TOEFL Mini-test (Skills 15-19)
Choose the letter of the word or group of words that best completes the sentence.
Questions and Answers
- 1.
Rarely _______ located near city lights or at lower elevations.
- A.
Observatories are
- B.
Are
- C.
In the observatories
- D.
Are observatories
Correct Answer
D. Are observatoriesExplanation
The sentence begins with a negative frequency adverb and the sentence is missing the main subject an possibly part of the main verb. The negative adverb at the beginning suggests and inversion between the subejct and verb.
1. It is not (A) because it has no inversion.
2. It is not (B) because it is only a verb.
3. It is not (C) because it does not include a linking verb.
4. It is (D).Rate this question:
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- 2.
There are geographic, economic, and cultural reasons why _______ around the world.
- A.
Diets differ
- B.
Do diets differ
- C.
Are diets different
- D.
To differ a diet
Correct Answer
A. Diets differExplanation
The blank is located after the middle connector suggesting that a secondary subject and verb are missing.
1. It is not (D) because it is an infinitive phrase.
2. It is not (C) because it has an inversion.
3. It is not (B) because it has an inversion.
4. It is (A).Rate this question:
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- 3.
Were _______ millions of dollars each year replenishing eroding beaches, the coastline would be changing even more rapidly.
- A.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers not spending
- B.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers not spend
- C.
The U.S. Army corps of Engineers does not spend
- D.
Not spending the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Correct Answer
A. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers not spendingExplanation
There is a middle comma and a main sentence after it. The first one starts with a linking verb suggesting that it is in fact a conditional sentence. The subject and verb are missing.
1. It is not (D) because the sequence of verbs is incorrect to the sentence.
2. It is not (C) because the simple present DO doesn't match with BE.
3. It is not (B) because the verb doesn't match the sentence linking verb.
4. It is (A).Rate this question:
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- 4.
Nowhere _______ more skewed than in the auto industry.
- A.
That retail trade figures
- B.
Retail trade figures are
- C.
Are retail trade figures
- D.
Retail trade figures
Correct Answer
C. Are retail trade figuresExplanation
The sentence begins with a negative, or near negative, word suggesting a subject-verb inversion.
1. It is not (A) because it has a connector and is missing the linking verb.
2. It is not (B) because it is not inverted.
3. It is not (D) because it does not have a linking verb.
4. It is (C).Rate this question:
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- 5.
New York City's Central Park is nearly twice as large _______ second smallest country, Monaco.
- A.
As
- B.
Is the
- C.
As is
- D.
As is the
Correct Answer
D. As is theExplanation
The main subject and verb are present in the sentence. Additionally, it is clear that a comparison is taking place.
1. It is not (A) because the superlative is still missing its article.
2. It is not (B) because the "as" comparison is missing its counterpart.
3. It is not (C) because the superlative is still missing its article.
4. It is (D).Rate this question:
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- 6.
Potassium has a valence of positive one because it usually loses one electron when _______ with other elements.
- A.
Does it combine
- B.
It combines
- C.
In combining
- D.
Combination
Correct Answer
B. It combinesExplanation
The blank is located after the middle connector and there is clearly a verb, possibly subject, missing.
1. It is not (A) because the helping verb is not necessary.
2. It is not (C) because there is no subject nor verb.
3. It is not (D) because it is only a noun.
4. It is (B).Rate this question:
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- 7.
The economic background of labor legislation will not be mentioned in this course, _______ be treated.
- A.
Trade unionism will not
- B.
Nor trade unionism will
- C.
Nor will trade unionism
- D.
Neither trade unionism will
Correct Answer
C. Nor will trade unionismExplanation
The blank is located after the middle comma suggesting a missing connector and possibly the initial part of the phrase.
1. It is not (A) because there is no connector.
2. It is not (B) because the main and second sentence would be balanced in negative form, so an inversion would be needed.
3. It is not (D) because the connector is not the correct one.
4. It is (C).Rate this question:
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- 8.
_______ test positive for antibiotics when tanker trucks arrive at a milk processing plant, according to federal law, the entire truckload must be discarded.
- A.
Should milk
- B.
If milk
- C.
If milk is
- D.
Milk should
Correct Answer
A. Should milkExplanation
A sentence should be identified after the second comma. The two middle commas delimit an extra-information phrase. The first sentence starts with the blank suggesting that a connector is missing, which would also mean the last sentence is the main one.
1. It is not (D) because it doesn't have a connector.
2. It is not (C) because the sentence verb does not match the linking verb of the option.
3. It is not (B) because the sentence verb does not match the subject of the option.
4. It is (A).Rate this question:
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- 9.
Located behind _______ the two lacrimal glands.
- A.
Each eyelid
- B.
Is each eyelid
- C.
Each eyelid are
- D.
Each eyelid which is
Correct Answer
C. Each eyelid areExplanation
The sentence begins with a phrase of place suggesting an inversion between the subject and verb.
1. It is not (A) because it does not have a verb.
2. It is not (B) because this inversion is not adequate for the sentence.
3. It is not (D) because the connector is not necessary.
4. It is (C).Rate this question:
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- 10.
Only for a short period of time _______ run at top speed.
- A.
Cheetahs
- B.
Do cheetahs
- C.
That a cheetah can
- D.
Can
Correct Answer
B. Do cheetahsExplanation
The sentence begins with "Only" which should be identified as a negative, or near negative, word, suggesting an inversion in the sentence.
1. It is not (A) because there would be no inversion in the sentence.
2. It is not (C) because the connector is out of place.
3. It is not (D) because there is no subject.
4. It is (B).Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Apr 19, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Apr 27, 2012Quiz Created by
Eduardocarrillo
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