TOEIC Error Recognition 1 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Choose the incorrect section that is underlined:

worse (Correct answer)
actually
thoughts
which he claimed were

Correct answer: worse

The word 'worse' is a comparative adjective, used when comparing two things (e.g., 'this is worse than that'). If the sentence intends to describe the most negative degree of something without a direct comparison, the superlative form 'worst' should be used. Alternatively, if it's describing a general negative state, 'bad' would be appropriate.

Question 2: Choose the incorrect section that is underlined:

with
delayed to buy (Correct answer)
had been advised
to make

Correct answer: delayed to buy

The phrase 'delayed to buy' is grammatically incorrect. The verb 'delay' should be followed by a gerund (the -ing form of a verb), not an infinitive (to + verb). Therefore, the correct phrasing should be 'delayed buying' to indicate the action that was postponed.

Question 3: Choose the incorrect section that is underlined:

before going
presented
will might (Correct answer)
may have to

Correct answer: will might

The phrase 'will might' is grammatically incorrect because it uses two modal verbs ('will' and 'might') consecutively. English grammar does not allow for two modal verbs to be used together in this way. One of the modal verbs should be chosen, or the sentence needs to be rephrased to convey the intended meaning using only one modal verb or an alternative construction.

Question 4: Choose the incorrect section that is underlined:

will attempt
things going
Not agreeing to sell
is phasing (Correct answer)

Correct answer: is phasing

The phrase 'is phasing' is incomplete and grammatically incorrect in most contexts. 'Phase' is typically used as part of a phrasal verb, such as 'phase out' (to gradually stop using something) or 'phase in' (to gradually introduce something). Without the necessary preposition, the meaning is unclear and the verb construction is incomplete.

Question 5: Choose the incorrect section that is underlined:

was
a little (Correct answer)
to preventing
extinguishing

Correct answer: a little

The phrase 'a little' is used to quantify uncountable nouns (e.g., 'a little water,' 'a little time'). If the sentence refers to countable nouns, the correct quantifier would be 'a few' (e.g., 'a few fires,' 'a few problems'). Without the full sentence, it's presumed that 'a little' is incorrectly used with a countable noun in this context.

Question 6: Choose the incorrect section that is underlined:

drastically (Correct answer)
frustrating
was experienced
because of

Correct answer: drastically

The word 'drastically' is an adverb, which modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. If the word is intended to modify a noun directly, it should be the adjective form, 'drastic.' For example, one would say 'a drastic change' (adjective modifying noun) rather than 'a drastically change.' Without the full sentence, it's assumed 'drastically' is incorrectly used where an adjective is required.

Question 7: Choose the incorrect section that is underlined:

depend upon
necessities of life
deals on (Correct answer)
which

Correct answer: deals on

The phrase 'deals on' is an incorrect prepositional usage. The correct phrasal verb to express handling or addressing a topic, problem, or situation is 'deal with.' If the context refers to trading or selling something, the correct phrasal verb would be 'deal in.'

TOEIC Error Recognition 1

Choose the incorrect section that is underlined: