TOEFL Practice Test 9 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Choose the correct answerApple Computer has unveiled its new desktop computer design, _____ all disk drives and processors into a flat display less than two inches thick

Which includes
which contains
Enclosing
Which integrates (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Which integrates

The word 'integrates' best conveys the idea of combining different components into a unified, functional whole, which is precisely what a new computer design that incorporates drives and processors into a display achieves. It suggests a seamless and cohesive merging of elements. 'Includes' or 'contains' are too general, while 'enclosing' implies merely surrounding, not necessarily making them a part of the display itself.

Question 2: Select the right response. Because ____ are lousy behavior observers, their children's inappropriate behavior becomes out of control.

Parents (Correct answer)
When parents
Parents that
If parents

Correct answer: Parents

The sentence requires a simple subject for the verb 'are' within the dependent clause 'Because ____ are lousy behavior observers.' 'Parents' functions as a straightforward plural noun, correctly completing the clause and making it grammatically sound. The other options introduce unnecessary words or structures that would create grammatical errors or alter the intended meaning of the sentence.

Question 3: There are 4 underlined sections in the text below. Select the one which is wrong.The Eiffel Tower was built the International Exhibition of Paris of 1889commemorating the centenary of the French Revolution.

Was built (Correct answer)
commemorating
Of
the

Correct answer: Was built

The phrase 'was built' is grammatically incomplete in this context. To correctly express the purpose or occasion for which the Eiffel Tower was constructed, a preposition like 'for' is needed. The sentence should read 'The Eiffel Tower was built for the International Exhibition...' to properly link the verb to the event, indicating its intended purpose.

Question 4: Choose the correct answerThe number of girls in school and women in parliaments has risen, and their overall access to contraception has improved in the past decade, _____ new report.

according a
According to a (Correct answer)
Published in a
Stated in a

Correct answer: According to a

The phrase 'according to' is the correct and idiomatic expression used to attribute information or a statement to a specific source, such as a report. It means 'as stated by' or 'as reported by,' and is essential for properly citing the origin of the information presented in the sentence. The other options are grammatically incorrect or do not fit the standard usage for attribution.

Question 5: Choose the correct answerAstronomers on _____ announced the discovery of a new -- and possibly abundant -- class of planets that has more in common with Earth than the uninhabitable gas giants previously discovered.

University research labs
NASA
Tuesday (Correct answer)
observatories

Correct answer: Tuesday

The preposition 'on' is correctly used when referring to a specific day of the week, indicating when an event took place. Therefore, 'on Tuesday' is the only grammatically appropriate option to specify the timing of the astronomers' announcement. While astronomers work in labs or for organizations like NASA, 'on' typically precedes a day or date, not a location or organization in this context.

Question 6: Choose the correct answerAcross the country, recreational and commercial fishers have been pointing fingers for decades over which group is responsible for _____ stocks of sports fish.

Increasing
Dwindling (Correct answer)
Growing
reduce

Correct answer: Dwindling

The context of 'pointing fingers' and blaming clearly indicates a negative situation regarding fish stocks. 'Dwindling' means gradually diminishing in size, amount, or strength, which accurately describes a decline in fish populations that would lead to conflict among fishers. Options like 'increasing' or 'growing' suggest a positive trend, while 'reduce' is a verb and does not fit grammatically as an adjective describing the stocks.

Question 7: Choose the correct answerLong hours and unsociable shifts _____ take their toll on health, relationships and family life.

must
are able to
Can (Correct answer)
Shouldn't

Correct answer: Can

The modal verb 'can' is used to express possibility or potential, indicating that long hours and unsociable shifts have the ability or potential to negatively impact health, relationships, and family life. It suggests that these effects are possible outcomes, not necessarily guaranteed or obligatory. 'Must' implies obligation, and 'shouldn't' implies a recommendation against, neither of which fits the context of describing a potential consequence.

Question 8: Choose the correct answerThe hospital is now discounting 10 standard operations and _____ , ranging from having a baby and treating a cataract to undergoing a heart bypass.

Procedures (Correct answer)
visits
equipment
Medication

Correct answer: Procedures

The examples provided—'having a baby,' 'treating a cataract,' and 'undergoing a heart bypass'—are all specific types of medical interventions. 'Procedures' is the most accurate and encompassing term to categorize these diverse medical actions, as it refers to a series of steps performed to achieve a particular medical outcome. The other options (visits, equipment, medication) do not fit the context of what is being discounted alongside operations.

Question 9: On the freeway, ____ was backed up for kilometers.

Yesterday
In the morning
Traffic (Correct answer)
Cars

Correct answer: Traffic

The phrase 'backed up' commonly refers to a congestion of vehicles on a road. 'Traffic' is the most appropriate and idiomatic collective noun to describe this condition. While 'cars' can be backed up, 'traffic' specifically refers to the state of congestion itself. 'Yesterday' and 'In the morning' are adverbs of time and cannot function as the subject of the sentence.

Question 10: Engineers________ for work on the new space program.

necessary
are needed (Correct answer)
hopefully
next month

Correct answer: are needed

The sentence requires a verb phrase to complete the predicate and indicate that engineers are required for the work. 'Are needed' correctly forms a passive voice construction, meaning that engineers are in demand or necessary for the new space program. 'Necessary' is an adjective, and 'hopefully' and 'next month' are adverbs, none of which can serve as the main verb of the sentence.

Question 11: Fitzgerald_______ the society of the 1920's in his novel, The Great Gatsby.

reflect
reflects (Correct answer)
are reflecting
have reflected

Correct answer: reflects

The subject of the sentence, 'Fitzgerald,' is a singular third-person noun. Therefore, the verb must agree with this singular subject in the present tense. 'Reflects' is the correct singular present tense form of the verb 'to reflect,' accurately describing Fitzgerald's action in his novel. The other options are either plural ('reflect') or incorrect tenses/forms for this context.

Question 12: _____ the demands of aerospace, medicine, and agriculture, aengineers, are creating exotic new metallic substances.

Meet
Being met are
To meet (Correct answer)
They are meeting

Correct answer: To meet

The infinitive phrase 'To meet' correctly introduces a purpose clause, explaining the reason *why* engineers are creating new substances. It functions as 'in order to meet' the demands of various industries. Options A, B, and D are grammatically incorrect in this initial position; 'Meet' needs 'to' for purpose, and the others create structural errors.

Question 13: _______ James A. Bland, “Carry Me Back to Old Virginny” was adopted is the state song of Virginia in 1940.

His writing was
Written by (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Written by

The phrase 'Written by James A. Bland' is a participial phrase that correctly introduces the song and attributes its authorship. It acts as an adjective modifying the song title, providing essential information about its origin before the main clause. 'His writing was' would create an awkward and grammatically incorrect sentence structure in this context, failing to properly introduce the song's creator.

Question 14: Mary Garden, ______ the early 1900’s was considered one of the best singing actresses of her time.

was a popular soprano
a popular soprano in (Correct answer)
a soprano was popular
in a popular soprano

Correct answer: a popular soprano in

The phrase 'a popular soprano in the early 1900s' functions as an appositive, providing additional descriptive information about Mary Garden. It is correctly set off by commas and clarifies her profession and the time period of her popularity. Options A, C, and D introduce extra verbs or incorrect phrasing that would make the sentence grammatically unsound or alter its intended structure.

Question 15: With his friend________ found the movie theater

has
he (Correct answer)
later
when

Correct answer: he

The sentence requires a subject pronoun to perform the action of 'found.' 'He' is the correct third-person singular subject pronoun that refers to the individual who, along with his friend, located the movie theater. 'Has' is a verb, 'later' is an adverb, and 'when' is a conjunction, none of which can serve as the subject of the verb 'found' in this sentence.

Question 16: _________, Mike, is attending the lecture.

Right now
Happily
Because of the time
My friend (Correct answer)

Correct answer: My friend

The sentence requires a noun phrase to act as an appositive to 'Mike,' providing more information about him. 'My friend' correctly identifies Mike's relationship to the speaker and fits grammatically as an appositive, set off by commas, before his name. Options A, B, and C are adverbs or adverbial phrases that describe time or manner, not a person, and therefore cannot function as an appositive in this context.

Question 17: __________ , Jane rarely misses her basketball shots.

Her excellent basketball play
Jane is an excellent basketball player
An excellent basketball player is
An excellent basketball player (Correct answer)

Correct answer: An excellent basketball player

This sentence requires an appositive phrase to describe Jane. An appositive renames or identifies the noun or pronoun it follows, providing additional information without creating a new independent clause or a grammatical error. "An excellent basketball player" correctly functions as an appositive, concisely describing Jane's skill. Options A, B, and C introduce grammatical issues or are not the most appropriate way to phrase the appositive.

Question 18: The child_________ playing in the yard is my son

now (Correct answer)
is
was
he

Correct answer: now

The sentence structure "The child playing in the yard is my son" already contains a subject ("The child") and a main verb ("is"). The word "playing" functions as a present participle modifying "child." "Now" is an adverb that correctly modifies the participle "playing," indicating the time of the action without introducing an unnecessary verb or pronoun. Options B, C, and D would introduce additional verbs or pronouns, making the sentence grammatically incorrect.

TOEFL Practice Test 9

Choose the correct answerApple Computer has unveiled its new desktop computer design, _____ all disk drives and processors into a flat display less than two inches thick