strategy for stucture questions

Strategy for structure questions

1.      First study the sentence.

Your purpose is to determine what is needed to complete the sentence correctly.

2.      Then study each answer based on how well it completes the sentence.
Eliminate answers that do not complete the sentence correctly.

3.      Do not try to eliminate incorrect answers by looking only at the answers.

The incorrect answers are generally correct by themselves. The incorrect answers are generally incorrect only when used to complete the sentence.

4.      Never leave any answers blank.

Be sure to answer each question even if you are unsure of the correct response.

5.      Do not spend too much time on the Structure questions.

Be sure to leave adequate time for the Written Expression questions.

After reading Strategy for structure questions,  You must learn the problems and  skills usually  tested in Structure Questions. There are ten problems or skills usually tested in Structure questions. The skills will help you to implement these strategies in the Structure section of the TOEFL test.

The ten problem or skiils are

1.      Problem with Subject 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.

a.     Example I :   ______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.

b.     Example II:    Newspapers _______ every morning and every evening.

(A) delivery
(B) are delivered
(C) on time
(D) regularly


Analysis: In this example, you should notice immediately that the sentence has a subject, newspapers, but that there is no verb. Because answer (B), are delivered, is a verb, it is the best answer. Answers (A), (C), and (D) are not verbs, so they are not correct.

c.     Example III :   The plane __________ landing at the airport in five minutes.

(A) it is
(B) it really is
(C) is descending
(D) will be

Analysis:   This sentence has a subject, plane, and has part of a verb, landing; to be correct, some form of the verb be is needed to make the verb complete. Answers (A) and (B) are incorrect because the sentence already has a subject, plane, and does not need the extra subject it. Answer (C) is incorrect because descending is an extra part of a verb that is unnecessary because of landing. Answer (D) is the best answer; will be together withlanding is a complete verb.

SUBJECTS AND VERBS

A sentence in English must have at least one subject and one verb. The first thing you should do as you read a sentence in the Structure section of the TOEFL test is to find the subject and the verb.

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 ).

a.       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.

b.      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. 

c.       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.

2.      Problem with objects of proposition

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 theobject 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.

a.       Example

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.

Now, Let's do and analyze the exercise below:

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).

a.       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.

b.      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

c.        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

3.      Problem with 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

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).

a.       The crying baby needs to be picked up. (C)
             ADJ.

b.      The clothes are lying the floor should go into the washing machine. (I)
                          VERB

4.      Problem with Past Participles

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.
(Indonesian Version)

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 theTOEFL 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).

a.     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)

b.     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.

c.     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

5.      Problem with Coordinate Connectors

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.

The following chart lists the coordinate connectors and the sentence pattern used with them.

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).

a.     The lawn needs water every day, or it will turn brown. (C)
Analysis: Both clauses are correct and coordinate connector is correct.

b.     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

c.      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.

6.      Problem with Adverb Clause Connectors

Sentences with adverb clauses have two basic patterns in English. Study the clauses and connectors in the following sentences:

He is tired because he has been working so hard.

Because he has been working so hard, he is tired.

In each of these examples, there are two clauses: he is tired and he has been working so hard. The clause he has been working so hard is an adverb clause that is introduced with the connector because. In the first example, the connector because comes in the middle of the sentence, and no comma (,) is used. In the second example, the connector because comes at the beginning of the sentence. In this pattern, when the connectorcomes 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 the Structure section of the TOEFL test.

Example
_____ arrived at the library, he started to work immediately.
(A) The student
(B) When
(C) He
(D) After the student

In this example, you should recognize easily that the verb arrived needs a subject. There is also another clause, he started to work immediately. If you choose answer (A) or answer (C), you will have a subject for the verb arrived, 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 arrived. Answer (D) is the best answer because there is a subject, student, for the verb, arrived, and there is aconnector, after, to join the two clauses.

The following chart lists common adverb connectors and the sentence patterns used with them.

EXERCISE 6: 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).

a.      We need to get a new car whether is on sale or not. (I)

Analysis:
Second clause has no subject. It should be it is on sale or not
Connector "whether" is correct 

b.      Just as the bread came out of the oven, while a wonderful aroma filled the kitchen. (I)
Analysis:
There are two connectors; Just and While.
"While" should be erased, so the sentence becomes a wonderful aroma filled the kitchen.

c.     Everyone has spent time unpacking boxes since the family moved into the new house. (C)
Analysis:
Both clauses and connector are corretc.

7.     Problem with Noun Clause Connectors

A noun clause is a clause that functions as a noun; because the noun clause functions as a noun, it can be used in a sentence as an object of a verb (if it follows a verb) or an object of a preposition (if it follows a preposition). Study the clauses and connectors in the following sentences.
(Indonesian Version)

In the first example, there are two clauses, I don’t know and he said such things. These two clauses are joined with the connector why. Why changes the clause he said such things into a noun clause which functions as the object of the verb don’t know.

In the second example, the two clauses I am thinking and he said such things are also joined by the connectorwhy. Why changes the clause he said such things into a noun clause which functions as the object of the preposition about.

The following example shows how these sentence patterns could be tested in the Structure section of the TOEFL test

Example

The citizens worry about ____ is doing.

(A) what the government
(B) the government
(C) what
(D) what the government it

In this example, the sentence contains the main subject and verb, the citizens worry, and it also contains an additional verb, is doing. The sentence needs a subject for the verb is doing and a connector to join the two clauses. The best answer is answer (A) because it has the connector what and the subject government. Answer (B) is incorrect because it does not have a connector. Answer (C) is incorrect because it does not have a subject for is doing. Answer (D) is incorrect because it has two subjects for is doing.

The following chart lists the noun clause connectors and the sentence patterns used with them.

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).

a.      We never know whether we will get paid or not. (C)
Analysis:
Both clauses are correct

b.     This evening you can decide what do you want to do. (I)
 Analysis:
 Second clause: what do you want to do is incorrect. It should be what you want to do.

c.     The manager explained how wanted the work done. (C)
 Analysis:
 Second clause: how wanted the work done is incorrect. It should be how he wanted work done.

8.      Problem with Noun Clause Connectors/Subjects

In Skill 7 we saw that noun clause connectors can be used to introduce noun clauses. In Skill 8 we will see that in some cases a noun clause connector is not just a connector; a noun clause connector can also be thesubject of the clause at the same time. Study the clauses and connectors in the following sentences.

I know what happened yesterday

            NOUN CLAUSE AS OBJECT OF VERB

We are thinking about what happened yesterday.

                                  NOUN CLAUSE AS OBJECT OF PREPOSITION

In the first example, there are two clauses: I know and what happened yesterday. These two clauses are joined by the connector what. It is important to understand that in this sentence the word what serves two functions. It is both the subject of the verb happened and the connector that joins the two clauses.

In the second example, there are two clauses. In the first clause we is the subject of are thinking. In the second clause what is the subject of happened. What also serves as the connector that joins the two clauses. The noun clause what happened yesterday functions as the object of the preposition about.

The following example shows how this sentence pattern could be tested in the Structure section of the TOEFL test.

Example

The company was prepared for ________ happened with the economy.

(A) it
(B) the problem
(C) what
(D) when

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).

a.        I am not sure which it is the most important course in the program. (I)
Analysis: which it is the most important course in the program is a noun clause connector/subject, but it is
 incorrect.
 It should be which is the most important course in the program.

b.      We thought about who would be the best vice president.(C)
Analysis: Who would be the best vice president is a noun clause connector, and the sentence is correct.

c.       She saw what in the box in the closet. (I)
Analysis: What in the box in the closet is a noun clause connector, but it is incorrect.
   It should be what is in the box in the closet.

9.      Problem with Adjective Clause Connectors

An adjective clause describes a noun. Because the clause is an adjective, it is positioned directly after the noun that it describes.

In the first example, there are two clauses: this is the subject of the verb is, and I is the subject of the verb want.That is the adjective clause connector that joins these two clauses, and the adjective clause that I want to buy describes the noun house.

In the second example, there are also two clauses: house is the subject of the verb is, and I is the subject of the verb want. In this sentence also, that is the adjective clause connector that joins these two clauses, and the adjective clause that I want to buy describes the noun house.

The following example shows how these sentence patterns could be tested in the Structure section of theTOEFL test.

Example

The job _____ started yesterday was rather difficult.
(A) when
(B) was
(C) after
(D) that he

In this example, you should notice quickly that there are two clauses: job is the subject of the verb was, and the verb started needs a subject. Because there are two clauses, a connector is also needed. Answers (A) and (C) have connectors, but there are no subjects, so these answers are not correct. Answer (B) changes started into a passive verb; in this case the sentence would have one subject and two verbs, so answer (B) is not correct. The best answer to this question is answer (D). The correct sentence should say: The job that he started yesterday was rather difficult. In this sentence job is the subject of the verb was, he is the subject of the verb started, and the connector that joins these two clauses.

The following chart lists the adjective clause connectors and the sentence pat terns used with them.

EXERCISE 9: 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).

a.       Sally has an appointment with the hairdresser whom you recommended. (C)
Analysis:
First clause                         : Sally has an appointment with the hairdresser

Second clause                    : you recommended
 Adjective clause connector : whom

b.      The phone number that you gave me.
Analysis:

First clause                        : The phone number (incorrect: no verb)
Second clause                   : you gave me
 Adjective clause connector : that
The correct sentence is The phone number that you gave me IS wrong.

c.       The day that she spent on the beach left her sunburned. (C)
Analysis: 
First clause                         : The day left her sunburned
Second clause                     :  she spend on the beach
Adjective clause connector :  that

10.  Problem with Adjective Clause Connectors/Subject

we will see that in some cases an adjective clause connector is not just a connector; an adjectiveclause connector can also be the subject of the clause at the same time.

In the first example, there are two clauses: we is the subject of the verb are looking, and that is the subject of the verb is. These two clauses are joined with the connector that. Notice that in this example the word that serves two functions at the same time: it is the subject of the verb is, and it is the connector that joins the two clauses. The adjective clause that is quite expensive describes the noun house.

In the second example, there are also two clauses: house is the subject of the verb seems, and that is thesubject of the verb is. In this example, that also serves two functions: it is the subject of the verb is, and it is theconnector that joins the two clauses. Because that is quite expensive is an adjective clause describing the noun house, it directly follows house.

The following example shows how these sentence patterns could be tested in the Structure section of theTOEFL test.

Example

______ just dropped off a package for you is my sister.

(A) The woman
(B) The woman who
(C) Because the woman
(D) With the woman

In this example, you should notice immediately that the sentence has two verbs, dropped and is, and each of them needs a subject. The only answer that has two subjects is answer (B), so answer (B) is the correct answer. The correct sentence should say: The woman who just dropped off a package for you is my sister. In this sentence woman is the subject of the verb is, and who is the subject of the verb dropped. Who is also theconnector that joins the two clauses?

The following chart lists the adjective clause connector/subjects and the sentence patterns used with them.