The Written Expression Questions: Example
The Written Expression Questions: Example
The Written Expression Questions: Example
Questions 16 through 40 in the Structure and Written Expression section of the TOEFL test
measure your knowledge of the correct way to express yourself in English writing. Each question
in this section consists of one sentence in which four words or groups of words have been
underlined. You must choose the letter of the word or group of words that is not correct.
Example
If you look at the underlined words in this example, you should see that the verb are is not
correct. The verb should be the singular is because the subject result is singular. Therefore, you
should choose answer (C) because (C) is not correct.
Strategy for written expression questions
1. First look at the underlined word or groups of words.
You want to see if you can spot which of the four answer choices is not correct.
2. If you have been unable to find the error by looking only at the four underlined
expressions, then read the complete sentence.
Often an underlined expression is incorrect because of something in another part of the
sentence.
3. Never leave any answers blank.
Be sure to answer each question even if you are unsure of the correct response.
In the first example, you might think that rooms is the subject because it comes directly in front
of the verb are. However, rooms is not the subject because it is the object of the preposition to.
The subject of the sentence is door, so the verb should be is. In the second example, you might
think that room is the subject because it comes directly in front of the verb is. You should
recognize in this example that room is not the subject because it is the object of the preposition
to. Because the subject of the sentence is doors, the verb should be are.
The following chart outlines the key information that you should understand about subject/verb
agreement with prepositional phrases.
EXERCISE 11: Each of the following sentences has one or more prepositional phrases between
the subject and verb. Put parentheses around the prepositional phrases. Underline the subjects
once and the verbs twice. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).
1. The subject (of the lectures) was quite interesting. (C)
Analysis:
3. The chairs under the table in the dining room is quite comfortable. (I)
Analysis:
4. The players on the winning team in the competition were very talented. (C)
Analysis:
5. The food for the guests at the party are on the long tables.
Analysis:
6. The cost of the clothes was higher than I had expected. (C)
Analysis:
7. The rugs in the front rooms of the house are going to be washed today.(C)
Analysis:
8. The servers in this restaurant always does their job efficiently. (I)
Analysis:
9. The lights in the corner of the room need to be kept on all night.(C)
Analysis:
10. The meeting of the members of the council begins at 3:00 in the afternoon. (C)
Analysis:
EXERCISE 12: 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 verbs agree with.
Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).
1. Half of the students in the class arrive early. (C)
Analysis:
Object is Students (plural) and Verb is arrive (plural Verb), so the sentence is correct
Fruit and are (Verb) are not match. It should be ".....fruit is ...
The next chapter (singular noun) and contains (singular verb) are match. (correct)
The people (plural noun) and is (singular verb) are not match. It should be".....of the
people ......are ..."
6. Some of the movie were just too violent for me. (I)
Analysis:
The movie (singular noun) and were (plural verb) are not match. It should be "....the
movie was ...."
The details (plural noun) are needs are not match. It should be "....the details
........need...."
Analysis:
9. The first half of the class consists of lecture and note taking. (C)
Analysis:
The class (singular noun) and consists (singular verb) are match.
10. Some of the questions on-the test was impossible to answer. (I)
Analysis:
The questions (plural noun) and was (singular verb) are not match. It should be '....the
questions ......were....."
Exercise 13.
Each of the following sentences contains one of the words that are grammatically singular but
they have a plural meaning.
1. Anybody are welcome at the party. (I)
Analysis:
No one is singular and Verb "is" is singular, too. So the sentence is correct.
Everyone is singular and Verb " Needs" is singular verb, too. So the sentence is correct.
Analysis:
10. Everybody know the rules, but somebody is not following them. (I)
Analysis:
EXERCISE 14: Each of the following sentences contains words or groups of words that should
be parallel. Circle the word that indicates that the sentence should have parallel parts. Underline
the parts that should be parallel. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).
1. The pastries in that shop are very expensive but quite deliciously. (I)
Analysis:
before BUT and after BUT must have the same structure. EXPENSIVE is adjective, but
deliciously is adverb. So, it is incorrect.
2. You can find some change to buy a paper in the drawer, on top of the dresser, or in the jar. (C)
Analysis:
in the drawer, on top of the dresser, or in the jar are all in same structure (adverb). So, it is
correct.
3. The living room was decorated with expensive paintings and elegance lamps. (I).
Analysis:
expensive (adjective) painting and elegance (noun) lamps have different structure. So, it
is incorrect.
4. He knew that the financial problems were serious, that the situation was not going to improve,
and that he needed to get a job.
Analysis:
......that the situation was not going to improve and that he needs to get a job have the
same structure. Both sentences are clauses. So, it is correct
5. All day long during the trip to the mountains, they were skiing, sledding, or played in the
snow. (I)
Analysis:
6. The car needs new tires but not a new engine. (C)
Analysis:
...new tires (phrase) but not a new engine (phrase). So, it is correct
7. He stops working when he gets too tired to continue or when he has finished. (C)
Analysis:
...when he gets too tired to continue (clause) or when he has finished (clause). So, it is
correct
8. To get to the office, you should go through this door, turn to the left, and continuation down
the hall. (I)
Analysis:
...go (verb) through this door, turn (verb) to the left, and continuation (noun) down the
hall. So it is incorrect.
9. For dessert we could serve lemon pie, fruit tarts, chocolate cake, or butter cookies.(C)
Analysis:
....lemon pie, fruit tarts, chocolate cake and butter cookies are all phrases. So, it is
correct.
10. The sick child needs some medicine, some juice, and to rest. (I)
Analysis:
EXERCISE 15: Each of the following sentences contains words or groups of words that should
be parallel. Circle the word or words that indicate that the sentence should have parallel parts.
Underline the parts that should be parallel. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or
incorrect (I).
before and after OR should have the same structure: telling should be told.
2. The music at the concert was neither well played nor well liked. (C)
Analysis:
neither ......nor...(correct). well played and well liked have same struture, too. So it is
correct.
4. The play that we saw last night was not only rather delightful but also quite meaningful. (I)
Analysis:
5. He married her neither for her ability to cook nor her ability to clean house. (C)
Analysis:
neither .............nor....(Correct)
before and after and should have same structure. Exciting is adjective, but interest is
noun. Interest should be interesting.
7. He withdrew all the money not only from the checking account but also from the savings
account. (C)
Analysis:
8. Neither the teacher or the students are ready to leave the classroom. (I)
Analysis:
9. You can meet with me either in the next few minutes or at 4:00. (C)
Analysis:
either.....or...(correct)
10. John is an adventurous person who enjoys not only skydiving but also goes parasailing. (C)
Analysis:
EXERCISE 16:
Each of the following sentences contains a verb formed with have. Underline the verbs twice.
Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).
1. We have already hearing the good news. (Incorrect)
Analysis: have hearing should be have heard
2. She has ridden her bicycle to school every day. (Correct)
Analysis: has ridden is correct
3. I have always believe you. (Incorrect)
Analysis : have always believe is incorrect, it should be have always believed.
4. He has find the missing car keys. (Incorrect)
Analysis : has find is incorrect. It should be has found.
5. They have put their money in a savings account. (Correct)
Analysis : have put is correct
6. Their parents have allowed them to stay up late. (Correct)
Analysis: have allowed is correct
EXERCISE 17:
Each of the following sentences contains a verb formed with be. Underline the verbs twice.
Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).
1. She was study the textbooks all night long. (I)
Analysis:
" was cut" is correct because after was should be past participle.
3. Today the teacher is allow the students to leave class a few minutes early. (I)
Analysis:
"was taken" is correct because after was should be past participle (taken).
In the first example, telling should be the base form tell because it follows must.
In the second example, comes should be the base form come because it follows may.
The following chart outlines the use of verb forms after modals.
EXERCISE 18
Each of the following sentences contains a verb formed with a modal. Underline the verbs twice.
Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).
1. You should try to respond politely. (C)
2. Everyone must leaves the room immediately. (I)
Analysis:
5. You can look at the book, but you cannot borrow it. (C)
6. He may lies to you because he is not very truthful. (I)
Analysis:
EXERCISE
19:
Each of the following sentences contains at least one key word to tell you if a noun should be
singular or plural. Circle the key words. Draw arrows to the nouns they describe. Then indicate if
the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).
1. She talked to each people in the room. (I)
Analysis:
after a is singular noun, so a new routes is incorrect and it should be a new route
after every is singular noun, so every question is incorrect and it it should be every
question.
after various is plural noun, so various kind is incorrect, it should be various kinds.
EXERCISE 20: Each of the following sentences contains at least one key word to tell you if a
noun is countable or uncountable. Circle the key words. Draw arrows to the nouns they describe.
Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).
1. She will visit in a few months. (C)
Analysis:
time is uncountable noun and should be time (no S). So a little times is incorrect. It
should be a little time.
many should be followed by countable noun, too. So many exotic places is correct.
A subject pronoun is used as the subject of a verb. An object pronoun can be used as the
object of a verb or the object of a preposition. Compare the following two sentences.
In the second sentence, the subject pronoun she is replacing the noun Marie. The object of the
verb it is replacing the noun phrase the film, and the object of the preposition him is replacing
the noun Barry.
The following are examples of the types of subject or object pronoun errors that you might see
on the TOEFL test.
Me* and my friend are taking a trip.
Our neighbors are going with you and I*
1. In the first example, the object pronoun me is incorrect because this pronoun serves as the
subject of the sentence. The object pronoun me should be changed to the subject pronoun
I. It can be difficult to recognize that me is the subject because the verb are has a double
subject, me and my friend.
2. In the second example, the subject pronoun I is incorrect because this pronoun serves as
the object of the preposition with. The subject pronoun I should be changed to the object
pronoun me. It can be difficult to recognize that I is the object of the preposition with
because the preposition with has two objects: the correct object you and the incorrect
object I.
EXERCISE 21: Each of the following sentences contains at least one subject or object pronoun.
Circle the pronouns. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).
But, the sentence needs Object Pronoun "her". So, the correct sentence is They helped
her with the work.
It should be Subject Pronoun " She". So, the correct sentence is She and Bob came over
to visit me
5. He opened the refrigerator and took some food from it. (C)
Analysis:
Subject pronoun "He" is correct and Object pronoun "it" is correct, too.
Subject pronoun "they" is incorrect. It should be Object pronoun "them". So the correct
sentence is You forgot to give it to them.
Skill 22 Possessive
Possessive adjectives and pronouns both show who or what owns a noun. However,
possessive adjectives and possessive pronouns do not have the same function, and these two
kinds of possessives can be confused on the TOEFL test. A possessive adjective describes a
noun: it must be accompanied by a noun. A possessive pronoun takes the place of a noun: it
cannot be accompanied by a noun.
Notice that in the first example the possessive adjective her is accompanied by the noun
television. In the second example, the possessive pronoun hers is not accompanied by a noun.
The following chart outlines the possessives and their uses.
These examples show the types of errors that are possible with possessive adjectives and
possessive pronouns on the TOEFL test.
The students turned in theirs* papers.
I would like to borrow your*.
In the first example, the possessive pronoun theirs is incorrect because it is accompanied
by the noun papers, and a possessive pronoun cannot be accompanied by a noun. The
possessive adjective their is needed in the first example.
In the second example, the possessive adjective your is incorrect because it is not
accompanied by a noun, and a possessive adjective must be accompanied by a noun. The
possessive pronoun yours is needed in the second example.
EXERCISE 22: Each of the following sentences contains at least one possessive pronoun or
adjective. Circle the possessives in these sentences. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C)
or incorrect (I).
1. She cut hers hair recently. (I)
Analysis:
In the first example, the singular pronoun it is incorrect because it refers to the plural
noun cookies. This pronoun should be replaced with the plural pronoun them.
In the second example, the plural possessive adjective their is incorrect because it refers
to the singular each person. This adjective should be replaced with the singular his or
her.
The following chart outlines what you should remember about checking pronoun reference.
EXERCISE 23: Each of the following sentences contains at least one pronoun or possessive.
Circle the pronouns and possessives. Draw arrows to the nouns they refer to. Then indicate if the
sentences
are
correct
(C)
or
incorrect
(I).
1. If my friend calls, please tell them that I will return the call. (I)
Analysis:
The subject pronoun it is correct because it refers to singular noun the idea.
3. The tables at the restaurant are so large that it can seat 12 people. (I)
Analysis:
The subject pronoun it is incorrect because it refers to plural object the tables.
4. The soup needs more salt because he does not taste very good. (I)
Analysis:
5. The girls ran too fast, and she fell down. (I)
Analysis:
The subject pronoun she is incorrect because it refers to plural noun the girls.
The possessive pronoun its is correct because it refers to singular noun the tree.
The object pronoun it is incorrect because it refers to plural noun the windows.
The subject pronoun he is correct because it refers to singular noun The boy.
10. The woman left their earrings at home, so she wasnt wearing them. (I)
Analysis:
Possessive pronoun their is incorrect because it refers to singular noun The woman.
In the first example, the adjective delicious describes the noun meal.
In the second example, the adjective delicious describes the pronoun it.
Adverbs have three different uses. They can describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.
In the first example, the adverb quickly describes the verb writes.
In the second example, the adverb quickly describes the adjective written (which
describes the noun letter).
n the third example, the adverb extremely describes the adverb quickly, which describes
the adjective written (which describes the noun letter).
The following are examples of incorrect sentences as they might appear on the TOEFL test.
In the first example, the adverb largely is incorrect because the adjective large is needed
to describe the noun table.
In the second example, the adjective soft is incorrect because the adverb softly is needed
to describe the verb talked.
In the third example, the adjective extreme is incorrect because the adverb extremely is
needed to describe the adjective long.
In the last example, the adjective unbelievable is incorrect because the adverb
unbelievably is needed to describe the adverb quickly.
The following chart outlines the important information that you should remember about the use
of adjectives and adverbs.
EXERCISE 24:
1. Her hair was an unusually color of red. (I)
Analysis:
the adverb unusually is incorrect. It should be unusual (adjective) to describe the color
(noun)
Adverb Slowly and carefully are correct because they describe talked (verb)
adjective sad is incorrect. It should be sadly (adverb) because it describes meowed (verb)
Adjective hungry and tired are correct because they describe children (subject)
In this example, the verb spoke is followed by the adverb nicely. This adverb describes
the verb spoke.
However, you must be very careful if the verb is a linking verb. A linking verb is followed by
an adjective rather than an adverb.
In this example, the linking verb looks is followed by the adjective nice. This adjective
describes the subject she.
You should be sure to use an adjective rather than an adverb after a linking verb. Be careful,
however, because the adjective that goes with the linking verb does not always directly follow
the linking verb.
In this example, the adjective nice, which describes the subject he, is itself described by
the adverb unusually. From this example, you should notice that it is possible to have an
adverb directly after a linking verb, but only if the -adverb describes an adjective that
follows.
These sentences show the types of errors with linking verbs that are common on the TOEFL test.
The test looks easily* to me.
Sally feels unbelievable* happy about the news.
In the first example, the linking verb looks should be followed by the adjective easy
rather than the adverb easily.
In the second example, the linking verb feels is followed by the adjective happy. The
incorrect adjective unbelievable should be the adverb unbelievably because it describes
the adjective happy.
The following chart lists commonly used linking verbs and outlines the differ ent uses of
adjectives and adverbs after regular verbs and linking verbs.
EXERCISE 25: Each of the following sentences contains at least one adjective or adverb.
Indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).
1. Kathy looks gorgeously in that dress. (I)
Analysis:
Looks is linking Verb and should be followed by adjective gorgeous, not gorgeously.
So, the correct sentence should be Kathy looks gorgeous in that dress.
walk is regular verb and rapid is adjective. Rapid should be rapidly. So it incorrect.
The correct sentence should be Steve walked rapidly to the corner to catch the bus.
The correct sentence should be The book seemed easy for the students.
10. In the late afternoon, the sun set slow in the west.
Analysis:
set is regular verb and slow is adjective. So it incorrect. Slow should be slowly (Adverb).
(C) appearance
(D) apparent.