TOEFL Mini-test (Skills 27-29)

1. The speed of light is _______ the speed of sound.

Faster

Much faster than

The fastest

As fast

The sentence has two items, one before and one after the blank, which lead to believe there is comparison.

1. It is not (D) because the comparative phrase is incomplete.
2. It is not (C) because there is not connecting word after the superlative
3. It is not (A) becuase there are no additional words other than the comparative.
4. It is (B).

Explanation

The sentence has two items, one before and one after the blank, which lead to believe there is comparison.

1. It is not (D) because the comparative phrase is incomplete.
2. It is not (C) because there is not connecting word after the superlative
3. It is not (A) becuase there are no additional words other than the comparative.
4. It is (B).

2. The grizzly bear, which can grow up to eight feet tall, has been called a more dangerous animal of North America.

Which

Up to eight feet

Been called

A more

The incorrect underlined option is (D) because the sentence is talking about one type of bear and how it is the #1 dangerous in all of the land.
To make the sentence correct, "a more" should be changed for "the most"

Explanation

The incorrect underlined option is (D) because the sentence is talking about one type of bear and how it is the #1 dangerous in all of the land.
To make the sentence correct, "a more" should be changed for "the most"

3. The use of detail is _______ method of developing a controlling idea, and almost all students employ this method.

More common

Common

Most common

The most common

There is a complete sentence before the blank and a continuing idea after it. Therefore, we need a word, or phrase, that bridges the sentence to the next part of the idea.

1. It is not (A) because there is no connecting word after the adjective.
2. It is not (B) because it is an isolated adjective.
3. It is not (C) because it is similar to (A).
4. It is (D).

Explanation

There is a complete sentence before the blank and a continuing idea after it. Therefore, we need a word, or phrase, that bridges the sentence to the next part of the idea.

1. It is not (A) because there is no connecting word after the adjective.
2. It is not (B) because it is an isolated adjective.
3. It is not (C) because it is similar to (A).
4. It is (D).

4. The leek, a member of the lily family, has a mildest taste than the onion.

Leek, a member

Mildest

Than

Onion

The incorrect underlined option is (B) because the sentence is a one-to-one comparison and it is using a superlative.
To make the sentence correct, "mildest" should be changed for "milder"

Explanation

The incorrect underlined option is (B) because the sentence is a one-to-one comparison and it is using a superlative.
To make the sentence correct, "mildest" should be changed for "milder"

5. Peter Abelard, a logician and theologian, was the controversialest teacher of his age.

A logician and theologian

The

Controversialest

Of his age

The incorrect underlined option is (C) because it is a long adjective. Long adjective don't use ending, but instead use the adverb "more".
To make the sentence correct "the controversialest" should be changed to "the most controversial"

Explanation

The incorrect underlined option is (C) because it is a long adjective. Long adjective don't use ending, but instead use the adverb "more".
To make the sentence correct "the controversialest" should be changed to "the most controversial"

6. Climate, soil type, and availability of water are the most critical factors than selecting the best type of grass for a lawn.

Availability

Are

Than

The best

The incorrect underlined option is (C) because it is a connecting word for a comparative, but the superlative is established with "the best" which is also after the (C) option.
To make the sentence correct "than" should be changed for "in"

Explanation

The incorrect underlined option is (C) because it is a connecting word for a comparative, but the superlative is established with "the best" which is also after the (C) option.
To make the sentence correct "than" should be changed for "in"

7. Protein molecules are the most complex than the molecules of carbohydrates.

Are

The most

Than

Molecules of

The incorrect underlined option is (B) because the sentence is expressing a one-to-one comparative.
To make the sentence correct, "the most" should be changed for "more".

Explanation

The incorrect underlined option is (B) because the sentence is expressing a one-to-one comparative.
To make the sentence correct, "the most" should be changed for "more".

8. The widely used natural fiber of all is cotton.

The widely

Used

Fiber

Is

The incorrect underlined option is (A) because the complete sentence is in fact stating how "natural fiber" is the #1 used. However, the adjective is not in superlative form.
To make the sentence correct, "the widely" should be changed to "The most widely"

Explanation

The incorrect underlined option is (A) because the complete sentence is in fact stating how "natural fiber" is the #1 used. However, the adjective is not in superlative form.
To make the sentence correct, "the widely" should be changed to "The most widely"

9. Certain types of snakes have been known to survive fasts more as a year long.

Certain types

Have been known

Fasts

As

The incorrect underline is "AS" because it is part of a comparative phrase. However, a comparative has already been established with "more".
To make the sentence correct, "as" should be changed for "than".

Explanation

The incorrect underline is "AS" because it is part of a comparative phrase. However, a comparative has already been established with "more".
To make the sentence correct, "as" should be changed for "than".

10. _______ in Stevenson's landscapes, the more vitality and character the paintings seem to possess.

The brushwork is loose

The looser brushwork

The loose brushwork is

The looser the burshwork is

The idea is a two part which is separated by a middle comma. After the comma there is a comparative idea. The first part is missing the subject and verb. Therefore, there is also a connector or initial comparative missing.

1. It is not (A) because the structure is not balanced with the one after the comma.
2. It is not (B) because it has no comparative form.
3. It is not (C) because it has no comparative form.
4. It is (D).

Explanation

The idea is a two part which is separated by a middle comma. After the comma there is a comparative idea. The first part is missing the subject and verb. Therefore, there is also a connector or initial comparative missing.

1. It is not (A) because the structure is not balanced with the one after the comma.
2. It is not (B) because it has no comparative form.
3. It is not (C) because it has no comparative form.
4. It is (D).