Example TOEFL Questions on Subjunctive and Preference and Their Discussion

1. Subjunctive Questions

The subjunctive is used to express a desire or a state that is unfulfilled or to

stating a situation that contradicts the facts. There are two forms of subjunctive, namely present
subjunctive and past subjunctive.
Some words that indicate the subjunctive are: wish, if only, would rather, as if, as though.
suppose, ata would rather.

A. Present Subjunctive

Verbused in the present subjunctive form is the second verb, while to

The verb used is 'were' for all subjects.

I wish I knew his address now.

I am sorry I don’t know his address now.
I wish I were happy now.
I am sorry I am not happy now.

B. Past Subjunctive

Whereas wish + (that) subject in the past perfect form is used for the past subjunctive.

I wish I hadn’t spent much money.

I was sorry I spent so much money.
I wish I had been rich.
I was sorry I wasn’t rich.

Examples of subjunctive sentences

1. He is sitting quietly as if he were exhausted.

2. If only he had eaten many apples yesterday.
3. I would rather you came back now.
4. Suppose I got there early.
5. He laughs loudly as though nothing happened.
6. I wish I could speak English well.

2. Preference Question (Choices)

WhereasPreferenceis an expression to indicate choice or preference. Usually

stated in the following sentence structures.

prefer ........to........
like .......better than........
would rather......... than......
would prefer........rather than.......

If the choice is a noun:

I prefer apples to oranges.

 I like apples better than oranges.
I would rather have apples than oranges.
I would prefer tea rather than coffee.

If the choice is a verb:

I prefer dancing to singing.

I like dancing better than singing.
I would rather dance than sing.
I would prefer to dance rather than sing.

I wish it would stop raining.

A. it stops
B. it will stop
C. it would stop
D. it has stopped

Answer: C
now
Discussion: Because the hope is expressed fortonight(tonight) therefore
This sentence is in the present subjunctive. So the verb is would.

2. Rust can deteriorate a steel pipe to such an extent that it will snap easily as if it were a twig.
A. if
B. unless
C. as though
D. although

Answer: C
will snap easily
Discussion: The clause it were a twig indicates that this sentence is a sentenceconditionalor
subjunctive because only in these forms can it be paired with were. In
the compared sentences are steel pipe, snap, and twig. So the choice
the correct term for this comparison is as though.

3. She went to the blackboard as if she knew how to solve the problem. The underlined words mean ...
A. She actually can’t solve the problem
B. She ought to know how to solve the problem
C. she definitely knew how to solve the problem
D. She should know how to solve the problem

Answer: A
as if she knew how to solve the problem
Discussion: The statement as if she knew means 'as if she knows'. So this indicates a person
they actually do not know how to solve the problem.

4. I am sorry I cannot go to the airport to see your mother off. I wish I could go to work overtime.
tonight.
A. wouldn’t have
B. haven’t had
C. don't have
D. won’t have

Answer: A
tonight
Discussion: The expressed hope is a form of the present subjunctive so that
using the verb would.

5. Being an outgoing person, Andrew prefers to spend his time with friends on Saturday nights than stay at home.
home.
A. might be spending
B. would rather spend
C. could have spent
D. ought to have spent

Answer: B
Key word: than
Discussion: In preference, the word 'than' pairs with 'would rather'.

6. 'Why don’t you ask your sister to come along with us to the movie?'
I did, but she didn't stay at home.
A. used to
B. could
C. might
D. would rather

Answer: D
ask your sister to come along; stay at home
Discussion: The conversation above shows that the sister prefers to stay at
home from coming along to the movie. Therefore, to express choice (preference) words
the correct one is would rather.

7. "Tita, are you going to see the dentist this afternoon?"

I wish I didn’t have to.
We may conclude that _____ to the dentist.
A. she doesn’t have to go
B. she needs to go
C. she is willing to go
D. she has gone

Answer: B
I wish I didn’t have to
Discussion: The clause I wish I didn’t have to means 'I wish I didn’t have to go'. This sentence
it implies that although she does not want to go, she is required to go (she needs to go).

You didn't like the horror film you saw yesterday, did you?
You're right. I really wish ____
A. I did not see it
B. I would not see it
C. I had not seen it
D. I have not seen it

Answer: C
you saw yesterday
Discussion:Clausewhat you saw yesterday shows that we need the past here
subjunctive. This subjunctive form requires the verb in the form ofpast perfectthat is had not
seen.
9. In the past few years of the last decade, the crime rate has been high due to the increase in the rate.
of unemployment. Today people wish the local government to give first priority to the solution of this
problem.
A. gives
B. would give
C. had given
D. will give

Answer: B
Today
Discussion: The use of the word today indicates that we need the present here.
subjunctive. Therefore, the required verb isverbthe second form is would.

My sister acted as if she were the actress.

This sentence means _________
A. She is an actress
B. She was an actress
C. She is not an actress
D. She was not an actress

Answer: C
as if she were the actress
Discussion: The clause as if she were the actress means "as if she were an actress", while actually
In reality, no. So actually she is not an actress.

The serval, a large African wild cat, hunts like a dog as do other members of the cat family.
Answer: C
like a dog
Discussion: In the sentence, the noun 'serval' is equated with 'dog' which is compared with
cat. So this sentencecomparing two different thingsSocomparisonthe correct one is
rather than, not so.

Suzy had better change her study habits if she hopes to be admitted to a good university.

Answer: B
had better
Discussion: The phrase had better is followed by a verb in the base form without to. So
It should sound like had better change.

The sea mammal 'medusa' is popularly called a jellyfish because it looks rather like jelly.

Answer: C
because
Discussion: The word because islinking wordswhich must be followed by the subordinate clause. So it
as the subject of the clause needs a verb (looks), not which looks.

The gibbon ranges over an area wider than other apes do.

Answer: B
the gibbon; other apes
Discussion: This sentence intends to compare gibbons with other apes in terms of an area.
However, the arrangement of the noun phrase in the comparison is not correct. Than an area wider should be a
wider area than.
The woman in red asked me a lot of questions as if she was involved in the problem we faced.

Answer: C
as if
Discussion: The use of 'as if' in a sentence indicates that this is a subjunctive form.
Because the facts in the sentences are in the past tense (asked, faced), this is the past subjunctive form.
So the subjunctive must be in the form ofpast perfectthat is had been involved, not was involved.
 Example TOEFL Questions on Derivatives and Their Explanations

Question Patterns of Derivatives in the TOEFL Test

When you find the form of the derivative in the problem sectionStructure and Written
ExpressiononTOEFL testPay attention to its formation pattern.
Derivative is a word that comes from another word/base word with the addition of affixes.
Formation of nounsnoun formation)

1. breakage, sabotage
2. -an, -ian: librarian, mathematician
3. -ance, -ence : assistance, confidence
4. -dom : kingdom, freedom
5. -ery : bakery, fishery
6. teacher
7. -hood : childhood, brotherhood
8. -ics : economics, athletics
9. -ist : guitarist, dramatist
10. -ion, tion : information, relation
11. -logy: biology, sociology
12. development
13. silliness
14. -or: governor, operator
15. -ory : laboratory, observatory
16. -ship : friendship, hardship

1. This flower can be classified into groups depending upon how often they bloom.
A. convenient
B. convenience
C. conveniently
D. conveniences

Answer: C
Key word: can be _____ grouped
Discussion: This sentence requires an adverb because the verb (grouped) can only
started/preceded by an adverb.

2. A list of key beliefs of world class performers is the important material in coaching mental resilience.
A. tough
B. thoughtful
C. toughment
D. toughness

Answer: D
Key word: in coaching mental
Discussion: Since mental is an adjective, a noun is needed, namely toughness.
The function of an adjective is to describe a noun and its position is always before the noun.

3. The little girl is taking care of the puppy with love.

A. patient
B. patience
 C. patiently
D. patients

Answer: B
Key word: with
Discussion: In this sentence, there is a parallelism in the use of nouns.

The angles of any triangle always add up to 180 degrees.

A. If three
B. The three
C. Three of
D. Three are

Answer: B
angles of any triangle
Discussion: Because the question already has a predicate and it is a fact that a triangle
having 3 sides, so the correct answer is the three.

5. The bodies of living creatures are organized into many different systems, each of which has _____
function.
A. Certainly
B. A certain
C. It is certainly
D. To be certain

Answer: B
function
Discussion: Since it explains the noun 'function', the word used is an adjective.
certain

6. _____, Carl Sandburg is also well-known for his multi-volume biography of Lincoln.
A. An eminent American poet
B. He is an eminent American poet
C. An eminent American poet who is
D. Despite an eminent American poet

Answer: A
Key word: Carl Sandburg
Discussion: Since it explains Carl Sandburg, the most appropriate answer is An.
eminent American poet.

7. The Hawthorne studies, _____ the monotonous working conditions of factory personnel, were a
major contribution to industrial psychology.
A. In which the investigation of
B. Were they investigated
C. Which were investigation
D. An investigation of

Answer: C
Key word: studies
Discussion: The needed sentence functions as an appositive that explains studies.
(plural).
8. Vaporization in connection with general _____ has a marked effect on long-term climate.
A. Atmospheric conditions that
B. Conditions are atmospheric
 C. Are atmospheric conditions
D. Atmospheric conditions

Answer: D
Key word: with general; has
Discussion: Since the question already has its predicate, the content consists of a noun.

9. _____ discussion of group personality would be complete without a consideration of national

character.
A. None
B. Not
C. No
D. Nothing

Answer: C
Key word: without
Discussion: No here functions as an adjective that describes discussion.

10. The javelin used in competition must be between 260 and 270 centimeters long.
A. In length
B. It is long
C. Whose length
D. Lengthily

Answer: A
Key word: 260 and 270 centimeters
Discussion: Because it describes length, the most appropriate answer is in length.

11. The statement will be spoken just one time; therefore, you must listen very carefully in order to
understand what the speaker has said.

Answer: B
Key word: listen
Discussion: Because it explains the verb which is listen, it must use an adverb of manner.
that is carefully.

Quality control studies show that employees work the most efficiently when they are involved in the
total operation rather than in only one part of it.

Answer: A
Key word: work
Discussion: Because it explains the verb work, an adverb is needed, namely efficiently.

13. Although the 'Lake Poets' Wordsworth, Coleridge, and Southey were friends, they did not
really form a group since Southney’s style differed widely from that of the other two.

Answer: B
Key word: since
Discussion: Because it uses the conjunction since (because) and explains the verb.
differed means that an adverb is needed, namely widely.

14. Nutritionists recommend that foods from each of the four basic groups are eaten on
on a regular daily basis.

Answer: D
a regularly daily basis
Discussion: Because it describes the noun 'daily basis', it should use an adjective.
that is regular.

Clare Boothe Luce wrote and produced her first play while she was in high school.

Answer: B
wrote
Discussion: The use of the word 'productioned' as a verb is incorrect; the correct word is
should be produced.

TOEFL Sample Questions

Causative and its Discussion

InTOEFL testpartStructure and Written Expression, often found in questions in

Causative form is used in sentences that contain the understanding that the subject
in this sentence does not perform a job. The causative aspect is in an active form and there is
which is in passive form. The verb used in this pattern is 'havedanget'.

Description:
Have, has, had in causative sentences are not used asauxiliary verbsbut functions as
the word that means 'to command'. In addition to having variations in its form, in this type of causative sentence
sometimes also using make or made.

Pattern I: S + have/has/had + O [Person] + infinitive

Causative 'have' in active form:

I have someone clean my room.

He had someone clean my room.

She has him repair her car.

Pattern II: S + have/has/had + O [Thing] + V3

Causative 'have' in passive form:

I have my room cleaned by someone.

He had my room cleaned by someone.

She has my car repaired by him.

Pattern III: S + get + O [Person] + to infinitive

Causative 'get' in active form:

I get someone to clean my room.

 She got him to repair her car.

Pattern IV: S + get + O [Thing] + V3

Causative 'get' in passive form:

I get my room cleaned by someone.

She got her car repaired by him.

Conclusion:
In its formation, the causative sentence with have or get in passive form has the same pattern, but
in the active form it is different.

Susi made Andi take off his sandals before he went into her house.
A. takes off
B. take off
C. took off
D. taken off

Answer: B
made
Discussion: This sentence is a causative sentence because the subject (Susi) asks someone to do something.
Lain (Andi) does something. So the pattern is have/make + active object (person) + V1.

2. Ani: What a nice dress! Did you make it yourself?

Oh, I got it made.
The underlined sentence means ______.
A. Ati bought the dress
B. Ati made the dress herself
C. Ati had to make her dress
D. Someone made Ati’s dress

Answer: D
I got it made
Discussion: This sentence includes a causative made which means that someone is making the shirt.
You are another person.

Mahmud had the oil of his car changed yesterday.

He changed the oil of his car
He had to change the oil of his car
Someone changed the oil of his car
He would have changed the oil of his car

Answer: C
had
Discussion: Causative sentences indicate that someone asks another person to do something.
a job.

4. Dedi: "Arya, how do you inspect our new criminals?"

Arya: “I had the special agent _______”
A. investigate
 B. investigated
C. to investigate.
D. investigates

Answer: A
had the special agent
Discussion: The causative have pattern using a person as the object is S + have/had + [someone]
+ infinitive.

5. Agung: Send this letter today.

Secretary: Yes, Sir.
From the dialogue we know that Agung will have the letter ______.
A. deliver
B. delivered
C. to deliver
D. to be delivering

Answer: B
The key word is: Agung will have the letter
Discussion: The causative have pattern using a noun object is S + have/had +
[something] + Verb3.

6. The old man wants to get his son to take him to another city as he is not strong enough to do it by himself.
himself.
A. Driven
B. Drive
C. To drive
D. To be driven

Answer: C
wants to get his son
Discussion: The causative get pattern that uses a person as the object is S + get/got + [someone] +
to infinitive.

The manager was not able to finish this job by himself as he was too busy taking care of other work.
so he asked me, his assistant, to take the job.
A. Finish
B. To finish
C. Finished
D. Would finish

Answer: B
asked
Discussion: The use of ask is similar to the use of get, so the pattern is the same: S + ask +
[someone] + to infinitive.

Arifa had his teacher called because he had a stomachache.

It means that _____
A. Arifa called his teacher by himself.
B. Arifa calls his own teacher via telephone.
C. Arifa made his teacher call him
D. Arifa asked someone else to call his teacher

Answer: D
had his teacher phoned
Discussion: The sentence implies that Arifa is asking her teacher to be called because she has a stomachache.

9. Because the couple are too busy to prepare their wedding, they ____.

A. Have organized everything for their wedding party

B. Want to organize everything by themselves
C. Have the wedding organized
D. Want to organize their own wedding party

Answer: C
too busy to prepare
Discussion: Because the couple was too busy to prepare for the wedding, logically
They must have someone else do it. The causative sentence pattern is S + have/get +.
[something] + verb3.

10. The owner of the shop let the beggar sit in front of their shop.
A. Begged
To beg
C. To be begged
D. Beg

Answer: D
let the beggar
Discussion: Causative sentences that contain the word 'let' have the same pattern as
causative have and make. So because the beggar in the above sentence is the object of the person, then
followed by the infinitive which is to begin.

The little boy couldn’t go to school this morning because his old bicycle needs repairing.

Answer: C
couldn’t, this morning
Discussion: The use of need is not correct because it refers to a singular subject and event.
was needed, so it should use the form needed.

12. Since they plan to hold a party at home and they want to make it perfect, they have their house to be
painted.

Answer: D
have their house
Discussion: The causative have pattern that uses an object is S + have/had +
[something] + Verb3.

13. The government requires the officer to conduct a census every ten years so that accurate statistics may be produced.
compiled.

Answer: A
makes the officer
Discussion: Causative have, make, or let that uses a person as an object is always followed by
infinitive. So the use of to take is not correct, it should be take.
14. It was her who had the drama Timun Mas change into Bawang Merah Bawang Putih so that
she could get a role for herself.

C
had the drama Timun Mas
Discussion: The causative pattern have that uses an object is S + have/had +
[something] + Verb3. So the use of 'to change' is incorrect, it should be 'changed'.

15. Chrisye, whose complete name is Chrismansyah Rahadi, had made his fans cry in
his death on March 30, 2007.

Answer: B
made his fans
Discussion: Causative have, make, or let that uses a person as an object is always followed by
infinitive. So the use of cried is not correct, it should be cry.

TOEFL Exam Example Questions

Concord (Agreement) and its Discussion

Concordat agreement on the issueStructure and Written Expressionoften found whentest

TOEFLConcord is the unity between the subject and the predicate. How do we respond to the pattern?
Questions about concord or agreement? We learn from the following examples.
Examples in simple form:

o He flies to Manado once a week.

o I have been to Bali.

o He has a nice car.

o You are always complaining about searching for a job.

I fly to Manado once a week.

1) There are some nouns that appear singular but have plural meanings. Namely: cattle,
public, police, people, poultry

o The cattle are grazing in the field.

The police enforce the law.

Some nouns that appear plural but have a singular meaning.

For example, economics, statistics, billiards, mathematics, measles, mumps, shingles.

o Mathematics is difficult.

Measles is a contagious disease.

3) Some nouns can be plural or singular. For example: jury, committee, team, crowd.
class.
 o The jury consists of ten persons.

The jury are arguing among themselves.

4) Examples of when subjects are combined with either...or, neither...nor, and both...and.

o Either you or she was here yesterday.

o Neither I nor he likes coffee.

Both you and your sister work well.

5) The use of each, either, and neither.

If a sentence starts with the word each, either, or neither, then it is certain that the word
The work must be in singular form.

o Neither of the films is interesting.

My school has ten classrooms; each of them is equipped with an overhead projector.

6) The use of as well as.

When two singular subjects are connected with the phrase 'as well as', the verb used is
single subject.

o An apple, as well as an orange, is good for our health.

A television, as well as a radio, is the source of information.

If the two subjects are not of equal number, then the one that is observed (adjusted) is the subject that
written earlier.

o The students, as well as the teacher, have worked hard.

A banana, as well as oranges, is going to be sent to you.

7) Time, distance, weight, and volume are always followed by a verb for a singular subject.

o Five hours is not long for me to want.

Two hundred km is not far away nowadays.

The following words are always followed by a predicate for plural nouns: tweezers, binoculars, glasses.
shoes, shorts, pajamas, pliers. But can be paired with the phrase a pair of. Compare:
My glasses are on the table.
A pair of glasses is on the table.

9) Nouns that have the same singular and plural form. For example: deer, sheep, salmon, mackerel.
máy bay
I saw many Japanese in the hotel.
There are hundreds of deer in the palace garden.

Some of the shops I wanted to see are no longer in the city.

 A. is
B. are
C. have
D. were
Answer: B
Some of the shops
Discussion: No longer is an adjective, so it requires 'to be'. Because
the subject is plural (some of the shops) and the tense is present, so the appropriate to be is are.

2. Feng Shui is a system of laws considered to govern spatial arrangement and control the flow of
energy, and whose favorable or unfavorable effects are taken into account when sitting and designing
buildings.
A. orientation in its relation of
B. orientation to the relationship of
C. orientation relating to
D. orientation in relation to
Answer: D
Keyword: spatial arrangement and the flow of energy
Discussion: This sentence means 'in relation to'. So what is needed is 'in'.
relation to.

The police are investigating the crime.

A. is
B. are
C. to be
D. was
Answer: A
The police
Discussion: Verbs in the -ing form are always preceded by to be. Because there is no...
For time indication, the to be used is the present to be (is).

4. Nothing went wrong when the director was gone, did it?
A. did it
B. didn't it
C. was it
D. wasn’t it
Answer: A
Nothing
Discussion: The main sentence is in the negative form (nothing) and is in the past tense, so the tag
The question is also in the past tense and positive (did).

5. Mars, planet, has two satellites.

A. which is the fourth planet from the Sun
B. it is the fourth planet from the Sun
C. the fourth planet from the Sun
D. is the fourth planet of the Sun
Answer: C
Mars
Discussion: The sentence in the question requires an appositive or additional information. This sentence
does not require a verb because there is already has.

6. Built at the beginning of the century, the Library of Congress houses one of the largest _____
A. and fine
B. and finest
C. or finest
 D. it's fine
Answer: B
the largest
Discussion: The words before and the needed are the finest.

7. Oscillatona, one of the few plants that can move about, exhibits a wavy, gliding motion.
A. having
B. has
C. being
D. with
Answer: B
Oscillatona
Discussion: The main subject of the sentence is Oscillatona which is the subject.
singular (singular). Therefore, what is needed is a verb for the singular subject, which is has.

8. Some monkeys, for example, use their tails in a way similar to a hand.
A. like the spider monkey
B. spider monkey likes
C. to the spider monkey
D. the monkey likes the spider
Answer: A
some monkeys
Discussion: The fill-in-the-blank sentence requires an appositive that explains the phrase some monkeys.
So the appositive provides an example of the phrase it describes.

True hibernation takes place only among certain animals.

A. whose blood is warm
B. blood warm
C. warm-blooded
D. they have warm blood
Answer: C
animals
Discussion: What is needed in the sentence is an adjective that describes.
animals.

10. In a hot, sunny climate, man acclimatizes by eating less, drinking more liquids, wearing lighter
clothing, and _____.
A. skin changes that darken
B. his skin may darken
C. experiencing a darkening of the skin
D. darkens his skin
Answer: C
eating; drinking; wearing
Discussion: The word 'and' combines several words or phrases that are equivalent. Because the words
previously were eating, drinking, and wearing, then the word needed is also that
ending with –ing.

11. It is believed that a people could live on Mars with little life support because the atmosphere is
similar to that of Earth.
Answer: A
people
Discussion: The word people always has a plural meaning, so it does not require the article 'a'.

Heat, left to their own devices, always flows from a given place to another place that is colder.
Answer: A
Heat
Discussion: Since it refers to an uncountable noun (heat), the appropriate possessive adjective is.
is its.

13. The tongue is the principal organ of taste, and is crucial for chewing, swallowing, and speaking.
Answer: D
chewing; speaking
Discussion: Because there is a conjunction 'and', the words needed must be equal to each other.
chewing and speaking.
So the form 'swallowed' is not correct, it should be replaced with 'swallowing'.

14. A few tiles on Skylab were the only equipments that failed to perform well in outer space.
Answer: C
only
Discussion: The word only indicates a singular object. Therefore, equipments should be replaced with equipment.

15. Mosquitoes are such fast breeders that it is almost impossible to control them either by draining.
areas where they breed or to spray them with pesticides.
Answer: D
by draining
Discussion: Connective words or combining equivalent words or phrases. Because that
compared to draining and to spray, then to spray is not correct, it should be spraying.

Example TOEFL Questions on Conditional Sentences and Their Explanations

There are three types of conditional sentences, namely:

Type I: Subject 1 + modal + V1 + complement + if + Subject 2 + Verb1 + complement

I will go if he gives me the money.

He can pass the exam if he studies hard.

This type is called future conditional sentence.

Type II: Subject 1 + past modal + V1 + complement + if + Subject 2 + Verb2 + complement

I would go if he gave me the money.
I don’t go because he doesn’t give me the money.
Type II is called the present conditional sentence.

Type III: Subject 1 + past modal + have + V3 + complement + if + Subject 2 + had + Verb3
complement
I would have gone if he had given me the money.
I didn’t go because he didn’t give me the money.
Type III is called a past conditional sentence.

Explanation:

In future conditional sentences, the main clause uses will, can, must, may, to be.
going to, have to, expect to plus the first form of the verb (verb1), while the verb
the conditional clause in the form ofpresent tense.
In a present conditional sentence, the main clause uses would, could, might, was.
going to, expected to add the first form of the verb (verb1), while the verb
the conditional clause in the formpast present tense.

If I were rich, I would buy a new car.

Were I rich, I would buy a new car.
If I had studied hard, I would have passed the exam.
Had I studied hard, I would have passed the exam.

Example in negative sentences:

I won’t pass the exam if I don’t study hard.
I won’t pass the exam unless I study hard.
Note: unless = if not

If the students are late to submit the scholarship application to the board, they will not be listed.
as candidates.
A. be
B. are
C. were
D. have

Answer: B
will not be listed
Discussion: This sentence is a conditional or type 1 hypothetical sentence because it contains the word 'if'.
Dan will + V1. So the correct answer is 'are' because the tense is present.

If your brother were here, he would help us with this work.

A. is - would help
B. was - will help
C. were - will help
D. were - would help
Answer: D
If
Discussion: The correct pair to complete the sentence is option D because it is appropriate.
with the type 2 conditional pattern.

3. Aldo: Did you attend the meeting last Monday?

Fery: I would if I had been invited.
The underlined utterance means ______.
A. Fery didn’t attend the meeting
B. Fery plans to attend the meeting
C. Fery knew about the meeting and he attended the meeting
D. Fery was not invited to the meeting but he came
Answer: A
I would if I had been invited
Discussion: The sentence in the answer means 'I might come if invited.' So Fery
Fery didn’t attend the meeting.

You would have gotten the job if you had not been late to the interview.
A. would get
B. would be gotten
C. would have gotten
D. would have been gotten
Answer: A
were not late
Discussion: This sentence is a type 2 conditional sentence. The pattern is If S + V2, S + would +
V1.

5. We would get the tickets, ______

A. Wasn't there so much rush at the cinema?
B. Because there was so much rush at the cinema
C. There was not much rush at the cinema.
D. Although there was so much rush at the cinema
Answer: D
would get
Discussion: This sentence is a type 2 conditional sentence. The pattern is If S + V2, S + would +
V1.

6. Fortunately you assisted to push the car. If you hadn't helped him, he would have argued with you.
A. will get angry
B. would have gotten angry
C. should angry
D. would get angry
Answer: B
hadn’t helped
Discussion: This sentence is a type 3 conditional sentence. The pattern is If S + had + V3, S +
would have + past participle.

7. If Rani were not busy at the moment, she would go out with me, said Maria.

From Maria’s utterance we know that Rani agrees with her.

A. goes
B. went
C. didn’t go
D. doesn’t go
Answer: D
would go
Discussion: A type 2 statement when turned into a reality changes into a sentence with
using the formpresent tense, and if the sentence ispositivechange intonegativeand
on the contrary.

Without her shyness, she would have become a great teacher.

A. She had overcome
B. If she had overcome
C. If she overcame
D. If she would overcome
Answer: B
would have become
Discussion: This sentence is a type 3 conditional. The pattern is If S + had + V3, S + would +
have + past participle.

9. If we don’t hurry, the meeting will have finished by the time we get there.
A. would have started
B. will have started
C. will be started
D. will start
Answer: D
don’t hurry
Discussion: This sentence is a type 1 conditional. The pattern is If + S + V1, S + will + V1.

If I had a lot of time, I would study German.

From this sentence we know that _____.
A. I have a lot of time, so I study German.
B. I studied German because I had a lot of time.
C. I want to study German because I have a lot of time.
D. Ich würde gerne Deutsch lernen, aber ich habe nicht viel Zeit.
Answer: D
If I had a lot of time, I would study German.
Discussion: This sentence is a type 2 conditional sentence, whose subject does not have
the possibility of achieving the goals of its assumptions. So we can conclude that I would
I like to study German, but I don’t have much time.

If he had studied more, he would have been able to pass the exam.
Answer: A
If studied
Discussion: The sentence with 'if' here does not have a subject. Additionally, from its form we
It can be concluded that this is a type 3 conditional. The pattern is If S + had + V3, S + would.
have + V3. So studied should be replaced with he had studied.

12. If the United States had not entered the Second World War, probably the 1940 unemployment
the rate of 14% would rise still further.
Answer: D
had not entered
Discussion: This sentence is a type 3 conditional. The pattern is If S + had + V3, S + would + ...
have + V3. So, would rise should be replaced with would have risen.

George would certainly have attended the proceedings had he not had a flat tire.
Answer: C
would certainly have attended
Discussion: Because this sentence is a type 3 conditional by omitting 'if', then
the use of were is incorrect. Had should be used.

Physical fitness exercises can cause injuries if the participants are not careful.
Answer: D
careful
Discussion: Because careful is not a verb, thenauxiliarywhat is used is are.

15. If the oxygen supply in the atmosphere was not replenished by plants, it would soon be exhausted.
Answer: B
If
Discussion: It cannot be used in conditional.auxiliary"was" but replaced with were.

Examples of TOEFL Questions and Discussion

1. Modal Shall
Used for:

1. Stating the future with the subjects I or we

Example: I shall leave for America tomorrow.
2. Promise
Example: You shall have a motorbike.
3. Threat
Example: You shall be punished if you do that.

2. ModalShould
Used for:

1. The past form of shall, when it is in a subordinate clause.

2. means 'should' in the present form
3. It means 'should' (suggestion)

o I said that I should leave.

o You should obey your parents.

If you are tired, you should take a rest.

3. ModalWill
Used for:

Future form
I will go to Jakarta tomorrow.
2. Making a promise
Example: I will come to your house if it doesn’t rain.
3. Polite request
Example: Will you open the window please!

4. Modal Would
Used for:

1. The past form of will when it is in a subordinate clause.

Example:
He says he will come.
He said he would come.
2. Polite request
Would you open the door, please?
3. Showing the desire to want if accompanied by like (would like = want)
Do you want a cup of tea?

5. ModalCan
Contains the meaning:

1. Ability in present form

I can speak English.
2. Permission
Can I go out?

Could
Contains the meaning:

1. The past form of can when it is in a subordinate clause.

Example: I said that I could go with you.
2. Ability in the past form.
Example: When I was young I could play tennis well.
3. Permission (a more polite form of can)
Could I borrow your pen?

ModalMay
Contains the meaning:

1. Permission
May I go home now?
2. Possibility
Example: He may come late (Maybe)

8. Modal Might
Meaning:

The past form of may when it is in a subordinate clause.

Example: He said that he might go home (might)
2. Probability
Example: She might be late

9. ModalMust
It means:

1.Must
You must study hard.

2.Dishes
Example: Andi bought a new car, he must be rich.
10. ModalNeed
Must be used:

1. As a regular verb
Example: Do you need a new book?
2. As an auxiliary verb
Example: Need to go so soon?

11. Modal PERFECT (Subject + Modal + Have + Verb 3 + Object etc.)

Example:
I could have lifted the box just now.
I can lift that box (but I didn't do it).
It means a capability in the past that was not acted upon.
2. Misal:
He might have gone by train early this morning.
Maybe he took the train this morning.
It means a possibility in the past.
3. Example:
It must have rained last night.
It must have rained last night (proven by the wet road, for example).
A conclusion or certainty in the past.
4. Example:
I would have returned your bicycle.
I want to return your bike (but I can't).
An unfulfilled desire.
5. Misal:
I should have given some money.
I should have given him money (but I didn't).
An unfulfilled obligation.

Example TOEFL Questions on Elliptical Construction and Their Discussion

Elliptical Construction Arrangement

The elliptical construction with the use of conjunctions is used to avoid the repetition of noun phrases.
(verb phrase) in positive sentences.

Peter likes roses and I like roses.

So this sentence is changed to:
Peter likes roses and so do I.
Peter likes roses and I do too.

2. What must be remembered is that we must use helping verbs.

3. For negative sentences, either... or neither is used.

o I don't know the answer and he doesn't know the answer.

o I don't know the answer and he doesn't either.

I don't know the answer and neither does he.

4. If the two sentences we are going to combine are positive and the other one is negative, then we
use but.

o He went to Jakarta but I didn't.

He didn't go to Jakarta but I did.

Elliptical Construction in Other Forms

1. Elliptic Subject: The italicized words must be removed.

o He phoned and he told me the news

o I visited her and I gave her some flowers.

I may call you tomorrow or I may phone later in the day.

2. Elliptic Predicate:

o Since John can't accompany me, you will accompany me.

Jack understands the lesson, so surely all should understand the lesson.

Notes:
What must be remembered is that the one experiencing the elliptic predicate is the subordinate clause.

1. Sue: "I didn't enjoy the movie last night"

Bob: "Neither did I."
From the dialogue we know that ______
A. Both Sue and Bob didn't enjoy the movie last night.
B. Not only Sue but also Bob enjoyed the movie last night.
C. Bob enjoyed the movie last night but Sue didn't.
D. Bob enjoyed the movie last night, and so did Sue.
Answer: A
Neither did I
Discussion: Neither Bob nor Sue could enjoy the movie they watched that night.

How long can you stay under water?

Nadia: I can stay there as long as I can hold my breath.
A. as
B. for
C. since
D. as long as
Answer: D
Keyword :can stay; can hold
Discussion: The statement means 'I can survive as long as I can.'
I hold my breath.

3. Alaskan forest is located five or six miles inland from the Pacific coast.
A. Penetrate more rarely than
B. More rarely than penetrate
C. More penetrate than rarely
D. Rarely penetrate more than
Answer: A
Alaskan forest
Discussion: Since the sentence already has a subject, what is needed is a predicate.
The most suitable predicate formulation is penetrate more rarely than.

The luggage is twice the baby's weight. The luggage is heavier than the baby.
A. as heavy as
B. heavier than
C. not so heavy as
D. lighter than
Answer: B
twice the baby's weight
Discussion: The weight of the suitcase is twice the weight of the baby. Thus, the most accurate statement is
is statement B which means 'heavier'.

5. Bob: I won't come to the meeting tomorrow. What about you?

Janet: Well, I'm afraid ______.
A. so will I
B. I will too
C. neither do I
D. I won't either
Answer: D
I'm afraid
Discussion: The expression I'm afraid is commonly used to express regret.
the conversation clearly indicates that Janet also cannot attend the meeting. So Janet
will not come like Bob. Therefore, elliptical construction is needed with
pronoun + verb + not + either.

6. They can neither give him a part-time job, nor as a trainee in their company.
A. and also not accept him
B. they cannot accept him
nor accept him
D. but also not accept him
Answer: C
neither
Discussion: The pair of words for neither is nor.

They got not only medals but also money.

A. not only
B. as well as
C. of not even
D. instead
Answer: A
but also
Discussion: The pair for but also is not only.

8. I think that my mother will be interested in reading this novel, but_____

A. so will my father
B. my father won't
C. so does my father
D. my father is not
Answer: B
will be; but
Discussion: The formula for the conjunction 'but' is that if there is a positive sentence before 'but', then
after the word but use a negative sentence, and vice versa.
9. His shop was burnt down near his car that was parked nearby.
A. and neither did
B. also was
C. but neither was
D. and so was
Answer: D
Keyword :was burnt, was parked
Discussion: The two sentences are positive sentences, so they use elliptical construction.
positive also means so. Meanwhile, the verb used is the past tense of to be which is was.

10. In evaluating your progress, the teacher will take into account ...., attitude, and achievements.
A. how you performed
B. your performance
C. if you performed well
D. when you have performed
Answer: B
attitude
Discussion: Words and grouping similar words. The words attitude and
achievements is a noun. Therefore, the word in the dots must also be a noun.
Venomous snakes with modified teeth

11. You can apply for a scholarship to the British embassy neither at the beginning nor at the end of the
Semester.
Answer: C
or
Discussion: The pair or is either, not neither.

The Sony camcorder demo was fun and impressive, but is not better than Microsoft's.
Answer: C
as better as
Discussion: As ... as is used to express equality, while the statement above
It seems to intend to compare. Moreover, as ... as cannot be used together.
with better.

By the mid-nineteenth century, land was so expensive in large cities that architects began
to conserve space by designing skyscrapers.
Answer: B
expensive
Discussion: The word such is usually followed by a noun, while expensive is an adjective.
The adjective 'sifat' should be paired with 'so' to become 'so expensive.'

The prices of homes are so high in urban areas that most young people cannot afford to buy them.
Answer: B
high
Discussion: If 'as' is used, it must take the form of 'as ... as' which represents a comparison.
Meanwhile, in the sentence there is the word that, which should be paired with so. Thus the word as
it should be replaced with so.

15. The classification of a dinosaur as either saurischian or ornithischian depends on the structure.
of the hip.
Answer: B
either
Discussion: Either should be paired with or, so the use of nor in the sentence is incorrect.
exact.

To complete your understanding of Elliptical Construction, please also read the article.Usage
Elliptical Constructionin the discussion of English grammar.

Examples of TOEFL Questions on Gerund and To Infinitive and Their Explanations

Gerund Form
Gerundis a verb plus ing that functions as a noun or that
distinguished. Gerund can function as:
a. Subject
b. Object
c. Predicate Complement
d. Noun Modifier

a. Gerund as subject

Smoking is bad for our health.

Riding a bicycle isn’t easy.

Baking cake is difficult.

b. Gerund as an object

I like reading.

She enjoys dancing.

She has swimming as her hobby.

Verbs that can be followed by a gerund are:

admit, appreciate, avoid, begin, can’t help, can’t stand, continue, deny, dislike, finish, forget, hate,
keep
Gerunds can also be used after prepositions:

o I am fond of playing the piano.

o They left without having breakfast.

She apologized for coming late.

c. Gerund as predicate complement

o My hobby is dancing salsa.

 His favorite sport was riding a bicycle.

d. Gerund as a noun modifier

o The waiting room is full of girls.

The reading books are on the table.

Gerund with its subject

o Tuti’s cooking is delicious.

Her dancing books are on the table.

Gerund with its object

o I enjoy her cooking.

o You can’t prevent him from spending his money.

Forgive me for calling you so early.

There are several verbs that can be followed by a gerund and can also be followed by to +
infinitive but different meanings:

He forgets telling her story.

(He [male] forgot that he had told her [female].)
He forgets to tell her story.
The man forgot that he had to tell her.
He stopped working.
(She stopped working.)
He stopped to work.
(She quit her job.)
They tried to make a kite.
They are trying to make a kite.
They tried making a kite.
(They conducted an experiment to make a kite.)

2. Pattern To Infinitive

a. As subject:

o Cooking takes a lot of time.

o To be a teacher is interesting.

Understanding English is not easy.

b. As an explanation of a noun:

o I have something to do.

o Do you need a man to help you?

I have some problems to solve.

c. As an explanation of adjectives:

o John is happy to help Mary.

The lesson is easy to understand.

d. As a description of the work:

o They ran to help the injured boy.

o He came to see that he was wrong.

I will agree to marry David.

e. As an explanation of Wh-word:

o I know how to drive a car.

o I don’t know how to thank you.

Can you tell me which button to press?

1. Since Marlo is a presenter, he is used to performing in front of the spectators.
A. speak
B. speaks
C. speaking
D. spoke
Answer: C
Key word: is used to
Discussion: The use of be used to + Ving aims to express a habit that continues.
has been done until now, while used to + V1 indicates a habit that was in the past
It was implemented but is no longer being carried out.

2. The environmental group hopes to restore the forest to its original condition by the end of the
decade.
A. to restore
B. having restored
C. to be restored
D. to have been restored
Answer: A
hopes
Discussion: The verb 'hope' is followed by the to infinitive.

Learning a new language can be very interesting.

 A. Learn
B. Learned
C. Learning
D. To learning
Answer: A
can be very interesting
Discussion: This sentence requires a subject. So what is needed is a subject.
in the form of a gerund.

4. At New Year’s Eve celebrations continued until early in the morning.

To sing and to dance
B. they sing and dance
C. singing and dancing
D. song and dance
Answer: C
continued
Discussion: The sentence does not have a subject. So what is needed is a subject in the form of
gerund.

5. After attending the wedding party, Dona continued with the meal and having dinner.
with her family.
A. heating
B. to heat
C. heat
D. heats
Answer: A
continued; having
Discussion: Continue can be followed by to + infinitive or V-ing, and both have
the same meaning. But because there is a conjunction in the sentence and then the verb that
It must be aligned with the verb after 'and'. Because after 'and', the verb is in the form of
V-ing must happen before and must also be V-ing.

The new employees are furious about the news about their delayed salary.
A. receiving
B. received
C. to receive
D. receive
Answer: C
furious
Discussion: The word furious is followed by to infinitive.

7. While trying to buy the concert ticket, the man with the beard stole the young lady’s.
purse.
A. he queuing
B. he queues
C. queuing
D. queued
Answer: C
Key word: while
Discussion: While is followed by V-ing because while is a preposition.

8. We decided to stay home because Sita wasn’t very keen on going out in the rain.
A. go
B. goes
C. went
 D. going
Answer: D
wasn’t very keen on
Discussion: On is a preposition so it must be followed by V-ing.

I used to, but I resigned my membership.

The sentence that could generate the response indicated:
A. Won’t you belong to the English club?
B. Wouldn’t you have belonged to the English club?
C. Did you not used to belong to the English Club?
D. Wouldn’t you belong to the English club?
Answer: C
I used to
Discussion: The clause I used to means 'used to but no longer'. So this form is
not in accordance with all interrogative words that mean future such as won’t and wouldn’t
answer choices.

10. Henry Ford revolutionized production management by breaking it down into small steps on a
moving line.
A. breaking down auto assembly
B. broken down auto assembly
C. he broke down auto assembly
D. auto assembly breaking down
Answer: A
by
Discussion: By is a preposition that must be followed by a gerund.

Forgetting something usually means an inability to retrieve the material that is still stored.
somewhere in the memory.
Answer: B
Key word: forgetting
Discussion: Subjects that are gerunds are counted as singular, so the verb after them is ...
The present form must be added with the suffix -s. Therefore, it should be followed by means.

Doctors agree that the fluid around the spinal cord helps nourish the brain.
Answer: D
helps
Discussion: The verb help is an infinitive that must be followed by to. So the use of the
nourish should be to nourish.

13. Like every other nation, the United States used to define its unit of currency, the dollar, in terms
of the gold standard.
Answer: C
As every other nation
Discussion: This sentence means a current habit, so 'used to' should be structured as 'be'.
used to + V-ing becomes is used to defining.

14. We are supposed to read all of chapter seven and answer the questions for
tomorrow’s class.
Answer: B
seven
Discussion: In the sentence, only one chapter is mentioned, which is seven.
The use of all of chapters is incorrect. It should only be chapter seven.

15. Since lightning was probably significant in the formation of life, understanding it might
 help us to understand life itself.
Answer: C
Key word: to understanding
Discussion: To is not followed by a gerund but rather an infinitive. So it should be to understand.

Example TOEFL Questions on Word Order and Their Discussion

The pattern is: S + Verb + Object + Adv of Manner + Adv of Place + Adv of Time
Example:
Our teacher spoke to us very rudely in the class yesterday.
S V O Manner Place Time

Note:
a. Adverb of timeIt can be stored at the beginning of the sentence, or it can also be stored at the end of the sentence.
Yesterday I visited her.
I visited her yesterday.
b.Adverb of placealways stored at the end of the sentence.
I read a book in the library.
Adverb of mannerintransitive verb (a verb that does not require an object).
I slept soundly.
He studies hard.
d.Adverb of mannerintransitive verb (a verb that requires an object).
He speaks English well.
She sings a song melodiously.
Adverb of manner ending in -ly that is used with transitive verbs can be placed
after the subject or at the end.
I had completely forgotten it.
I had forgotten it completely.
Adverb of frequencyplaced before the verb or after the auxiliary verb.
I always come late.
He is always at home on Sunday.
1. The bills are folded in an origami style in a ______.
A. three-dimensional frame
B. three-dimensional frame
C. three-dimensional-frame
D. three-frames dimensional
Answer: B
in a
Discussion: Because three-dimensional is an adjective that describes a noun.
(frame), so it should not be in plural form and hyphens are only used for
connecting a series of adjectives.

2. Those football matches will be broadcast on television tonight.

A. internationally broadcasting
B. broadcasted international
 C. internationally broadcasted
D. broadcasting international
Answer: C
will be
Discussion: The form 'will be' is always followed by a participle. The verb is explained by an adverb that
ending in -ly. Therefore, the correct answer is internationally broadcasted.

3. The Whitney Boomerang is the first ______ which exceeds all crash testing requirements.
A. two seater aircraft
B. two-seater aircraft
C. two seaters aircraft
D. two-seaters aircraft
Answer: B
the first
Discussion: A collection of adjectives must be connected with a hyphen (-) and cannot be plural.
(added -s).

4. There will be ______ in this town next two days.

A. an essential five days convention
B. an essential-five-day convention
C. an essential five-days convention
D. essential five days convention
Answer: B
there will be
Discussion: A collection of adjectives must be connected with a hyphen (-) and cannot be plural.
(filled -s).

Not only is he the best student in his school, but he also receives a scholarship.
A. Markus becomes
B. did Markus become
C. does Markus become
D. Markus becoming
Answer: C
Not only
Discussion: This is an inverted sentence because there is a word with a negative meaning at the beginning of the sentence (not
So the pattern is reversed (there must be a to be/auxiliary verbs/modals before the subject). Thus the answer that
the correct one is Markus because the tense used in that sentence is present tense
(pay attention to the word receives).

6. She woke up tired this morning because of studying hard the previous night.
A. late
B. lately
C. lattest
D. later
Answer: A
woke up
Discussion: What is needed here is an adverb to explain the verb.
(woke up). Most adverbs use -ly, but there are certain words whose adverb forms
similar to its adjective forms, such as hard, fast, and late. Lately means 'nowadays' so
It means different from the word late ('late'). Therefore, lately is not an adverb of late.

7. Not only was it a good thing; he did the right thing.

A. Did Sam do
B. Will Sam do
C. Sam did
 D. Sam do
Answer: C
Not only
Discussion: This is an inversion sentence because there is a negative meaning word at the beginning of the sentence (not
So the pattern is reversed (there must be a to be/auxiliary verb/modals before the subject). Thus the answer that
It is true that Sam did because the tense used in that sentence is past tense.
(note the clause he did the right thing).

8. Thomas Alfa Edison invented _____.

A. electric lights
B. the electric lights
C. an electric lights
D. electric light
Answer: A
invented
Discussion: The object needed in this sentence is not specific.

9. ______, Airlangga University has a well-respected medical school.

A. As university
B. As Public university
C. As the university
D. As a Public university
Answer: D
Airlangga University
Discussion: Although the subject is specific, what is being compared is Airlangga University.
as a public university. Therefore, the article used is 'a'.

10. There are only 90 questions in this test, aren't there?

A. did there
B. didn't there
C. don’t there
D. aren’t there
Answer: D
are
Discussion: The statement is in the positive present tense. So the tag is present and
negative.

11. The tsunami in Aceh was caused by an undersea earthquake located in South Thailand.
Answer: A
the Aceh
Discussion: Aceh here is the name of a city. The name of a region or city cannot begin with 'the'.

12. Although he was happily married, he preferred spending late hours at work to
spending evenings lazily at home.
Answer: B
spending lately hours
Discussion: In this sentence, an adjective is needed to describe the noun which is hours. Lately
is not an adjective, besides that lately means 'recently'. So it should be used
It is late.

13. Twenty amino acids serve as building blocks of proteins.

Answer: A
Twenty the amino acids
Discussion: The use of 'twenty the' is incorrect because the placement of the determiner 'the' is not appropriate.
In this sentence, the is not needed so just twenty is enough.
Radioactive dating is the most accurate method yet developed for determining the age of fossils.
Answer: B
the accuratest method
Discussion: Because 'accurate' has more than two syllables, its superlative form is 'the.'
most accurate.

15. Doctors believe there is better in this modern world of ours to try to prevent illnesses than to rely
on medicines to cure them.
Answer: B
believe
Discussion: The use of 'there' is not correct. A more appropriate choice is the impersonal 'it' for
showing what the doctor believes.