TOEFL Structure Skill 1 : Subject and Verb

A sentence in English should have a subject and a verb. The most common types of problems
that you will encounter in the Structure section of the TOEFL test are related to subjects and
verbs; perhaps the sentence is missing either the subject, or the verb, or both; perhaps the
sentence has an extra subject or verb.

1. ______was ringing continuously for hours.

(A) Loudly
(B) In the morning
(C) The phone
(D) The bells

2. Newspapers _______ every morning and every evening.

(A) delivery
(B) are delivered
(C) on time
(D) regularly

3. The plane __________ landing at the airport in five minutes.

(A) it is
(B) it really is
(C) is descending
(D) will be 

4. _______ is famous as the home of the U.S. Naval Academy.

(A) Annapolis
(B) Because of Annapolis
(C) Why Annapolis
(D) Because Annapolis

5. Some scientists think _______ be a planet but a moon of Neptune.

(A) that Pluto does not seem

(B) not Pluto
(C) Pluto that might not
(D) That Pluto might not

6. Engineers ________ for work on the new space program.

(A)  Necessary
(B)  Are needed
(C)  Hopefully
(D) Next month

7. Fitzgerald _________ the society of the 1920’s in his novel, The Great Gatsby.
(A) Reflect
(B)  Reflects
(C)  Are reflecting
(D) Have reflected

8. Fort Union was the site of what ______ principal fur-trading post on the upper Missouri River.

(A) the
(B) being the
(C) was the
(D) it was the

9. The north Platte river ____ from Wyoming into Nebraska.

(A) it flowed
(B) flows
(C) flowing
(D) with flowing water

10. _____ Biloxi received its name from a Sioux word meaning “first people”.

(A) The city of

(B) Located in
(C) it is in
(D) the tour included
TOEFL Structure Skill 6 : Use Coordinate Connector Correctly
(S V, coordinate connector S V )

1. A power failure occurred, ____ the lamps went out.

(A). then
(B). so
(C). later
(D). next

2. My younger brother is tall, ____ my older brother is short.

(A). but
(B). so
(C). or
(D). and

3. Bryan studied hard for the exam, ____ he passed the test.
(A). or
(B). yet
(C). so
(D). and

4. Amy is washing dishes, ____ her sister is preparing meal.

(A). and
(B). so
(C). or
(D). but

5. I have to wake up early, ___ my mother will wake me up.

(A). or
(B). but
(C). so
(D). yet
TOEFL Structure Skill 7 : Use Adverb Time and Cause Connectors Correctly
(S V, adverb connector S V or adverb connector S V, S V )

1. _____was late, I missed the appointment.

(A). I
(B). Because
(C). The train
(D). Since he

2. Harry back home ____ the movie ended.

(A). after
(B). since
(C). as long as
(D). whenever

3. ____ it is raining heavily from the morning,  I have to skip my classes.

(A). Because
(B). Since
(C). As
(D). Now that

4. The citizens worry about ____ is doing.

(A) what the government

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

5. Since I will be on my leave starting this week,  Alicia will______ of my jobs.

(A). take care

(B). takes care
(C). is taking care
(D). took care
TOEFL Structure Skill 8 : Use Other Adverb Connectors Correctly
( S V adverb connector S V o r adverb connector S V, S V )

1. You will get a high score on the exam provided…..

(A). Study
(B). Studying
(C). To study
(D). You study

2. I will leave at 6.00 if I …….

(A). Ready
(B). Am ready
(C). Was ready
(D). Have been ready

3. Although I was late, I ……. To catch the train.

(A). Managed
(B). Was managed
(C). Manage
(D). Have managed

4. Providing the employees are postmarked by this Wednesday, your application

…..acceptable.
(A). Was
(B). Is
(C). Are
(D). Is being

5. The Carter family arrived at the party earlier, whereas the Jonas family ____ at the party
later.
(A). arrive
(B). arrives
(C). arrived
(D), is arriving