GRAMMAR

FOR TOEFL
NOUNS, PRONOUNS,
AND PRACTICE
 CONTENTS
TABLE OF
01 NOUNS

02 PRONOUNS

03 PRACTICE
NOUN

01
Problem 1. Use the correct
singular/plural nouns

In written question test in TOEFL, you need to

watch carefully for keywords, such as each, one,
every, a, etc that indicate that a noun should be
in singular. Also, watch carefully for keywords,
such as many, few, several, various, etc, that
indicate that a noun should be in plural.

Examples:

• There were many dish on the table. (X)

• The lab assistant finished every tests. (X)

The following chart lists the keywords that indicate to you
whether a noun should be plural or singular:
Decide if the following sentences are correct or incorrect and
find a clue that tells you if a noun should be singular or plural.

1. An extended cruise would be a nice way to spend a vacation one days.

2. The woman found it difficult to believe that both of the piece of jewelry had
disappeared.

3. The manager was surprised that not a single worker was available on Tuesday.

4. When the first bill was defeated, the Senate immediately begin to work on a
different bills.

5. There were several boxes in the cupboard, and each box contained a dozen
glasses.

6. The salesclerk demonstrated various traditional way that the machine could be
used.
Problem 2. Distinguish countable and
uncountable nouns
Nouns are classified as countable and uncountable. It is necessary to be able
to distinguish the two in order to use the correct modifiers with them.

• Countable nouns are nouns that can be counted.

Examples: book, table, page, chair, etc

• Uncountable nouns are nouns that can not be counted because they
come in some indeterminate quantity or mass. They are often liquid
items, such as water, oil, milk. They can also refer to abstract ideas like
security, excitement, happiness. An uncountable noun takes no plural
form so you can not say three milks or many happinesses.
Problem 2. Distinguish countable and
uncountable nouns
The following chart lists the key words that indicate to you whether a noun
should be countable or uncountable.

Keywords for countable and uncountable nouns

Countable many number few fewer

Uncountable much amount little less

Decide if the following sentences are correct or incorrect and
find a clue that tells you if a noun should be singular or plural.

1. The less time you take on the assignment, the less pages you will
complete.

2. It is better to go shopping in the late evening because there are less

people in the market.

3. After the strike, the company dismissed many employees.

4. Because the bottom corner of the pocket was torn, much coins fell out.

5. You will have fewer problems with your income taxes if you get
professional help.
Problem 3. Recognize irregular plurals of
nouns
The irregular forms that are the most problematic are plural forms that do not end in s.
Decide if the following sentences are correct or incorrect and
find a clue that tells you if the nouns are singular or plural.

1. The syllabi for the courses is included in the packet of materials. _____

2. A flock of geese were seen heading south for the winter. _____

3. The teeth in the back of his mouth needs to be capped. _____

4. The fungi has spread throughout the garden. _____

5. The diagnosis that he heard today was not very positive. _____
PRONOUN

02
Pronoun

Subject Object Possessive Adjective Possessive Pronouns

I Me My Mine

You You Your Yours

We Us Our Ours

They Them Their Theirs

He Him His His

She Her Her Hers

It It Its -

*Possessive adjective must be accompanied by a noun.

Whilst, possessive pronouns cannot be accompanied by a noun.

Examples: SHE told ME that IT is HER bag. I wonder if MINE is still in the classroom.
Decide if the following sentences are correct or incorrect and
find a clue that tells you if the pronoun should be subject,
object, possessive adjective or possessive pronoun.

1. Perhaps you would like to go to the seminar with they and their friends. _____
2. The mother took her son to the doctor’s office because he was feeling sick. _____
3. She did not buy the sweater because it had a hole in it. _____
4. I don’t know if you and her were working together in a project. _____
5. When my roommate paid her half of the rent, I paid mine. _____
6. Before the report is finalized, the information in their notes and our must be
proofread. _____
7. All students need to bring theirs pencils and answer sheets to the exam. _____
8. The horse trotting around the track won its race a few minutes ago. _____
Check pronoun reference for agreement

Pronoun Agreement

1. Be sure that every pronoun and possessive agrees with the noun it refers to.
2. You generally check back in the sentence for agreement.

Examples:
• The boys will cause trouble if you let him. (incorrect)
• The boys will cause trouble if you let them. (correct)
• Everyone must give their name. (incorrect)
• Everyone must give his or her name. (correct)
Decide if the following sentences are correct or incorrect and
find a clue that tells you if the pronouns agree with their
references.

1. If you have a problem, you are welcome to discuss it with me before you try
to solve them. _____

2. In spite of its small size, these video recorders produce excellent tapes.
_____

3. The people I admire most are those who solve their own problems. _____

4. Some friends and I went to see a movie, and afterwards we wrote a critique
about them. _____
5. At the start of the program, each student needs to see his advisor about his
schedule. _____
TOEFL
PRACTICE

03
TOEFL Practice: Part A

1. Helicopters are being used more and more 2. The air traffic controller was not blamed for
in emergency situations because of ____ ability the accident because ____ had strictly
to reach out-of-the-way places. followed the correct procedures.
A. Its A. He
B. His B. His
C. Our C. they
D. Their D. its

3. When children experience too much

4. The administration will not install the new
frustration, ______ behavior ceases to be
security system because ____ costs so much.
integrated.
A. It
A. their
B. Its
B. they
C. He
C. her
D. him
D. hers
TOEFL Practice: Part B
Choose the letter of the underlined word or group of words that is not correct.

1. The latest medical report indicated that the patient’s temperature was near normal and their lungs were partially clear.
A B C D
2. A star that has used up their energy and has lost its heat becomes a black dwarf.
A B C D
3. A baby learns the meanings of words as they are spoken by others and later uses him in sentences.
A B C D
4. President Andrew Jackson had an official cabinet , but him preferred the advice of his informal advisors, the Kitchen Cabinet.
A B C D
5. At the end of his, Ben Shahn’s paintings became more abstract and conceptual.
A B C D
6. A mammal can be defined as a warm-blooded animal that feeds their babies with mother’s milk.
A B C D
THANK YOU
AND LET’S
DISCUSS