Grammar-based sentence completions - TOEIC
Card 1 of 184
When he finally did arrive, over seven hours late, Paul's appearance was extremely disturbing to all of us. He was wearing tattered sheets for pants.
When he finally did arrive, over seven hours late, Paul's appearance was extremely disturbing to all of us. He was wearing tattered sheets for pants.
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In this sentence, we're looking for an adjective to describe "Paul's appearance." Since we are specifically told that "he was wearing tattered sheets for pants," it is only reasonable to describe his appearance as "disheveled," which means messy or not in proper order.
In this sentence, we're looking for an adjective to describe "Paul's appearance." Since we are specifically told that "he was wearing tattered sheets for pants," it is only reasonable to describe his appearance as "disheveled," which means messy or not in proper order.
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The mystery of Paul Williamsonbergfriend's disappearance remains a hotly topic in the industry; there remain strongly held beliefs on both sides of the question.
The mystery of Paul Williamsonbergfriend's disappearance remains a hotly topic in the industry; there remain strongly held beliefs on both sides of the question.
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While "debated" can also be used as a verb, in this case it is the correct adjective to describe the "topic" of Paul Williamsonbergfriend's disappearance. It is important to recognize the way in which a word with more than one possible application is being used in a given sentence.
While "debated" can also be used as a verb, in this case it is the correct adjective to describe the "topic" of Paul Williamsonbergfriend's disappearance. It is important to recognize the way in which a word with more than one possible application is being used in a given sentence.
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Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
Although they contain a amount of information and entertainment, few people value or take advantage of the benefits of public libraries.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
Although they contain a amount of information and entertainment, few people value or take advantage of the benefits of public libraries.
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The best choice is "staggering." Since the article used in this sentence is "a" instead of "an," we know that the next work in the sentence has to start with a consonant and not a vowel, which eliminates "amazing" and "enormous" even though both of these words make sense logically. The other choice, "distressing" implies that it makes you upset, which does not make sense in this context. The best choice is "staggering" which means large and overwhelming.
The best choice is "staggering." Since the article used in this sentence is "a" instead of "an," we know that the next work in the sentence has to start with a consonant and not a vowel, which eliminates "amazing" and "enormous" even though both of these words make sense logically. The other choice, "distressing" implies that it makes you upset, which does not make sense in this context. The best choice is "staggering" which means large and overwhelming.
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Choose the word that best completes the sentence.
The car salesman's performance was the in the region, so he got a raise.
Choose the word that best completes the sentence.
The car salesman's performance was the in the region, so he got a raise.
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The correct choice is the word "highest." We know that this is the correct choice because there the word "the" precedes the blank, so we know that we are talking about a superlative, and the superlative form is "highest." It is not higher or high because they are not the superlative forms of the word. While "most" is also a superlative, it is not the best choice since we are talking about performance in sales, and performing the highest makes more sense than performing the most.
The correct choice is the word "highest." We know that this is the correct choice because there the word "the" precedes the blank, so we know that we are talking about a superlative, and the superlative form is "highest." It is not higher or high because they are not the superlative forms of the word. While "most" is also a superlative, it is not the best choice since we are talking about performance in sales, and performing the highest makes more sense than performing the most.
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Stock positions will not be refunded, the board understands shareholder's concerns, and will meet personally with any concerned parties.
Stock positions will not be refunded, the board understands shareholder's concerns, and will meet personally with any concerned parties.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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Please choose the correct conjunction to complete the sentence.
We could go to the movies the park.
Please choose the correct conjunction to complete the sentence.
We could go to the movies the park.
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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.
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.
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Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
It was raining, we chose to go to the aquarium instead of the beach.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
It was raining, we chose to go to the aquarium instead of the beach.
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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.
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.
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Which of the following words best completes the sentence?
Neither the painter the sculptor had received formal training.
Which of the following words best completes the sentence?
Neither the painter the sculptor had received formal training.
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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."
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."
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Choose the word that correctly completes this sentence.
She could not decide whether to go to Harvard Yale.
Choose the word that correctly completes this sentence.
She could not decide whether to go to Harvard Yale.
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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.
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.
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Neither my grandmother my grandfather has ever left the country.
Neither my grandmother my grandfather has ever left the country.
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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.
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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Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
I will either buy a computer a television; I cannot afford both.
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
I will either buy a computer a television; I cannot afford both.
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The correct answer is "or." This sentence presents a choice between two things--a computer or a television. The biggest clue that "or" is the correct conjunction is the word "either." The other conjunctions are not appropriate in this sentence.
The correct answer is "or." This sentence presents a choice between two things--a computer or a television. The biggest clue that "or" is the correct conjunction is the word "either." The other conjunctions are not appropriate in this sentence.
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Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
The hockey team was made up of amateurs professionals; there were men who had played for years as well as men who were still in college.
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
The hockey team was made up of amateurs professionals; there were men who had played for years as well as men who were still in college.
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The correct answer is "and." This is the best choice because the conjunction "and" joins ideas together. The phrase, "men who had played for years as well as men who were still in college" indicates that both types of people were involved, not just one. Some key words are "as well as," a phrase meaning the same thing as "and." For those reasons, the best choice is "and."
The correct answer is "and." This is the best choice because the conjunction "and" joins ideas together. The phrase, "men who had played for years as well as men who were still in college" indicates that both types of people were involved, not just one. Some key words are "as well as," a phrase meaning the same thing as "and." For those reasons, the best choice is "and."
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Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
When I moved to a new city, I thought I would hate it, I came to see it as a wonderful place.
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
When I moved to a new city, I thought I would hate it, I came to see it as a wonderful place.
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The best choice is "but." We know that this sentence requires the word "but" because there is a contrast--at first the speaker thought one thing, but then changed her mind. The other options link sentences in different ways that aren't appropriate in this sentence.
The best choice is "but." We know that this sentence requires the word "but" because there is a contrast--at first the speaker thought one thing, but then changed her mind. The other options link sentences in different ways that aren't appropriate in this sentence.
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Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
I am either going to yoga kickboxing class tonight, both of which take place at 7:00pm.
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
I am either going to yoga kickboxing class tonight, both of which take place at 7:00pm.
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The correct answer is "or." We know that the speaker is making a choice between two things, and cannot do both activities since they both take place at 7:00pm, which is why the answer is not "and." The conjunctions "but" and "so" do not make sense in this sentence. The best choice is "or."
The correct answer is "or." We know that the speaker is making a choice between two things, and cannot do both activities since they both take place at 7:00pm, which is why the answer is not "and." The conjunctions "but" and "so" do not make sense in this sentence. The best choice is "or."
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Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
I want to go to the movies, my parents won't let me.
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
I want to go to the movies, my parents won't let me.
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The correct answer is "but." In this sentence, the meaning of "but" can be understood the same way as the word "however." This sentence has a contrast--the subject wants to do something but cannot. If the sentence conveyed an alternative we might consider "or" but this sentence does not. The only conjunction that shows this contrast in meaning is "but," so it is the best choice.
The correct answer is "but." In this sentence, the meaning of "but" can be understood the same way as the word "however." This sentence has a contrast--the subject wants to do something but cannot. If the sentence conveyed an alternative we might consider "or" but this sentence does not. The only conjunction that shows this contrast in meaning is "but," so it is the best choice.
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Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
I stayed in the sun too long, I got a sunburn.
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
I stayed in the sun too long, I got a sunburn.
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The correct answer is "so." The conjunction "so" shows a cause and effect relationship, which is the case in this sentence: the subject was in the sun too long, which caused a sunburn. The word "so" is similar in meaning to the word "therefore." The sentence would not make sense if the other conjunctions ("or", "but", and "for") were placed in the blank. That is why the best choice is "so."
The correct answer is "so." The conjunction "so" shows a cause and effect relationship, which is the case in this sentence: the subject was in the sun too long, which caused a sunburn. The word "so" is similar in meaning to the word "therefore." The sentence would not make sense if the other conjunctions ("or", "but", and "for") were placed in the blank. That is why the best choice is "so."
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A man walked into the bar, placed his straw hat on the chair next to him, flapped his tattered pants with a long, tapered finger, and cooly observed the dining hall. He removed from his billfold seven hundreds, placed them on the counter and asked for a telephone, saying he just needed to make a quick .
A man walked into the bar, placed his straw hat on the chair next to him, flapped his tattered pants with a long, tapered finger, and cooly observed the dining hall. He removed from his billfold seven hundreds, placed them on the counter and asked for a telephone, saying he just needed to make a quick .
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Here, a "call" is a thing made with a phone, not the direct verb of the clause. The context that is important here is the phone. "Call" is the only noun listed that is related to a telephone.
Here, a "call" is a thing made with a phone, not the direct verb of the clause. The context that is important here is the phone. "Call" is the only noun listed that is related to a telephone.
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Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
Your brother, I am sorry to say, did not pass his driver's .
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
Your brother, I am sorry to say, did not pass his driver's .
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The correct answer is "exam." We know from the sentence that the subject was trying to pass something but failed. The nouns "experiment" and "estimation" are not things that can be passed. An "attempt" is a try, and although the subject did try to pass the exam, he was not successful. The best answer is "exam."
The correct answer is "exam." We know from the sentence that the subject was trying to pass something but failed. The nouns "experiment" and "estimation" are not things that can be passed. An "attempt" is a try, and although the subject did try to pass the exam, he was not successful. The best answer is "exam."
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Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
A tray of plates came crashing down, causing a in the quiet restaurant.
Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.
A tray of plates came crashing down, causing a in the quiet restaurant.
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The best choice is "disruption;" a word meaning a disturbance or commotion, which is what would occur if someone dropped plates in a quiet restaurant. "Tranquility," meaning an environment of calm, is the opposite of what would happen. "Separation" is a state of being moved apart, as is "break," so both of these choices do not make sense in this sentence. The best choice is "disruption."
The best choice is "disruption;" a word meaning a disturbance or commotion, which is what would occur if someone dropped plates in a quiet restaurant. "Tranquility," meaning an environment of calm, is the opposite of what would happen. "Separation" is a state of being moved apart, as is "break," so both of these choices do not make sense in this sentence. The best choice is "disruption."
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