SKILL 1 : SUBJECTS AND VERBS
You
know that 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.
Example 1
______was
ringing continuously for hours.
(A) Loudly
(B) In the
morning
(C) The phone
(D) The bells
Analysis:
In this example,
you should notice immediately that there is a verb, was ringing, but there is
no subject. Answer (C) is the best answer because it is a singular subject that
agrees with the singular verb was ringing. Answer (A), loudly, and answer (B),
in the morning, are not subjects, so they are not correct. Although answer (D),
bells, could be a subject, it is not correct because bells is plural and it
does not agree with the singular verb was ringing.
EXERCISE 1
Underline the
subjects once and the verbs twice in each of the following sentences. Then
indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect ( I ).
1. My
best friend always helpful with problems. ( I )
Analysis:
The subject of the sentence above is My
best friend, but there is no Verb. So, incorrect.
The correct sentence should be My best
friend is always helpful and with problems.
2. The
bus schedule has changed since last week. (C)
Analysis:
The subject is The bus and verb is has
changed, so the sentence is Correct.
3. Accidentally
dropped the glass on the floor. ( I )
Analysis:
The sentence doesn't have a Subject. The
verb is dropped, so it is incorrect.
The correct sentence should be
Accidentally she or he dropped the glass on the floor.
4. The
customer paying the clerk for the clothes. (I)
Analysis:
The sentence doesn't have to be, is. So
incorrect
It should be The customer is paying the
clerk for the clothes.
5. The
professor handed the syllabus to the students. (C)
Analysis:
The sentence has subject, the professor
and verb, handed. So it is correct
6. Each
day practiced the piano for hours. (I)
Analysis:
The sentence doesn't have subject. The
verb is practiced. So incorrect.
It should be Each day they practiced the piano
for hours.
7. The
basketball player tossed the ball into the hoop. (C)
Analysis:
The sentence has subject, The basket
ball player and verb, tossed. So it is correct
8. The
new student in the class very talkative and friendly. (I)
Analysis:
The sentence has subject, The new
student, but no verb. So incorrect.
The correct sentence can be The new
student in the class is very talkative and friendly.
9. Walking
with the children to school.(I)
Analysis:
The sentence doesn't have a Subject. It
has main verb, walking but without tobe. So incorrect.
The correct sentence could be She/he is
walking with the children to school
10. The
whales headed south for the winter. (C)
Analysis:
The sentence has a subject, the whales
and verb, headed. So, it correct
SKILL 2 : OBJECTS OF PREPOSITION
An
object of a preposition is a noun or a pronoun that comes after a preposition
such as in, at, of to, by, behind, and on to form a prepositional phrase.
The trip (to the island) (on Saturday) will last
(for three hours).
This sentence
contains three objects of prepositions. Island is the object of the preposition
to; Saturday is the object of the preposition on; hours is the object of the
preposition for.
An object of a
preposition can cause confusion in the Structure section of the TOEFL test
because it can be mistaken for the subject of a sentence.
Example 2
To Mike ____ was
a big surprise.
(A) really
(B) the party
(C) funny
(D) when
In this example,
you should look first for the subject and the verb. You should notice the verb
was and should also notice that there is no subject. Do not think that Mike is
the subject; Mike is the object of the preposition to, and one noun cannot be
both a subject and an object at the same time. Because a subject is needed in
this sentence, answer (B), the party, is the best answer. Answers (A), (C), and
(D) are not correct because they cannot be subjects.
The
following chart outlines the key information that you should remember about
objects of prepositions.
Objects Of Prepositions : A preposition
is followed by a noun or pronoun that is called an object of the preposition.
If a word is an object of a preposition, it is not the subject.
EXERCISE 2
Each of the
following sentences contains one or more prepositional phrases. Underline the
subjects once and the verbs twice. Circle the prepositional phrases that come
before the verb. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect
(I).
1. The
name of the baby in the crib is Jack. (C)
Analysis:
Subject is The name of baby and Verb is
IS. So, it is correct
The Crib is only object of preposition
2. By the
next meeting of the class need to turn in the papers.( I)
Analysis:
Verb is need but there is no Subject.
So, it is Incorrect
The next meeting of the class is NOT
subject, it is object of preposition
3. The
directions to the exercise on page 20 unclear.
Analysis:
Subject is The directions but there is
no Verb. So, it is incorrect.
The exercise is not subject, it is
object of preposition.
4. Because
of the heavy rain throughout the night, the walkways are muddy.
Analysis:
Subject is the walkways and Verb is Are.
So, it is correct.
The heavy rain throughout the night is
only object of preposition.
5. During
the week eat lunch in the school cafeteria.
Analysis:
Verb is eat but there is no Subject. So,
it is incorrect
The week is not Subject, it is object of
preposition
6. In the
morning after the concert was tired.
Analysis:
Verb is was but there is no Subject. So,
it is incorrect.
The concert is not Subject, it is object
of preposition.
7. In the
summer the trip to the mountains is our favorite trip.
Analysis:
Subject is the trip and verb is Is. So,
it is correct
8. In a
box on the top shelf of the cabinet in the hallway of the house.
Analysis:
No Subject and No verbs.
9. With
her purse in her hand ran through the door.
Analysis:
Verb is ran but there is no Subject. So,
it is incorrect.
Her purse and her hand are only object
of preposition
10. At 1:00
in the morning the alarm clock on the table beside the bed rang.
Analysis:
Subject is the alarm clock and Verb is
rang. So, it is correct
SKILL 3 : PRESENT PARTICIPLES
Present
participles can-cause confusion in the Structure section of the TOEFL test
because a present participle can be either an adjective or a part of the verb.
A present participle is the - ing form of the verb. It is part of the verb when
it is preceded by some form of the verb be.
The train is
arriving at the station now. (Arriving is VERB)
In this sentence,
arriving is part of the verb because it is accompanied by is.
A present
participle is an adjective when it is not accompanied by some form of the verb
be.
The
train arriving at the station now is an
hour late. (Arriving is ADJECTIVE)
In this
sentence, arriving is an adjective and not part of the verb because it is not
accompanied by some form of be. The verb in this sentence is is.
The following
example shows how a present participle can be confused with the verb in the
Structure section of the TOEFL test.
Example 3
The film ____
appearing at the local theater is my favorite.
(A) now
(B) is
(C) it
(D) was
In this example,
if you look at only the first words of the sentence, it appears that film is
the subject and appearing is part of the verb. If you think that appearing is
part of the verb, you might choose answer (B), is, or answer (D), was, to
complete the verb. However, these two answers are incorrect because appearing
is not part of the verb. You should recognize that appearing is a participial
adjective rather than a verb because there is another verb in the sentence, is.
In this sentence, there is a complete subject, film, and a complete verb, is,
so this sentence does not need another subject or verb. The best answer to this
question is answer (A).
EXERCISE
3
Each of the
following sentences contains one or more present participles. Underline the
subjects once and the verbs twice. Circle the present participles, and label
them as adjectives or verbs. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or
incorrect (I).
1. The crying
baby needs to be picked up. (C)
2. The clothes are lying the floor should go into the washing machine. (I)
3. The waitress
bringing the steaming soup to the waiting diners.
4. Most of the striking workers are walking the
picket line.
5. For her birthday,
the child is getting a talking doll.
6. The setting sun creating a rainbow of colors
in the sky.
7. The ship is sailing to Mexico is leaving tonight.
8. The letters
needing immediate answers are on the desk.
9. The boring class just ending a few minutes
ago.
10. The fast-moving clouds are bringing freezing rain
to the area.
SKILL 4 : PAST PARTICIPLE
Past
participles can cause confusion in the Structure section of the TOEFL test
because a past participle can be either an adjective or a part of the verb. The
past participle is the form of the verb that appears with have or be. It often
ends in -ed, but there are also many irregular past participles in English.
The
mailman has left a letter in the mailbox. (Left is VERB)
The
classes were taught by Professor Smith. (Taught is VERB)
In the first
sentence, the past participle left is part of the verb because it is
accompanied by has. In the second sentence, the past participle taught is part
of the verb because it is accompanied by were.
A past
participle is an adjective when it is not accompanied by some form of be or
have.
The
letter left in the mailbox was for me. (Left is ADJECTIVE)
The
classes taught by Professor Smith were very interesting. (Taught is
ADJECTIVE)
In the first
sentence, left is an adjective rather than a verb because it is not accompanied
by a form of be or have (and there is a verb, was, later in the sentence). In
the second sentence, taught is an adjective rather than a verb because it is
not accompanied by a form of be or have (and there is a verb, were, later in the
sentence).
The following
example shows how a past participle can be confused with the verb in the
Structure section of the TOEFL test.
Example
The bread _____
baked this morning smelled delicious.
(A) has
(B) was
(C) it
(D) just
In this example,
if you look only at the first few words of the sentence, it appears that bread
is the subject and baked is either a complete verb or a past participle that
needs a helping verb. But if you look further in the sentence, you will see the
verb smelled. You will then recognize that baked is a participial adjective and
is therefore not part of the verb. Answers (A) and (B) are incorrect because
baked is an adjective and does not need a helping verb such as has or was.
Answer (C) is incorrect because there is no need for the subject it. Answer (D)
is the best answer to this question.
EXERCISE 4
Each
of the following sentences contains one or more past participles. Underline the
subjects once and the verbs twice. Circle the past participles, and label them
as adjectives or verbs. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or
incorrect (I).
1.
The
food is served in this restaurant is delicious. (Incorrect)
Analysis:
The
sentence should be "The food served in this restaurant is delicious".
is
served is incorrect, it should be served (past participle as an Adjective).
Subject
is The food and Verb is IS
2.
The
plane landed on the deserted runway. (Correct)
Analysis:
Subject
is The place and Verb is landed
Deserted
is past participle as an adjective
3.
The
unexpected guests arrived just at dinnertime. (Correct)
Analysis:
Subject
is unexpected guests and Verb is arrived
Unexpected
is past participle as an adjective
4.
The
courses are listed in the catalogue are required courses. (Incorrect)
Analysis:
The
sentence should be The course listed in the dialogue are required courses.
Subject
is The course and Verb is are required.
are
listed is inccorect, but it should be listed (be past participle as an
adjective)
5.
The
teacher found the lost exam. (Correct)
Analysis:
Subject
is The teacher and Verb is found
Lost
is past participle as an adjective
6.
The
small apartment very crowded and disorganized. (Incorrect)
Analysis
Subject
is the small apartment but there is no Verb
The
sentence should be The small apartment is very crowded and disorganized.
Crowded
and disorganized are past participle as adjectives.
7.
The
photographs developed yesterday showed Sam and his friends. (Correct)
Analysis:
Subject
is The photograph and Verb is showed
Developed
is past participle as adjective
8.
The
locked drawer contained the unworn jewels. (Correct)
Analysis:
Subject
is the locked drawer and Verb is contained
Locked
and unworn are past participle as adjectives
9.
The
tree was blown over in the storm was cut into logs. (Incorrect)
Analysis:
The
sentence should be The tree blown over in the storm was cut into logs
was
blown should be blown (past participle as adjective)
Subject
is The tree and verb is was cut
10. The students
registered in this course are listed on that sheet of paper. (Correct)
Analysis:
Subject
is The students and Verb is are listed
Registered
is past participle as adjective listed is past participle as verb
SKILL
5 : COORDINATE CONNECTOR
Many sentences in English have more than
one clause. (A clause is a group of words containing a subject and a verb.)
When you have two clauses in an English sentence, you must connect the two
clauses correctly. One way to connect two clauses is to use and, but, or, or so
between the clauses.
The
sun was shining and the sky was
blue.
The
sky was blue, but it was very cold.
It
may rain tonight, or it may be
clear.
It
was raining outside, so I took my
umbrella.
In
each of these examples, there are two clauses that are correctly joined with a
coordinate connector—and, but, or, or so—and a comma (,).
The
following example shows how this sentence pattern could be tested in the
Structure section of the TOEFL test.
Example
I
forgot my coat, ____ I got very cold.
(A)
then
(B)
so
(C)
later
(D)
as a result
In
this example, you should notice quickly that there are two clauses, I forgot my
coat and I got very cold. This sentence needs a connector to join the two
clauses. Then, later, and as a result are not connectors, so answers (A), (C),
and (D) are not correct. The best answer is answer (B) because so can connect
two clauses in this manner.
EXERCISE 5
Each
of the following sentences contains more than one clause. Underline the
subjects once and the verbs twice. Circle the connectors. Then indicate if the
sentences are correct ‘(C) or incorrect (I).
1. The lawn
needs water every day, or it will turn brown. (C)
Analysis:
* Both clauses are correct and coordinate connector is correct.
2. The book
was not long, it difficult to read. (I)
Analysis:
* Second clause should be it is difficult to read. There is not coordinate
connector.
3. It was
raining, so decided not to go camping. (I)
Analysis:
* Second clause has no Subject.
4. The
material has been cut, and the pieces have been sewn together. (C)
Analysis:
* Both clauses are correct and coordinate connector is correct too.
5. The
patient took all the medicine, he did not feel much better. (I)
Analysis:
* Both clauses are correct but there is no coordinate connector
6. The bill
must be paid immediately, or the electricity will be turned off. (C)
Analysis:
* Both clauses are correct and coordinate connector is correct, too
7. The
furnace broke so the house got quite cold. (I)
Analysis:
* Both clauses are correct, but there is no comma. * It should be The furnace
broke, so the house got quite cold.
8. The dress
did not cost too much, but the quality it seemed excellent. (I)
Analysis:
* Second clause has two subject; the quality and it. It should be the quality
seemed excellent. * Coordinate connector is correct.
9. The
leaves kept falling off the trees, and the boys kept raking them up, but the
yard was still covered. (C)
Analysis:
* All clauses and coordinate are connectors correct, too.
10. The mail
carrier has already delivered the mail, so the letter is not going to arrive
today, it probably will arrive tomorrow. (I)
Analysis:
* All clauses are correct, but coordinate connector So is wrong. So should be
changed with but.
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