TOEIC : Grammar-based sentence completions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for TOEIC

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Pronouns

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

She came to class to get something from _____________ friend. 

Possible Answers:

her

he

she

his 

Correct answer:

her

Explanation:

The correct answer is "her." This pronoun refers to the subject, "she," which is singular and feminine, so the pronoun must also be singular and feminine. It also needs to be a possessive pronoun, since the pronoun describes something that belongs to the subject of the sentence ("her friend"). The only choice that fits these descriptions is "her," so it is the best choice. 

Example Question #109 : Toeic

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

Each class has ____________ own teacher.

Possible Answers:

her

their

its

his 

Correct answer:

its

Explanation:

The correct answer is "its." This sentence requires a singular pronoun to agree with the subject, "apartment" which is singular, therefore, the choice "their," which is plural, is incorrect. The word apartment does not have a gender, so we do not use "his" or "her." That is why the best choice is "its."

Example Question #31 : Sentence Completion

Kathy was mad. I had never seen _______________ so mad.

Possible Answers:

he

she

him

her

Correct answer:

her

Explanation:

This question is a simple interrogation of correct pronoun usage. The only possible correct answer is thus "her" since "Kathy" is the object of the second main clause. 

Example Question #31 : Grammar Based Sentence Completions

Stock positions will not be refunded, ______________ the board understands shareholder's concerns, and will meet personally with any concerned parties.

Possible Answers:

but

for

therefore

and

Correct answer:

but

Explanation:

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.

Example Question #32 : Grammar Based Sentence Completions

Which of the following words best completes the sentence?

Neither the painter _________________ the sculptor had received formal training.

Possible Answers:

for

nor

and

or

Correct answer:

nor

Explanation:

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."

Example Question #33 : Grammar Based Sentence Completions

Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.

It was raining, ___________ we chose to go to the aquarium instead of the beach. 

Possible Answers:

but

for 

so

and

Correct answer:

so

Explanation:

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. 

Example Question #34 : Grammar Based Sentence Completions

Choose the word that correctly completes this sentence.

She could not decide whether to go to Harvard _______________ Yale. 

Possible Answers:

and 

for 

or

nor

Correct answer:

or

Explanation:

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. 

Example Question #35 : Grammar Based Sentence Completions

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.

Possible Answers:

it

None of these

but

so

Correct answer:

None of these

Explanation:

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.

Example Question #36 : Grammar Based Sentence Completions

Please choose the correct conjunction to complete the sentence.

We could go to the movies _______________ the park.

Possible Answers:

None of these

while

or

and

Correct answer:

or

Explanation:

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.

Example Question #3 : Conjunctions

Neither my grandmother __________________ my grandfather has ever left the country.

Possible Answers:

but

or

nor

and

Correct answer:

nor

Explanation:

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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