Section 2: Structure
There are two different types of questions in this section of
the TOEFL. In each type you will read one sentence. There will be a blank space
to fill in, or an error to detect. Your job is to make the sentences correct.
You will be tested on many types of grammatical errors.
Question types:
- Verbs (tense, agreement)
- Clauses and Phrases
- Word order
- Connectors
- Gerunds and Infinitives
- Parallel structure
- Adjectives and Adverbs
- Articles
- Word families
- Prepositions
- Subjects and Objects
- Pronouns
Sentence completion
Example 1:
Two obligations __________ the Census
Bureau are to enumerate all US residents and publish population statistics.
A) with
B) and
C) of
D) over
Explanation:
- Choice A is the incorrect preposition.
- Choice B is a coordinating conjunction.
- Choice D is the incorrect preposition.
The correct answer is C.
Example 2:
DNA analysis enables forensic scientists
__________ with greater accuracy and efficiency.
A) to solve
crimes
B) solving of crimes
C) solve crime
D) the crime
solution
Explanation:
- Choice B does not correctly follow enable.
- Choice C is the present tense of the verb.
- Choice D is a noun clause
The correct answer is A. Enable is followed by an
infinitive.
Example 3:
__________ vaccinated with the flu shot,
seniors and young children are susceptible to many other winter viruses.
A) Despite
B) In spite
C) Despite being
D) Even
though
Explanation:
- Choice A needs to be followed by a noun or noun
clause.
- Choice B requires "of" plus a noun.
- Choice D needs to be followed by a noun or noun
clause.
The correct answer is C.
Error recognition
Example 1:
| Some |
stars |
are |
too |
far |
away |
that |
it |
is |
impossible |
to
identify |
|
|
|
(A) |
|
|
(B) |
|
|
|
(C) |
| them |
with |
only |
the |
naked |
eye. |
| (D) |
|
|
|
|
|
Explanation:
- Choice B is the correct relative pronoun.
- Choice C is the correct infinitive following the
adjective.
- Choice D is the correct object pronoun referring to
the stars.
The correct answer is A. "So" is used with a
relative clause. You can say, "The stars are too far away to see."
Example 2:
| In |
today |
society, |
retirement |
communities |
offer |
alternative
lifestyles |
|
(A) |
|
|
|
(B) |
(C) |
| for |
seniors |
who |
are |
too |
healthy |
for |
nursing |
homes. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(D) |
|
Explanation:
- Choice B is the correct verb form following a plural
noun.
- Choice C is the correct adjective plus noun.
- Choice D is the correct compound noun.
The correct answer is A. The sentence needs a
possessive word (Today's society).
Example 3:
| Many |
private |
organizations |
explore |
unexplainable |
phenomenon, |
|
(A) |
|
(B) |
|
(C) |
| such |
as |
unidentified |
flying |
objects |
and |
other |
strange |
sightings. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(D) |
|
|
Explanation:
- Choice A is the correct adjective.
- Choice B is the correct form of the verb following a
plural noun.
- Choice D is the correct singular form used before an
adjective plus plural noun
The correct answer is C. Phenomenon is singular.
There is no article in this sentence so the noun should be plural
(phenomena).
Section 3 > |