TOEFL EXERCISE 2

7. It is not clear when ______, although there are many different theories.

a.    dinosaurs becoming extinct

b.    dinosaurs extinction

c.    dinosaurs became extinct

d.   did dinosaurs become extinct

Answer: C (dinosaurs became extinct)

Explanation: This is an embedded question, and thus the order is subject + verb, with no auxiliary.

8. The professor decided to allow the students to take the examination a second time because the low scores.

Answer: D (because)

Explanation: The expression must be because of because it is followed by a noun phrase, the low scores.

9. If the driver’s own car ______ damaged, the favorite probably would have won the race.

a.    had not been

b.    not

c.    no had been

d.   has no be

Answer: A (had not been)

Explanation: Use the past perfect construction in past condition.

10. Having withdrawn from the race, the candidate decided supporting his opponent despite the oppornent’s representing the other political party.

     Answer: B (supporting)

     Explanation: Decide must be followed by the infinitive, to support.

11. The soldiers were unable to determine where ______.

a.    the jeep had been left

b.    had been leave the jeep

c.    had the jeep been left

d.   had the jeep left

Answer: A (the jeep had been left)

Explanation: After the question word in an embedded question, the order is subject + verb.

12. The manager was angry because somebody ______.

a.    had allowed the photographers to enter the building

b.    had let the the photographers to enter the building

c.    permitting the photographers to enter the building

d.   the photographers let into the building

Answer: A (had allowed the photographers to enter the building)

Explanation: Because B is incorrect because let is followed by the verb in simple form, not an infinitive. C is incorrect because after because there must be a clause, and the word permitting sets up a phrase, not a clause. D is incorrect because the order is incorrect. After the subject of the second clause, somebody, must appear the verb, not another noun phrase. Also, documentation is a non-count noun and is not made plural.

13. The committee members resented ______ of the meeting.

a.    the president that he did not tell them

b.    the president not to inform them

c.    the president’s not informing them

d.   that the president had failed informing themselves

Answer: C (the president’s not informing them)

Explanation: After the verb resented there must be a noun phrase or a clause. It would also have been correct to say “resented the president for not informing them of the meeting.” Remember that after a verb that requires a gerund in the subordinate clause, any noun must be possessive. Informing is a gerund because of resented.

14. ______ did Arthur realize that there was danger.

a.    Upon entering the store

b.    When he entered the store

c.    After he had entered the store

d.   Only after entering the store

Answer: D (Only after entering the store)

Explanation: After a limiting word (only) introduces a sentence, the order of the subject and verb is altered. That is why this sentence has the auxiliary did. A would have been correct if the order hadn’t been reversed: Upon entering the store, Arthur realized.