Modul English Club-Upt Pusat Bahasa Stieken
Modul English Club-Upt Pusat Bahasa Stieken
Modul English Club-Upt Pusat Bahasa Stieken
PUSAT BAHASA
STIE KESUMA NEGARA BLITAR
JL. MASTRIP NO. 59 KOTA BLITAR
TELP. (0342) 802330
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TEST OF ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE
TOEFL
TOEFL merupakan singkatan dari Test of English as a Foreign Language. TOEFL adalah
standardisasi kemampuan bahasa Inggris seseorang secara tertulis yang meliputi empat
aspek penguasaan: Listening, Writing, Reading, dan Speaking. Namun, untuk model Paper
Based Test hanya terdapat tiga aspek yang diujikan: Listening Comprehension, Structure
and Written Expression, dan Reading Comprehension.
TOEFL memliki tujuan khusus yakni untuk tujuan pendidikan, penelitian atau yang
berhubungan dengan kegiatan akademis di luar negeri, ataupun di Indonesia. Untuk jenjang
pascasarjana (S2) biasanya memiliki syarat nilai minimal 500 sedangkan untuk jenjang
sarjana (S1) memiliki syarat nilai minimal 450.
Disamping itu, ada kalanya TOEFL dipakai dalam bidang umum seperti pekerjaan, kenaikan
pangkat atau tugas kerja. Banyak perusahaan yang memasang standar Bahasa Inggris
karyawannya dengan melihat nilai TOEFL. Umumnya, nilai TOEFL minimal adalah 450-500
untuk kenaikan pangkat standar.
Struktur TOEFL
Ada tiga bagian tes TOEFL yang harus dikerjakan oleh peserta. Bagian pertama adalah soal-
soal yang mengukur kemampuan Listening Comprehension (50 soal), Structure & Written
Expression (40 soal), dan Reading Comprehension (50 soal). Keseluruhan soal dibuat dalam
bentuk pilihan berganda. Keseluruhan tes berlangsung kurang lebih 120 menit, untuk Paper
Based Test (PBT), dan kurang lebih 240 menit untuk Internet Based Test (IBT).
Secara umum kita mengenal tiga level penguasaan bahasa asing, yaitu Tingkat Dasar
(Elementary), Tingkat Menengah (Intermediate), dan Tingkat Mahir (Advanced). Untuk
skor TOEFL, para ahli bahasa biasanya mengelompokkan skor ini kedalam empat level
berikut (Carson, et al., 1990):
Penilaian TOEFL
Sistem penilaian TOEFL menggunakan konversi dari setiap jawaban yang benar. Nilai
TOEFL tertinggi yang bisa dicapai seseorang adalah 677.
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UNIT I
LISTENING COMPREHENSION
Waktu = 35 menit (termasuk pembacaan petunjuk pelaksanaan
untuk setiap bagian) Tes ini memberikan kesempatan untuk
menunjukkan kemampuan memahami percakapan dan
pembicaraan dalam bahasa Inggris. Listening Comprehension
Test terdiri dari 3 (tiga) bagian:
Pada bagian ini, terdapat percakapan dengan topik santai antara beberapa orang dengan
durasi sekitar 60-90 detik. Setelah percakapan panjang selesai akan diikuti oleh sejumlah
pertanyaan pilihan ganda yang kesemuanya merujuk pada percakapan panjang tersebut.
Pada bagian ini, terdapat beberapa pembicaraan dengan durasi sekitar 60-90 detik tentang
kehidupan sekolah atau perkuliahan, masing-masing diikuti dengan pertanyaan pilihan
ganda.
Example:
(A) He’s very good looking (C) He looks worse than he feels
(B) He’s a bit ill (D) His feet are a little thick
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Garis bawahi ide pokok dari dialog singkat dibawah.
1. (woman) What do you like about your 2. (man) Mark said some really nice
new house? things to me
(man) It’s very close to a park (woman) He’s very grateful for what
(woman)What does the man mean? you did
(narrator) What does the woman say
(A) The house is closed up now about Mark?
(B) He parks his car close to his house
(C) His home is near a park (A) He did a great job
(D) He doesn’t really like his new house (B) He bought a crate full of fruit
(C) He made a great fool of himself
(D) He’s thankful
TOEFL EXERCISE 1:
In this exercise, listen carefully to each short dialogue and
question on the recording, and then choose the best answer to the
question. You should look for synonyms for key words in the last
line.
1. (A) He’d really like to have 4. (A) She is completely prepared for the exam.
(B) The man should have
something to eat.
studied harder.
(B) Because he’s weak, he can’t
(C) Night is the best time to study for exams.
eat.
(D) The exam was postponed.
(C) It’s been weeks since he’s had
anything to eat. 5. (A) Please give me your hand.
(D) He hasn’t felt like eating for (B) My hand is stuck under the packages.
weeks. (C) Please remove your
2. (A) He used his fortune to pay his hands from those
fees. packages.
(B) He was lucky to receive a (D) Would you help me carry
grant for his studies. these packages?
(C) He is a scholar at a college with
low fees.
(D)He paid to get scholarship.
3. (A) Mr. David pointedly asked the
president about the committee.
(B) The president to Mr. David’s
head.
(C) Mr. David became head of the
new commission.
(D) Mr. David was committed to the
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president’s appointment.
Pernyataan negatif seringkali digunakan dalam dialog singkat. Respon yang paling umum
respon untuk pernyataan negatif adalah pernyataan positif yang mengandung sebuah kata
dengan arti yang berlawanan.
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Example:
(woman) Did you get a lot of work done at the library today?
(man) I couldn’t. It wasn’t very quiet there
(narrator) What does the man mean?
Jawaban yang benar adalah jawaban (A). Jika tidak tenang di perpustakaan, berarti
berisik. Perhatikan bahwa jawaban yang benar menggunakan berisik, kebalikan dari
tenang.
1. (woman) You made so many mistakes 2. (Man)Is there a lot of soup? I’m kind of
in this homework hungry
(man) I wasn’t very careful (woman) Sorry, there’s not a lot
(narrator) What does the man mean? (narrator) What does the woman
mean?
(A) He was rather careless
(B) He does not care about mistakes (A) There’s not very much soap
(C) He took care of the work at home (B) She doesn’t like soap
(D) He did not carry the work home (C) There’s only a little soup
(D) The man should not be hungry
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TOEFL EXERCISE 2: In this exercise, listen carefully to each
short dialogue and question on the recording, and then choose the
best answer to the question. You should be particularly careful of
negative expressions.
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Skill 3: SUGGESTIONS AND UNCERTAINTY
Saran juga sangat umum digunakan dalam dialog singkat. Ciri dari
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pertanyaan ini adalah terdapat kata: let’s...., why don’t, why not.
Perhatikan contoh dibawah.
Example:
Dalam contoh ini, ekspresi “why don’t” merupakan contoh saran, jadi saran si
wanita adalah untuk memanggil mereka. Ini berarti bahwa si wanita itu
menyarankan menelefon keluarganya sekarang (bukan nanti). Sehingga
jawaban terbaik adalah (D).
Example:
Jawaban yang tepat adalah D, karena kata think menandakan bahwa dia merasa tidak
yakin.
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Garisbawahi ekspresi saran di setiap dialog singkat berikut. Kemudian,
pilih jawaban terbaik untuk pertanyaan itu. Ingat bahwa jawaban
terbaik adalah yang memberikan saran.
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Skill 4: PASSIVE
Kadang-kadang sulit untuk mengerti siapa atau apa yang melakukan tindakan dalam kalimat
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pasif. Masalah ini sering diujikan dalam dialog singkat.
Example:
Dalam dialog ini, si wanita menggunakan ide aktif, “kami baru saja membelinya (kursi)”.
Jawaban yang benar untuk menggunakan gagasan pasif adalah “kursi itu dibeli”. Sehingga,
jawaban terbaik untuk pertanyaan di atas adalah (C).
Baca dialog singkat dan garisbawahi pernyataan aktif atau pasif yang
ada. Kemudian baca pertanyaan dibawah dan pilih jawaban terbaik
untuk pertanyaan itu. Pastikan Anda memahami siapa yang melakukan
tindakan dalam kalimat pasif.
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TOEFL EXERCISE 4: In this exercise, match each point (A) with the
correct choices from line B.
A: Should I send the packages B: He’s already been sent
now? home.
A: I want to help. Should I B: No, that’s O.K. They’ve
sweep the porch? already been sent.
A: At least let me help you pay B: No problem. They’ve
the bills. already been paid.
A: Has June been told about B: Yes, everything has been
her operation? explained to her.
A: Is Mr. Warren ready to B: No, don’t worry. It’s
leave the hospital? already been swept.
A: I wasn’t informed. B: Mr. Warren was happy to
Someone should have told go home.
me.
Example 1:
(A) An athlete
(B) A member of the audience
(C) A clerk in a music store
(D) A musician
Petunjuk piano dan bernyanyi dalam percakapan menggiring kita pada kesimpulan bahwa
wanita itu seorang musisi sehingga (D) adalah jawaban yang benar.
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Example 2:
1. (man) I’d like to mail this package, 2. (woman) How much are the flowers?
please (man) Ten dollars a bouquet
(woman) First or second class? (narrator) Where does this
(narrator) Who is the woman most conversation probably take place?
likely to be? (A) In a bakery
(A) A school administrator (B) In a grocery store
(B) A postal worker (C) In a florist shop
(C) A banker (D) In a garden
(D) A teacher
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Skill 6: AGREEMENT (Persetujuan) 6
Ungkapan persetujuan lazim digunakan dalam dialog singkat. Berikut contoh yang
menunjukkan perjanjian dengan pernyataan positif.
Example:
Ungkapan “ Me, too” menunjukkan persetujuan dalam hal positif. Hal ini berarti si wanita
setuju dengan pendapat si laki-laki. Sehingga (B) adalah jawaban yang paling tepat.
(A) It’s going to take forever to get (A) The woman should repeat what
home she said
(B) It takes a long time to get from (B) It’s nice in the park at night
home to work (C) The woman should tell him about
(C) He and the woman have the same part of the trip
opinion about the homework (D) He agrees about the trip to the
(D) He needs to take the homework to park
class (E)
TOEFL EXERCISE 6: In this exercise, listen carefully to each short dialogue and question
on the recording and then choose the best answer to the question. Remember that the best
answer is one that shows agreement.
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1. (A) The letter did not need more postage. home.
(B) The letter arrived last week. 4. (A) She condones what
(C) She did not put enough happened.
postage on the letter. (B) She doesn’t like what the man said.
(D) She did not put any (C) She says that she did not do
postage on the letter. it.
(D) She agrees with the
2. (A) He is hesitant about joining the trip.
man about what
(B) He wants to join his friends.
happened.
(C) He doesn’t want to join.
5. (A) This party hasn’t been any fun at all.
(D) He doesn’t understand the idea.
(B) He wonders if the
3. (A) He is going to wait for the bus.
woman enjoyed
(B) He is going to walk to his destination herself.
(C) He is going to wait for thirty minutes (C) He wants to know what he said.
only. (D) He’s enjoyed himself tremendously.
(D) He injured his legs and will return
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1.2. LONG CONVERSATION (Percakapan Panjang)
Example:
Questions:
1. On the recording you hear:
(narrator) What are the man and woman discussing?
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3. On the recording you hear:
(narrator) Where is the picture of the woman‟s family going?
In your test book you read: (A) in the fireplace
(B) Above the sofa
(C) Home with Walt
(D) To the top of the mountain
Woman : did you read the article that the professor assigned for
tomorrow’s class?
Man : no, not yet. Was what it about?
Woman : it was about pollution, specifically one kind of pollution called
acid rain.
Man : why is it called acid rain?
Woman : because the rain or some other kind of precipitation has been
polluted with acid
Man : where did the acid come from?
Woman : From cars of factories, anything that burns coal or oil. These are
made up mostly of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which react
with water vapor to form sulfuric acid or nitric acid
Man : you mean that when coal or oil is burned, acid gets formed. And
when it rains or snows the acids fall back to the earth
Woman : exactly! That’s why it is so dangerous. Acid rain has been falling
over areas of northern America and northern Europe, and if this
is not checked, the effect of the air supply and plant and animal
life could be disastrous
Man : that is something important. I really need to read the article.
Questions
31. narrator: what is the topic of the conversation?
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a. All kinds of pollution
b. How acid rain has harmed the earth
c. Pollution from cars and factories
d. The cause and possible effects of acid rain
Example:
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Pertanyaan kedua menanyakan tentang penggunaan garam di Cina. Pembicara mengatakan
bahwa di Cina, Garam digunakan untuk untuk membuat koin, jadi jawaban terbaik adalah
jawaban (C).
3. On the recording, you hear:
(narrator) What does “salary” mean in English?
In your test book, you read: (A) Coins
(B) Earnings
(C) Soldiers
(D) Commodities
Pertanyaan ketiga menanyakan arti dari "gaji". Pembicara mengatakan gaji yang berarti
jumlah uang, jadi jawaban terbaik adalah jawaban (B).
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UNIT II
In this example, the best answer is (C) because it is a singular subject that agrees with the
singular verb was.
Example II
Engineers for work on the new space program.
(A) necessary (C) hopefully
(B) are needed (D) next month
In this example you should notice immediately that the sentence has a subject (engineers),
and that there is no verb. Because answer (B), are needed, is a verb, it is the best answer.
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).
1. Last week went fishing for trout at the nearby mountain lake.
2. A schedule of the day’s events can be obtained at the front desk.
3. A job on the day shift or the night shift at the plant available.
4. The new computer program has provides a variety of helpful applications.
5. The box can be opened only with a special screwdriver.
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In this example you should notice the verb found and should also notice that there is no
subject. Because a subject is needed in this sentence, answer (B), he, is the best answer.
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 interviews by radio broadcasters were carried live by the station.
I 2. In the last possible momen before take off took his seat in the airplane.
3. At the neighborhood flower shop, flowers in quantities of a dozen or a half dozen
can be delivered for free.
4. The progressive reading methods at this school are given credit for the improved
test scores.
5. For the last three years at various hospitals in the county has been practicing
medicine.
Example
The child playing in the yard is my son.
(A) now (C) he
(B) is (D) was
In this example, you should recognize that playing is a participial adjective rather than a verb
because there is another verb in the sentence (is). In the sentence there is a complete subject
(child) and a complete verb (is), so this sentence does not need another subject or verb. The
best answer here is (A).
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Skill 4: BE CAREFULL OF PAST PARTICIPLES 4
The past participle is the form of the verb that appears with have or be. A past participle often
ends in –ed but there are also many irregular past participles.
Example
The packages mailed at the post office will arrive
Monday.
(A) have (C) them
(B) were (D) just
In this example it appears that packages is the subject and mailed is either a complete verb
or a past participle that needs a helping verb. So, answer (D) is the best answer to this
question
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 money was offered by the client was not accepted.
VERB VERB
C 2. The car listed in the advertisement had already stalled.
ADJ B
3. The chapters were taught by the professor this morning will be on next week’s
exam.
4. The loaves of bread were baked in a brick oven at a low temperature for many
hours.
5. The ports were reached by the sailors were under the control of a foreign nation.
Example
A power failure occured, the lamps went out.
(A) then (C) later
(B) so (D) next
In this example, you should notice that the sentence needs a connector to join the two
clauses. The best answer is answer (B) because so can connect two clauses.
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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 software should be used on an IBM computer, and this computer is an IBM.
I 2. The rain clouds can be seen in the distance, but no has fallen.
3. They are trying to sell their house, it has been on the market for two months.
4. So the quality of the print was not good, I changed the toner cartridge.
_ 5. The lifeguard will warn you about the riptides, or she may require you to get out of
the water.
Example
You will get a good grade on the exam provided _ .
(A) studying (C) to study
(B) study (D) you study
In this example you should notice the adverb condition connector provided. This connector
comes in the middle of the sentence, so it must be followed by a subject and a verb. The best
answer is answer (D), which contains the subject and a verb you study.
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.It is impossible to enter that program if you lack experience as a teacher.
I 2.The commandant left strict orders about the passes, several soldiers left the post
anyway.
3. No one is admitted to the academy unless he or she the education requirements.
4. While most students turned the assignment in on time, a few asked for an
extension.
5. I will take you wherever need to go to complete the registration procedures.
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TOEFL REVIEW EXERCISES (Skill 1-6):
Choose the letter of the word or group of words that best completes the sentence.
1. The three basic chords in entered its widely erratic orbit
the tonic, the around Jupiter.
dominant, and the subdominant. (A) it
(A) functional harmony (B) when
(B) functional harmony is (C) after the comet came into it
(C) functional harmony are (D) once the comet
(D) functional harmony they are 7. Each object Jupiter’s
2. Hale Telescope, at the magnetic field is deluged with
Palomar Observatory in southern electrical charges.
California, scientists can (A) enters
photograph objects severalbillion (B) it enters
light years away. (C) entering
(A) The (D) enter
(B) With the 8. As its name suggests, the Prairie
(C) They use the Wetlands Resource Center
(D) It is the the protection of wetlands on the
3. Without the proper card installed prairies of the Dakotas, Montana,
inside the computer, Minnesota, and Nebraska.
impossible to run a graphical (A) it focuses
program. (B) focuses on
(A) is definitely (C) focusing
(B) because of (D) to focus on
(C) it is 9. One of the Largest and most
(D) is powerful birds of prey in the world,
4. The charter for the Loiusiana a six-foot wingspan and
lottery was coming uo for the legs and talons roughly the size of a
renewal, spared no mans’s arms and legs.
expense in the fight to win several. (A) so the harpy has
(A) the lottery committee (B) the harpy having
(B) so the lottery committee and (C) with the harpy having
(C) so the lottery committee (D) the harpy has
(D) the lottery committee made 10. creation of such a
5. While in reality Alpha Centauri is a community was a desirable step,
triple star, to the naked the requisite political upheaval had
eye to be single star. to be accepted.
(A) it appears (A) Since the
(B) but it appears (B) The
(C) appears (C) Later, the
(D) despite it (D) It was the
6. The Sun’s gravity severely distorted
the path of the comet
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Skill 7: USE REDUCE ADJECTIVE CLAUSE CORRECTLY 7
Adjective clause can appear in a reduced form. In the reduced form, the adjective clause
connector and the be-verb that directly follow it are omitted.
Example:
The woman who is waving to us is the tour guide.
Example
on several different television programs, the witness
gave conflicting accounts of whta had happened.
(A) He appeared(C) Appearing
(B) Who appeared (D) Appears
In this example, answer (C) is the correct answer because it is the reduced form of the clause
who appeared, and this reduced form can appear at the front of the sentence.
The correct answer is answer (B); this answer is the reduced form of the clause when you are
finished with the report.
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Skill 9: INVERT THE SUBJECT AND VERB WITH QUESTION WORDS 9
• They can introduce a question, and in this case the subject and verb that follow are
inverted.
What is the homework?
• These words can join together two clauses, and in this case the subject and verb that
follwo are not inverted.
I do not know what the homework is.
Example
The lawyer asked the client why it.
(A) did he do (C) he did
(B) did he (D) did
In this example the question word why is used to connect the two clauses, so a subject and
verb are needed after this connector; this is not a question, so the subject and verb should not
be inverted. The best answer is therefore answer (C).
EXERCISE 9: Each of the following sentences contains a question word. Circle the
question words. Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice. Then indicate if the
sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).
I 1. The phone company is not certain when will the new directories be ready.
C _ 2. The professor does not understand why so many students did poorly on the exam.
3. How new students can get information about parking?
4. How long it has been since you arrived in the United States?
5. The jury doubts what the witness said under cross-examination.
6. What type of security does he prefer for his investments?
7. Only the pilot can tell how far the plane go on one tank of fuel.
Skill 10: INVERT THE SUBJECT AND VERB WITH PLACE EXPRESSIONS 10
• Using single words expressing place, such as here, there, or nowhere
Here is the book that you lent me.
• The subject and verb can also be inverted after prepositional phrases expressing
place.
Around the corner is Sam’s house.
Another example:
1. In the forest are many exotic birds. (the subject birds and verb are inverted because
the place expression is needed to complete the idea many exotic birds are...)
2. In the forest, I walked for many hours. (the subject I and verb walked are not inverted
because the idea I walked for many hours is complete without the place expression in
the forest)
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Example
On the second level of the parking lot .
(A) is empty (C) some empty stalls are
(B) are empty (D) are some empty stalls
This example needs a subject and a verb to be complete. The subject and verb should be
inverted because the place expression is necessary to complete the idea some empty stalls
are...The best answer is therefore answer (D).
Example
Only in extremely dangerous situations stopped.
(A) will be the printing presses (C) that the printing presses will be
(B) the printing presses will be (D) will the printing presses be
In this example the sentence begins with the negative only, so an inverted subject and verb
are needed. Answer (D) is the best answer because it contains a correctly inverted subject
and verb, with the helping verb will, the subject printing presses, and the main verb be.
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EXERCISE 11: Each of the following sentences contains a negative or “almost
negative” expression. Circle the negative expressions. Look at the clauses that follow
and underline the subjects once and the verbs twice. Then indicate if the sentences are
correct (C) or incorrect (I).
I 1. Never the boy wrote to his sisters.
C _ 2. On no occasion did they say that to me.
3. Steve dod not win the prize, nor did he expect to do so.
4. Did he go out of the house at no time.
5. Only once in my life gone I have to New York City.
Example
The report would have been accepted in checking its
accuracy.
(A) if more care (C) had taken more care
(B) more care had been taken (D) had more care been
In this example, a connector if and a subject and verb are needed, but if could be omitted and
the subject and verb inverted. Because it is correct to invert the subject more care and the
helping verb had, answer (D) is correct.
EXERCISE 12: Each of the following sentences contains a conditional with a stated
or an implied if. Circle the conditionals, or put an asterisk ( ⃰ ) where if has been
omitted. Look at the clauses that follow and underline the subjects once and the verbs
twice. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).
C _ 1. ⃰ Were our neighbors a bit more friendly, it would be somewhat easier to get to know
them.
I 2. There are plenty of blankets in the closet if should you get cold during the night.
3. Has he enough vacation days left this year, he will take two full weeks off in
December.
4. Had we been informed of the decision, we might have had something to say about
it .
5. I would like to know could you help me pack these boxes.
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Example
The results of the current experiment appear to be more
consistent than the results of any previous tests.
(A) them (C) they were
(B) were (D) were they
In this example, you should notice the comparison more consistent than, and you should also
understand that the results of the currect experiment is being compared with the results of
any previous tests. Because the results of any previous tests is the subject, only a verb is
needed; the best answer to this question is therefore answer (B).
EXERCISE 13: Each of the following sentences contains a comparison. Circle the
comparisons. Look at the clauses that follow and underline the subjects once and the
verbs twice. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).
C _1. This candidate has received more votes than has any other candidate in previous
years.
I 2. Obviously we were much more impressed with the performance than did the other
members of the audience.
3. The film that we saw last night at the festival was far better than any of the other
films.
4. The vegetables at the market this morning were far fresher than were those at the
market yesterdat .
5. I am afraid that is the condition of these tires as bad as the condition of others.
TOEFL REVIEW EXERCISES (Skill 1-13): Choose the letter of the word or group
of words that best completes the sentence.
1. variety of flowers in 4. that Emily Dickinson
the show, from simple carnationsto wrote, 24 were given titles and 7
the most exquisite roses. were published during her lifetime.
(A) A wide (A) Of the 1,800 poems
(B) There was a wide (B) There were 1,800 poems
(C) Was there (C) Because the 1,800 poems
(D) Many (D) The 1,800 poems
2. The wedges dartboard are 5. Since an immediate change was
worth from one to twenty points needed on an emergency basis,
each. by the governor to curtail
(A) they are on a railway expenditure.
(B) are on a (A) so it was proposed
(C) are they on a (B) was proposed
(D) on a (C) because of the proposal
3. producing many new movies (D) it was proposed
for release after the new season.
(A) His company is
(B) His companies
(C) The company
(D) Why the company is
27
6. In the Morgan Library in New York 9. Individual differences in brain-
City of medieval and wave activity may shed light on
renaissance manuscripts. why some people are more prone to
(A) a collection is emotional stress disorder .
(B) in a collection (A) that others are
(C) is a collection (B) and others are
(D) which is a collection (C) others are
7. Some fishing fleets might not have (D) than are others
been so ineficient in limiting their 10. squezzed, the orange
catch to target species more juice in a one-cup serving provides
strict in enforcing penalties. twice the minimum daily
(A) the government had been requirement for vitamin C.
(B) if the government had (A) It is freshly
(C) had the government been (B) It freshly
(D) if the government (C) You freshly
8. The Dewey decimal system, (D) If it freshly
currently used in the libraries
throughout the world, all
written works into ten classes
according to subject.
(A) dividing
(B) divides
(C) it would decide
(D) was divided
28
THE WRITTEN EXPRESSION QUESTIONS
Example I
The final delivery of the day is the importantest.
A B C D
If you look at the underlined words in this example you should notice immediately that
importantest is not correct. The correct superlative form of important is the most
important. Therefore, you should choose answer (D) because (D) is not correct.
Example I
The books that I read was interesting
A B C D
In this example, the singular verb was is incorrect because it does not agree with the plural
subject books; the verb should be were instead. Therefore, you should choose answer (C)
because (C) is not correct.
EXERCISE 14: Each of the following sentences has one or more prepositional
phrases between the subject and verb. Circle 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 climbers on the sheer face of the mountain need to be rescued.
I _2. The interrogation, conducted by three police officers, have lasted for several hours.
3. The tenants in the apartment next to mine is giving a party this evening.
4. The president, surrounded by Secret Service agents, is trying to make his way to the
podium.
5. The buildings destroyed during the fire are being rebuilt at the taxpayers’ expense.
29
EXERCISE 15: 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
objects that the verbs agree with. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or
incorrect (I).
C _1. The witnesses saw that most of the fire in the hills was extingushed.
I 2. Some of the animals from the zoo was released into the animal preserve.
3. All of the students in the class taught by Professor Roberts is required to turn in
their term papers next Monday.
4. Half of the food that we are serving to the guests are still in the refrigerator.
5. We believe that some of the time of the employees is going to be devoted to quality
control.
6. All of the witnesses in the jury trial, which lasted more than two weeks, have
indicated that they believed that defendant was guilty.
7. She did not know where most of the people in the room was from.
EXERCISE 16: Each of the following sentences contains one of the words that are
grammatically singular but have plural meanings. Underline these words once and
underline the verbs twice. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect
(I).
I 1. It is impossible to believe that somebody actually admire that man.
C _ 2. Each of the doctors in the building needs to have a separate reception area.
3.The president felt that no one were better suited for the position of chief staff
advisor.
4. Everybody participating in the fund-raiser are to turn in the tickets by 8:00.
5. Because of the low number of orders, nothing has to be done now.
30
TOEFL REVIEW EXERCISES (Skill 1-16): Choose the letter of the word or group
of words that best completes the sentence.
Choose the letter of the underlined word or group of words that is not correct.
6. More than half of the children in the 1,356-member district qualifies for
A B C
reduced-price of free lunches.
D
7. Five miles beyond the hills were a fire with its flames reaching up to the sky.
A B C D
8. Kettledrums, what were first played on horseback, were incorporated into the
A B C D
orchestra in the eighteenth century.
31
❖ PROBLEMS WITH THE FORM OF THE VERB
EXERCISE 17: Each of the following sentences contains a verb in the past or a past
participle. Underline the verbs or past participle twice. Then indicate if the sentences
are correct (C) or incorrect (I).
I 1. The young girl drunk a glass of milk.
C _ 2. Before she left, she had asked her mother for permission.
3. Having finished the tem paper, he began studying for the exam.
4. The secretary has broke her typewriter.
5. The installer should have completes the task more quickly.
Skill 18: AFTER BE, USE THE PRESENT PARTICIPLE OR THE PAST 18
PARTICPLE
EXERCISE 18: Each of the following sentences contains a verb with be. Underline
the verbs twice. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).
I 1. At 12.00 Sam is eat his lunch.
C _ 2. We are meeting them later today.
3. The message was took by the receptionist.
4. Being hard was extremely important to him.
5. The Smiths are build their house on some property that they own in the desert.
Skill 19: AFTER WILL, WOULD, OR OTHER MODALS, USE THE BASE 19
FORM OF THE VERB
Choose the letter of the underlined word or group of words that is not correct.
33
Skill 20: RECOGNIZE ACTIVE AND PASSIVE MEANINGS 20
ACTIVE The subject does the action of the verb.
PASSIVE The subject receives the action of the verb.
e.g:
Active sentence: We mailed the package at the post office.
Pasive sentence: The letter was mailed by us today before noon.
EXERCISE 20: Each of the following sentences has a passive meaning. Underline
the twice the verbs that should be passive. Then indicate if the sentences are correct
(C) or incorrect (I).
I 1. The car parked in a no-parking zone.
C _2. The physics exam began just a few minutes ago.
3. Everything to organize the picnic has already done.
4. The police investigated him because of his unusual actions.
5. The package containing the necessary samples has just sent.
TOEFL REVIEW EXERCISES (Skill 1-20): Choose the letter of the word or
group of words that best completes the sentence.
1. Big Dipper; a seven- (C) which is located
star constellation in the Shape of a (D) whose location is
cup, is part of Ursa Major. 3. impressive chapter in the
(A) The problem had already book was the chapter on
(B) The problem is already Stuart’scientific theories.
(C) The problem had already been (A) It was the most
(D) The problem has already (B) The most
2. The Military Academy at West (C) Most
Point on the west bank of (D) Most of the
the Hudson River, north of New
York City.
(A) located
(B) is located
Choose the letter of the underlined word or group of words that is not correct.
4. The first fish have appeared on the earth approximately 500 million years ago.
A B C D
5. Only rarely sound waves are of a single frequency encountered in practice.
A B C D
6. Cameos can be carved not only from onyx and sardonyx or from agate.
A B C D
7. Although most of the wild horses in the western range have already been rounded
A B
up, the most remote the area, the greater the possibility that wild horses can still
C D
be found.
8. During this period, $206 was spend annually on food by families in the lower
A B C D
34
third income bracket.
9. The dangers of noise are, unfortunately, not as clear-cut than are those from
A B C
most other health hazards.
D
10. In a recent survey of Americans, more than 75 percent expressed the view that the
A B
government it should take a more active role in health care.
C D
EXERCISE 21: Each of the following sentences contains either an –ed or an –ing
verbal adjective. Circle the verbal adjectives. Draw arrows to the words they describe.
Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).
I 1. The teacher gave a quiz on the just completing less on.
C _2. There is a fascinating movie at the theater tonight.
3. They thought that it had been a very satisfied dinner.
4. The empty bottles are to the left, and the filling bottles are to the right.
5. For lunch at the restaurant she ordered a mixed salad.
EXERCISE 22: The following sentences contain different types of nouns. Circle only
the countable singular nouns. Mark where articles (or determiners) have been
omitted. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).
I 1. She is taking trip with friends.
C _2. In my yard there are flowers, trees, and grass.
35
3. The manager sent memo to his employees.
4. There is car in front of the building.
5. The child and his friends are having milk and cookies.
TOEFL REVIEW EXERCISES (Skill 1-22): Choose the letter of the word or
group of words that best completes the sentence.
1. In economics, “diminishing (C) it is
returns” describes (D) more
resource inputs and production. 3. Rarely remove the entire
(A) among root of a dandelion because of its
(B) when it is length and sturdiness.
(C) among them (A) can the casual gardener
(D) the relationship between (B) the casual gardener
2. When lava reaches the surface, its (C) the casual gardener will
temperature can be ten times (D) does the casual gardener’s
boiling water.
(A) the temperature
(B) that of
Choose the letter of the underlined word or group of words that is not correct.
36
UNIT III
READING
COMPREHENSION
Skill 1: ANSWER MAIN IDEA
QUESTIONS CORRECTLY
1
Almost every reading passage on the TOEFL
test will have a question about the main
idea of a passage. You will be asked to
identify the topic, subject, title, primary
idea, or main idea.
If a passage consists only one paragraph,
you should study the beginning of that paragraph to determine the main idea.
Example I
The passage:
In the philosophy of John Dewey, a sharp distinction is made between
“intelligence” and “reasoning.” According to Dewey, intelligence is the only absolute
way to achieve a balance between realism and idealism, between practically and wisdom
of life. Intelligence involves “interacting with other things and knowing them,” while
reasoning is merely the act of an observer, “... a mind that beholds or grasps object
outside the world of things...”
With reasoning, a level of mental certainty can be achieved, but it is through intelligence
that control is taken of events that shape one’s life.
The question:
What is the topic of this passage?
(A) The intelligence of John Dewey
(B) Distinctions made by John Dewey
(C) Dewey’s ideas on the ability to reason
(D) How intelligence differs from reasoning in Dewey’s works
The best answer is therefore (D); the idea of how intelligence differs from reasoning comes
from the first sentence of the passage, which mentions a sharp distinction ... between
“intelligence” and “reasoning.”
If a passage consists of more than one paragraph, you should study at the beginning of each
paragraph to determine the main idea.
MAIN IDEA QUESTIONS
HOW TO IDENTIFY THE QUESTION What is the topic of the passage?
What is the subject of the passage?
What is the main idea of the passage?
What is the author’s main point in the
passage?
With what is the author primarily
concerned?
Which of the following would be the best title?
37
WHERE TO FIND THE ANSWER The answer to this type of question can
generally be determined by looking at the first
sentence of each paragraph.
HOW TO ANSWER THE QUESTION 1. Read the first line of each paragraph.
2. Look for a common theme or idea in the
first lines.
3. Pass your eyes quickly over the rest of the
passage to check that you really have found
the topic sentence(s).
4. Eliminate any definitely wrong answers
and choose the best answer from the
remaining choices.
TOEFL EXERCISE
Fort Knox, Kentucky, is the site of a U.S. army post, but it is even more renowned for
the Fort Knox Bullion Depository, the massive vault that contains the bulk of the U.S.
government’s gold deposits. Completed in 1936, the vault is housed in a two-story building
constructed of granite, steel, and concrete; the vault itself is made of steel and concrete and
has a door that weighs more than twenty tons. Naturally, the most up-to-date security
devices available are in place at Fort Knox, and the army post nearby provides further
protection.
1. Which of the following best describes 2. Which of the following would be the
the topic of the passage? best title for this passage?
(A) The city of Fort Knox, Kentucky (A) The Massive Concrete Vault
(B) The federal gold depository (B) Fort Knox Security
(C) The U.S. army post at Fort Knox (C) Where the U.S. Keeps Its Gold
(D) Gold bullion (D) A Visit to Kentucky
3. Which of the following best states the 4. Which of the following would be the
subject of this passage? best title for this passage?
(A) The hardness of diamonds (A) the hardness of a mineral can be
(B) Identifying minerals by means of a determined by its ability to make a
scratch test. mark on other minerals
(C) Feldspar on the Mohs’ scale (B) diamonds, with a hardness of 10 on
(D) Recognizing minerals in their the Mohs’ scale, can scratch all
natural state other minerals
(C) a softer mineral cannot be
scratched by a harder mineral
(D) talc is the first mineral listed on the
Mohs’ scale
38
Skill 2: ANSWER STATED DETAIL QUESTIONS CORRECTLY 2
A stated detail question asks about one piece of information in the passage rather than the
passage as a whole.
Example
The passage:
Williamsburg is a historic city in Virginia situated on a peninsula between two
rivers, the York and the James. It was settled by English colonists in 1633, twenty-six
years after the first permanent English colony in America was settled at Jamestown. In the
beginning the colony at Williamsburg was named Middle Plantation because of its location
in the middle of the peninsula. The site for Williamsburg had been selected by the
colonists because the soil drainage was better three than at the Jamestown location, and
there were fewer mosquitoes.
The questions:
1. According to the passage, Williamsburg is located
(A) on an island
(B) in the middle of a river
(C) where the York and James meet
(D) on a piece of land with rivers on two sides
• The best answer to the first question is answer (D); with rivers in two sides is closest
in meaning to between two rivers.
STATED DETAIL QUESTIONS
HOW TO IDENTIFY THE QUESTION According to the passage, ...
It is stated in the passage...
The passage indicates that...
The author mentions that...
Which of the following is true...?
WHERE TO FIND THE ANSWER The answers to these questions are found in
order in the passage.
How to answer the question 1. Choose a key word in the question.
2. Skim in the appropriate part of the
passage for the key word or idea.
3. Read the sentence that contains the key
word or idea carefully.
4. Look for the answer that restates an idea
in the passage.
5. Eliminate the definitely wrong answers
and choose the best answer from the
remaining choices.
39
TOEFL EXERCISE
Ice ages, those periods when ice covered extensive areas of the Earth, are known to
have occured at least six times. Past ice ages can be recognized from rock strata that show
evidence of foreign materials deposited by moving walls of ice or melting glaciers. Ice ages
can also be recognized from land formations that have been produced from moving walls of
ice, such as U-shaped valleys, sculptured landscapes, and polished rock faces.
1. According to the passage, what 2. The passage covers how many different
happens during an ice age? methods of recognizing past ice ages?
(A) Rock strata are recognized by (A) One
geologists. (B) Two
(B) Evidence of foreign materials is (C) Three
found. (D) Four
(C) Ice covers a large portion of the 3. According to the passage, what in the
Earth’s surface. rock strata is a clue to geologists of a
(D) Ice melts six times. past ice age?
(A) Ice
(B) Melting glaciers
(C) U-shaped valleys
3
(D) Substances from other areas
• Whenever you are asked which noun a pronoun refers to, you should look before the
pronoun to find the noun.
Example
The passage:
Carnovorous plants, such as the sundew and the Venus-flytrap, are generally found in
humid areas where there is an inadequate supply of nitrogen in the soil. In order to survive, these
plants have developed mechanism to trap insects within their foliage. They have digestive fluids
to obtain the necessary nitrogen from the insects. These plants trap the insects in a variety ways.
The sundew has sticky hairs on its leaves; when an insect lands on these leaves, it gets caught up
in the sticky hairs, and the leaf wraps itse.lf around the insect. The leaves of the Venus-flytrap
function more a like a trap, snapping suddenly and forcefully shut around an insect
The questions:
1. The pronoun “they” in line 4 refers to
(A) humid areas
(B) these plants
(C) insects
(D) digestive fluids
In the first example, you should understand from the context that these plants have digestive
fluids to obtain the necessary nitrogen from the insects, so the best answer to this question is
answer (B).
PRONOUN REFERENTS
HOW TO IDENTIFY THE QUESTION The pronoun “...” in line X refers to which
of the following?
WHERE TO FIND THE ANSWER The line where the pronoun is located is
generally given in the question. The noun
that the pronoun refers to is generally found
before the pronoun.
40
HOW TO ANSWER THE QUESTION 1. Find the pronoun in the passage. (The
line where the pronoun can be found is
generally stated in the question.)
2. Look for nouns that come before the
pronoun.
3. Read the part of the passage before the
pronoun carefully.
4. Eliminate any definitely wrong answers
and choose the best answer from the
remaining choices.
TOEFL EXERCISE
The full moon that occurs nearest the equinox of the Sun has become known as the
harvest moon. It is a bright moon which allows farmers to work late into the night for several
nights; they can work when the moon is at its brightest to bring in the fall harvest. The
harvest moon of course occurs at different times of the year in the northern and southern
hemisphere, the harvest moon occurs in September at the time of the autumnal equinox. In
the southern hemisphere, the harvest moon occurs in March at the time of the vernal
equinox.
1. The pronoun “It” in line 2 refers to 2. The pronoun “they” in line 3 refers to
(A) the equinox (A) farmers
(B) the Sun (B) nights
(C) the harvest moon (C) times of the year
(D) the night (D) northern and southern
hemispheres
41
In this example, you should see the part of the passage where it states that in the Hawaiian
language two consonants never appear together. From this you can draw the conclusion
that answer (C), maklea, is probably not a Hawaiian word because the consonants k and l
appear together in this word, so answer (C) is the best answer to this question.
TOEFL EXERCISE
Two types of trees from the same family of trees share honors in certain respects as
the most impressive of trees. Both evergreen conifers, the California redwood (Sequoia
sempervirens) and the giant sequoia (Sequoiandendron giganteum) are found growing
natively only in the state of California. The California redwood is found along the northern
coast of the state, while the giant sequoia is found inland and at higher elevations, along the
western slopes of the Sierra Nevadas.
The California redwood is the tallest living tree and is in fact the tallest living thing on
the face of the Earth; the height of the tallest redwood on record is 385 feet (120 meters).
Though not quite as tall as the California redwood, with a height of 320 feet (100 meters), the
giant sequoia is nonetheless the largest and most massive of living things; giant sequoias
have been measured at more than 100 feet (30 meters) around the base, with weights of more
than 6,000 tons.
Example
The passage:
Another myth of the oceans concerns Davy Jones, who in folklore is the mean-spirited
sovereign of the ocean’s depths. The name “Jones” is thought by some etymologists to have been
derived from the name “Jonah,” the Hebrew prophet who spent three days in a whale’s belly.
According to tradition, any object that goes overboard and sinks to the bottom of the ocean
is said to have gone to Davy Jones’s locker, the ocean-sized, mythical receptable for anything that
falls into the water. Needless to say, any sailor on the seas is not so eager to take a tour of Davy
Jones’s locker, although it might be a rather interesting rip considering all the treasures located
there.
The questions:
1. The paragraph preceding this passage most probably discusses
(A) the youth of Davy Jones
(B) Davy Jones’s career as a sailor
(C) a different traditional story from the sea
(D) preparing to travel on the ocean
2. The topic of the paragraph following the passage most likely is
(A) Valuable items located at the bottom of the ocean
(B) Where Davy Jones is found today
(C) Jonah and the whale
(D) Preventing objects from falling overboard
The first question asks about the topic of the preceding paragraph, so you must look
at the beginning of the passage and draw a conclusion about what probably came before.
Since the passage begins with the expression another myth of the oceans, you should
understand that the new passage is going to present a second myth of the oceans and the
previous passage probably presented the first myth of the oceans. A myth is traditional story,
so the best answer to this question is answer (C).
The second question asks about drawing a conclusion about what probably comes
after. The passage ends with the mention of all the treasures located there, and there is in
Davy Jones’s locker, or at the bottom of the ocean; this is probably going to be the topic of the
next paragraph. The best answer to the second question is therefore answer (A).
TRANSITION QUESTIONS
The paragraph preceding the passage
probably...
HOW TO IDENTIFY
What is most likely in the paragraph following
the passage?
The answer can generally be found in the first line
of the passage for a preceding question. The
WHERE TO FIND THE ANSWER
answer can generally be found in the last line for a
following question.
1. Read the first line for a preceding question.
2. Read the last line for a following question.
HOW TO ANSWER THE 3. Draw a conclusion about what comes before or
QUESTION after.
4. Choose the answer that is reflected in the first
or last line of the passage.
43
TOEFL EXERCISE
Another program instrumental in the popularization of science was Cosmos. This series,
broadcast on public television, dealt with topics and issues from varied fields of science. The
principal writer and narrator of the program was Carl Sagan, a noted astronomer and
Pulitzer Prize-winning author.
1. The paragraph preceding this passage 2. The paragraph following this passage
most probably discusses most likely contains information on
(A) a different scientific television what?
series (A) The popularity of science
(B) Carl Sagan’s scientific (B) The program Cosmos
achievements (C) The astronomer Carl Sagan
(C) the Pulitzer Prize won by Carl (D) Topics and issues from various
Sagan fields of science
(D) public television
When a strong earthquake occurs on the ocean floor rather than on land, a tremendous
force is exerted on the seawater and one or more large, destructive waves called tsunamis can
be formed. Tsunamis are commonly called tidal waves in the United States, but this is really
an inappropriate name in that the cause of the tsunami is an underground earthquake rather
than the ocean’s tides.
Far from land, a tsunami can move through the wide open vastness of the ocean’s tides.
600 miles (900 kilometers) per hour and often can travel tremendous distances without
losing height and strength. When a tsunami reaches shallow coastal water, it can reach a
height of 100 feet (30 meters) or more and can cause tremendous flooding and damage to
coastal areas.
3. The paragraph preceding the passage 4. Which of the following is most likely
most probably discusses the topic of the paragraph following
(A) Tsunamis in various parts of the the passage?
world (A) The cause of tsunamis
(B) The negative effects of tsunamis (B) The destructive effects of
(C) Land-based earthquakes tsunamis on the coast
(D) The effect of tides on tsunamis (C) The differences covered by
tsunamis
(D) Topics and issues from various
fields of science
44
Example
The passage:
One of the leading schools of psychological thought in the twentieth century
was behaviorism – the belief that the role of the psychologist is to study behavior,
which is observable, rather than conscious or unconscious thought, which is not.
Probably the bestknown proponent of behaviorism is B.F. Skinner, who was famous
for his research on how rewards and punishments influence behavior. He came to
believe that positive reinforcements such as praise, food, or money were more
effective in promoting good behavior than negative reinforcement, or punishment.
The questions:
1. What is “positive reinforcement” 2. What is “negative reinforcement” in
in line 6? line 7?
(A) A gift (A) A promotion
(B) A reward (B) A reward
(C) A bribe (C) A surprise
(D) A penalty (D) A punishment
The best answer for the first question is answer (B), while the best answer for the second
question is answer (D).
STRUCTURAL CLUES
HOW TO IDENTIFY THE QUESTION What is ...?
What is the meaning of...?
What is true about...?
TYPES OF CLUES Punctuation: comma, parentheses, dashes
Restatement: or, that is, in other words, i.e.
Example: such as, for example, e.g.
WHERE TO FIND THE ANSWER Information to help you determine what
something means will generally be found
after the punctuation clue, the restatement
clue, or the example clue.
HOW TO ANSWER THE QUESTION 1. Find the word in the passage.
2. Locate any structural clues.
3. Read the part of the passage after the
structural clue carefully.
4. Eliminate any definitely wrong answers
and choose the best answer from the
remaining choices.
TOEFL EXERCISE
The teddy bear is a child’s toy, a nice, soft stuffed animal suitable for cudding. It is,
however, a toy with an interesting history behind it.
Theodore Roosevelt, or Teddy as he was commonly called, was president of the
United States from 1901 to 1909. He was unusually active man with varied pastimes, one of
which was hunting. One day the president was invited to take part in a bear hunt; and
inasmuch as Teddy was president, his hosts wanted to ensure that he caught a bear. A bear
was captured, clunked over the head to knock it out, and tied to a tree; however, Teddy, who
45
really wanted to actually hunt, refused to shoot the bear and in fact demanded that the bear
be extricated from the ropes; that is, he demanded that the bear be set free.
The incident attracted a lot of attention among journalists. First a cartoon-drawn by
Clifford K. Berryman to make fun of this situation-appeared in the Washington Post, and the
cartoon was widely distributed and reprinted throughout the country. Then toy
manufactures began producing a toy bear which they called a “teddy bear.” The teddy bear
became the most widely recognized symbol of Roosevelt’s presidency.
Example
Meteor Crater; a great crater approximately 40 miles east of Flagstaff, Arizona, is generally thought
by scientists to have formed as a result of the impact of a 60,000-ton meteor about 50,000 years ago. The
meteor, made of nickel and iron, disintegrated on impact and spread half a billion tons of rock over the
surface of the land. The masiveness of the meteor can only be imagined from the mammoth size of the
crater, which measures a mile in diameter and three miles around the top. The rim of the crater rises more
than ten miles on a clear day.
The questions:
1. Where in the passage does the author discuss the composition of the meteor?
(A) Lines 1-4
(B) Lines 4-5
(C) Lines 6-8
(D) Lines 8-10
2. Where in the passage does the author mention the distance from which the crater can be
seen?
(A) Lines 1-4
(B) Lines 4-5
(C) Lines 6-8
(D) Lines 9-10
The best answer to the first question is answer (B). While the best answer to the second
question is answer (D).
46
QUESTIONS ABOUT WHERE IN THE PASSAGE
HOW TO IDENTIFY THE QUESTION Where in the passage. . . ?
WHERE TO FIND THE ANSWER The answer can be in any of the lines listed in
the answers to the question.
HOW TO ANSWER THE QUESTION 1. Choose a key word or idea in the
question.
2. Skim the lines in the passage that are
listed in the answers to the question. You
should skim for the key word or idea.
3. Choose the answer that contains the line
numbers of a restatement ofthe question.
TOEFL EXERCISE
Beavers generally live in family clusters consisting of six to ten members. One cluster
would probably consist of two adults, one male and one female, and four to eight young
beavers, or kits. A female beaver gives birth each spring to two to four babies at a time.
These baby beavers live with their parents until they are two years old. In the springtime of
their second year they are forced out of the family group to make room for the new babies.
These two-year-old beavers then proceed to start new family clusters of their own.
1. Where in the passage does the author 3. Where in the passage does the author
give the name of a baby beaver? state the age at which beavers must go
(A) Line 1 out on their own?
(B) Line 2 (A) Line 1
(C) Line 3 (B) Line 2
(D) Lines 4-5 (C) Line 3
2. Where in the passage does the author (D) Lines 4-5
mention the time of year when new 4. Where in the passage does the author
baby beavers are born? indicate why the young beavers must
(A) Line 1 leave their parents’ home?
(B) Line 2 (A) Line 1
(C) Line 3 (B) Line 2
(D) Lines 4-5 (C) Line 3
(D) Lines 4-5
1. Answer (D)
2. Answer (B)
3. Answer (C)
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TONE, PURPOSE, OR COURSE
HOW TO IDENTIFY TONE: What is the tone of the passage?
THE QUESTION PURPOSE: What is the author’s purpose in this passage?
COURSE: In which course would this reading be
assigned?
WHERE TO FIND TONE: There will be clues throughout the passage that
THE ANSWER the author is showing some emotion rather than
just presenting facts.
PURPOSE: Draw a conclusion about the purpose from the
main idea and supporting details.
COURSE: Draw a conclusion about the course from the
topic of the passage and the supporting details.
HOW TO ANSWER TONE: 1. Skim the passage looking for clues that the
THE QUESTION author is showing some emotion.
2. Choose the answer that identifies the emotion.
PURPOSE: 1. Study the main idea in the topic sentence and
the details used to support the main idea.
2. Draw a conclusion about the purpose.
COURSE: 1. Study the main idea in the topic sentence and
the details used to support the main idea.
2. draw a conclusion about the course.
TOEFL EXERCISE
49
READING REVIEW
1. The paragraph preceding this passage (C) why certain composers borrowed
most probably discusses from folk and popular music
(A) nineteenth-century music (D) if Copland really featured new
(B) one development in music in the musical forms
twentieth century 4. Which of the following is not listed in
(C) the works of Aaron Copland the passage as a source for Ive’s
(D) the history of folk and popular compositions?
music (A) National music
2. Which of the following best describes (B) Religious music
the main idea of the passage? (C) Jazz
(A) Traditional music flavored some (D) American novels
American musical compositions in 5. Where in the passage does the author
the last century. list examples of title of Copland’s
(B) Ives and Copland used folk and works?
popular music in their (A) Lines 1-2
compositions. (B) Lines 2-4
(C) A variety of explanations exist as to (C) Lines 4-6
why a composer might use (D) Lines 6-9
traditional sources of music. 6. The passage would most probably be
(D) Traditional music is composed of assigned reading in which of the
various types of folk and popular following courses?
music. (A) American History
3. It can be inferred from this passage (B) The History of Jazz
that the author is not sure (C) American Music
(A) when Ives wrote his compositions (D) Composition
(B) that Ives and Copland actually
borrowed from traditional music
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PASSAGE TWO (Questions 7-13)
The rattlesnake has a reputation as a dangerous and deadly snake with a fierce hatred
for humanity. Although the rattlesnake is needed a venomous snake capable of killing a
human, its nature has perhaps been somewhat exaggerated in myth and folklore.
The rattlesnake is not inherently aggressive and generally strikes only when it has
been put on the defensive. In its defensive posture the rattlesnakes raises the front part of its
body off the ground and assumes an S-shaped form in preparation for a lunge forward. At
the end of a forward thrust, the rattlesnake pushes its fangs into the victim, threby injecting
its venom.
There are more than 30 species of rattlesnakes, varying in length from 20 inches to 6
feet and also varying in toxicity of venom. In the United States there are only a few deaths
annually from rattlesnake, with a mortality rate of less than 2 percent of those attacked.
7. Which of the following would be the (C) is partially off the ground
best title for this passage? (D) assumes it s prepared by thrusting
(A) The Exaggerated Reputation of the its fangs into the ground
Rattlesnake 11. It can be inferred from the passage that
(B) The Dangerous and Deadly (E) all rattlesnake bites are fatal
Rattlesnake (F) all rattlesnake bites are not equally
(C) The Venomous Killer of Humans harmful
(D) Myth and Folklore about Killers (G) the few deaths from rattlesnakes
8. According to the passage, which of the bites are from six-foot snakes
following is true about rattlesnakes? (H) deaths from rattlesnake bites have
(A) They are always ready to attack. been steadily increasing
(B) They are always dangerous and 12. The word “mortality” in line 10 is
deadly. closest in meaning to
(C) Their fierce nature has been (A) percentage
underplayed in myth and folklore (B) illness
(D) Their poison can kill people. (C) death
9. The word “posture” in line 5 is closest (D) survival
in meaning to which of the following? 13. The author’s purpose in this passage is
(A) Mood to
(B) Fight (A) warn readers about the extreme
(C) Position danger from rattlesnakes
(D) Strike (B) explain a misconception about
10. When a rattlesnake is ready to defend rattlesnakes
itself, it (C) describe a rattlesnake attack
(A) lies in an S-shape on the ground (D) clarify how rattlesnakes kill human
(B) lunges with the back part of its
body
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PASSAGE THREE (Questions 14-21)
For a century before the Erie Canal was built, there was much discussion among the
general population of the Northeast as to the need for connecting the waterways of the Great
Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean. A project of such monumental proportions was not going to
be undertaken and completed without a supreme amount of effort.
The man who was instrumental in accomplishing the feat that was the Erie Canal was
DeWitt Clinton. As early as 1812, he was in the nation’s capital petitioning the federal
government or financial assistance on the project, emphasizing what a boon to the economy
of the country the canal would be; his efforts with the federal government, however, were not
successful.
In 1816, Clinton asked the New York State Legislature for the funding for the canal,
and this time he did succeed. A canal commission was instituted, and Clinton himself was
made head of it. One year lates, Clinton was elected governor of the state, and soon after,
contruction of the canal was started.
The canal took eight years to complete, and Clinton was on the first barge to travel the
length of the canal, the Seneca Chief, which departed from buffalo on October 26, 1825, and
arrived in New York City on November 4. Because of the success of the Erie Canal, numerous
other canals were built in other parts of the country.
14. The information in the passage 18. In what year did the actual building of
(A) gives a cause followed by an effect the canal get underway?
(B) is in chronological oder (A) In 1812
(C) lists opposing viewpoints of a (B) In 1816
problem (C) In 1817
(D) is organized spatially (D) In 1825
15. When did Clinton ask the U.S. 19. The Seneca Chief was
government for funds for the canal? (A) The name of the canal
(A) One hundred years before the canal (B) The name of a boat
was built (C) Clinton’s nickname
(B) In 1812 (D) The nickname of buffalo
(C) In 1816 20. Where in the passage does the author
(D) In 1825 mention a committee that worked to
16. The word “boon” in line 7 is closest in develop the canal?
meaning to which of the following? (A) The first paragraph
(A) Detriment (B) The second paragraph
(B) Disadvantage (C) The third paragraph
(C) Benefit (D) The fourth paragraph
(D) Cost 21. The paragraph following the passage
17. The pronoun “it” in line 12 refers to most probably discusses
which of the following? (A) The century before the bulding of
(A) The New York State Legislature the Erie Canal
(B) The canal (B) Canals in different U.S. locations
(C) The commission (C) The effect of the Erie Canal on the
(D) The state governor Buffalo area
(D) Clinton’s career as governor of
New York
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PASSAGE FOUR (Questions 22-33)
The Celtic languages are a group of languages of northern Europe that are
descendents of the Indo-European family of languages. These languages developed from the
language of the Celts, a warlike civilization originating in the eastern part of central Europe,
in the northern Alps, and along the Danube during that Bronze Age. The Celts reached the
height of their civilization during the Iron Age, the last five centuries B.C., and then fanned
out from their original homeland into many parts of continental Europe and across the
channel and into the British Isles. Celtic languages were spoken in much of western Europe
during Pre-Roman and Roman times. Place names of Celtic origin can be found today all
over the British Isles and France, in northern Spain and Italy, and in Switzerland and parts of
Germany.
Rather than one language, the Celtic languages consist of two distinct clusters: the
Gaelic group and the Brythonic group. These two clusters of languages most likely developed
from dialects of the same language, the language of the Celts in their original homeland.
These two dialects were most likely mutually intelligible to some degree as late as the fourth
century. The Gaelic group of Celtic languages consists of Irish, Scottish, and Manx, the
language of the Isle of Man. The Brythonic group of Celtic languages includes Welsh,
Cornish, Breton, and Gaulish, the language of Gaul prior to the days of the Roman Empire,
with its Latin-speaking population.
Many, though not all, of the Celtic languages are either extinct or are in the process of
becoming extinct. Gaulish apparently disappeared around 600 A.D. Cornish and Manx both
actually became extinct, the former in the nineteeth century and the latter just a few decades
ago, but both are being revived and are now taught in a few schools each. Scottish, Irish, and
Breton are all declining in use. There are under a hundred thousand speakers of Scottish
Gaelic, mostly on the northern Hebridean Islands; there are more than a hundred thousand
speakers of Irish, mainly in the western counties of Ireland; there are about a half million
speakers who use Breton on a daily basis. In all these situations, though, the rate of
transmission to new generations is low, and this does not bode well for the survival of these
languages. Of all the Celtic languages, perhaps only Welsh has a strong hold on the future.
22. The author’s purpose in the passage is to (D) at the height of their civilization
(A) describe the past and present of a 1,500 years ago
related set of languages 25. The expression “fanned out” in line 5
(B) list the major characteristics of Celtic could best be replaced by
languages (A) spread out
(C) outline the major achievements of the (B) called off
Celts (C) got lost
(D) explain how languages manage to (D) turned out
survive without changing 26. The Brythonic group of languages does
23. According to the passage, the Celtic NOT include
languages did NOT (A) Welsh
(A) develop from the Indo-European (B) Cornish
language family (C) Manx
(B) originate in the British Isles (D) Breton
(C) exist before the time of the Roman 27. It is implied in the passage that Gaulish
Empire (A) first surfaced after the Roman
(D) provide any Italian place names Empire
24. The passage states that the Celts were (B) has been revived in the last century
(A) peaceful farmers (C) is declining in use
(B) unheard of during the Bronze Age (D) was replaced by Latin
(C) at their peak during the Iron Age
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28. The main idea of the third paragraph is 31. This passage would most likely be
that assigned reading in a course on
(A) all Celtic languages are extinct (A) archeology
(B) a few Celtic languages disappeared (B) European literature
(C) some Celtic languages are flourishing (C) historical linguistics
(D) most Celtic languages are either dead (D) Bronze Age civilizations
or dying 32. Where in the passage does the author
29. It is NOT true according to the passage explain when the two clusters of Celtic
that both Cornish and Manx languages were still understood by
(A) were once considered extinct members of each group of speakers?
(B) became extinct in the same century (A) Lines 2-4
(C) are being resuscitated (B) Lines 6-7
(D) may be taught in some academic (C) Lines 10-11
institutions (D) Lines 12-13
30. According to the passage, the percentage 33. The paragraph following the passage most
of young people learning Scottish, Irish, likely discusses
and Breton is (A) how Welsh is surviving
(A) nonexistent (B) efforts to classify Celtic languages
(C) languages that preceded Celtic languages
(B) not high
in Europe
(C) increasing
(D) the causes of language extinction
(D) quite robust
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