Grammar-based sentence completions - TOEIC
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Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
I will either buy a computer _____________ a television; I cannot afford both.
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
I will either buy a computer _____________ a television; I cannot afford both.
The correct answer is "or." This sentence presents a choice between two things--a computer or a television. The biggest clue that "or" is the correct conjunction is the word "either." The other conjunctions are not appropriate in this sentence.
The correct answer is "or." This sentence presents a choice between two things--a computer or a television. The biggest clue that "or" is the correct conjunction is the word "either." The other conjunctions are not appropriate in this sentence.
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Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
Although they contain a ___________ amount of information and entertainment, few people value or take advantage of the benefits of public libraries.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
Although they contain a ___________ amount of information and entertainment, few people value or take advantage of the benefits of public libraries.
The best choice is "staggering." Since the article used in this sentence is "a" instead of "an," we know that the next work in the sentence has to start with a consonant and not a vowel, which eliminates "amazing" and "enormous" even though both of these words make sense logically. The other choice, "distressing" implies that it makes you upset, which does not make sense in this context. The best choice is "staggering" which means large and overwhelming.
The best choice is "staggering." Since the article used in this sentence is "a" instead of "an," we know that the next work in the sentence has to start with a consonant and not a vowel, which eliminates "amazing" and "enormous" even though both of these words make sense logically. The other choice, "distressing" implies that it makes you upset, which does not make sense in this context. The best choice is "staggering" which means large and overwhelming.
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Choose the word that best completes the sentence.
The car salesman's performance was the _____________ in the region, so he got a raise.
Choose the word that best completes the sentence.
The car salesman's performance was the _____________ in the region, so he got a raise.
The correct choice is the word "highest." We know that this is the correct choice because there the word "the" precedes the blank, so we know that we are talking about a superlative, and the superlative form is "highest." It is not higher or high because they are not the superlative forms of the word. While "most" is also a superlative, it is not the best choice since we are talking about performance in sales, and performing the highest makes more sense than performing the most.
The correct choice is the word "highest." We know that this is the correct choice because there the word "the" precedes the blank, so we know that we are talking about a superlative, and the superlative form is "highest." It is not higher or high because they are not the superlative forms of the word. While "most" is also a superlative, it is not the best choice since we are talking about performance in sales, and performing the highest makes more sense than performing the most.
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Stock positions will not be refunded, ______________ the board understands shareholder's concerns, and will meet personally with any concerned parties.
Stock positions will not be refunded, ______________ the board understands shareholder's concerns, and will meet personally with any concerned parties.
Here, two independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction, it is up to you to choose the one that most accurately reflects the shift in the sentence. The first clause makes the blunt statement that "stock positions will not be refunded," not exactly reassuring for concerned stockholders. The second clause then changes the tone by offering reassurance. Therefore, "but" is the correct coordinating conjunction.
Here, two independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction, it is up to you to choose the one that most accurately reflects the shift in the sentence. The first clause makes the blunt statement that "stock positions will not be refunded," not exactly reassuring for concerned stockholders. The second clause then changes the tone by offering reassurance. Therefore, "but" is the correct coordinating conjunction.
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Please choose the correct conjunction to complete the sentence.
I am planning a big dinner this weekend. I am going to make pasta _________________ apple pie.
Please choose the correct conjunction to complete the sentence.
I am planning a big dinner this weekend. I am going to make pasta _________________ apple pie.
The correct answer is and because and is a conjunction that is used to connect words and ideas. But is used to express contradictions and So means "to the degree which something is stated". It is not correct because it is a preposition. In this sentence the speaker is connecting pasta and apple pie because they are two things that the speaker likes.
The correct answer is and because and is a conjunction that is used to connect words and ideas. But is used to express contradictions and So means "to the degree which something is stated". It is not correct because it is a preposition. In this sentence the speaker is connecting pasta and apple pie because they are two things that the speaker likes.
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Please choose the correct conjunction to complete the sentence.
We could go to the movies _______________ the park.
Please choose the correct conjunction to complete the sentence.
We could go to the movies _______________ the park.
Or is the correct answer because we are linking two alternative ideas, the speakers two completely different options. And is used to connect similar ideas, but going to the park or the movies are two different options. While is used to express when two or more things are happening at the same time, but in this sentence the speaker can only choose one option.
Or is the correct answer because we are linking two alternative ideas, the speakers two completely different options. And is used to connect similar ideas, but going to the park or the movies are two different options. While is used to express when two or more things are happening at the same time, but in this sentence the speaker can only choose one option.
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Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
It was raining, ___________ we chose to go to the aquarium instead of the beach.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
It was raining, ___________ we chose to go to the aquarium instead of the beach.
The correct answer is "so." This is because the word "so" implies causation. The rain caused the subjects of this sentence to make a choice. We are not linking the two ideas, which would require the word "and" and we are not providing a contrast, which would require the word "but." The word "for" should not be used in this sentence because we are not providing an explanation in the second clause of the sentence.
The correct answer is "so." This is because the word "so" implies causation. The rain caused the subjects of this sentence to make a choice. We are not linking the two ideas, which would require the word "and" and we are not providing a contrast, which would require the word "but." The word "for" should not be used in this sentence because we are not providing an explanation in the second clause of the sentence.
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Which of the following words best completes the sentence?
Neither the painter _________________ the sculptor had received formal training.
Which of the following words best completes the sentence?
Neither the painter _________________ the sculptor had received formal training.
The correct answer is "nor." This conjunction is used when two things are presented in the negative sense, in combination with the word "neither." "And" "for" and "or" are all incorrect when used in combination with the word "neither."
The correct answer is "nor." This conjunction is used when two things are presented in the negative sense, in combination with the word "neither." "And" "for" and "or" are all incorrect when used in combination with the word "neither."
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Choose the word that correctly completes this sentence.
She could not decide whether to go to Harvard _______________ Yale.
Choose the word that correctly completes this sentence.
She could not decide whether to go to Harvard _______________ Yale.
The correct answer is "or." This is because the subject of the sentence is making a choice between two things in a positive sense. The other conjunctions do not work to provide the contrast that this sentence requires.
The correct answer is "or." This is because the subject of the sentence is making a choice between two things in a positive sense. The other conjunctions do not work to provide the contrast that this sentence requires.
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Neither my grandmother __________________ my grandfather has ever left the country.
Neither my grandmother __________________ my grandfather has ever left the country.
The correct answer is "nor." This is the only conjunction that is appropriate to be used when paired with the word "neither," making two ideas negative. This sentence refers to two people, neither of whom has left the country, so "nor" is the best choice.
The correct answer is "nor." This is the only conjunction that is appropriate to be used when paired with the word "neither," making two ideas negative. This sentence refers to two people, neither of whom has left the country, so "nor" is the best choice.
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Please choose the correct tense for the verb walk.
I am ______________ the dog right now.
Please choose the correct tense for the verb walk.
I am ______________ the dog right now.
This sentence is referring to an action that is being completed at right that moment; therefore, the present progressive form of walk is walking. The adverb now is your clue that the action is being complete at that second. Have walk is present perfect tense which is used to show that an action started in the past and continues into the present. Will walk is future tense which is used for actions that will happen in the future. Walked is past tense and used when speaking about actions that took place and were completed in the past.
This sentence is referring to an action that is being completed at right that moment; therefore, the present progressive form of walk is walking. The adverb now is your clue that the action is being complete at that second. Have walk is present perfect tense which is used to show that an action started in the past and continues into the present. Will walk is future tense which is used for actions that will happen in the future. Walked is past tense and used when speaking about actions that took place and were completed in the past.
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Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
I had two cats, but now I _____________ one.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
I had two cats, but now I _____________ one.
The correct answer is "have." This is the present tense, first-person form of the verb "to have." Since the sentence shifts to present tense using the words "but now" we know we need this verb. The verbs "got" and "had" are past tense, and "am having" is a present progressive form, which is not appropriate in this case.
The correct answer is "have." This is the present tense, first-person form of the verb "to have." Since the sentence shifts to present tense using the words "but now" we know we need this verb. The verbs "got" and "had" are past tense, and "am having" is a present progressive form, which is not appropriate in this case.
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Choose the word that best completes the sentence.
Everybody ______________ dancing and having a great time at the party.
Choose the word that best completes the sentence.
Everybody ______________ dancing and having a great time at the party.
The correct answer is "was." The word "everybody" is a singular subject, so we need a singular verb form as well. "Are" and "were" are both plural verbs, and "be" would also be an incorrect construction.
The correct answer is "was." The word "everybody" is a singular subject, so we need a singular verb form as well. "Are" and "were" are both plural verbs, and "be" would also be an incorrect construction.
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Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
They _________ a record of high achievement.
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
They _________ a record of high achievement.
Singular subjects require singular verbs and plural subjects require plural verbs. Has is a singular verb and have is a plural verb. Since the subject (they) is plural, the verb has to be plural as well, which is why "have" is the best choice. Neither "are" nor "got" are grammatically correct in this sentence.
Singular subjects require singular verbs and plural subjects require plural verbs. Has is a singular verb and have is a plural verb. Since the subject (they) is plural, the verb has to be plural as well, which is why "have" is the best choice. Neither "are" nor "got" are grammatically correct in this sentence.
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The car _____________ in order to avoid hitting the child in the road.
The car _____________ in order to avoid hitting the child in the road.
The correct answer is "stopped." This word means to come to a halt, which is what the driver would do if he or she was trying to avoid a collision. The words "went," and "drove" are the opposite in meaning as stopped, so they are incorrect. The word "stop" is in the incorrect verb tense. We need a past-tense verb in this sentence, which is why "stopped" is the best choice.
The correct answer is "stopped." This word means to come to a halt, which is what the driver would do if he or she was trying to avoid a collision. The words "went," and "drove" are the opposite in meaning as stopped, so they are incorrect. The word "stop" is in the incorrect verb tense. We need a past-tense verb in this sentence, which is why "stopped" is the best choice.
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The whole group __________ in agreement about the hike: they should start out early and come back down the mountain before nightfall.
The whole group __________ in agreement about the hike: they should start out early and come back down the mountain before nightfall.
Though a group is made up of multiple people, the subject "group" is is itself a singular noun. The action of the sentence takes place in the past. Therefore, the third person singular past tense of of the verb "to be" is the correct answer. Though you might say "The individuals in the group were in agreement," (third person plural), it's correct to say "the group was."
Though a group is made up of multiple people, the subject "group" is is itself a singular noun. The action of the sentence takes place in the past. Therefore, the third person singular past tense of of the verb "to be" is the correct answer. Though you might say "The individuals in the group were in agreement," (third person plural), it's correct to say "the group was."
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Choose the word that best completes this sentence.
She __________ to the seaside in Mexico for vacation last summer.
Choose the word that best completes this sentence.
She __________ to the seaside in Mexico for vacation last summer.
The correct answer is "went." Since she went on the vacation last year, we need a past-tense form of the verb "to go," and "went" fulfills this need. "Was" is a past-tense form of the verb "to be," so the only correct choice is "went."
The correct answer is "went." Since she went on the vacation last year, we need a past-tense form of the verb "to go," and "went" fulfills this need. "Was" is a past-tense form of the verb "to be," so the only correct choice is "went."
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When he finally did arrive, over seven hours late, Paul's _________________ appearance was extremely disturbing to all of us. He was wearing tattered sheets for pants.
When he finally did arrive, over seven hours late, Paul's _________________ appearance was extremely disturbing to all of us. He was wearing tattered sheets for pants.
In this sentence, we're looking for an adjective to describe "Paul's appearance." Since we are specifically told that "he was wearing tattered sheets for pants," it is only reasonable to describe his appearance as "disheveled," which means messy or not in proper order.
In this sentence, we're looking for an adjective to describe "Paul's appearance." Since we are specifically told that "he was wearing tattered sheets for pants," it is only reasonable to describe his appearance as "disheveled," which means messy or not in proper order.
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The mystery of Paul Williamsonbergfriend's disappearance remains a hotly ____________ topic in the industry; there remain strongly held beliefs on both sides of the question.
The mystery of Paul Williamsonbergfriend's disappearance remains a hotly ____________ topic in the industry; there remain strongly held beliefs on both sides of the question.
While "debated" can also be used as a verb, in this case it is the correct adjective to describe the "topic" of Paul Williamsonbergfriend's disappearance. It is important to recognize the way in which a word with more than one possible application is being used in a given sentence.
While "debated" can also be used as a verb, in this case it is the correct adjective to describe the "topic" of Paul Williamsonbergfriend's disappearance. It is important to recognize the way in which a word with more than one possible application is being used in a given sentence.
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Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
Although they contain a ___________ amount of information and entertainment, few people value or take advantage of the benefits of public libraries.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
Although they contain a ___________ amount of information and entertainment, few people value or take advantage of the benefits of public libraries.
The best choice is "staggering." Since the article used in this sentence is "a" instead of "an," we know that the next work in the sentence has to start with a consonant and not a vowel, which eliminates "amazing" and "enormous" even though both of these words make sense logically. The other choice, "distressing" implies that it makes you upset, which does not make sense in this context. The best choice is "staggering" which means large and overwhelming.
The best choice is "staggering." Since the article used in this sentence is "a" instead of "an," we know that the next work in the sentence has to start with a consonant and not a vowel, which eliminates "amazing" and "enormous" even though both of these words make sense logically. The other choice, "distressing" implies that it makes you upset, which does not make sense in this context. The best choice is "staggering" which means large and overwhelming.
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