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).
|