TOEFL ITP
Level 1
Sample Questions
Solving Sentence Correction
Questions
• It refers to the ability to identify a mistake within a
sentence.
• You will find this type of questions in the Written
Expression section in the test.
Today we will be practicing ways in which you can
spot the error more easily.
Solving Sentence Correction Questions
When working with this kind of questions, make sure you
analyze the item’s:
• Meaning: Does the sentence make logical sense? Does the modifier
modify the right noun?
• Modifiers: Are the prepositional phrases, participial phrases and
relative clauses being used properly?
• Pronouns: Are the pronouns making the right reference?
• Agreement: Do the subject and verb agree? Do you know the
idiomatic phrase being used?
• Tense: Are the tenses being used match the sentence’s timeline?
Sample Written Expression
Let’s practice using a couple of items from the Written Expression
section.
Alternative B is a connector that means “because
of.” In this case, being called rainbow fish is caused
Guppies are sometimes (A) call rainbow fish (B) due to by its bright colors. This is OK.
the (C) bright colors of (D) the males.
Whenever you find a modifier, check its position
within the sentence. It should always come before
the noun. Alternative C is OK.
First, read the complete sentence. Is there an
obvious mistake? If you are not sure, start For alternative D, it’s important to check agreement
analyzing each of the alternatives. and the use of articles (the). Because the noun has
been defined, alternative D is OK.
Alternative A: This is a verb, so let’s check
agreement and tense. Guppies is the subject, and
we can see an auxiliary verb (are), which suggests
the use of a participle (either in the present or past).
Because this is passive voice, alternative A is
incorrect.
Sample Written Expression
Alternative A is the main verb in this reduced relative
(A) Serving several (B) term in the Congress, Shirley clause, which describes Shirley Chisholm. It is OK.
Chisholm (C) became a (D) respected political figure.
Whenever you find a noun, check whether it is being
affected by modifiers. In this case, the modifier
“several” is plural, so the noun should match.
First, read the complete sentence. Who is the Alternative B is incorrect.
first part of the sentence describing? Can you
simplify this statement? Alternative C maintains the agreement to the
subject. It also gives us more information about the
item’s timeline.
Alternative D is a modifier. Whenever working with
modifiers, identify the noun and make sure it follows
the right order. Alternative D is OK.
When solving sentence correction questions,
remember that…
• You need to pay attention to different aspects of the sentence
in order to find the mistake.
• Not everything is about grammar. Sometimes you will have to
check references and the item’s logic.
You will only have 17 minutes to solve this section of
the test, so keep an eye on the clock! Avoid spending
too much time on any single question.
Now let’s practice together!
We will work on some multiple-choice questions from the written
expression section together.
Read carefully and answer the questions on your own. We will
check together later! You will have around 1 minute to read and
choose your answer.
Are you ready?
Questions 1-3
1. The gopher (A) digs not only with the (B) claws strong of its two front feet (C) but
also with its (D) overhanging front teeth.
2. Granville Woods is (A) credited with (B) inventing a steam boiler (C) furnaces in
(D) the 1880s.
3. A (A) deficient of folic acid is (B) rarely a problem in humans (C) because the
vitamin is present in a (D) wide variety of foods.
Let’s check your answers!
1. The gopher (A) digs not only with the (B) claws strong of its two front feet (C) but
also with its (D) overhanging front teeth.
• Alternative A is correct. “Digs” is the main verb of the sentence,
and it agrees with the subject.
• Alternative B is incorrect, because of word order. Modifiers always
come before the noun.
• Alternative C is correct. The idiom “not only [something], but (also)
[something else]” is usually used to emphasize and connect two
phrases simultaneously.
• Alternative D is correct. It modifies “front teeth.”
Let’s check your answers!
2. Granville Woods is (A) credited with (B) inventing a steam boiler (C) furnaces in
(D) the 1880s.
• Alternative A is correct. “Credited” is the main verb of the sentence,
and it is being used in the passive voice.
• Alternative B is correct. To complement the expression “be credited
with” we need the present participle of the verb.
• Alternative C is incorrect. The key is the indefinite article “a,” which
signals a singular noun. “Furnaces” is in plural form.
• Alternative D is correct. The definite article “the” should be used
when before dates, decades, and centuries.
Let’s check your answers!
3. A (A) deficient of folic acid is (B) rarely a problem in humans (C) because the
vitamin is present in a (D) wide variety of foods.
• Alternative A is incorrect. The key is the article “a” that precedes the
word. Remember that we use articles before nouns, not modifiers.
• Alternative B is correct. The position of the frequency adverb is OK.
• Alternative C is correct. This connector introduces a reason.
• Alternative D is correct. The modifier precedes the noun.
General Study Tips when Solving
Sentence Correction Questions
• Learn the different error types, and make
sure you keep them in mind when solving
this kind of questions.
• When a sentence is too long, simplify it, so
you can easily identify relative clauses,
modifiers, references, etc.
• Make sure you review phrasal verbs as well
as idiomatic expressions while preparing for
the test.
References
• TOEFL ITP Level 1 items and resources: https://www.ets.org//toefl/itp/prepare.html
