence has been replaced with a blank. Each sentence i s followed by four answer choices. You You must choose answer that t hat completes the sentence in a gr  ammatically correct way

2.

Written expression (question 16 – 40), sentences in which four words or groups of words have been underlined. You You must choose the underlined word or group of words that is NOT NOT correct  correct..

 

STRUCTURE

 

GENERAL STRATEGIES 1.

Be fa fami mili liar ar wi with th th the e dire direct ctio ions ns.. The directions on every TOEFL test are the same. You You should be completely familiar with the directions before the day of the test 2. Be Begi gin n wit with h que quest stio ions ns 1 – 15 15 - Question 1 – 5 : easiest - Questions 11 – 15: most difficult Do not spend too much time on questions 11 – 15. There will be easier questions that come later  3. Continue with questions 16 – 40. - Questions 16 – 20: easiest - Questions 36 – 40: most difficult Do not spend too much time on questions 36 – 40. 4. If you have time, time, return to questions 11 11 - 15. You should spend extra time on questions 11 11 - 1 5 only after you spend all the time that you want on the easier questions 5. Never leave any answer blank on you answer sheet.

 

SKILL 1: BE SURE THE SENTENCE HAS A SUBJECT AND A VERB

SUBJECTS AND VERBS Type of problems

Have to do with subjects and verbs: perhaps the sentence is missing either the subject or the verb or both, or perhaps the sentence has an extra subject or verb

Key

A sentence in English must have at least one subject  and  and one verb 

 

Example 1. _________ was backed up for miles on the freeway (A)) Yes (A este terd rday ay (not (not a subject) (B)) In th (B the e mor morni ning ng (not a subject) (C)) Tra (C rafffi fic c (D) Cars (plural and doesn’t agree with the singular verb was) Explanation: In this example, you should notice that there is a verb (was), but there is no subject.  Answer (C) is (C) is the best answer because it is a singular subject that agrees with singular verb was.

2. The boy _________ going to the movies with a friend (A) He is (the sentence already has a subject, does not need extra subject “ he” ) (B) (B) He alwa always ys was was (the sentence already has a subject, does not need extra subject “ he” ) (C) (C) Is rela relaxi xing ng (relaxing is an extra verb that is unnecessary because of “ going” ) (D)) Wil (D illl be be (“ (“will will be” together with “going”  “going”  is  is a complete verb)

 

Example Engineers _________ for work on the new space program (A)) Ne (A Nece cess ssar ary y (B)) Ar (B Are e ne need eded ed (C) (C) Hope Hopefu full lly y (D)) Ne Next xt mon onth th (D Explanation: In this example, you should notice that the sentence has a subject (engineers) and ther  e is no verb. Because (B) are needed , is a verb, it is the best answer. Answer (A), (C) and (D) are n ot verbs,, so they are not correct  verbs

 

SKILL 2: BE CAREFUL OF 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, on, and so on to form a prepositional phrase.

(After his exams ) Tom will take a trip (by boat ) • •

This sentence contains two objects of prepositions. Exams  is  is the object of the preposition after preposition  after and boat   is is the object of the preposition by . Key information Objects of Prepositions A followed a noun or pronoun called an object of the preposition. If preposition a word is anis object of by a preposition, it is notthat theissubject.

 

Example With his friend _________ found the movie theater  (A) Has (B) He (C) Later ter (D) When Explanation: In this example, you should look at first for the subject and the verb. v erb. You You should notice t  he verb found  and  and should also notice that there is no subject. Do not think that friend is the subject; friend  is  is the object of preposition with with,, and one noun cannot be both a subject and an object at the s ame time. Because a subject is needed in this sentence, answer (B) he is he is the best answer. (A), (C) a nd (D) cannot be subjects.

 

SKILL 3: BE CAREFUL OF APPOSITIVES • An appositive is a noun that comes before or after another noun and is generally set off from the noun with

commas. in English:If a word is an appositive, it is not the subject. The following appositive structures are both possible

Subject Tom,

Appositive a really good mechanic,

Appositive A really good mechanic,

Subject Tom

Verb is fixing the car Verb is fixing the car

 

Example The following example shows how an appositive can be confused with the subject of a sentence in the Structure section of the TOEFL test

1. _________ George, is attending the lecture (A)) Ri (A Righ ghtt no now w (B (B)) Happ appil ily y (C (C)) Beca Becaus use e of the the time time (D)) My fri frien end d (D Explanation: In this example, you should recognize from the commas that George is not the subject o f the sentence. George is an appositive. Because this sentence still needs a subject, the best answer is (D) my friend. Answer (A), (B), and (C) are incorrect because they are not subjects.

 

The next example shows that an appositive does not always come after the subject; an appositive can also come at the beginning of the sentence

2. _________, Sarah rarely misses her basketball shots (A) An excell excellent ent baske basketba tball ll playe player  r  (B) An excell excellent ent baske basketba tball ll playe playerr is (C) Sarah is an excell excellent ent basketbal basketballl player  player  (D) He Herr excellen excellentt basketbal basketballl play Explanation: In this example you can tell that Sarah is the subject and misses is the verb because there is no comma separating them. In the space you should put appositive for Sarah, and Sarah i s an excellent basketball basket ball player, so answer (A) is the best answer . Answers (B), (C) are not correc t because they each contain the verb is, and an appositive does not need a verb.  Answer (D) cont ains a noun, play, that could possibly be an appositive, but play is not the same as Sarah, so this answer is not correct.

 

SKILL 4: BE CAREFUL OF PRESENT PARTICIPLES

• A present participle is the –ing form of the verb. • The present participle can be (1) part of the verb (2) an adjective.  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 i s not

accompanied by some form of the verb be. 1. 2.

The boy is standing  in  in the corner The boy standing  in  in the corner was naughty

 

Example 1. The child _______ playing in the yard is my son (A) Now (B) Is (C) He (D) was Explanation: In this example, if you look at only the first words of the sentence, it appears that chil  d  is  is the subject and and playing   playing  is  is part of the ver b. b. If you think that playing  that  playing  is  is part of the verb, you migh t choose answer (B) is, is, or answer (D) was to complete the verb. However However,, these two answers are incorrect because playing is not part of the verb . You You should recognize that playing  that  playing  is  is a participial adjective rather than a verb because there is another verb in the sentence (is). In this sentence th ere is a complete subject (child) and a complete verb (is), so this sentence doesn’t need another s ubject or verb. The best answer is (A).

 

SKILL 5: BE CAREFUL OF PAST PARTICIPLES

PAST PARTICIPLE Definition

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

Ex Exam ampl ple e

1. 1. Sh She e painted painted this  this picture 2. She has painted this picture 3. The pi pict ctur ure e painted painted by  by Karen is now in a museum

 

Example 1. The package _______ mailed at the post office will arrive Monday (A) Have (B) Were (C) Them (D) Just Explanation: In this example, if you look at only the first words of the sentence, it appears that  packages is  packages  is the subject and mailed  is  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 that the verb is will arrive. arrive. You will then recognize that mailed  is  is a participial adjective and is therefore not part of the verb.  Answer (A) and (B) are incorrect because mailed  is  is an adjective and does not need a helping verb such as have have or  or w  ere.. Answer (C) is incorrect because there is no need for the object them. ere them . Answer (D) is the best ans wer to this question.

 

SKILL 6: USE COORDINATE CONNECTORS CORRECTLY • When you have two clauses in an English sentence, you must connect the two clauses correctly. One way to

two clauses is to use and, but, or, so or or yet  yet between the clauses and separated by comma (,) • connect Examples: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

•

Tom Tom Tom Tom Tom

is singing, and Paul and Paul is dancing is tall, but but Paul  Paul is short mus mustt wri write te the the let lette ter, r, or Paul will do it told a joke, so so Paul  Paul laughed

Tom is tired, yet he yet he is not going to sleep Key information

Coordinate Connectors Coordinate connectors

and

Part of sentence Example

but S

She

or V

laughed,

Coordinate connector but

so

yet S

she

V wanted to cry

 

Example 1. A power failure occurred,_______ the lamps went out (A) Then (B) So (C) Later  (D) Next Explanation: In this example, you should notice quickly that there are two clauses, a power failure occurred and the lamps went out. This sentence needs a connector to join the two clauses. Then, later , and next  are  are not connectors, so answer (A), (C) and (D) are not correct . The best answer is ans wer (B) because “so”  “ so”  can  can connect two clauses.

 

C AUSE CONNECTORS CORRECTLY SKILL 7: USE ADVERB TIME AND CAUSE CORRECTLY • Sentences with adverb clauses have two basic patterns in English. Study the clauses and connectors in the

following sentences:

 you leave I will sign the check before  you Before  you  you leave, I will sign the t he check

In each of these examples, there two clauses: you clauses: you leave and I will sign the check and the clause you clause you leave is an adverb time clause because it is introduced with the connector before . In the first example the connector before   comes in the middle of the sentence, and no comma (,) is used. In the second example, the connector before   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.

 

ADVERB TIME  AND  AND CAUSE CONNECTORS TIME

CAUSE

after

as soon as

once

when

as

now that

as

before

since

whenever

because

since 

as long as

by the time

until

while

in as much as

S

V

Adverb connector

S

V

Teresa

went inside

because

it

was raining

Adverb connector

S

V,

S

V

Because

it

was raining,

Teresa

went inside

 

Example 1. _______ was late, I missed the appointment (A) I (B) Because (C (C)) The tra train (D)) Si Sinc nce e he he (D Explanation: In this example, you should recognize easily that there is a verb, was was,, that needs a subject. There is also another clause, I missed the appointment . If you choose answer (A) or answer (C), you will have a subject for the verb was was,, but you will not have a connector to join the two clauses. Because you Need a connector to join two clauses, answer (A) and (C) are incorrect. Answer (B) is incorrect because he,, for the there is no subject for the verb was was.. Answer (D) is the best answer because there is a subject, he verb was was,, and there is a connector, since to join the two clauses

 

SKILL 8: USE OTHER ADVERB CONNECTORS CORRECTLY • Adverb clauses can express the ideas of time and cause, as you saw in Skill 7, adverb clauses can also express a

number of other ideas, such as contrast, condition, manner, and place. • Because these clauses are adverb clauses, they have the same structure as the time and cause clauses in Skill 7. Study the following examples: I will leave at 7:00, if  I  I am ready Although I was late, I managed to catch the train In each of these examples, there are two clauses that are correctly joined with adverb connectors. In the first sentence, the adverb condition connector if comes in the middle of the sentence. In the second sentence the  comes at the beginning of the sentence, and a comma (,) is used in the adverb contrast connector although  comes middle of the sentence.

 

Other Adverb Connectors Condition

Contrast

Manner

Place

If 

Although

As

Where

In case Provided Providing Unless Whether

Even though Though While Whereas

In that

Wherever

S

V

Adverb

S

V

connector Bob

Went to school

Even though

He

Felt sick

Adverb connector

S

V,

S

V

Even though

Bob

felt sick,

he

went to school.

NOTE: A comma is often used in the middle of the sentence with a contrast connector. The Smith family arrived at 2:00, while while the  the Jones family arrived o on n hour later

 

Example You will get a good grade on the exam provided________  (A (A)) St Stud udyi yin ng (B) Study (C) (C) To stud study y (D (D)) You stu study dy Explanation: In this example, you should quickly notice the adverb condition connector  provided . This co nnector comes in the middle of the sentence; because it is a connector, It must be followed by a subject and a verb. The best answer to this question is answer (D), which contains the subject and verb you stud  y .

 

SKILL 9: USE NOUN CLAUSE CONNECTORS CORRECTLY • A noun clause is a clause that functions as a noun; because the noun clause is a noun, it is used in a sentence as

either an object of a verb, an object of a preposition, or the subject of the sentence.

I know when  he  he will arrive NOUN CLAUSE AS OBJECT OF VERB There are two clauses, I know and he will arrive . These two clauses are joined joi ned with the connector when . When changes the clause he will arrive into a noun clause that functions as the object of the verb know .

I am concerned about when  he  he will arrive NOUN CLAUSE AS OBJECT OF PREPOSITION The two clauses I am concerned and he will arrive are also joined by the connector when . When  changes  changes the clause he will arrive into a noun clause that functions as the object of the preposition about .

 

SKILL 9: USE NOUN CLAUSE CONNECTORS CORRECTLY When he will arrive is not important NOUN CLAUSE AS SUBJECT In this example, there are two clauses, but they are a little harder to recognize. He will arrive is one of the clauses, and the connector when changes it into a noun clause that functions as the subject of the sentence. The other clause has the noun clause when he will arrive as its subject and is  as  as its verb. NOUN CLAUSE CONNECTORS

Noun clause as object

Noun clause as subject

What, when, where, why, how

Whatever, whenever

Whether, if

that

S

V

Noun connector

S

V

I

know

what

yo u

did

Noun connector

S

V

V

What

yo u

did

wWas wrong

 

Example  ________ was late caused many problems (A) That he he (B (B)) The dri drive ver  r  (C) There (D (D)) Beca Becaus use e Explanation: In this example, there are two verbs (was ( was and  and caused ), ), and each of these verbs needs a subject. Answer (B) is wrong because the driver is one subject, and two subjects are needed. Answer (C) and (D) are incorrect because there there and  and because because are  are not subjects. The best answer is answer (A). (A) . If you choose answer (A), the completed sentence would be: That he was late caused many problems. problems . In this sentence he he is  is the subject of the verb was was,, and the noun clause that he was late is the subject of the ver  b caused .

 

SKILL 10: USE NOUN CLAUSE CONNECTOR/SUBJECTS CORRECTL CORREC TLY Y • In Skill 10, 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. I do not know what is in the box NOUN CLAUSE AS OBJECT OF VERB There are two clauses: I do not know and what is in the box . These two clauses are joined joi ned by the connector what . It is important to understand that in this sentence the world what  serves  serves two functions. It is both the subject of the verb is and the connector that joins the two clauses.

We are concerned about who will do the work NOUN CLAUSE AS OBJECT OF PREPOSITION There are two clauses: clauses: in the first clause we is the subject of are . In the second clause who is the subject of will do. Who also serves as the connector that joins the two clauses. clauses. The noun clause who will do the work functions as the object of the preposition about.

 

Whoever is coming to the party must must bring a gift NOUN CLAUSE AS A SUBJECT There are is  is the  is subject the verb serves is coming  and the noun whoever is coming the party   istwo theclauses: subject Whoever  of must bring  . The wordofwhoever   serves two ,functions in theclause sentence: It is the subjecttoof the verb is coming and it is the connector that joins the two clauses.

NOUN CLAUSE CONNECTORS Who Whoever Noun clause as object

Noun clause as subject

What Whatever

Which whichever

S

V

Noun connector/ subject

I

know

what

Noun connector/  subject

V

V

What

happened

was great

 

V happened

 

Example  ________ was on TV made me angry angry (A) It (B (B)) The sto story (C) What (D) When Explanation: In this example, you should notice immediately that there are two verbs, was was and  and made made,, an d each of those verbs needs a subject. Answers (A) and (B) are incorrect because it and the story cannot be the subject for both was and made at the same time. Answer (D) is incorrect because when when is  is not a subject. In answer (C) what  serves  serves as both the subject of the verb was and the connector that joins the two clauses together, the noun clause what was on TV is the subject of the verb made made.. Answer (C) is the best answer 

 

WRITTEN EXPRESSION

 

OVERVIEW   

Questions number 16 – 40 Will examine 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 of groups of words have b een underlined. You You must choose the word or group of words that is not  correct.   correct.

Example The final delivery delivery of the day is the importantest importantest   A B C D

 

GENERAL STRATEGIES 1.

First look First look at the the unde underli rlined ned wor word d or grou groups ps of of words. words. You want to see if you can spot which of the four answer choices is not correct.

2.

If you have have been been unable unable to find find the error by lookin looking g only only at the four four underlin underlined ed expressio expression n s, then read the complete sentence. Often an underlined expression is incorrect because of something in another part of the sentence. Never leave any answers blank. Be sure to answer each question even if you are unsure of the correct response.

3.

 

SKILL 20: MAKE VERBS AGREE AFTER 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 

Example The key (to the doors) are in the drawer You might think that doors  is   is the subject because it comes directly in front of the verb are . However, doors   is not the subject because it is the object of the preposition to . The subject of the sentence is key, key, so  so the verb should be is .

 

Example  ____________ heated by solar energy have special collectors on the roofs to trap tr ap sunlight (A) (A) A ho home me is (incorrect, it is a singular subject and has a verb) (B (B)) Home omes are are(incorrect, (incorrect, it has a verb/to be   “are”  “are” ) (C (C)) A home ome (incorrect, singular subject) (D) Home Homes s (correct, (correct, the only only option with plural plural subject) subject) Explanation: heated by solar energy have have special  special collectors on the roofs to trap sunlight Have: plural subject

 

There are many frequently mentioned reasons why one one out  out of four arrests   A B C D Explanation: this should be involves, because it refers to “one”

involve a involve  a juvenile

 

SKILL 21: MAKE VERBS AGREE 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, (all, most , or some ) can be singular or plural, depending on what follows the preposition of .

SUBJECT/VERB AGREEMENT AFTER EXPRESSIONS OF QUANTITY all most some half 

OF THE (OBJECT)

V

When an expression of quantity is the subject, the verb agrees with the objects 

 

Example  All (of the book ) was interesting SINGULAR  All (of the books books)) were interesting PLURAL  All (of the information information)) was interesting UNCOUNTABLE

 

Example Some of the animals from the zoo was released into released into the animal preserve D A B C The incorrect form is D. This should be were, because of “some” 

More than half of the children in the 1,356-member 1,356-member district qualifies qualifies for  for reduced-price or free lunches   A B C   D The incorrect form is C. This should be qualifies, because of plural subject “children” 

 

SKILL 22: MAKE INVERTED VERBS AGREE When subject and verb are inverted, it can be difficult to locate them, and it can therefore be a problem to make them agree

SUBJECT/VERB AGREEMENT AFTER INVERTED VERBS question negative place condition (no if) comparison

V

S

After question words, negative expressions, place expressions, condition without if, and comparisons, the verb agrees with the subject, which may be after the verb 

 

Example (Behind the house) was the bicycles I wanted (Behind the house) were the bicycles I wanted •

In the first example it is easy to think that house is the subject, because it comes directly in front of the verb was was.. House House is  is not the subject, however, because it is the object of the preposition behind . The subject of the sentence is bicycles bicycles,, and the subject bicycles bicycles comes  comes after the verb because of the place expression behind the house. house. Because the subject bicycles bicycles is  is plural, the verb should be changed to the plural were. •

In the second example, the subject bicycle bicycle comes  comes after the verb were were because  because of the place expression behind the house. house. Because the subject bicycle bicycle is  is singular, the verb should be changed to the singular was was..

 

Example  Among bees ____________ a highly elaborate form of communication communication (A) Occur cur currs (B) Occu (C (C)) It occu occurs rs (D) (D) They They occu occur  r  Explanation: The sentence is started with a place expression. So, the subject and verb are in inverted order. The main subject is a highly elaborate form of communication. communication. Thus, because this is a singular subject, the verb must be (B) occurs

 

SKILL 23: MAKE VERBS AGREE AFTER CERTAIN WORDS Certain words in English are always grammatically singular, even though they might have plural meanings. Everybody are going to the theater Even though we understand from this example that a lot of people are going to the theater, everybody  is  is singular and requires a singular verb. The plural verb are going  should  should be changed to the singular verb is going .

SUBJECT/VERB AGREEMENT AFTER CERTAIN WORDS The 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

 

Example Each number in a binary system are  are  formed from only two symbols   A B  C D

Explanation: The word of “each” takes a singular verb. So, B is false. That should be “is”