TOEFL Test Quiz: Boost Your TOEFL Preparation

1. The three primary elements in _______ the assets, the liabilities, and the equity.

A balance sheet, they are

A balance sheet are

A balance sheet which are

A balance sheet being

"A balance sheet are" correctly completes the sentence by providing both the missing noun phrase and the plural linking verb that agrees with the plural subject "the three primary elements." "A balance sheet, they are" introduces a redundant subject pronoun "they," creating a double-subject error. "A balance sheet which are" introduces a relative clause that leaves the sentence without a main predicate. "A balance sheet being" uses a participle instead of a finite verb, making the sentence incomplete.

Explanation

"A balance sheet are" correctly completes the sentence by providing both the missing noun phrase and the plural linking verb that agrees with the plural subject "the three primary elements." "A balance sheet, they are" introduces a redundant subject pronoun "they," creating a double-subject error. "A balance sheet which are" introduces a relative clause that leaves the sentence without a main predicate. "A balance sheet being" uses a participle instead of a finite verb, making the sentence incomplete.

2. _______ the firm's latest annual report, an investor can track revenue trends across all major product divisions.

Reading of

With

Through reading of

By the use

"With" correctly introduces a prepositional phrase indicating the means or instrument by which an investor can track revenue trends. "Reading of" is a gerund phrase that requires a subject or auxiliary to complete the sentence structure. "Through reading of" is awkward and non-standard; "through reading" without "of" would be acceptable, but "of" makes it grammatically incorrect here. "By the use" requires "of" to complete it — "by the use of" — and is absent here, leaving the phrase incomplete.

Explanation

"With" correctly introduces a prepositional phrase indicating the means or instrument by which an investor can track revenue trends. "Reading of" is a gerund phrase that requires a subject or auxiliary to complete the sentence structure. "Through reading of" is awkward and non-standard; "through reading" without "of" would be acceptable, but "of" makes it grammatically incorrect here. "By the use" requires "of" to complete it — "by the use of" — and is absent here, leaving the phrase incomplete.

3. Without the appropriate software license install on the workstation, _______ impossible to access the company's proprietary database.

That is

Being

It is

Which is

"It is" correctly introduces the main clause using a dummy subject "it" to refer to the situation described in the opening phrase. "That is" introduces a relative or demonstrative clause that cannot function as the main clause subject in this construction. "Being" is a participle that cannot serve as the main verb of the clause. "Which is" introduces a relative clause, leaving the sentence without an independent main clause.

Explanation

"It is" correctly introduces the main clause using a dummy subject "it" to refer to the situation described in the opening phrase. "That is" introduces a relative or demonstrative clause that cannot function as the main clause subject in this construction. "Being" is a participle that cannot serve as the main verb of the clause. "Which is" introduces a relative clause, leaving the sentence without an independent main clause.

4. _______ relocation of the headquarters was a strategic priority, the associated operational disruptions had to be accepted.

Although the

Whereas the

Since the

Despite the

"Since the" correctly introduces a causal clause explaining why the operational disruptions were accepted — because the relocation was a strategic priority. "Although the" introduces a concessive clause expressing contrast, which does not fit the cause-and-effect logic of the sentence. "Whereas the" introduces a comparative or contrastive clause, not a causal one. "Despite the" is a preposition that must be followed by a noun or gerund, not a full clause with a verb.

Explanation

"Since the" correctly introduces a causal clause explaining why the operational disruptions were accepted — because the relocation was a strategic priority. "Although the" introduces a concessive clause expressing contrast, which does not fit the cause-and-effect logic of the sentence. "Whereas the" introduces a comparative or contrastive clause, not a causal one. "Despite the" is a preposition that must be followed by a noun or gerund, not a full clause with a verb.

5. The contract for the stadium renovation was set to expire next year, _______ spared no expense in lobbying for its extension.

So the construction consortium it

And it was the construction consortium

Which the construction consortium

So the construction consortium

"So the construction consortium" correctly introduces the result clause with the coordinating conjunction "so," followed by the subject and implied verb "spared." "So the construction consortium it" creates a double-subject error by including both the noun phrase and the pronoun "it." "And it was the construction consortium" restructures the sentence illogically and introduces unnecessary passive phrasing. "Which the construction consortium" creates a relative clause, leaving the sentence without a complete main clause.

Explanation

"So the construction consortium" correctly introduces the result clause with the coordinating conjunction "so," followed by the subject and implied verb "spared." "So the construction consortium it" creates a double-subject error by including both the noun phrase and the pronoun "it." "And it was the construction consortium" restructures the sentence illogically and introduces unnecessary passive phrasing. "Which the construction consortium" creates a relative clause, leaving the sentence without a complete main clause.

6. While in reality the Crab Nebula is the remnant of a massive stellar explosion, _______ to the unaided eye as a faint, cloud-like smudge.

And it appears

It appearing

It appears

Appearing

"It appears" correctly provides the main clause subject and verb after the subordinate concessive clause introduced by "while." "And it appears" uses a coordinating conjunction that is unnecessary and creates a run-on after a subordinate clause. "It appearing" uses a present participle instead of a finite verb, leaving the main clause without a proper predicate. "Appearing" is a participle that cannot serve as the main verb of an independent clause.

Explanation

"It appears" correctly provides the main clause subject and verb after the subordinate concessive clause introduced by "while." "And it appears" uses a coordinating conjunction that is unnecessary and creates a run-on after a subordinate clause. "It appearing" uses a present participle instead of a finite verb, leaving the main clause without a proper predicate. "Appearing" is a participle that cannot serve as the main verb of an independent clause.

7. The regulatory body's initial findings severely undermined the credibility of the audit firm _______ completed its controversial review of the pension fund.

After it has

So the firm

Which has

Once the firm

"Once the firm" correctly introduces a time clause indicating the point at which the audit firm completed its review, establishing a clear sequence of events. "After it has" uses the present perfect in a past narrative context where the simple past is required. "So the firm" introduces a result clause rather than a time clause, altering the logical relationship. "Which has" introduces a relative clause in the present perfect, which is inconsistent with the past tense of the main clause.

Explanation

"Once the firm" correctly introduces a time clause indicating the point at which the audit firm completed its review, establishing a clear sequence of events. "After it has" uses the present perfect in a past narrative context where the simple past is required. "So the firm" introduces a result clause rather than a time clause, altering the logical relationship. "Which has" introduces a relative clause in the present perfect, which is inconsistent with the past tense of the main clause.

8. Each vehicle _______ the congestion pricing zone is automatically charged based on the time of entry and distance traveled.

To enter

Having entered

That enters into

Entering

"Entering" is the correct present participle functioning as a modifier for "each vehicle," describing the condition under which the charge applies. "To enter" is an infinitive that implies purpose rather than describing a defining characteristic of the vehicle. "Having entered" implies a completed prior action rather than an ongoing defining condition. "That enters into" uses the unnecessary preposition "into" after "enters," as "enter" is already a transitive verb that does not require "into" before its object.

Explanation

"Entering" is the correct present participle functioning as a modifier for "each vehicle," describing the condition under which the charge applies. "To enter" is an infinitive that implies purpose rather than describing a defining characteristic of the vehicle. "Having entered" implies a completed prior action rather than an ongoing defining condition. "That enters into" uses the unnecessary preposition "into" after "enters," as "enter" is already a transitive verb that does not require "into" before its object.

9. As its mandate suggests, the Regional Infrastructure Development Authority _______ the planning and funding of transportation networks across rural areas.

Is focused at

Has a focus for

Focusing on

Focuses on

"Focuses on" is the correct present tense verb phrase that agrees with the singular subject "the Regional Infrastructure Development Authority" and correctly uses the phrasal verb "focus on" to indicate the organization's primary concern. "Is focused at" uses the incorrect preposition "at" — the correct preposition with "focused" in this context is "on." "Has a focus for" is a non-standard construction that does not align with standard professional English usage. "Focusing on" is a present participle that cannot serve as the main verb of the clause without an auxiliary.

Explanation

"Focuses on" is the correct present tense verb phrase that agrees with the singular subject "the Regional Infrastructure Development Authority" and correctly uses the phrasal verb "focus on" to indicate the organization's primary concern. "Is focused at" uses the incorrect preposition "at" — the correct preposition with "focused" in this context is "on." "Has a focus for" is a non-standard construction that does not align with standard professional English usage. "Focusing on" is a present participle that cannot serve as the main verb of the clause without an auxiliary.

10. One of the largest and most efficient cargo aircraft ever built, _______ a wingspan exceeding 88 meters and a payload capacity surpassing 250 tons.

And the AN-225 has

The AN-225 having

Which the AN-225 has

The AN-225 has

"The AN-225 has" correctly provides the subject and main verb needed to complete the sentence, with the opening phrase functioning as an appositive describing the aircraft. "And the AN-225 has" introduces a coordinating conjunction that is unnecessary and creates an incomplete structure following an appositive phrase. "The AN-225 having" uses a participle instead of a finite verb, leaving the clause without a proper predicate. "Which the AN-225 has" introduces a relative clause, leaving the sentence without an independent main clause.

Explanation

"The AN-225 has" correctly provides the subject and main verb needed to complete the sentence, with the opening phrase functioning as an appositive describing the aircraft. "And the AN-225 has" introduces a coordinating conjunction that is unnecessary and creates an incomplete structure following an appositive phrase. "The AN-225 having" uses a participle instead of a finite verb, leaving the clause without a proper predicate. "Which the AN-225 has" introduces a relative clause, leaving the sentence without an independent main clause.

TOEFL Test Quiz: Practice and Improve Your Skills

1. The three primary elements in _______ the assets, the liabilities, and the equity.

2.

What first name or nickname would you like us to use?

2. _______ the firm's latest annual report, an investor can track revenue trends across all major product divisions.

3. Without the appropriate software license install on the workstation, _______ impossible to access the company's proprietary database.

4. _______ relocation of the headquarters was a strategic priority, the associated operational disruptions had to be accepted.

5. The contract for the stadium renovation was set to expire next year, _______ spared no expense in lobbying for its extension.

6. While in reality the Crab Nebula is the remnant of a massive stellar explosion, _______ to the unaided eye as a faint, cloud-like smudge.

7. The regulatory body's initial findings severely undermined the credibility of the audit firm _______ completed its controversial review of the pension fund.

8. Each vehicle _______ the congestion pricing zone is automatically charged based on the time of entry and distance traveled.

9. As its mandate suggests, the Regional Infrastructure Development Authority _______ the planning and funding of transportation networks across rural areas.

10. One of the largest and most efficient cargo aircraft ever built, _______ a wingspan exceeding 88 meters and a payload capacity surpassing 250 tons.