TOEIC : Error Recognition
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for TOEIC
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Example Questions
Example Question #11 : Error Recognition
Which of the following sentences is correctly punctuated?
William, my oldest cousin is getting married in October.
William, my oldest cousin, is getting married in October.
William my oldest cousin, is getting married in October.
William my oldest cousin is getting married in October.
William, my oldest cousin, is getting married in October.
The correct answer is "William, my oldest cousin, is getting married in October." This sentence correctly punctuates the phrase "my oldest cousin," setting it apart with two commas, as is required when placing non-essential clauses in the middle of a sentence. One or no commas is incorrect, which is why "William, my oldest cousin, is getting married in October" is the only correct answer.
Example Question #12 : Error Recognition
Which of the following sentences contain an error in punctuation?
My best friends are Sarah Katie and Mike.
I went to the mall, tried on a dress, and bought a pair of shoes.
The best months are April, May, and June.
She eats chicken and turkey, but not beef.
My best friends are Sarah Katie and Mike.
The correct answer is "My best friends are Sarah Katie and Mike." This is the correct choice because it contains an error in punctuation: when writing a list, each item needs to be separated by a comma, so there should be commas after the names Sarah and Katie. Each of the other sentences is correctly punctuated.
Example Question #13 : Error Recognition
Which of the following sentences contain an error in punctuation?
Because it was sunny, I needed my sunglasses.
Before you leave, can I ask you a question?
Unless there is an emergency please do not get out of your seat.
Whenever Greg goes walking, he wears his athletic shoes.
Unless there is an emergency please do not get out of your seat.
The correct answer is "Unless there is an emergency please do not get out of your seat." This is the only sentence that contains an error in punctuation--there should be a comma after the word emergency. The phrase "unless there is an emergency" is a dependent clause beginning with a subordinating conjunction (unless), and since it comes at the beginning of the sentence, there must be a comma to separate it from the rest of the sentence. The rest of the sentences are correctly punctuated.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Word Choice Errors
Because you have been with the company for one year, your lunch breaks will decrease from half an hour to a full hour starting in August.
Which of the underlined words above is incorrect?
been
decrease
your
starting
decrease
The lunch break time is going from half an hour to a full hour, so the word "decrease" is incorrect. The correct word is "increase."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Word Choice Errors
The entire company is required to attend a meeting in which the CEO will discuss last year's losses and how they will effect the current year.
Which of the underlined words above is incorrect?
effect
attend
discuss
entire
effect
"Effect" is incorrect because it is a noun. The sentence needs a verb. The correct word is "affect."
Example Question #2 : Identifying Word Choice Errors
Although we will not have to let anyone go, the company does not have sufficient resources to fire more employees this year.
Which of the underlined words above is incorrect?
sufficient
fire
although
anyone
fire
The sentence says that the company "will not have to let anyone go," meaning they will not have to fire anyone. Therefore, the word "fire" should actually be the word "hire."
Example Question #3 : Identifying Word Choice Errors
You need to start arriving to work on time because recently you have been arriving late too infrequently.
Which of the underlined words above is incorrect?
arriving
on time
recently
infrequently
infrequently
The problem is that the person is arriving to work late too often. Therefore, the word "infrequently" should actually say "frequently."
Example Question #4 : Identifying Word Choice Errors
Just a reminder that the information discussed in this meeting is confidential, so you must not share it with everyone.
Which of the underlined words above is incorrect?
everyone
discussed
share
reminder
everyone
The information in the meeting is confidential, meaning it should not be shared. Therefore, the incorrect word in the sentence is "everyone." It should say "anyone."
Example Question #5 : Identifying Word Choice Errors
If you are a new employee, you must skip orientation this week. If you have worked for us for longer than two months, you will not be required to attend.
Which of the underlined words above is incorrect?
attend
skip
this
required
skip
It is logical that new employees would be required to attend orientation. Therefore, the incorrect word is "skip." It should say "attend."
Example Question #6 : Identifying Word Choice Errors
In order to ensure that there will be enough money in the account to pay the bills next week, John needs to withdraw the checks at the bank as soon as possible.
Which of the underlined words above is incorrect?
withdraw
enough
possible
ensure
withdraw
Because there is not enough money in the account, John needs to "deposit" the checks in order to add money to the account, not "withdraw" them, which would remove more money from the account.
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