TOEFL Structure Questions-Start Test 221-230

[navin_c]

TOEFL Structure Underlines: 121-130

Each question of this type has one grammar mistake. Choose the underlined portion that has the mistake.

Example:

I are tired, but I will study anyway.

(A) are
(B) but
(C) will
(D) anyway

In this case, we should choose (A) since I are tired is incorrect; the sentence should read I am tired, but I will study anyway.
Blanks

For this type of question, choose the answer choice that best completes the sentence.

Example:

I ______ tired, but I will study anyway.

(A) is
(B) being
(C) am
(D) to be

In this case, we should choose (C) since the sentence should read I am tired, but I will study anyway.




Start Test

Time: 7 minutes

121.


The bonds holding protons neutrons and electrons together in orbit around an atom nucleus are among the strongest known to scientists.

together
in orbit
atom
are



122.


Sufficient gravitational force is ______ atmosphere; otherwise the atmosphere will drift off into space.

necessary for retaining planet
retaining necessary planet
retained by necessary planet
necessary to retain a planet's



123.


While oxygen is readily available in isolated form, ______ .

hydrogen does not
no hydrogen
not any hydrogen
hydrogen is not



124.


The varying orbit of Pluto means that ambient temperatures also vary greatly.

varying
of
ambient
vary



125.


Along northernmost edge of the United States runs the US/Canada border.

northernmost
of
runs
border



126.


In most states a sales tax ranging from two per cent to ten per cent ______ on most purchases of luxury items.

is levied
are levied
to levy
levying



127.


An iron smelting forge ______ ore into usable metals.

melts
is melting
melting
should melting



128.


Only after losing its skin does snake begin to grow another.

losing
snake
to grow
another



129.


Lost among the devastation of the tornado was the remains of the houses and buildings.

Lost among
devastation
was
buildings



130.


The one in charge of a meeting ______ toward the end of the meeting.

table general important topics
tables generally the important topics
generally the topic of the table
generally tables important topics

source:test magic
source:test magic

[navin_c]

Answer
121. C
The bonds holding protons neutrons and electrons [together] [in orbit] around an [atom] nucleus [are] among the strongest known to scientists.

together
in orbit
atom

Correction: atom's.

nucleus is a singular count noun and therefore needs a determiner. 's is a determiner.

are


122. D Sufficient gravitational force is ______ atmosphere; otherwise the atmosphere will drift off into space.

necessary for retaining planet

planet and atmosphere are singular count nouns and therefore need determiners.

retaining necessary planet

planet and atmosphere are singular count nouns and therefore need determiners.

retained by necessary planet

planet and atmosphere are singular count nouns and therefore need determiners.

necessary to retain a planet's

planet is a singular count noun and therefore needs a determiner. a is a determiner.
123. D While oxygen is readily available in isolated form, ______ .

hydrogen does not

We use do to replace all verbs except be-verbs and modals.

no hydrogen

We have no main verb here.

not any hydrogen

We have no main verb here.

hydrogen is not

We need to use a be-verb to replace the first be-verb.


124. C The [varying] orbit [of] Pluto means that [ambient] temperatures also [vary] greatly.

varying
of
ambient

Correction: its ambient.

We need to use a determiner with temperatures to show that the temperatures belong to Pluto and are not general temperatures. its is a determiner.

vary


125. A Along [northernmost] edge [of] the United States [runs] the US/Canada [border].

northernmost

Correction: the northernmost.
edge is a singular count noun and therefore needs a determiner. the is a determiner.

of
runs
border


126. A In most states a sales tax ranging from two per cent to ten per cent ______ on most purchases of luxury items.

is levied

We simply need a singular verb for the singular subject tax.

are levied
to levy
levying


127. A An iron smelting forge ______ ore into usable metals.

melts

We simply need a singular verb to agree with the singular subject forge. We need to use the simple present tense for facts that are generally true.

is melting

We cannot use the progressive since we are stating a fact.
melting
should melting


128. B Only after [losing] its skin does [snake] begin [to grow] [another].

losing
snake

Correction: a snake.

snake is a singular count noun and therefore needs a determiner. a is a determiner.

to grow
another


129. C [Lost among] the [devastation] of the tornado [was] the remains of the houses and [buildings].

Lost among
devastation
was

Correction: were.

The main subject of this sentence is remains, which is a plural noun. We therefore need to have a plural verb. This question is hard because the subject and verb are inverted.

buildings


130. D The one in charge of a meeting ______ toward the end of the meeting.

table general important topics
tables generally the important topics
generally the topic of the table
generally tables important topics

The main verb of this sentence is tables, which means postpones. We need to have the adverb generally before tables since generally modifies tables. This question is hard because tables is usually a noun, so when we see it as a verb, we can become confused very easily.

[navin_c]

TOEFL Structure: #131-140

Time: 7 minutes
131.
Ellis Island ______ in 1892.

opening
opens
opened
was opening


132. Bill Clinton received his [former] education [at] Georgetown and Yale Universities, from the latter [of which] he received a degree [in law].

former
at
of which
in law


133. [Businesses] are responsible [to] the Internal Revenue Service [to keep] accurate [financial] records.

Businesses
to
to keep
financial


134. John Hancock's signature on the Declaration of Independence is known for ______.

large size
its large size
being large size
to be large size


135. [The] human body is composed [largely of] water and needs a [steady] supply of water to remain [healthily].

The
largely of
steady
healthily


136. Martha Graham was [an] excellent dancer; her body was strong and [flexible], [her movements] graceful and [power].

an
flexible
her movements
power


137. The 1984 Democratic Convention ______ in San Francisco.

was held
holds
held
is holding


138. Montana is the [four] largest state in the United States, but [it is] one of [the] most [sparsely] populated.

four
it is
the
sparsely


139. The Procrastinators Club of America, founded in 1956, has ______ some 10,000.

members
a membership of
members of
the membership


140. Mosquitoes are [easily] [found] wherever there is [standing] water and [temperate] climate.

easily
found
standing
temperate

source:test magic

[navin_c]

Answer

131. C
Ellis Island ______ in 1892.

opening
opens
opened

We need a verb in the past tense since 1892 is in the past.

was opening


132. A Bill Clinton received his [former] education [at] Georgetown and Yale Universities, from the latter [of which] he received a degree [in law].

former

Correction: formal

former is an adjective, but its meaning is illogical if it is used to describe education; we should use the word formal instead, which means structured.

at
of which
in law


133. C [Businesses] are responsible [to] the Internal Revenue Service [to keep] accurate [financial] records.

Businesses
to
to keep

Correction: for keeping

We need to use this pattern here:

responsible to x for y

For example, we can say I am responsible to my boss for my work.

financial


134. B John Hancock's signature on the Declaration of Independence is known for ______.

large size

This answer choice is almost correct, but we need a determiner since size is a singular count noun.

its large size

size is a singular count noun and therefore needs a determiner.

being large size

If we want to use this choice, we would have to say being large in size.

to be large size

If we want to use this choice, we would have to say to be large in size.


135. D [The] human body is composed [largely of] water and needs a [steady] supply of water to remain [healthily].

The
largely of
steady
healthily

remain is a linking verb and cannot be followed by an adverb; we must use an adjective to describe the noun supply.
136. D Martha Graham was [an] excellent dancer; her body was strong and [flexible], [her movements] graceful and [power].

an
flexible
her movements
power

Correction: powerful

powerful is parallel with graceful (an adjective). Therefore, power, which is a noun or a verb, is incorrect. Both of these adjectives modify movements.

This question is hard because we have omitted some words. The original sentence would be much easier to understand. Here's the original sentence:

Martha Graham was an excellent dancer; her body was strong and flexible, and her movements were graceful and power.
137. A The 1984 Democratic Convention ______ in San Francisco.

was held

First, we need to use past tense here since 1984 is in the past. Second, we need passive voice, was held, since the Convention is the object of the verb to hold.

holds
held
is holding


138. A Montana is the [four] largest state in the United States but [it is] one of [the] most [sparsely] populated.

four

Correction: fourth

We need to use the ordinal form (e.g., first, second, third, etc.) here. If we wanted to use the regular counting form, we would have an illogical meaning: Montana is the four largest states. Besides, state would have to be plural with four.

it is
the
sparsely


139. B The Procrastinators Club of America, founded in 1956, has ______ some 10,000.

members

We need a preposition for the pronoun 10,000.

a membership of

First, we need an object for has. Second, we need to use a preposition with the pronoun 10,000. By the way, some means approximately.

members of

This meaning is illogical.

the membership

We need a preposition for the pronoun 10,000.
140. D Mosquitoes are [easily] [found] wherever there is [standing] water and [temperate] climate.

easily
found
standing
temperate

Correction: a temperate

[navin_c]

TOEFL Structure: Quick Test #141-150
Underlines

Each question of this type has one grammar mistake. Choose the underlined portion that has the mistake.

Example:

I are tired, but I will study anyway.

(A) are
(B) but
(C) will
(D) anyway

In this case, we should choose (A) since I are tired is incorrect; the sentence should read I am tired, but I will study anyway.

Blanks

For this type of question, choose the answer choice that best completes the sentence.

Example:

I ______ tired, but I will study anyway.

(A) is
(B) being
(C) am
(D) to be

In this case, we should choose (C) since the sentence should read I am tired, but I will study anyway.




Start Test

Time: 7 minutes
141.
Engraving is a process [which] the surface of metal is [first covered] with [an acid] and then inscribed with some sharp [instrument].

which
first covered
an acid
instrument


142. For many [years ago], [much of] what was possible to know was derived [from] inspiration or divination and did not involve the rational process of reasoning in [wide use] today.

years ago
much of
from
wide use


143. Ayn Rand, ______ novels deal with the nature of capitalism in a democracy, is often taught in introductory courses in economics.

of many whose
whose many of
whose of many
many of whose


144. The formation of a rainbow [occurs] a process in which light is diffused at [varying] rates by the surrounding atmosphere, [resulting in] the reflection of different [wavelengths] of light.

occurs
varying
resulting in
wavelengths


145. [Though] difficult, it [possible] for an adult learner of a new language [to master] the subtleties of the grammar and syntax of [the new] language.

Though
possible
to master
the new


146. When a bird molts, ______ loses its feathers, it is actually preparing itself for the regeneration of the lost feathers.

so its
as if
as when it
so that


147. The scientific method is a system [which] a problem or challenge [is] identified and possible solutions are created and tested, [with] the final results evaluated to determine the best approach to the [resulting] theory.

which
is
with
resulting


148. The Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. is [home to] the largest [collecting] of Native American artifacts in the United States, most [of which] remain [uncatalogued] and hidden from public view.

home to
collecting
of which
uncatalogued


149. Many modern critics of American literature have called Mark Twain, born Samuel Clemens, ______ .

as America's greatest writer
was America's greatest writer
America's greatest writer
to have been America's greatest writer


150. In the modern [era], face-to-face communication is becoming [near] [as uncommon as] [hand-written] letters.

era
near
as uncommon as
hand-written

source:test magic

[navin_c]

Answer

141.
Engraving is a process [which] the surface of metal is [first covered] with [an acid] and then inscribed with some sharp [instrument].

which

Correction: in which

Difficulty level: Hard.

Explanation: We need a preposition here. Remember this tip: In an adjective clause, if we have a complete sentence after which or whom, then we probably need a preposition.

Here's another way to understand this question:

The noun that is modified by the adjective clause is process. The word process is part of the adjective clause. If we change the adjective clause to a sentence, we would have this sentence:

The surface of metal is first covered with an acid and then inscribed with some sharp instrument in this process.

You can see from this sentence that we must use a preposition.

first covered
an acid
instrument


142. For many [years ago], [much of] what was possible to know was derived [from] inspiration or divination and did not involve the rational process of reasoning in [wide use] today.

years ago

Correction: years

Difficulty level: Medium.

Explanation: ago is an adverb. For many years is an adverb phrase. We must choose one of these; we cannot use both of them together. In other words, we could say:

For many years,...

or

Many years ago,...

but not both.

much of
from
wide use


143. Ayn Rand, ______ novels deal with the nature of capitalism in a democracy, is often taught in introductory courses in economics.

of many whose
whose many of
whose of many
many of whose

Difficulty level: Hard.

Explanation: The pattern we need to use is this:

quantifier + of + subordinating conjunction

If we make a sentence from the adjective clause, we would have this sentence:

Many of Ayn Rand's novels deal with the nature of capitalism in a democracy.


144. The formation of a rainbow [occurs] a process in which light is diffused at [varying] rates by the surrounding atmosphere, [resulting in] the reflection of different [wavelengths] of light.

occurs

Correction: occurs in

Difficulty level: Hard.

Explanation: occur is an intransitive verb and can never have a noun as its object.

varying
resulting in
wavelengths


145. [Though] difficult, it [possible] for an adult learner of a new language [to master] the subtleties of the grammar and syntax of [the new] language.

Though
possible

Correction: it is possible

Difficulty level: Medium.

Explanation: We have no main verb in this sentence. Every sentence in English must have a main verb.

to master
the new


146. When a bird molts, ______ loses its feathers, it is actually preparing itself for the regeneration of the lost feathers.

so its
as if
as when it

Difficulty level: Hard.

Explanation: In this sentence, as is a preposition. All prepositions need an object. In this case, when it loses its feathers is a noun clause and can be the object of the preposition as.

so that


147. The scientific method is a system [which] a problem or challenge [is] identified and possible solutions are created and tested, [with] the final results evaluated to determine the best approach to the [resulting] theory.

which

Correction: in which

Difficulty level: Hard.

Explanation:

We need a preposition here. Remember this tip: In an adjective clause, if we have a complete sentence after which or whom, then we probably need a preposition.

Here's another way to understand this question:

The noun that is modified by the adjective clause is system. The word system is part of the adjective clause. If we change the adjective clause to a sentence, we would have this sentence:

A problem or challenge is identified and possible solutions are created and tested in this system.

You can see from this sentence that we must use a preposition.

is
with
resulting


148. The Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. is [home to] the largest [collecting] of Native American artifacts in the United States, most [of which] remain [uncatalogued] and hidden from public view.

home to
collecting

Correction: collection

Difficulty level: Medium.

Explanation: The noun collection refers to a group of things; the noun collecting refers the action of collecting.

of which
uncatalogued


149. Many modern critics of American literature have called Mark Twain, born Samuel Clemens, ______ .

as America's greatest writer
was America's greatest writer
America's greatest writer

Difficulty level: Hard.

Explanation: call is a transitive verb and can have one object and one complement, usually a noun, but sometimes an adjective. In this case, Mark Twain is the object and America's greatest writer, a noun, is the complement.

to have been America's greatest writer


150. In the modern [era], face-to-face communication is becoming [near] [as uncommon as] [hand-written] letters.

era
near

Difficulty level: Hard.

Correction: nearly

Explanation: near is a preposition; nearly is an adverb. We need an adverb here to modify the comparison as uncommon as.

as uncommon as
hand-written

[navin_c]

TOEFL Structure: #171-180

Underlines

Each question of this type has one grammar mistake. Choose the underlined portion that has the mistake.

Example:

I are tired, but I will study anyway.

(A) are
(B) but
(C) will
(D) anyway

In this case, we should choose (A) since I are tired is incorrect; the sentence should read I am tired, but I will study anyway.
Blanks

For this type of question, choose the answer choice that best completes the sentence.

Example:

I ______ tired, but I will study anyway.

(A) is
(B) being
(C) am
(D) to be

In this case, we should choose (C) since the sentence should read I am tired, but I will study anyway.


Start Test

Time: 7 minutes

171.


When iron is exposed to water, oxidizes, a process commonly known as rusting.

exposed
to
oxidizes
known as



172.


Somewhat analogous to the Chinese system of writing in difficulty for non-native speakers to learn and loosely based on the Chinese system of writing the Japanese system of writing known as Kanji.

to
difficulty
loosely based
the



173.


______ big cats, housecats have polyphasic sleeping patterns; that is, they take several naps a day.

They are like
Like
It is the
The



174.


It was as a direct result of the widespread implementation electricity that the U.S. had a source of light other than gas lights.

It was as
result of
implementation
a source of



175.


______ many communications companies are now able to offer radio and television broadcasts over the Internet.

Advanced technology has enabled
Introducing advanced technology and
Because the introduction of advanced technology
With the introduction of advanced technology



176.


While it is actually a planet, Venus is often mistaken a star in the night sky.

While it
a planet
mistaken
the night



177.


______ its area of defense, a fort should be built on an elevation and with some sort of natural feature of the landscape to obstruct direct access to the fort.

To better protect
Protecting better
For the better of
It is better for



178.


In 2000 William Jefferson Clinton entered his last year office as President of the United States.

In 2000
entered
office
as President



179.


It was ______ the Industrial Revolution that the United States was able to increase productivity through mechanization.

when
at the time
during
because



180.


______ Einstein was able to come up with a theory that has yet to be disproved.

Other scientists
Similar to other scientists
Just as other scientists
To be a scientist

source:test magic

[navin_c]

Answer

171.

When iron is exposed to water, oxidizes, a process commonly known as rusting.

exposed
to
oxidizes

*

Correction: it oxidizes
*

Level of Difficulty: Medium
*

Magic explanation: This one is easy to explain and to understand. We simply need a main subject here. If you missed this one, it was probably a careless mistake. Remember, we can raise our TOEFL scores more quickly if we don't miss the easy questions!!

known as


172.

Somewhat analogous to the Chinese system of writing in difficulty for non-native speakers to learn and loosely based on the Chinese system of writing the Japanese system of writing known as Kanji.

to
difficulty
loosely based
the

*

Correction: is the
*

Level of Difficulty: HARD!!
*

Magic explanation: Whew! This is a hard question for a couple of reasons. First, the sentence is long and has a lot of extra phrases. Second, we have inversion here. The main subject is "the Japanese system of writing," so, we need a main verb, "is."


173.

______ big cats, housecats have polyphasic sleeping patterns; that, is they take several naps a day.

They are like

*

Magic explanation: If we choose this answer, we will have two main sentences with no conjunction between them. Be careful of this mistake--it is one of the most common ones on the TOEFL!!

Like

*

Level of Difficulty: Easy
*

Magic explanation: First, we should notice here that we have a complete main sentence already. The only thing we have to worry about is using another word or phrase with "big cats." If we use the preposition "like," then "big cats" becomes the object of the preposition.

It is the

*

Magic explanation: If we choose this answer, we will have two main sentences with no conjunction between them. Be careful of this mistake--it is one of the most common ones on the TOEFL!!

The

*

Magic explanation: If we choose this answer, we will essentially have two main subjects here, or what we often call a "double subject."


174.

It was as a direct result of the widespread implementation electricity that the US had a source of light other than gas lights.

It was
result of
implementation

*

Correction: implementation of
*

Level of Difficulty: medium
*

Magic explanation: First, we should notice that we have a preposition here, "of." "implementation" is the object of this preposition. A preposition can NEVER have two objects, so we should use another preposition with the noun "electricity."

a source of


175.

______ many communications companies are now able to offer radio and television broadcasts over the Internet.

Advanced technology has enabled

*

Magic explanation: This answer choice is wrong for two reasons. First, "enabled" needs an object. Second, even if we have an object for "enabled," we would end up with two complete sentences with no conjunction between them. As I stated above, this is a big no-no and is a very common mistake.

Introducing advanced technology and

*

Magic explanation: This answer choice is wrong because we need another noun to be parallel with "technology." If we had another noun, for example "new methods of storing data," then this answer choice would be correct.

Because the introduction of advanced technology

*

Magic explanation: This answer choice is wrong because we need a subordinate verb after the subordinating conjunction "because."

With the introduction of advanced technology

*

Level of Difficulty: Medium
*

Magic explanation: First, we should notice that we have a complete main sentence here and that nothing is missing from the sentence as it is written. When nothing is missing from the sentence, we should add something that is both optional and complete. This answer choice is the only one that meets these criteria--it is a prepositional phrase, and prepositional phrases are almost always optional in the sentence.



176.


While it is actually a planet, Venus is often mistaken a star in the night sky.

While it
a planet
mistaken

*

Correction: mistaken for
*

Level of Difficulty: Medium
*

Magic explanation: The correct idiom to use here is "to mistake x for y" (in the active voice), or "x is mistaken for y" (in the passive voice).

the night



177.


______ its area of defense, a fort should be built on an elevation and with some sort of natural feature of the landscape to obstruct direct access to the fort.

To better protect

*

Level of Difficulty: Hard
*

Magic explanation: We should use the infinitive of purpose here to explain how or why something is done.

Protecting better

*

Magic explanation: If you missed this question, you probably chose this answer. We cannot choose this answer choice because "protecting" modifies "fort" in this sentence either as an adjective phrase or an adverbial phrase (we have some ambiguity in this construction). Since the main sentence is making recommendations about how to build a fort, we should use the infinitive of purpose, not the participial form.

For the better of

*

Magic explanation: The easiest way to explain this one is simply to point out that "better" cannot be a noun.

It is better for

*

Magic explanation: Again, this answer choice would give us two main clauses with no conjunction between them.


178.

In 2000 William Jefferson Clinton entered his last year office as President of the United States.

In 2000
entered
office

*

Correction: of office
*

Level of Difficulty: Medium
*

Magic explanation: The verb "entered" can have only one object. In this case, the object of "entered" is "year," leaving us with an extra noun, "office." Since "entered" cannot have two objects, we should use a preposition to make "office" the object of the preposition.

as President


179.

It was ______ the Industrial Revolution that the United States was able to increase productivity through mechanization.

when

*

Magic explanation: If we choose this answer choice, we would be missing a subordinate verb. In other words, we would have to have a complete subordinate clause, something like this: …when the Industrial Revolution… DID something.

at the time

*

Magic explanation: The easiest way to explain this one is to point out that we would need to say "at the time of."

during

*

Level of Difficulty: Medium
*

Magic explanation: We essentially need a preposition (or some other word) here for the noun phrase Industrial Revolution.

because

*

Magic explanation: If we choose this answer choice, we would be missing a subordinate verb. In other words, we would have to have a complete subordinate clause, something like this: …because the Industrial Revolution… DID something.


180.

______ Einstein was able to come up with a theory that has yet to be disproved.

Other scientists

*

Magic explanation: This answer choice would give us a double subject, a big no-no on the TOEFL.

Similar to other scientists

*

Level of Difficulty: Medium
*

Magic explanation: This is a typical TOEFL question. First, we should notice that we have a complete main sentence here and that nothing is missing from the sentence as it is written. When nothing is missing from the sentence, we should add something that is both optional and complete. This answer choice, and the last one, are the only ones that meet these criteria.

Just as other scientists

*

Magic explanation: Since "as" is a subordinating conjunction, we would need a subordinate verb here.

To be a scientist

*

Magic explanation: This choice is wrong because we should not use the infinitive of purpose here; i.e., the main clause does not explain HOW or WHY Einstein was a scientist.

[navin_c]

Test TOEFL Structure 181-190

181.


Engraving is a process which the surface of metal is first covered with an acid and then inscribed with some sharp instrument.



182.


For many years ago much of what was possible to know was derived from inspiration or divination and did not involve the rational process of reasoning in wide use today.



183.


Ayn Rand, ______ novels deal with the nature of capitalism in a democracy, is often taught in introductory courses in economics.

O of many whose
O whose many of
O whose of many
O many of whose



184.


The formation of a rainbow occurs a process in which light is diffused at varying rates by the surrounding atmosphere resulting in the reflection of different wavelengths of light.



185.


Though difficult, it possible for an adult learner of a new language to master the subtleties of the grammar and syntax of the new language.



186.


When a bird molts, ______ loses its feathers, it is actually preparing itself for the regeneration of the lost feathers.

O so its
O as if
O as when it
O so that



187.


The scientific method is a system which a problem or challenge is identified and possible solutions are created and tested, with the final results evaluated to determine the best approach to the resulting theory.



188.


The Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. is home to the largest collect of Native American artifacts in the United States most of which remain uncatalogued and hidden from public view.



189.


Many modern critics of American literature have called Mark Twain, born Samuel Clemens, ______ .

O as America's greatest writer
O was America's greatest writer
O America's greatest writer
O to have been America's greatest writer



190.


In the modern era, face-to-face communication is becoming near as uncommon as hand-written letters.

source:test magic

[navin_c]

TOEFL Structure Questions, 191-200

Time: 7 minutes

1. It is the lack of gravity on the moon that makes ______ leaps of 30 feet or more.

possible
it possible
to be possible
it to be possible


2. Money [donated] by [philanthropist] H. R. Brandenberg
[was earmark] for AIDS research in [developing countries].

donated
philanthropist
was earmark
developing countries


3. In ancient [times] banking transactions often [were taken]
place in [common areas], for example, a [town square].

times
were taken
common areas
town square


4. From the beginning of the twentieth century to the present, technology ______ people are beginning to imagine there are no limits to what we can achieve.

progressed to the point that
has to progress to a point
has progressed to the point that
progressed a point that


5. It is believed that the modern bird ______ the pterodactyls that existed millions of years ago.

was evolved from
evolved from
evolved
was evolving from


6. A trap ______ disguise is what has come to be called a Trojan Horse, from the ancient story of the gift of the wooden horse from the Greeks.

offered a gift of
offers a gift in
offering a gift to
offered as a gift in


7. The log cabin, [among others], was a commonplace
[dwelling] for the early settlers in North because of the ease
[which] it was able to be constructed and the [relatively ready] availability of its building material, wood.

among others
dwelling
which
relatively ready


8. The Great Fire of 1906 in San Francisco [was happened] [primarily] as [a result of] the great earthquake preceding [it].

was happened
primarily
a result of
it


9. The development of the light bulb ______ partly as a result of the widespread availability of electricity and the need for cheap, clean light.

occurring
was occurring
was occurred
occurred


10. Telecommuting is a new form of work ______ to work, such as fathers with children, the chance to work while remaining at home.

affording those previously unable
affords those who were previously unable
that affording those unable previously
afforded those previously unable
source:test magic

Answer

1. It is the lack of gravity on the moon that makes ______ leaps of 30 feet or more.

possible

We need to understand a few things to answer this question correctly.

First, TOEFL likes to test these grammar patterns:

* make it possible (for somebody/something) TO DO something
* make something possible

In this question, we have the second pattern. Of course, TOEFL will typically mix up the two patterns in the incorrect answer choices, so we have to make sure we follow the pattern exactly.

Second, this question is a little trickier because the adjective possible comes before the noun leaps instead of after it, which we sometimes do in English.

Want to know why we put the noun after the adjective here? Yeah, of course you do. It's really quite simple. In English, we generally put the shorter part FIRST. In class, TestMagic calls this the "Short One First" rule. So, possible is shorter than leaps of thirty feet or more, so possible comes first. Got it??

it possible
to be possible
it to be possible





2. Money [donated] by [philanthropist] H. R. Brandenberg [was earmark] for AIDS research in [developing countries].

donated
philanthropist
was earmark

Correction: was earmarked

We need a past participle here since earmark is a verb. to earmark means to designate for a specific use.

developing countries





3. In ancient [times] banking transactions often [were taken] place in [common areas], for example, a [town square].

times
were taken

Correction: took place

take place is an intransitive verb and therefore can NEVER be used in the passive voice; we need active voice here.

common areas
town square





4. From the beginning of the twentieth century to the present, technology ______ people are beginning to imagine there are no limits to what we can achieve.

progressed to the point that
has to progress to a point
has progressed to the point that

This one's tricky. First, we should notice that we need a main verb, right? The main subject of this sentence is technology, but we don't have a verb for it. The second thing is that we need to think about the verb tense. Since the sentence says From the beginning of the twentieth century (a point in the past) to the present (now), we MUST use the present perfect. In fact, TestMagic wrote this question to fit the definition of the present perfect tense.

If you missed it, you probably chose (A). This is wrong because progressed is in the simple past, not the present perfect.

progressed a point that





5. It is believed that the modern bird ______ the pterodactyls that existed millions of years ago.

was evolved from

evolve is an intransitive verb and therefore can NEVER be used in the passive voice; we need active voice here.

evolved from

We need to memorize this preposition combination:

x evolved from y

evolved
was evolving from





6. A trap ______ disguise is what has come to be called a Trojan Horse, from the ancient story of the gift of the wooden horse from the Greeks.

offered a gift of

This answer would give us a double verb: offered and is. Furthermore, this answer choice would result in an illogical meaning--that the trap was offering the gift.

offers a gift in

This answer would give us a double verb: offers and is. Furthermore, this answer choice would result in an illogical meaning--that the trap was offering the gift.

offering a gift to

This answer choice would result in an illogical meaning--that the trap was offering the gift.

offered as a gift in

First, we should notice that we have a reduced adjective clause here. In other words:

offered as a gift in disguise = which is offered as a gift in disguise







7. The log cabin, [among others], was a commonplace [dwelling] for the early settlers in North because of the ease [which] it was able to be constructed and the [relatively ready] availability of its building material, wood.

among others
dwelling
which

Corrction: with which

This one's tricky! A lot of people miss this question.

First, we need to realize that we have an adjective clause here. Next, we need to understand that the word which is a pronoun and replaces ease. Finally, we should remember that we say with ease (which means easily), and we can answer the question!

Here's a trick that TestMagic teaches:

PREPOSITION + which + SENTENCE

In adjective clauses, if you see a sentence after which or that, then you need a preposition.

relatively ready





8. The Great Fire of 1906 in San Francisco [was happened] [primarily] as [a result of] the great earthquake preceding [it].

was happened

Correction: happened

happen is an intransitive verb and therefore can NEVER be used in the passive voice; we need active voice here.

primarily
a result of
it





9. The development of the light bulb ______ partly as a result of the widespread availability of electricity and the need for cheap, clean light.

occurring

This is not a verb.

was occurring

We need simple past here; we cannot use the past progressive when we are talking about development.

was occurred

occur is an intransitive verb and therefore can NEVER be used in the passive voice; we need active voice here.

occurred

Yep! This is the one--it's in the simple past and active voice.





10. Telecommuting is a new form of work ______ to work, such as fathers with children, the chance to work while remaining at home.

affording those previously unable

First, we should notice that we have a reduced adjective clause here:

affording those previously unable to work = that affords those previously unable to work

Second, if we understand the meaning, this question is probably easier to answer correctly. affording basically means giving. those essentially means people. previously unable to work is also a reduced adjective clause.

So, to simplify this sentence so that we can more easily understand the meaning, we would have:

Telecommuting is a new form work work that gives people (who were previously unable to work) the chance to work at home.

affords those who were previously unable

This would give us a double verb, is and affords.

that affording those unable previously

We are missing a verb.

afforded those previously unable

We need a present participle here, not a past participle.

Linking Verbs

My sister is a doctor.

The verb in this sentence, is, is a different from the other two that we've just looked at. Like the transitive verbs, this verb has a noun, doctor, after it. But the noun (doctor) after it isn't receiving the action of is because is doesn't have an action, right?

In fact, the noun doctor and the noun sister are actually the same thing. So, we say that the verb in the middle is serving to link the subject and the noun that comes after the verb. In this case, doctor is the noun that comes after the verb, and we call this noun a complement (which essentially means complete) because it adds information to the subject.

So, is is what we call a linking verb. You should also know that grammarians consider linking verbs intransitive verbs; i.e., if you look up be in the dictionary, the dictionary will probably say that be is vi, or intransitive.

Actually, any word or phrase that comes after a linking verb can be a complement of the subject:

My sister is happy.

My sister is at home.

Notice that happy and at home modify, or give more information about, sister.

There are many linking verbs in English, but by far the most common ones are the ones are all the forms of to be -- is, are, was, were, have been, may have been, will have been, etc. We call all of these word be-verbs. Check out the TestMagic Glossary for more information about this and other grammatical terms.

Some linking verbs include all of the words relating to the five (or six??) senses:

look, sound, feel, taste, smell

A few more examples:

grow, remain, prove, become, etc.

A good test to figure out whether a verb is a linking verb is to see whether it fits into the following sentence:

I ______ happy.

If a verb fits in that blank (and makes sense, of course!), it's probably a linking verb.

Here are some more examples of linking verbs with their complements:

I am a teacher.

I feel happy today.

Try to remain calm.

My little brother acts crazy sometimes.

The test proved more difficult than we had imagined.

We should notice two things -- that in each case, the complement modifies the subject and that verb serves to link the subject and the complement.

Switch Hitters

So far we've discussed the verbs in question as if they were always transitive or intransitive, but that's really not the case. English, like all natural human languages, is full of quirks and what some may call illogicalities, and in English, it's quite common for a verb to be transitive in one sentence and intransitive in another.

But please remember that there's (usually) a reason! Let's look at some examples:

The dog smells. (this means that the dog stinks, or has a bad odor)

The dog smelled the food. (this means that the dog did the action of smelling to the food)

The dog smells nice. (this means that the dog has a nice smell)

In the first sentence, the verb smell has an intransitive meaning -- to give off a bad odor. So, one of the meanings of smell -- to give off a bad odor -- is used in this sentence. Notice that this meaning of smell is intransitive -- the dog is doing an action (giving off a bad smell), but there's no noun to receive the action.

The second sentence is using another meaning of smell, the transitive meaning. Notice that with this meaning, the action of smell has an object, food. I.e., food is receiving the action, and the dog is doing the action.

Finally, in the third sentence, smell is performing the function of linking dog and nice. In other words, nice modifies or describes the dog.