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A. Grammar 1.1: Part A (Comparatives, Concessions, Conditions)

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1. Choose the conditional word in this sentence: The English language is difficult but you
can learn if you study carefully.

but
if
carefully
learn
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A. Grammar 1.1: Part A (Comparatives, Concessions, Conditions)

Instructions for Students:

Unlike previous English lessons, you will not receive the FULL TEST until after you have completed ALL 8
LESSONS. More instructions are in the Test Section. God bless you as you begin your study.

INTRODUCTION

Making a high score on the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) could greatly improve your
chances of enrolling in the American college or university of your choice. As you prepare for the TOEFL, you
will need to utilize every source of help available. The WEI Advanced English Course is designed to help you
prepare for the TOEFL.

WEI does not give the TOEFL. Neither does WEI help students enroll in a college/university in America. Our
only task is to help you help yourself.

When the WEI Advanced English Course was written , the TOEFL was given at designated locations in printed
form. Now, the TOEFL iBT (Internet Based Test) is given on the Internet, and the format has been altered.
Instead of three sections, the TOEFL iBT has four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing.
Speaking has been added.

The Reading Section tests your ability to read and understand written material similar to the written material
found in college textbooks.

The Listening Section tests your ability to comprehend spoken English typical of academic lectures found on
a college campus.
The Speaking Section tests your ability to express your thoughts orally in an academic setting.

The Writing Section tests your ability to write essays in English similar to those written in college or university
courses.

Even though the WEI Advanced English Course is formatted like the old TOEFL, it covers most of the same
material in the TOEFL iBT. It will, therefore, be of great value as you prepare for the TOEFL iBT.

The WEI Advanced English Course has been written by Richard N. Ady and copyrighted © 1996 by World
English Institute; 1525 NW Division; Gresham, Oregon 97030. Telephone: (503) 661-0348. Fax: (503) 666-
8309. Web site: www.weiady.org. This is the 2018 edition.

English Grammar Lesson One of Advanced 1

Section I of the TOEFL ("Listening Comprehension") is divided into three parts: Part A, Part B, and Part C. This
lesson will help you prepare for Part A.

Nine Problem Areas

As you prepare for Section I of the TOEFL, you should give special attention to nine problem areas:
(1) comparative words and phrases,
(2) concession words and clauses,
(3) conditional sentences,
(4) homonyms and homophones,
(5) American English idioms,
(6) negative words and sentences,
(7) modals and perfectives,
(8) references, and
(9) numbers and simple mathematical calculations.

If you are not familiar with some of the words in this list, do not be concerned. They will be explained as we
examine the problem areas.

Comparative Words and Phrases

In order to comprehend some of the statements that you will hear in Section I of the TOEFL, you will need to
understand comparative words such as
"less," "more," and "same." These words are used to compare two or more persons, places, or things.

You will also need to understand comparative phrases such as

"less than,"
"more than," and
"same as."

Comparative words and phrases fall into two classes:

(a) those that make equal comparisons and suggest equality ("same," "same as" "equal to or with"), and
(b) those that make unequal comparisons ("less," "more," "less than," "more than").

Examples of equal comparison words and phrases are as follows:

"Spiritual things are as real as salt and pepper."
"From that one man [Abraham] came as many descendants as there are stars in the sky" (Hebrews 11:12).
"Christ was equal with God. But Christ did not think that being equal with God was something he must keep"
(Philippians 2:6).

Examples of unequal comparison words and phrases :

"Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a ruler" (Proverbs 17:7, New Revised
Standard Version).
"You are worth much more than the birds" (Matthew 6:26).

Comparative sentences usually have the following pattern:

Subject + Verb + Compartive Word + Adjective or Adverb + Comparative Word + Noun or Pronoun
Mike is as tall as Glenn
Greg doesn't run as fast as Ron

Review the rules for using adjectives and adverbs to make comparisons. See WEI Intermediate English
Course, Lessons Seven and Thirteen.)

Remember that "er" added to an adjective or adverb carries the same meaning as "more." The "er" suffix and
"more" should not be used together.
Never say, "more better," "more hotter," or "more taller."
Correct: "Rick's bed is softer than mine."
Incorrect: "Rick's bed is more softer than mine."

Use "much" or "far" before the comparative in order to stress the difference between persons, places, or
things.
Example: "Being right with God is much more important than being rich."

Concession Words and Phrases

In preparing for the Listening Section of the TOEFL, you will also need to be familiar with concession words
and phrases such as
"although,"
"but,"
"despite,"
"even though,"
"in spite of," and
"though."

Concession words and phrases concede certain truths and are used to contrast two thoughts or ideas. After
yielding one truth, an unexpected and contrasting truth is stated.
Examples:
"Although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God" (Romans 1:21, New King James Version).
"We can't see God, but we can see his handiwork."
"Even though Jesus never sinned, God put our sins upon him and condemned them."
"It is hard to believe in God, but it's harder not to believe."
"In spite of our efforts to live a perfect life, we cannot do so."

Notice in these examples that concession words and phrases may appear either at the beginning or in the
middle of the sentence. "Despite" and "in spite of" are used to introduce a noun phrase in a simple sentence.

Example: "In spite of the storm, the airplane landed safely." Or, "The airplane landed safely in spite of the
storm."

On the other hand, "although," "even though," and "though" are subordinating conjunctions that introduce a
dependent clause in a complex sentence.

Example: "Even though she was ninety years old, Sarah gave birth to a baby boy." Or, "Sarah gave birth to a
baby boy even though she was ninety years old."

Conditional Sentences

The Listening Section of the TOEFL also includes sentences which contain conditional words such as "if" and
"unless." Most conditional sentences contain the word "if."
Examples:
"If you train hard, you can win the race."
"Unless he studies more, he will not pass the test."

Also, the modals "can," "could," "will," and "would" are frequently used in conditional sentences. Look for
examples in the paragraphs below.
There are two types of conditional sentences :
(1) factual, and
(2) hypothetical.

1. A factual sentence states a fact. It expresses an action that is happening or will happen if the conditions
expressed in the dependent clause are met.
Examples:
"If the weather is good tomorrow, we can go fishing."
"If we believe in God enough to obey him, he will accept us as if we had never sinned."
Note: If the conditions in the first clause are true, then the facts stated in the second clause are also true. The
modals "can" and "will" are used in factual conditional sentences.

2. The hypothetical conditional sentence, however, contains a dependent clause which expresses conditions
that have not been met or are not being met. Therefore, the independent clause in the sentence describes
what might have been, or what might be if the conditions were to be met.
Examples:
"If it would stop raining, we could go fishing tomorrow."
"If all people believed in God enough to obey him, he would accept them as if they had never sinned."

The action in the independent clauses of these sentences is theoretically possible and could become factual.
But the conditions are not being met. Therefore the action in the independent clause is merely a matter of
conjecture.

Some hypothetical sentences are so unreal that the conditions stated in the dependent clause cannot be met.
Examples:
"If I were you, I would see a doctor."
"If wishes were horses, beggars would ride."
"If it were Saturday, we could go to the beach."

In each of these sentences, the conditions are contrary to fact.

I am not you.
Wishes are not horses.
And today is not Saturday.
Therefore, the sentences are only hypothetical and conjectural.

Notice that the past tense form of "be" ("were") is always used in hypothetical sentences. The pattern is
always the same:

If + Noun or Pronoun + were + Noun or Pronoun + Independent Clause

If I were you, I|would see a doctor
If this were Saturday, we|could go to the beach

It is never correct to say, "If I was."

Conditional sentences are often difficult for international students because they often mean the opposite of
what they seem to say. If the verb in the independent clause is positive, the meaning of the sentence is
negative. And if the verb is negative, the meaning is positive.

Example # 1: "If I were as strong as you, I would wrestle a bear."

The meaning is, I am not as strong as you are, and I am not going to wrestle a bear.

Example # 2: "If God's teachings were not like friends to me, then my suffering would have destroyed me"
(Psalms 119:92).
The meaning is, God's teachings are like friends to me; therefore, my suffering has not destroyed me.

You can expect a few conditional sentences on the TOEFL.

May God give you strength, courage, and stamina as you continue
to prepare for the TOEFL.
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