TOEFL Test Practice (Structure)

Blood flow ... by the heart.

• which is controlled

• being controlled

• controlled

• is controlled

Answer explanation

A verb is missing here (the word "flow" is a noun used as a subject in this sentence). the phrase "by the heart" indicates that the verb should be passive: "is controlled"

... D. J. Stanford decided to devote his free time to anthropoligical study.

• he was fifteen

• his age was fifteen

• when he was fifteenn

• the age of fifteen

Answer explanation

The sentence is incomplete here. Therefore, a phrase or adverb clause giving more information is needed to fill in the blank. "when he was fifteen" tells when the decision was made.

Not all birds ....

• fly

• flying

• to fly

• flown

Answer explanation

a verb is needed to complete the sentence : "fly"

a construction kit consists of parts that can be ....

• together they are fitted

• that when fitted together

• fitted together

• together are fitted

Answer explanation

the adjective clause "that can be" is incomplete. a verb "fitted" can complete the clause. "together" tells how the parts fit.

The Swedish scientist ... to people who have done something important to help humankind.

• left money to be awarded to Alfred B. Nobel

• Alfred B. Nobel left to be awarded money

• Alfred B. Nobel left money to be awarded

• awarding money to Alfred B. Nobel to be left

Answer explanation

a subject and verb are needed to complete the independent clause.

The western part of Oregon generally receives more rain than ... the eastern part.

• does

• in it does

• it does in

• in

Answer explanation

an aux-word (auxiliary verb) , "does," is needed to complete the sentence.

... porpoises and dolphins, whales are mammals.

• As

• Also

• Like

• When

Answer explanation

"Like," meaning "similiar to," is a preposition that indicates a comparison between "porpoises and dolphins" and "whales."

In the eighteenth century, ... as meeting places by literary figures.

• coffeehouses were used

• coffeehouses which were used

• even though coffeehouses were

• there were coffeehouses

Answer explanation

A subject "coffeehouses," and a verb, "were used," are needed to complete the sentence. the phrase "by literary figures" indicates the verb should be in the passive form.

The Romans used central heating systems very much like ....

• those of today

• today's do

• those they do

• the systems which are now

Answer explanation

the preposition "like" indicates that a comparison is being made. the word "those" refers to the "central heating systems" of today.

... by meteorites whose impact formed craters of all sizes.

• the surface of the shaped moon

• the moon whose surface shaped

• the surface of the moon was shaped

• the surface was forming the shape of the moon

Answer explanation

a subject and verb are needed for the independent clause.