Skills of Structure question in TOEFL Test

After reading Strategy for structure questions,  You must learn the problems and  skills usually  tested in Structure Questions. There are ten problems or skills usually tested in Structure questions. The skills will help you to implement these strategies in the Structure section of the TOEFL test.

(Indonesian Version)

The ten problems or  skills are:

1. Problem with  Subject and Verbs

2. Problem with  Objects of Prepositions

3. Problem with Present Participles

4. Problem with Past Participles

5. Problem with Coordinate Connectors

6. Problem with  Adverb Clause Connectors

7. Problem with Noun Clause Connectors

8. Problem with Noun Clause Connectors/Subjects

9. Problem with Adjective Clause Connectors

10. Problem with Adjective Clause Connectors/Subject

Next ---> Learn Skill 1: Subject and Verbs

SKILL 6: Adverb Clause Connectors

Previous Skill <---- Skill 5: Coordinate Connector

Sentences with adverb clauses have two basic patterns in English. Study the clauses and connectors in the following sentences:

(Indonesian Version)

He is tired because he has been working so hard.

Because he has been working so hard, he is tired.

In each of these examples, there are two clauses: he is tired and he has been working so hard. The clause he has been working so hard is an adverb clause that is introduced with the connector because. In the first example, the connector because comes in the middle of the sentence, and no comma (,) is used. In the second example, the connector because comes at the beginning of the sentence. In this pattern, when the connector comes at the beginning of the sentence, a comma (,) is required in the middle of the sentence.

The following example shows how this sentence pattern could be tested in the Structure section of the TOEFL test.

Example

_____ arrived at the library, he started to work immediately.

(A) The student
(B) When
(C) He
(D) After the student

In this example, you should recognize easily that the verb arrived needs a subject. There is also another clause, he started to work immediately. If you choose answer (A) or answer (C), you will have a subject for the verb arrived, but you will not have a connector to join the two clauses. Because you need a connector to join two clauses, answers (A) and (C) are incorrect. Answer (B) is incorrect because there is no subject for the verb arrived. Answer (D) is the best answer because there is a subject, student, for the verb, arrived, and there is a connector, after, to join the two clauses.

The following chart lists common adverb connectors and the sentence patterns used with them.

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).

1. After the plane circled the airport, it landed on the main runway. (C)

Analysis:
Both clauses have subject and verb.
The connector "when" is correct, too.

2. The registration process took many hours since the lines so long. (I)

Analysis:
The second clause has no verb. It should be the lines were so long.
The connector "since" is correct.

3. This type of medicine can be helpful, it can also have some bad side effects. (I)

Analysis:
Both clauses are correct but there is no connector.

4. The waves were amazingly high when the storm hit the coastal town. (C)

Analysis:
Both clauses and connector are correct.

5. We need to get a new car whether is on sale or not. (I)

Analysis:
Second clause has no subject. It should be it is on sale or not
Connector "whether" is correct

6. Just as the bread came out of the oven, while a wonderful aroma filled the kitchen. (I)


Analysis:
There are two connectors; Just and While.
"While" should be erased, so the sentence becomes a wonderful aroma filled the kitchen.

7. Everyone has spent time unpacking boxes since the family moved into the new house. (C)

Analysis:
Both clauses and connector are corretc.

8. Although the area is a desert many plants bloom there in the springtime. (I)

Analysis:
There is no comma after the first clause. It should be the area is a desser,

9. The drivers on the freeway drove slowly and carefully while the rain was falling heavily because they did not want to have an accident. (C)

Analysis:
All three clauses are correct and the connectors are correct, too.

10. If you plan carefully before you take a trip, will have a much better time because the small details will not cause problems. (I)

Analysis:
Second clause " will have a much better time" has no subject. It should be you will have a much better time.

Continue with:

1.  EXERCISE (Skill 5-6)
2. TOEFL Exercise (Skill 5-6)
3. TOEFL REVIEW EXERCISE (Skill 1-6) (Download All)

Next skill --> Skill 7: Noun Clause Connectors  

To Get Answer Keys, CLICK HERE

TOEFL Structure Skill 7: Noun Clause Connectors

Previous skills <----- Skill 6: Adverb Clause Connector

A noun clause is a clause that functions as a noun; because the noun clause functions as a noun, it can be used in a sentence as an object of a verb (if it follows a verb) or an object of a preposition (if it follows a preposition). Study the clauses and connectors in the following sentences.

A. I don't Know
B. Why did she like facebook

If we combine them:

I don't Know why she like faccebook

In the first example, there are two clauses, I don’t know and she liked facebook . These two clauses are joined with the connector why. Why changes the clause he said such things into a noun clause which functions as the object of the verb don’t know.

The following example shows how these sentence patterns could be tested in the Structure section of the TOEFL test

Example

The citizens worry about ____ is doing.

(A) what the government
(B) the government
(C) what
(D) what the government it

In this example, the sentence contains the main subject and verb, the citizens worry, and it also contains an additional verb, is doing. The sentence needs a subject for the verb is doing and a connector to join the two clauses. The best answer is answer (A) because it has the connector what and the subject government. Answer (B) is incorrect because it does not have a connector. Answer (C) is incorrect because it does not have a subject for is doing. Answer (D) is incorrect because it has two subjects for is doing.

EXERCISE 7:

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).

1. It is unfortunate that the meal is not ready yet. (C)

    Analysis:
    Both clauses are correct because they have subject and verb

2. She told me when should pick up the children. (I)

    Analyisis:
     should pick up the children is incorrect. It should be  I should pick up the children.

3. The instructor explained where was the computer lab located. (I)

    Analysis:
    Where was the computer lab located is incorrect. It should be where the computer lab was located.

4. We could not believe what he did to us. (C)

    Analysis:
    Both clauses are correct.

5. Do you want to know if it going to rain tomorrow? (I)

   Analysis:
   If it going to rain tomorrow is incorrect. It should be If it is going to rain tomorrow.

6. We never know whether we will get paid or not. (C)

    Analysis:
    Both clauses are correct

7. This evening you can decide what do you want to do. (I)

    Analysis:
     Second clause: what do you want to do is incorrect. It should be what you want to do.

8. The manager explained how wanted the work done. (C)

    Analysis:
    Second clause: how wanted the work done is incorrect. It should be how he wanted work done.

9. The map showed where the party would be held. (C)

     Analysis:
     Both clauses are correct

10. Can you tell me why was the mail not delivered today? (I)

      Analysis:

      Second clause: why was the mail not delivered today is incorrect. It should be why the mail was not

      delivered today.


Next Skill <----- Skill 8 : Noun Clause Connector/ Subject

To Get Answer Keys, CLICK HERE

TOEFL Structure Skill 8: Noun Clause Connectors/ Subjects

Previous skill <----- Skill 7:  Noun clause connector

In Skill 7 we saw that noun clause connectors can be used to introduce noun clauses. In Skill 8 we will see that in some cases a noun clause connector is not just a connector; a noun clause connector can also be the subject of the clause at the same time. Study the clauses and connectors in the following sentences.

I know what happened yesterday

            NOUN CLAUSE AS OBJECT OF VERB

We are thinking about what happened yesterday.

                                  NOUN CLAUSE AS OBJECT OF PREPOSITION

In the first example, there are two clauses: I know and what happened yesterday. These two clauses are joined by the connector what. It is important to understand that in this sentence the word what serves two functions. It is both the subject of the verb happened and the connector that joins the two clauses.

 

In the second example, there are two clauses. In the first clause we is the subject of are thinking. In the second clause what is the subject of happened. What also serves as the connector that joins the two clauses. The noun clause what happened yesterday functions as the object of the preposition about.

The following example shows how this sentence pattern could be tested in the Structure section of the TOEFL test.

Example

The company was prepared for ________ happened with the economy.

(A) it
(B) the problem
(C) what
(D) when

EXERCISE 8: 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).

1. The teacher heard who answered the question. (C)

    Analysis:

    Who answered the question is a noun clause connector, and the sentence is correct.

2. I do not understand it went wrong. (I)

    Analysis:

    it went wrong is a noun clause connector/subject. But, the sentence is incorrect.
    It should be what went wrong

3. Of the three movies, I can’t decide which is the best. (C)

   Analysis:

   Which is the best is a noun clause connector/subject. The sentence is correct.
   
4. She did not remember who in her class. (I)

   Analysis:

   Who in her class is a noun clause connector, but the sentence is incorrect.
   It should be Who is in her class.

5. No one is sure what did it happen in front of the building. (I)

   Analysis:

   What did it happen in front of the building is a nouc clause connector, but the sentence is incorrect.
   It should be what happened in front of the building.

6. We found out which was her favorite type of candy. (C)

    Analysis:

   Which was her favorite type of candy is a noun clause connector/subject, and the sentence is correct.
  
7. Do you know what caused the plants to die? (C)

   Analysis:

   What caused the plants to die is a noun clause connector/subject and the sentence is correct.

8. I am not sure which it is the most important course in the program. (I)

   Analysis:

   which it is the most important course in the program is a nou clause connector/subject, but it is
   incorrect.
   It should be which is the most important course in the program.

9. We thought about who would be the best vice president.(C)

    Analysis:

   Who would be the best vice president is a noun clause connector, and the sentence is correct.

10. She saw what in the box in the closet. (I)

   Analysis:

   What in the box in the closet is a noun clause connector, but it is incorrect.
   It should be what is in the box in the closet.

Continue with:

• Exercise 7 - 8, TOEFL Exercise (7-8) and TOEFL Review Exercise (1-8). Click here to read them
• Or download all material here

 Next skill ------> Skill 9: Adjective clause connector

 To Get Answer Keys, CLICK HERE

Adjective clause connector : TOEFL Skill 9

Previous Skill <---- Skill 8 : Noun Clause Connector

An adjective clause describes a noun. Because the clause is an adjective, it is positioned directly after the noun that it describes.

A, This is the house
B, I want to buy it

If we combine them:

This is the house that/which I want to buy

In the first example, there are two clauses: this is the subject of the verb is, and I is the subject of the verb want. That/which is the adjective clause connector that joins these two clauses, and the adjective clause that I want to buy describes the noun house.

A, The house is big
B. I want to buy it

If we combine:

The house that/which I want to buy is big


In the second example, there are also two clauses: house is the subject of the verb is, and I is the subject of the verb want. In this sentence also, that is the adjective clause connector that joins these two clauses, and the adjective clause that I want to buy describes the noun house.

The following example shows how these sentence patterns could be tested in the Structure section of the TOEFL test.

Example

The job _____ started yesterday was rather difficult.
(A) when
(B) was
(C) after
(D) that he

In this example, you should notice quickly that there are two clauses: job is the subject of the verb was, and the verb started needs a subject. Because there are two clauses, a connector is also needed. Answers (A) and (C) have connectors, but there are no subjects, so these answers are not correct. Answer (B) changes started into a passive verb; in this case the sentence would have one subject and two verbs, so answer (B) is not correct. The best answer to this question is answer (D). The correct sentence should say: The job that he started yesterday was rather difficult. In this sentence job is the subject of the verb was, he is the subject of the verb started, and the connector that joins these two clauses.

EXERCISE 9: 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).

1. I did not believe the story that he told me. (C)

   Analysis:

   First Clause                            : I did not believe the story
   Second Clause                       : He told me
   Adjective clause connector     : that

2. Ms. Brown, whom did you recommend for the job, will start work tomorrow.(I)

    Analysis:

    First clause                         : Ms. Brown will start work tomorrow
    Second clause                    : Did you recommend for the job (incorrect)
                                                It should be you recommended for the job
    Adjective clause connector : whom

    The correct sentence is Ms. Brown, who you recommended for the job, will start work tomorrow.

3. The lecture notes which lent me were not clearly written.(I)

     Analysis:

     First clause                       : The lecture notes were not clearly written
     Second clause                  :  lent me (incorrect)
                                               It should be I lent
     Adjective clause connector : which

     The correct sentence is the lecture notes which I lent were not clearly written

4. Sally has an appointment with the hairdresser whom you recommended. (C)

    Analysis:

     First clause                         : Sally has an appointment with the hairdresser
     Second clause                    : you recommended
     Adjective clause connector : whom

5. The phone number that you gave me.

    Analysis:

     First clause                        : The phone number (incorrect: no verb)
     Second clause                   : you gave me
     Adjective clause connector : that
     The correct sentence is The phone number that you gave me IS wrong

6. She is able to solve all the problems which did she cause.(I)

     Analysis:

      First clause                       : She is able to solve the problems
      Second clause                  : did she cause (incorrect)
                                                It should be she caused
      Adjective clause connector: She is able to solve all the problems which she caused
       
7. The day that she spent on the beach left her sunburned. (C)

      Analysis:

      First clause                         : The day left her sunburned
      Second clause                     :  she spend on the beach
      Adjective clause connector :  that

8. Next week I am going to visit my cousins, whom have not seen in several years.(I)

    Analysis:

    First clause                           : Next week I am going to visit my cousins
    Second clause                      :  have not seen in several years (incorrect)
                                                   It should be I have not seen in several years
    Adjective clause connector   : whom
    The correct sentence is Next week I am going to visit my cousins, whom i have not seen in several years

9. Did you forget the promise whom you made? (C)

    Analysis:

    First clause                            : Did you forget the promise
    second clause                        : you made?
    Adjective clause connector    : whom

10. The teacher whom the students like the most is their history teacher.

   Analysis:

   First clause                             : The teacher is their history teacher
   Second clause                        :  the students like the most
   Adjective clause connector     :  whom


Next skill <------ skill 10 : Adjective clause connector/Subject

To Get Answer Keys, CLICK HERE

Parallel Structure with Coordinate Connector (Skill 14)

Previous problem/Skill: Problem/skill with  Agreement after certain words (skill 13).

The job of the coordinate conjunctions (and, but, or) is to join together equal expressions. In other words, what is on one side of these words must be parallel to what is on the other side. These conjunctions can join nouns, or verbs, or adjectives, or phrases, or clauses; they just must join together the same structures. Here are examples of equal structures correctly joined by coordinate conjunctions:

He discussed the problem with the nurse and the doctor

The professor was knowledgeable but boring

She hikes, jogs, or rides her bicycle whenever she can.

There are meetings in the morning, in the afternoon and in the evening

You can do the work because you want to do it or because you have to do it

In the first example, two nouns are joined by the coordinate conjunction and. In the second example, two adjectives are joined by the coordinate conjunction but. In the third example, three verbs are joined by the coordinate conjunction or. In the fourth example, three phrases are joined by the coordinate conjunction and. In the last example; two clauses are joined by the coordinate conjunction or.

The sentences that follow show the types of errors in parallel structure that are common on the TOEFL test.

The evening dress was beauty* but expensive.

The student reads each chapter, takes a lot of notes, and memories* the material.

In the first example, the coordinate conjunction but joins the noun beauty and the adjective expensive. The adjective beautiful is needed in place of beauty. In the second example, the coordinate conjunction and joins the verb reads, the verb takes, and the plural noun memories. The verb memorizes is needed in place of memories.

The following chart outlines the use of parallel structures with coordinate con junctions.

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.
• It should be ....very expensive but quite delicious.

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.
• It should be ....expensive painting and elegant lamps.

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:

• ...skiing, sledding, or played....(incorrect). It should be ..skiing, sledding, or playing.

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.
• It should be ".....go......, turn, and continue,,,,,,,"

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:

• some medicine, some juice and to rest. (incorrect)
• It should be "..some medicine. some juice and some rest"

Next Problem/Skill: Problem/Skill with  parallel structure with paired conjunction

To Get Answer Keys, CLICK HERE

Structure Skill: TOEFL Exercise (Skills: 7-8)

 Previous Skill:  Noun Clause Connector/Subject (Skill 8)

Choose the letter of the word or group of words that best completes the sentence.

1. Today, the true story of _____ at Little Bighorn remains a mystery.

(A) Happened

(B) it happened

(C) what happened

(D) what happening

2. For more than a decade, ____ that certain species are becoming scarce.

(A) the warnings of bird-watchers

(B) warn the bird-watchers

(C) birdwatchers have warned

(D) a warning for bird-watchers

3. Early in the eighteenth century, Halley accurately predicted when ____ of 1682 would return.

(A) the comet

(B) was the comet

(C) the comet was

(D) had the comet

4. No single factor explains why _____ vary so greatly among individuals.

(A) aging affects

(B) the effects of aging

(C) aging has an effect

(D) the aging effect

5. Lack of clarity about ____ the party in the coming year will be removed at the party’s convention.

(A) will lead

(B) lead

(C) they will lead

(D) who will lead

6. We do not ____ the bow drill was first developed for woodworking or fire making.

(A) whether it

(B) know whether it

(C) know whether

(D) sure whether

7. Minute Man National Historical Park is a monument to where _____

(A) the beginning of the Revolutionary War

(B) in the beginning of the Revolutionary War

(C) the Revolutionary War to begin

(D) the Revolutionary War began

8. Tests on the colors of cars were conducted at the University of California to determine _____ the safest colors for cars.

(A) which

(B) which were

(C) if

(D) how were

9. The National Institute of Dental Research estimates _____ in fluoridated areas have about 25 percent less tooth decay than children elsewhere.

(A) for school children

(B) school children’s

(C) that school children

(D) that for school children

10. The process of photosynthesis explains how ____ able to use the energy in sunlight to manufacture foods from the simple chemicals in air and water.

(A) green plants

(B) green plants are

(C) planting greens

(D) with green plants are

To Get Answer Keys, CLICK HERE