TOEFL Mini-test (Skills 1-5)
Choose the letter of the word or group of words that best completes the sentence.
Questions and Answers
- 1.
1. The North Platte River _________ from Wyoming into Nebraska.
- A.
It flowed
- B.
Flows
- C.
Flowing
- D.
With flowing water
Correct Answer
B. FlowsExplanation
In the sentence there is a clear subject, the blank and two phrases. So, there is no main verb.
1. It is not letter [D] because it is a phrase since it starts with a preposition "with".
2. It is not letter [C] because it is really not a verb. We need a form of BE to make it a verb. Additionally, the sentence expresses a fact, so we cannot use a progressive form.
3. It is not letter [A] because it includes a subject (it) reference, and we already have the subject.
4. It is letter [D]Rate this question:
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- 2.
2. _________ Biloxi received its name from a Sioux word meaning "first people."
- A.
The city of
- B.
Located in
- C.
It is in
- D.
The tour included
Correct Answer
A. The city ofExplanation
In the sentence we can locate the verb "received" and after it a series of phrases. Before the verb there is only a name of a place with a blank before it.This leads us to understand that we need a phrase to complete the subject.
1. It is not letter (D) because it has a complete subject and verb.
2. It is not letter (C) because it is not a completing phrase; it also has a verb.
3. It is not letter (B) because the phrase only established the place, but the sentence would need another subject reference such as a name of a local monument.
4. It is letter (A).Rate this question:
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- 3.
3. A pride of lions _________ up to forty lions, including one to three males, several females, and cubs.
- A.
Can contain
- B.
It containing
- C.
Contain
- D.
Containing
Correct Answer
A. Can containExplanation
The subject is clearly established before the blank. After the bland there is a phrase. This means we need the main subject of the sentence.
1. It is not letter (D) because it is not really a verb. The "ing" must have a form of BE before it.
2. It is not letter (C) because it does not match the number form of the subject.
3. It is not letter (B) because it has a subject reference.
4. It is letter (A).Rate this question:
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- 4.
4. _________ tea plant are small and white.
- A.
The
- B.
On the
- C.
Having flowers the
- D.
The flowers of the
Correct Answer
D. The flowers of theExplanation
The sentence include a form of BE as the main verb. Before the verb there is a subject with a blank. This means we need a phrase which completes the subject.
1. It is not letter (A) because it is only the article. This means the subject "plant" would not match the verb "are".
2. It is not letter (B) because it is the same as letter (A) with the variation of the preposition.
3. It is not letter (C) because it is still not completing a subject phrase like the two previous letter.
4. It is letter (D).Rate this question:
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- 5.
5. The tetracyclines, _________ antibiotics, are used to treat infections.
- A.
Are a family of
- B.
Being a family
- C.
A family of
- D.
Their family is
Correct Answer
C. A family ofExplanation
It is clear to see the two commas and the blank inside of them. Also, there is a verb "are" in the main sentence. This means we have a phrase which gives additional information, so a phrase starter is needed.
1. It is not letter (A) because it has a main verb
2. It is not letter (B) because it does not have a connecting preposition at the end.
3. It is not letter (D) because it has a subject and verb
4. It is letter (C).Rate this question:
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- 6.
6. Any possible academic assistance from taking stimulants _________ marginal at best.
- A.
It is
- B.
There is
- C.
Is
- D.
As
Correct Answer
C. IsExplanation
Once we read the sentence, we identify there is no real main verb; it is only a series of phrases.
1. It is not letter (A) because it has a subject.
2. It is not letter (B) because it has the adverb "there" in a subject position.
3. It is not letter (D) because it is not a verb.
4. It is letter (C).Rate this question:
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- 7.
7. Henry Adams, born in Boston, _________ famous as a historian and novelist.
- A.
Became
- B.
And became
- C.
He was
- D.
And he became
Correct Answer
A. BecameExplanation
By reading the sentence, we can identify it has a complimentary phrase between commas. The main subject is complete. After the blank there are phrases only. This means it does not have a main verb.
1. It is not letter (D) because it has a conjunction and subject.
2. It is not letter (C) because it has a subject.
3. It is not letter (B) because it has a conjunction.
4. It is letter (A).Rate this question:
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- 8.
8. The major cause _________ the pull of the Moon on the Earth.
- A.
The ocean tides are
- B.
Of ocean tides is
- C.
Of the tides in the ocean
- D.
The oceans tides
Correct Answer
B. Of ocean tides isExplanation
In the sentence there is a subject, which seems broken. After the blank there is a series of phrases. This means we need the main verb and the actual noun of the subject.
1. It is not letter (A) because it has the article "the" and it does not include a connecting preposition.
2. It is not letter (C) because it does not have a verb.
3. It is not letter (D) because it does not have a connecting prepositions nor verb.
4. It is letter (B).Rate this question:
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- 9.
9. Still a novelty in the late nineteenth century, _________ limited to the rich.
- A.
Was
- B.
Was photography
- C.
It was photography
- D.
Photography was
Correct Answer
D. pHotograpHy wasExplanation
The sentence starts with a series of phrases and a comma. After the blank there is what could be a verb and its object. This means we need the main subject and possibly the other part of the verb.
1. It is not letter (A) because it is only a verb.
2. It is not letter (B) because it would create a question in the sentence we have.
3. It is not letter (C) because it does have a connector at the end.
4. It is letter (D).Rate this question:
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- 10.
10. A computerized map of the freeways using information gathered by sensors embedded in the pavement _________ on a local cable channel during rush hour.
- A.
Airs
- B.
Airing
- C.
Air
- D.
To air
Correct Answer
A. AirsExplanation
We should notice that everything before the blank is a series of phrases; "using," "gathered," and "embedded" are not verbs because they don't have a preceding BE verb. After the blank we have more phrases. This means we need the main verb of the sentence.
1. It is not letter (D) because the verb is in infinitive form.
2. It is not letter (C) because it does not match the number form of the main subject "map"
3. It is not letter (B) because it is not a verb; it doesn't have a preceding BE verb.
4. It is letter (A).Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Aug 19, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Mar 30, 2012Quiz Created by
Eduardocarrillo