TOEFL

Preparation
X MIPA 10
 TOEFL
Structure &
Written
Expression

1
SKILL 35: USETHE CORRECTTENSEWITHTIME EXPRESSIONS

Often in written expression questions on the TOEFL test there is a time expression that
clearly indicates what verb tense is needed in the sentence.
We moved to New York in 1980.
We had left there lJy 1990.
We have lived in San Francisco since 1999.

In the first example, the time expression in 1980 indicates that the verb should be in the
simple past (moved). In the second example, the time expression lYy 1990 indicates that the
verb should be in the past perfect (had left). In the third example, the time expression since
1999 indicates that the verb should be in the present perfect ( have lived).
Some additional time expressions that clearly indicate the correct tense are ago, last,
and lately.
She got a job two years ago.
She started working last week.
She has worked very hard lately.

In the first example, the time expression two years ago indicates that the verb should be in
the simple past (got). In the second example, the time expression last week indicates that
the verb should be in the simple past (started). In the third example, the time expression
lately indicates that the verb should be in the present perfect (has worked).
The following chart lists time expressions that indicate the correct verb tense:

USING CORRECTTENSESWITHTIME EXPRESSIONS

PAST PERFECT SIMPLE PAST PRESENT PERFECT

by (/920) (two years) ago since ( 1920)

last (year) lately
in (/920)

EXERCISE 35: Each of the following sentences contains a time expression. Circle the time
expressions and underline the verbs twice. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C)
or incorrect (I).
C I. The phone rang incessantly Qast night.)

2. They have finished contacting everyone (by 4:00 yesterday)

3. The Pilgrims have arrived in the New World in 1620.

4. Since the new law was passed, it has been difficult to estimate taxes.

5. The cashier put the money into the account two hours ago.

6. All the votes have been counted last week.

7. The students are writing many compositions lately.

8. The Senate votes on the law to ban cigarette smoking in public in 1990.

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 9. By the time the main course was served, all the guests had arrived and been seated.

10. I had not done much more work since I talked to you on Wednesday.

SKILL 32: AFTER WILL, WOULD, OR OTHER MODALS, USE THE BASE
FORM OF THEVERB

Whenever you see a modal, such as will, would, shall, should, can, could, may, might, or must,
you should be sure that the verb that follows it is in its base form.
The boat will leavin(t' at 3:00. (should be will leave)
The doctor may arrives* soon. (should be may arrive)
The students must taken* the exam. (should be must take)

The following chart outlines the use of verb forms after modals:

VERBS FORMS AFTER MODALS

MODAL + base form of the verb

EXERCISE 32: Each of the following sentences contains a verb formed with a modal.
Underline the verbs twice. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).
C 1. The salesclerk might lower the price.

2. The television movie will finishes in a few minutes.

3. Should everyone arrive by 8:00?

4. The method for organizing files can be improved.

5. The machine may clicks off if it is overused.

6. Every morning the plants must be watered.

7. The houses with ocean views could sell for considerably more.

8. Would anyone liked to see that movie?

9. I do not know when it will depart.

__ 10. She will work on the project only if she can has a full-time secretary.

3
SKIJ..L 36: USETHE CORRECTTENSEWITH WILLAND WOULD

Certain combinations of verbs are very common in English. One is the combination of the
simple present and will.
I know that they will arrive soon.
It is certain that he will graduate.

Another combination that is quite common is the combination of the simple past and
would.
I knew that he would arrive.
It was certain that he would graduate.

It is important to stress that in the combination discussed here, the present should be used
with will and the past should be used with would; they generally should not be mixed.
The common errors that must generally be avoided are the combination of the past
with will and the combination of the present with would.
I know that he wouW arrive soon.
It was certain that he wil{'I< graduate.

In the first example, the present, know, is illogical with would. It can be corrected in two dif­
ferent ways.
I knew that he would arrive soon.
I know that he will arrive soon.

In the second example, the past, was, is illogical with will. It can also be corrected in two
different ways.
It was certain that he would graduate.
It is certain that he will graduate.

The following chart outlines the use of tenses with will and would:

USING CORRECT TENSES WITH W/UAND WOULD ,.

VERB MEANING USE

,.,
will after the present do not use with past
would after the past do not use with present

NOTE: There is a different modal would that is used to make polite requests. This type of would is often used
,
with the present tense.
I would like to know if you have a pencil that J could borrow.

EXERCISE 36: Each of the following sentences contains will or would. Underline the verbs
twice and decide if the meanings are logical. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C)
or incorrect (I).
1. He knew that he will be able to pass the exam.

C 2. I think that I will leave tomorrow.

3. Paul did not say when he will finish the project.

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 4. Jake doubts that he would have time to finish the project.

5. I know that I will go if I can afford it.

6. The police officer indicated that he would write a ticket if he has the time.

7. Students will often study in the library before they go to classes or before they go
home.

8. He told me that he thought he will get the job in spite of his lack of education.

9. The executive vice president emphasizes at the conferences that the board would not
change its position.

__ 10. Students will register for classes according to who has the highest number of units.

EXERCISE (Skills 33-36): Underline the verbs twice in each of the following sentences.
Then indicate if the sentences are correct ( C) or incorrect (I).

1. When he receives the money from the insurance company two days ago, he had
already rebuilt the house.

2. The position on the city council will be filled next week when the electorate votes.

3. The dentist fills the cavities every time the x-rays show that it was necessary.

4. When the bell rang, the students have left the class.

5. The space shuttle would be launched next month if the weather is good.

6. The special delivery package has arrived by noon yesterday.

7. It is probable that the students who were tested yesterday were quite successful.

8. After forty-five students had signed up for the class, the class was closed.

9. The parking at the arena was inadequate for the tremendous number of drivers who
will want to park there.

__ 10. They have not returned to Rhode Island since they left in 1970.

TOEFL EXERCISE (Skills 33-36): Choose the letter of the underlined word or group of
words that is not correct.

1. In several of his paintings, Edward Hicks depicted the Quaker farm in Pennsylvania
A
where he spends his youth.
B C D
2. Florida has become the twenty-seventh state in the United States on March 3, 1845.
A B C: D

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 3. After last week's meeting, the advertising department quickly realized that the
A B
product will need a new slogan.
C D
4. John F. Kennedy's grandfather,John F. Fitzgerald, serves two terms as the mayor of
A B C
Boston in the beginning of the twentieth century.
D
5. Fort Ticonderoga, a strategically important fortification during the Revolution, had
A
since been reconstructed and turned into a museum.
B C D
6. In making their calculations, Institute researchers assume that the least costly form of
A B
energy would be used .
C I>
7. A twenty-one-year-old man became the second casualty yesterday when he loses
A B C
control of his truck.
D
8. Most people had written with quill pens until pens with metal points become popular
A B C D
in the middle of the nineteenth century.

9. In� determined drive to pare its debt, Time Warner is launching a stock offering
A B C
plan that would potentially raise $2.8 billion.
D
__ 10. The formula used in the study calls for either peroxide or metaldehyde, but
A B C
metaldehyde was not always available.

TOEFL REVIEW EXERCISE (Skills 1-36): Choose the letter of the word or group of
words that best completes the sentence.

1. __ in the United States declined from 2. Because of his reservations about the
twenty million in 1910 to nine million in issue, __ refused to vote for it.
the 1970s.
(A) who
(A) For a number of horses (B) and
(B) The number of horses ( C) which the senator
( C) When the number of horses (D) the senator
(D) That the number of horses

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 3. Bats avoid running into objects by __ 4. It has been estimated that if we intend to
high-frequency sounds and listening for stay above the starvation level, __ the
echoes. food supply.
(A) the emission (A) so we will have to double
(B) emitted (B) and it must double
(C) emitting (C) which it must be doubled
(D) they emit - (D) we must double

Choose the letter of the underlined word or group of words that is not correct.

5. To determine an object's force, the mass and speed of the object must be measure.
A B C D
6. The most common time for tornados to occur are in the afternoon or evening on a
A B C
hot, humid spring day.
D
7. Automakers Nissan and Ford and several aerospace research facilities in Great Britain
A
are working lately to apply active noise cancellation to entire cars and planes.
B C D
8. When a country in an early stage of development, investments in fixed capital
A B C
are vital.
D
9. John Chapman became famous in American folklore as ]0hnny Appleseed" after he
A
plants apple trees throughout the northeastern part of the United States.
B C D
__ 10. Inasmuch he kept mostly to himself, the author of The Treasure of the Sierra Madre was
A B C D
known as "the mysterious B. Treuen.

7
SENTENCES WITH MULTIPLE CLAUSES _______
Many sentences in English have more than one clause. (A clause is a group of words con­
taining a subject and a verb.) Whenever you find a sentence on the TOEFL test with more
than one clause, you need to make sure that every subject has a verb and every verb has a
subject. Next you need to check that the various clauses in the sentence are correctly
joined. There are various ways to join clauses in English. Certain patterns appear
frequently in English and on the TOEFL test. You should be very familiar with these
patterns.

SKILL 6: USE COORDINATE CONNECTORS CORRECTLY

When you have two clauses in an English sentence, you must connect the two clauses cor­
rectly. One way to connect two clauses is to use and, but, or, so, or yet between the clauses.
Tom is singing, and Paul is dancing.

Tom is tall, but Paul is short.

Tom must write the letter, or Paul will do it.

Tom told a joke, so Paul laughed.
Tom is tired, yet he is not going to sleep.

In each of these examples, there are two clauses that are correctly joined with a coordinate
conjunction and, but, or, so, or yet, and a comma (,).
The following example shows how this sentence pattern could be tested in structure
questions on the TOEFL test.

Example from the Paper and Computer TOEFL® Tests Ill I

llll@ij
A power failure occurred, __ the lamps went out.
(A) then
(B) so
(C) later
(D) next

In this example you should notice quickly that there are two clauses, a powerfailure occurred
and the lamps went out. This sentence needs a connector to join the two clauses. Then, later,
and next are not connectors, so answers (A), (C), and (D) are not correct. The best answer
is answer (B) because so can connect two clauses.
The following chart lists the coordinate connectors and the sentence pattern used with
them:

COORDINATE CONNECTORS ·
and but so yet

s V, V
She laughed., :; she wonted to cry.

8
EXERCISE 6: Each of the following sentences contains more than one clause. Underline
the subjec.ts once and the verbs twice. Circle the connectors. Then indicate if the sentences
are correct (C) or incorrect (I).
C 1. The software should be used on a laptop computer, 8 this computer is a laptop.
2. The rain clouds can be seen in the distance,@no has fallen.

3. They are trying to sell their house, it has been on the market for two months.

4. So the quality of the print was not good, I changed the typewriter ribbon.

5. The lifeguard will warn you about the riptides , or she may require you to get out of
the water.

6. You should have finished the work yesterday, yet is not close to being finished today.

7. The phone rang again and again, so the receptionist was not able to get much work
done.

8. The missing wallet was found, but the cash and credit cards had been removed.

9. Or you can drive your car for another 2,000 miles, you can get it fixed.

__ 10. The chemist was awarded the Nobel Prize, he flew to Europe to accept it.

SKILL 7: USE ADVERB TIME.AND CAUSE. CONNECTORS CORRECTLY

Sentences with adverb clauses have two basic patterns in English. Study the clauses and ·
connectors in the following sentences:
! willsign the check before you leave.
Before you leave,! will sign the check.
In each of these examples, there are two clauses: you /,eave and / will sign the check, and the
clause you /,eave is an adverb time clause because it is introduced with the connector before.
In the first example the connector before comes in the middle of the sentence, and no
comma (,) is used. In the second example the connector before comes at the beginning of
the sentence. In this pattern, when the connector comes at the beginning of the sentence,
a comma (,) is required in the middle of the sentence.
The following example shows how this sentence pattern could be tested in structure
questions on the TOEFL test.

Example from the Paper and Computer TOEFL® Tests [II] 1

lf2ZJU!I

__ was late, I missed the appointment.

(A) I
(B) Because
(C) The train
(D) Since he

9
In this example you should recognize easily that there is a verb, was, that needs a subject.
There is also another clause, I missed the appointment. If you choose answer (A) or answer
(C), you will have a subject for the verb was, but you will not have a connector to join the
two clauses. Because you need a connector to join two clauses, answers (A) and (C) are
incorrect. Answer (B) is incorrect because there is no subject for the verb was. Answer (D)
is the best answer because there is a subject, he, for the verb was, and there is a connector,
since, to join the two clauses.
The following chart lists adverb time and cause connectors and the sentence patterns
used with them:

ADVERBTIMEAND CAUSE CONNECTORS

TIME CAUSE

a�er as soon as once when as now that

as before since whenever because since
as long as by the time until while inasmuch as

I adverb connector I
,,

s V s V
Teresa went inside because it was raining.

I adverb connector I s V, s V
Because it was raining, Teresa went inside.

EXERCISE 7: 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).
C 1. (since) the bank closes in less than an hour, the deposits need to be tallied
immediately.

2. Their backgrounds are thoroughly investigated (befor� are admitted to the

organization.

3. The citizens are becoming more and more incensed about traffic accidents whenever
the accidents occur at that intersection.

4. The ground had been prepared, the seedlings were carefully planted.

5. We can start the conference now that all the participants have arrived.

6. The building quite vulnerable to damage until the storm windows are installed.

7. Once the address label for the package is typed, can be sent to the mail room.

8. Because the recent change in work shifts was not posted, several workers missed their
shifts.

9. The mother is going to be quite upset with her son as long as he misbehaves so much.

__ 10. Inasmuch as all the votes have not yet been counted the outcome of the election
cannot be announced.

10
SKILL 8: USE OTHER ADVERB CONNECTORS CORRECTLY

Adverb clauses can express the ideas of time and cause, as you saw in Skill 7; adverb clauses
can also express a number of other ideas, such as contrast, condition, manner, and place.
Because these clauses are adverb clauses, they have the same structure as the time and
cause clauses in Skill 7. Study the following examples:
! will leave at 7:00 if! am ready.
Although! was late, ! managed to catch the train.

In each of these examples, there are two clauses that are correctly joined with adverb con­
nectors. In the first sentence, the adverb condition connector ifcomes in the middle of the
sentence. In the second sentence, the adverb contrast connector although comes at the
beginning of the sentence, and a comma (,) is used in the middle of the sentence.
The following example shows a way that this sentence pattern can be tested in the
Structure section of the TOEFL test.

Example from the Paper and Computer TOEFL® Tests l!II]

You will get a good grade on the exam provided __
(A) studying
(B) study
(C) to study
(D) you study

In this example you should quickly notice the adverb condition connector provided. This
connector comes in the middle of the sentence; because it is a connector, it must be fol­
lowed by a subject and a verb. The best answer to this question is answer (D), which con­
tains the subject and verb you study.
The following chart lists adverb contrast, condition, manner, and place connectors and the
sentence patterns used with them:

OTHER ADVERB CONNECTORS

CONDITION CONTRAST MANNER PLACE

if although as where
in case even though in that wherever
provided though
providing while
unless whereas
whether

s V (adverb connector) s V
Bob went to school even though he felt sick.

(adverb connector) s V, s V
E.ven though B!>b felt sick, he went to school.
NOTE: A comma is often used in the middle of the sentence'with a contrast connector.
The Smith family arrived at 2:00, while the Jones family arrived an hour later.
.·,:-,·

11
EXERCISE 8: 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).
C 1. It is impossible to enter that program@you lack experience as a teacher.

2. The commandant left strict orders about the passes, several soldiers left the post
anyway.

3. No one is admitted to the academy unless he or she the education requirements.

4. While most students turned the assignment in on time, a few asked for an extension.

5. I will take you wherever need to go to complete the registration procedures.

6. I will wait here in the airport with you whether the plane leaves on time or not.

7. Providing the envelope is postmarked by this Friday, your application still acceptable.

8. As the nurse already explained all visitors must leave the hospital room now.

9. This exam will be more difficult than usual in that it covers two chapters instead
of one.

__ I 0. Though snow had been falling all day long, everyone got to the church on time for
the wedding.

EXERCISE (Skills 6-8): Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice in each of the fol­
lowing sentences. Circle the connectors. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or
incorrect (I).
1. Until the registrar makes a decision about your status, you must stay in an unclassified
category.

2. Or the bills can be paid by mail by the first of the month.

3. The parents left a phone number with the baby-sitter in case a problem with the
children.

4. The furniture will be delivered as soon it is paid for.

5. Whenever you want to hold the meeting, we will schedule it.

6. The government was overthrown in a revolution, the king has not returned to his
homeland.

7. Whereas most of the documents are complete, this form still needs to be notarized.

8. Trash will be collected in the morning, so you should put the trash cans out tonight.

9. It is impossible for the airplane to take off while is snowing so hard.

__ 10. We did not go out to dinner tonight even though I would have preferred not to cook.

12
TOEFL EXERCISE (Skills 6-8): Choose the letter of the word or group of words that best
completes the sentence.

1. The president of the United States 3. Like Thomas Berger's fictional character
appoints the cabinet members, __ Little Big Man, Lauderdale managed to
appointments are subject to Senate find himself where __ of important
approval. events took place.
(A) their (A) it was an extraordinary number
(B) with their (B) there was an extraordinary number
(C) because their (C) an extraordinary number
(D) but their (D) an extraordinary number existed

2. The prisoners were prevented from 4. __ sucked groundwater from below,

speaking to reporters because __ some parts of the city have begun to sink
as much as ten inches annually.
(A) not wanting the story in the papers
(B) the story in the papers the (A) Pumps have
superintendent did not want (B) As pumps have
(C) the public to hear the story (C) So pumps have
(D) the superintendent did not want (D) With pumps
the story in the papers

5 ,. Case studies are the target of much 8. __ or refinanced, the lender will
skepticism in the scientific community, generally require setting up an escrow
__ used extensively by numerous account to ensure the payment of
researchers. property taxes and homeowner's
Insurance.
(A) they are
(B) are (A) A home is
(C) yet they (B) A home is bought
(D) yet they are (C) When a home
(D) When a home is bought
6. According to the hypothesis in the study,
the monarchs pick up the magnetic field 9. If ultraviolet radiation enters the Earth's
of the __ migrate by following atmosphere, __ generally blocked by
magnetic fields. the ozone concentrated in the
atmosphere.
(A) target monarchs
(B) target since monarchs (A) it
(C) target since monarchs are (B) it is
(D) target (C) so it is
(D) then it
7. __ show the relations among
neurons, they do not preclude the 10. Among human chromosomes, the Y
possibility that other aspects are chromosome is unusual __ most of
important. the chromosome does not participate in
meiotic recombination.
(A) Neural theories
(B) A neural theory (A) Ill
(C) Although neural theories (B) so
(D) However neural theories (C) and
(D) in that

13
 TOEFL
Reading
Comprehension

14
INDIRECTLY ANSWERED QUESTIONS ________
Some questions in the Reading section of both the paper TOEFL test and the computer
TOEFL test will require answers that are not directly stated in the passage. To answer these
multiple-choice questions correctly, you will have to draw conclusions from information
that is given in the passage. Two common types of indirectly answered questions are (1)
implied detail questions, and (2) transition questions.

SKILL 6: ANSWER IMPLIED DETAIL QUESTIONS CORRECTLY

You will sometimes be asked to answer a multiple-choice question about a reading passage
by drawing a conclusion from a specific detail or details in the passage. Questions of this
type contain the words implied, inferred, likely, or probably to let you know that the answer to
the question is not directly stated. In this type of question, it is important to understand
that you do not have to "pull the answer out of thin air." Instead, some information will be
given in the passage, and you will draw a conclusion from that information. Look at a mul­
tiple-choice example of an implied detail question from the paper TOEFL test.

Example from the Paper TOEFL Test

The passage:
The Hawaiian language is a melodious language in
which all words are derived from an alphabet of only twelve
letters, the five vowels a, e, i, o, u and the seven consonants h,
Line k, l, m, n, p, w. Each syllable in the language ends in a vowel,
(5) and two consonants never appear together, so vowels have a
much higher frequency in the Hawaiian language than they
do in English.
This musical-sounding language can be heard regularly
by visitors to the islands. Most Hawaiians speak English, but it
(10) is quite common to hear English that is liberally spiced with
words and expressions from the traditional language of the
culture. A visitor may be greeted with the expression aloha and
may be referred to as a malihini because he is a newcomer to
the island. The visitor may attend an outside luau where
( 15) everyone eats too much and be invited afterwards to dance
the hula.

The question:
Which of the following is probably NOT a Hawaiian word?
(A) mahalo
(B) mahimahi
(C) meklea
(D) moana

15
This question asks which word is probably NOT a Hawaiian word. To answer this question,
you should refer to the part of the passage where it states that in the Hawaiian language two
consonants never appear together. From this, you can draw the conclusion that answer (C), mek­
lea, is probably not a Hawaiian word because the consonants k and l appear together, so
answer (C) is the best answer to this question.
Now look at a multiple-choice example of an implied detail question from the com­
puter TOEFL test.

Example from the Computer TOEFL Test

Reading

The Hawaiian language is a melodious language in "';: • It is implied in the passage that a luau i�
which all words are derived from an alphabet of only
twelve letters, the five vowels a, e, i, o, u and the seven
0 a dance
consonants h, k, I, m, n, p, w. Each syllable in the language
0 a feast
ends in a vowel, and two consonants never appear 0 a concert
together, so vowels have a much higher frequency in the 0 a language
Hawaiian language than they do in English.
This musical-sounding language can be heard regularly
by visitors to the islands. Most Hawaiians speak English,
but it is quite common to hear English that is liberally
spiced with words and expressions from the traditional
language of the culture. A visitor may be greeted with
the expression aloha and may be referred to as a malihini
because he is a newcomer to the island. The visitor may
attend an outside luau where everyone eats too much
and be invited afterwards to dance the hula.

u .... a
I ' • , .
,_

This question asks what is implied in the passage about a luau. To answer this question, you
should refer to the part of the passage where it mentions a luau where everyone eats too much.
From this, you can draw the conclusion that a luau is a feast, which is a very large meal. The
second answer is therefore the best answer to this question.
The following chart outlines the key information that you should remember about
implied detail questions:

IMPLIED DETAIL QUESTIONS Ill] JI!

--
HOWTO IDENTIFY on both paper It is Implied in the passage that...
THE QUESTION and computer It can be inferred from the passage that...
tests It is most likely that...
,· What probably happened... ?

WHERETO FIND The answers to these questions are generally found in order in the
THEANSWER passage.

HOW TO ANSWER I. Choose a key word in the question.

THE QUESTION 2. Scan the passage for the key word (or a related idea).
3. Carefully read the sentence that contains the key word.
4. Look for an answer that could be true, according to that sentence.

16
 TOEFL EXERCISE 6: Study each of the passages and choose the best answers to the ques-
tions that follow.

PASSAGE ONE (Questions 1-2)

Eskimos need efficient and adequate means to travel across water in that the areas where
they live are surrounded by oceans, bays, and inlets and dotted with lakes and seas. Two different
types of boats have been developed by the Eskimos, each constructed to meet specific needs.
Line The kayak is something like a canoe that has been covered by a deck. A kayak is generally
(5) constructed with one opening in the deck for one rider; however, some kayaks are made for two.
Because the deck of a kayak is covered over except for the hole (or holes) for its rider (or riders),
a kayak can tip over in the water and roll back up without filling with water and sinking. One of
the primary uses of the kayak is for hunting.
The umiak is not closed over, as is the kayak. Instead, it is an open boat that is built to hold
(10) ten to twelve passengers. Eskimos have numerous uses for the umiak which reflect the size of the
boat; e.g. the umiak is used to haul belongings from campsite to campsite, and it is used for
hunting larger animals that are too big to be hunted in a kayak.

1. It is implied in the passage that if a kayak 2. It can be inferred from the passage that
has two holes, then an example of the animals mentioned
might be
(A) it accommodates two riders
(B) it is less stable than a kayak with (A) a kangaroo
one hole (B) a snake
(C) it is as large as an umiak (C) a whale
(D) it cannot be used on the ocean \,,(D) a salmon

PASSAGE TWO (Questions 3-5)

Two types of trees from the same family of frees share honors in certain respects as the most
impressive of trees. Both evergreen conifers, the California redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) and
the giant sequoia (Sequoiandendron giganteum) are found growing natively only in the state of
Line California. The California redwood is found along the northern coast of the state, while the giant
(5) sequoia is found inland and at higher elevations, along the western slopes of the Sierra Nevadas.
The California redwood is the tallest living tree and is in fact the tallest living thing on the
face of the earth; the height of the tallest redwood on record is 385 feet (120 meters). Though not
quite as tall as the California redwood, with a height of 320 feet (100 meters), the giant sequoia is
nonetheless the largest and most massive of living things; giant sequoias have been measured at
(10) more than 100 feet (30 meters) around the base, with weights of more than 6,000 tons.

3. It is implied in the passage that 4. It can be inferred from the passage that
the Sierra Nevadas are
(A) the leaves of only the California
redwood turn brown in the (A) a type of giant redwood
autumn (B) a coastal community
(B) the leaves of only the giant sequoia (C) a group of lakes
turn brown in the winter (D) a mountain range
(C) the leaves of both types of trees in
the passage turn brown in the
winter
(D) the leaves of neither type of tree in
the passage turn brown in the
winter

17
 5. Which of the following is implied in the
passage?
(A) The giant sequoia is taller than the
California redwood.
(B) The California redwood is not as
big around as the giant sequoia.
(C) The California redwood weighs
more than the giant sequoia.
(D) Other living things are larger than
the giant sequoia.

PASSAGE THREE (Questions 6-8)

Probably the most recognized board game around the world is the game of Monopoly. In
this game, players vie for wealth by buying, selling, and renting properties; the key to success in
the game, in addition to a bit of luck, is for a player to acquire monopolies on clusters of
Line properties in order to force opponents to pay exorbitant rents and fees.
(5) Although the game is now published in countless languages and versions, with foreign
locations and place names appropriate to the target language adorning its board, the beginnings
of the game were considerably more humble. The game was invented in 1933 by Charles Darrow,
during the height of the Great Depression. Darrow, who lived in Germantown, Pennsylvania, was
himself unemployed during those difficult financial times. He set the original game not as might
(JO) be expected in his hometown of Germantown, but in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the site of numerous
pre-Depression vacations, where he walked along the Boardwalk and visited Park Place. Darrow
made the first games by hand and sold them locally until Parker Brothers purchased the rights to
Monopoly in 1935 and took the first steps toward the mass production of today.

6. The French version of Monopoly might 8. Parker Brothers is probably

possibly include a piece of property
(A ) a real estate company
entitled
(B ) a game manufacturing company
(A) Atlantic City, New Jersey (C) a group of Charles Darrow's friends
(B) Germantown, Pennsylvania (D ) a toy design company
(C) Boardwalk
(D) the Eiffel Tower

7. It is implied that Darrow selected

Atlantic City as the setting for Monopoly
because
(A) it brought back good memories
(B) his family came from Atlantic City
(C) the people of Germantown might
have been angered if he had used
Germantown
(D) Atlantic City was larger than
Germantown

18
SK1LL 7: ANSWER TRANSITION QUESTIONS CORRECTLY

You will sometimes be asked on both the paper TOEFL test and the computer TOEFL test
to answer a multiple-choice question about what probably came before the reading passage
(in the preceding paragraph) or what probably comes after the reading passage (in the fol­
lowing paragraph). Of course, the topic of the preceding or following paragraph is not
directly stated, and you must draw a conclusion to determine what is probably in these
paragraphs.
This type of question is a transition question. It asks you to demonstrate that you under­
stand that good writing contains transitions from one paragraph to the next. A paragraph
may start out with the idea of the previous paragraph as a way of linking the ideas in the
two paragraphs. A paragraph may also end with an idea that will be further developed in
the following paragraph. Look at a multiple-choice example of a transition question from
the paper TOEFL test that asks you to identify what was probably in the preceding para­
graph.

Example from the Paper TOEFL Test

The passage:
Another myth of the oceans concerns Davy Jones, who in
folklore is a mean-spirited sovereign of the ocean's depths.
The name 'Jones" is thought by some etymologists to have
Line been derived from the name 'Jonah," the Hebrew prophet
(5) who spent three days in a whale's belly.
According to tradition, any object that goes overboard
and sinks to the bottom of the ocean is said to have gone to
Davy Jones's locker, the ocean-sized, mythical receptacle for
anything that falls into the water. Needless to say, any sailor on
(10) the seas is not so eager to take a tour of Davy Jones's locker,
although it might be a rather interesting trip considering all
the treasures located there.

The question:
The paragraph preceding this passage most probably discusses
(A) the youth of Davy Jones
(B) Davy Jones's career as a sailor
(C) a different traditional story from the sea
(D) preparing to travel on the ocean

This question asks about the topic of the preceding paragraph, so you must look at the begin­
ning of the passage and draw a conclusion about what probably came before. Since the pas­
sage begins with the expression another myth of the oceans, you should understand that the
new passage is going to present a second myth of the oceans and the previous passage proba­
bly presented the first myth of the oceans. A myth is a traditional story, so the best answer to
this question is answer (C), which discusses a different traditional story from the sea.

19
 Now look at a multiple-choice example from the computer TOEFL test that asks you to
identify what is probably in the following paragraph.

Example from the Computer TOEFL Test

Re.ridln .,1

Another myth of the oceans concerns Davy Jones, <} The topic of the paragraph following
who in folklore is a mean-spirited sovereign of the the passage most likely is
ocean's depths. The name "Jones" is thought by some 0 valuable items located at the
etymologists to bave been d�rived from the name bottom of the ocean
"Jonah," the Hebrew prophet who spent three days in a 0 where Davy Jones is found today
whale's belly.
According to tradition, any object that goes
0 Jonah and the whale
overboard and sinks to the bottom of the ocean is said 0 preventing objects from falling
overboard
to have gone to Davy Jones's locker, the ocean-sized,
mythical receptacle for anything that falls into the water.
I
Needless to say, any sailor on the seas is not so eager to
take a tou� of Davy Jones's locker, although it might be a
I rather interesting trip considering all the treasures
located there.

This question asks about the topic of the following paragraph, so you must look at the end
of the passage and draw a conclusion about what probably comes after. The passage ends
with the mention of all the treasures located there, and there is in Davy Jones's locker, or at the
bottom of the ocean; this is probably going to be the topic of the next paragraph. The first
answer, which discusses valuabl,e items located at the bottom of the ocean is therefore the best
answer, so you should click on the first answer to this question.
The following chart outlines the key information that you should remember about
transition questions:

TRANSITION QUESTIONS (D !:I!

HOWTO IDENTIFY on both paper The paragraph ,preceding the passage probably...
THE QUESTION and computer What is most likely in the paragraph following the
tests Ill a passage?

WHERETO FIND The answer can generally be found in the first line of the passage for a
THE ANSWER preceding question. The answer can generally be found in the last line for a
following question.

HOW TO ANSWER I. Read the first line for a preceding question.

THE QUESTION 2. Read the last line for a following question.
3. Draw a conclusion about what comes before or a�er.
4. Choose the answer that is reflected in the first or last line of the
passage.

20
 TOEFL
r•
EXERCISE 7: Study each of the passages and choose the best answers to the ques-
tions that follow.

PASSAGE ONE (Questions 1-2)

Another program instrumental in the popularization of science was Cosmos. This series,
broadcast on public television, dealt with topics and issues from varied fields of science. The
principal writer and narrator of the program was Carl Sagan, a noted astronomer and Pulitzer
Prize-winning author.

1. The paragraph preceding this passage 2. The paragraph following this passage
most probably discusses most likely contains information on
what?
(A) a different scientific television
senes (A) The popularity of science
(B) Carl Sagan's scientific (B) The program Cosmos
achievements (C) The astronomer Carl Sagan
(C) the Pulitzer Prize won by Carl (D) Topics and issues from various
Sagan fields of science
(D) public television

PASSAGE TWO (Questions 3-4)

When a strong earthquake occurs on the ocean floor rather than on land, a tremendous
force is exerted on the seawater and one or more large, destructive waves called tsunamis can be
formed. Tsunamis are commonly called tidal waves in the United States, but this is really an
Line inappropriate name in that the cause of the tsunami is an underground earthquake rather than
(5) the ocean's tides.
Far from land, a tsunami can move through the wide open vastness of the ocean at a speed of
600 miles (900 kilometers) per hour and often can travel tremendous distances without losing
height and strength. When a tsunami reaches shallow coastal water, it can reach a height of 100
feet (30 meters) or more and can cause tremendous flooding and damage to coastal areas.

3. The paragraph preceding the passage
most probably discusses
(A) tsunamis in various parts of the
world
(B) the negative effects of tsunamis
(C) land-based earthquakes
(D) the effect of tides on tsunamis
4. Which of the following is most likely the
topic of the paragraph following the
passage?
(A) The causes of tsunamis
(B) The destructive effects of tsunamis
on the coast
(C) The differences between tsunamis
and tidal waves
(D) The distances covered by tsunamis

21
 PASSAGE THREE (Questions 5-6)

While draft laws are federal laws, marriage laws are state laws rather than federal; marriage
regulations are therefore not uniform throughout the country. The legal marriage age serves as
an example of this lack of conformity. In most states, both the man and the woman must be at
Line least eighteen years old to 1narry without parental consent; however, the states of Nebraska and
(5) Wyoming require the couple to be at least nineteen, while the minimum age in Mississippi is
twenty-one. If parental permission is given, then a couple can marry at sixteen in some states, and
a few states even allow marriage before the age of sixteen, though a judge's permission, in
addition to the permission of the parents, is sometimes required in this situation. Some states
which allow couples to marry at such a young age are now considering doing away with such early
(JO) marriages because of the numerous negative effects of these young marriages.

5. The paragraph preceding the passage 6. The topic of the paragraph following the
most probably discusses passage is most likely to be
(A) state marriage laws (A) disadvantages of youthful
(B) the lack of uniformity in marriage marriages
laws (B) reasons why young people decide
(C) federal draft laws to marry
(D) the minimum legal marriage age (C) the age when parental consent for
marriage is required
(D) a discussion of why some states
allow marriages before the age of
sixteen

TOEFL EXERCISE (Skills 6-7): Study each of the passages and choose the best answers to
the questions that follow.

PASSAGE ONE (Questions 1-4)

The most conservative sect of the Mennonite Church is the Old Order Amish, with 33,000
members living mainly today in the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana. Their lifestyle
reflects their belief in the doctrines of separation from the world and simplicity of life. The Amish
Line have steadfastly rejected the societal changes that have occurred in the previous three hundred
(5) years, preferring instead to remain securely rooted in a seventeenth-century lifestyle. They live on
farms without radios, televisions, telephones, electric lights, and cars; they dress in plainly styled
and colored old-fashioned clothes; and they farm their lands with horses and tools rather than
modern farm equipment. They have a highly communal form of living, with barn raisings and
quilting bees as commonplace activities.

1. The paragraph preceding this passage 2. Which of the following would probably
most probably discusses NOT be found on an Amish farm?
(A) other, more liberal sects of (A) A hammer
Mennonites (B) A cart
(B) where Mennonites live (C) A long dress
(C) the communal Amish lifestyle (D) A refrigerator
(D) the most conservative Mennonites

22
 3.r It can be inferred from the passage that 4. Which of the following is most likely the
a quilting bee topic of the paragraph following the
passage?
(A) involves a group of people
(B) is necessary when raising bees (A) The effects of the communal
(C) always follows a barn raising lifestyle on the Old Order Amish
(D) provides needed solitude (B) How the Old Order Amish differ
from the Mennonites
(C) The effect of modern technology
on the Old Order Amish
(D) The doctrines of the Old Order
Amish

PASSAGE TWO (Questions 5-8)

Various other Native Am�rican tribes also lived on the Great Plains. The Sioux, a group of
seven Native American tribes, are best known for the fiercely combative posture against
encroaching White civilization in the 1800s. Although they are popularly referred to as Sioux,
Line these Native American tribes did not call themselves Sioux; the name was given to them by an
(5) enemy tribe. The seven Sioux tribes called themselves by some variation of the word Dakota,
which means "allies" in their language. Four tribes of the eastern Sioux community living in
Minnesota were known by the name Dakota. The Nakota included two tribes that left the eastern
woodlands and moved out onto the plains. The Teton Sioux, or Lakota, moved even farther west
to the plains of the present-day states of North Dakota, South D�kota, and Wyoming.

5. The paragraph preceding this passage 7. It is implied in the passage that the seven
most probably discusses Sioux tribes called each other by some
form of the word Dakota because they
(A) how the Sioux battled the white were
man
(B) one of the tribes of the plains (A) united in a cause
(C) where the Sioux lived (B) all living in North Dakota
(D) Native American tribes on the East (C) fiercely combative
Coast ( D) enemies

6. Which of the following represents a
likely reaction of the Sioux in the 1800s
to the encroaching white civilization?
(A) The Sioux would probably help the
whites to settle in the West.
(B) The Sioux would probably attack
the white settlers.
(C) The Sioux would probably invite
the whites to smoke a peace pipe.
(D) The Sioux would probably join
together in hunting parties with
the white settlers.
8. It can be inferred from the passage that
the present-day states of North and
South Dakota
(A) are east of Minnesota
(B) are home to the four tribes known
by the name Dakota
(C) received their names from the
tribes living there
(D) are part of the eastern woodlands

23
 PASSAGE THREE (Questions 9-12)

The extinction of many species of birds has undoubtedly been hastened by modern man;
since 1600 it has been estimated that approximately 100 bird species have become extinct over
the world. In North America, the first species known to be annihilated was the great auk, a
Line flightless bird that served as an easy source of food and bait for Atlantic fishermen through the
(5) beginning of the nineteenth century.
Shortly after the great auk's extinction, two other North American species, the Carolina
parakeet and the passenger pigeon, began dwindling noticeably in numbers. The last Carolina
parakeet and the last passenger pigeon .in captivity both died in September 1914. In addition to
these extinct species, several others such as the bald eagle, the peregrine falcon, and the
(JO) California condor are today recognized as endangered; steps are being taken to prevent their
extinction.

9. The number of bird species that have 11. It can be inferred from the passage that
become extinct in the United States the great auk was killed because
since 1600 most probably is
(A) it was eating the fishermen's catch
(A) more than 100 (B) fishermen wanted to eat it
(B) exactly 100 (C) it flew over fishing areas
(C) less than 100 (D) it baited fishermen
(D) exactly three
12. The paragraph following this passage
10. The passage implies that the great auk most probably discusses
disappeared
(A) what is being done to save
(A) before 1600 endangered birds
(B) in the 1600s (B) what the bald eagle symbolizes to
(C) in the 1800s Americans
(D) in the last fifty years (C) how several bird species became
endangered
(D) other extinct species

24
 APPENDIX C: Idioms
DIRECTIONS: Each of the following sentences contains an idiom in italics. Read the sen­
tence and try to understand the idiom. Then find the meaning of the idiom in the list
that follows, and write the letter of the answer on the line.

EXERCISE Cl

I. He's holding down two jobs and attending school. He's really burningthe
candle at both ends.
2. She's buying a lot of new furniture before she even has a job. She's putting
the cart before the horse.
3. Every time he opens his mouth, he immediately regrets what he said.
He's always putting his foot in his mouth.
4. He's not telling me exactly what happened. He's beatingaround the bush.
5. She wanted.to get that man's phone number, but she wasn't sure of his
last name or where he lived. It was like looking/or a needle in a hayst:ack.
6. He's always too fast and out of control on his motorcycle. He's playing
with fire.
7. She keeps asking if I was the one who was spreading rumors about her,
but I wasn't. She's barking up the wrong tree.
8. He took the best portions for himself and didn't leave enough for the
others. He's just lookingout for number one.
9. She's been working on that assignment for over two months, and I don't
think she's ever going to finish it. She's t:akingforever and a day.
10. She has to go to the bank, and while she's out she'll stop and visit her
friend. She's killing-two birds with one stone.
11. He was admitted to Harvard, and he would have gone there but he forgot
to send in the appropriate form in time. He has really missed the boat.
1 2. I know that you thought that this part of the program was difficult, but
wait until you see the next part. You'rejumpingout of thefryingpan and
into the fire.

DEFINITIONS-Exercise CI

A. making a mistake G. missed an opportunity

B. accomplishing two things at once H. saying embarrassing things
C. doing something dangerous I. speaking indirectly
D. doing things in the wrong order J. doing something difficult
E. going from bad to worse K. taking a really long time
F. doing too much L. thinking only about himself

25
EXERCISEC2

1. His only two choices are to give up his free time or to pay a lot of money,
and he doesn't like either choice. He's between a rock and a hard place.
2. She got 100 percent on the exam and the other students were below 70
percent. She's head and shoulders above the rest.
3. Every day he fixes meals, cleans the apartment, and goes to the market.
It's all in a day's work.
4. She's a well-known lawyer, a good skier, a great cook, and a painter. She's
a jack-of-all-trades.
5. Every time he puts the toys away, the children just take them out again.
Keeping the house clean when the children are there is like trying to swim
upstream.
6. Anytime I need help I go to her because I know she'll help me any way
she can. She's one in a million.
7. · He thought he was going to have to come into the office and work on
both Saturday and Sunday, but now he doesn't have to. He's of/the hook.
8. She and her classmates all have to read five chapters, write a paper, and
prepare for an exam this week. They' re all in the same boat.
9. He and his brother have the same hair, the same eyes, the same smile,
and the same expressions. They're like two peas in a pod.
10. When I saw him with an older man, I just knew that the man had to be his
father. He's a chip off the old block.
11. She's had so much to do to get ready for the trip that she's been running
around all day. Now she's on her last legs.
12. I can't think of the answer, but it will come to me in just a minute. It's on
the tip of my tongue.

-:. ·:·-·

DEFINITIONS--Exercise Cl
A. very tired in the same situation
B. the best nothing out of the ordinary
c. exactly alike accomplished at many things
D. really wonderful an idea that is not in words
E. really difficult or frustrating not responsible any longer
F. just like his father > without any good options

26
EXBRCISEC3

1. Do you think you could help me out with the math homework? Two heads
are better than one.
2. What was it like when the announcement of the disaster came over the
radio? You could have heard a pin drop.
3. We could either go out to dinner tonight or stay home and cook. Six of
one, half dozen of the other.
4. I know you like the food at this restaurant, but I just don't care for it. To
each his own.
5. I got to the bank just one minute after closing time.Just my luck.
6. My boss has asked me to respond immediately to this fax. No sooner said
than done.
7. Don't worry about what the boss just said to you. His bark is worse than
his bite.
8. It seems impossible for me to go to graduate school because I just can't
afford it. But I'm going to try. Where there's a will, there's a way!
9. Everything seems to be going the way that it should. So far, so good!
10. Just think that because you locked your keys in the car, you got to meet
that nice, handsome, young locksmith. Every cloud has a silver lining!
11. I've got to accept the fact that it's going to take more than seven years of
school if I want to become a doctor. After all, Rome wasn't built in a day.
12 . She loves my wardrobe, but I wish I had her clothes. The grass is always
greener on the other side of the fence.

DEFINITIONS-Exerc:ise/E.3
.-::.-..... .·· .·

A. It was really quiet. G. Badt�ingfare.a�companied by good.

B. It's good to work together. H. You always wanfwhat you don't have.
C. It's been going well up to now. I. .�\.Everycine has a different opinion.
D. I'm not so fortunate. J. · .• His words are worse than his actions.
E. It doesn't matter. .K. , l.fyou �!l'l� som�tbing, you can do it.
F. It will be done immediately. L. {EVerythJng takes time.

27
EXERCISEC4

1. He finally got ajob; he couldn't continue to sit around doing nothing. He

had to -turn over a new leaf.
2. When he told his mother that he didn't need to study for the exam
because he knew he would get a good grade, his mother responded,
"Don't count your chickens before they're hatched. "
3. When I asked my friend to do some of my work for me, she replied that I
would have to stand on my own two feet.
4. You've been offered thisjob, and the offer may not remain on the table
for too long, so you'd better take this one while you have the chance. You
need to strike while the iron is hot.
5. When you guessed that I would get the promotion, you hit the nail right on
the head.
6. Before you accept the position, you should find out everything you can
about the company. You should look before you leap.
7. She was appointed to the environmental protection committee, and she's
really excited because this is something she's been interested in for some
time. This is something she can si,nk her teeth into.
8. If you want to be the one who gets noticed at work, you need to dot all the
i's and cross all the t's on every task that you do.
9. You need to learn to relax. Every time there's a lot of work to do, youjust
run around like a chicken with its head cut off.
10. I really prepared for that exam. It should be a piece of cake.
11. She thinks she should confess what she did, but no one really seems
interested in knowing. Instead, she decides to let sleeping dogs lie.
12. He never has to work for anything because his parents will give him
anything he asks for. He seems to have been born with a silver spoon in his
mouth.

A. start over again were exactly right

B. be extremely easy depend on something you don't have
C. do it myself · be spoiled
D. pay attention to every detail get really involved in
E. think before you act \. take advantage of a good opportunity
F. leave something alone·. . ..... act o;erly nervous and excited

28