Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

Sturucture (4)

Directions: The questions here test your knowledge of the grammatical structure of English. Each question consists of a short written conversation, part of which has been omitted. Four words or phrases, labeled 1, 2, 3, and 4, are given below the conversation. You are to choose the word or phrase that will correctly complete the conversation. Click the answer button to see the correct answer. If you need a hint, press the arrow button next to the hint.

Look at the example.

"Why do you always want to use _____ pens?"


1) to one
2) of my
3) that my
4) one of my

We would say: "Why do you always want to use one of my pens?" Therefore you should press "4."

Click the answer button to see the correct answer.

  1. The bank is _____ here.
    1) near
    2) near to
    3) near from
    4) nearing

  2. When I woke up, everything was _____ snow.
    1) covered
    2) covered by
    3) covered with
    4) covering

  3. Do earthquakes _____ often in the United States?
    1) break
    2) break out
    3) happen to
    4) occur

  4. We had better _____ soon.
    1) leave
    2) leaving
    3) to leave
    4) to leaving

  5. A large crowd _____ in front of the station.
    1) gathering
    2) to gather
    3) had gathered
    4) had gathering

  6. In the winter, accidents occur quite _____ in the mountains.
    1) frequently
    2) many
    3) much
    4) a few

  7. Do you want to _____ to the United States?
    1) trip
    2) voyage
    3) travel
    4) went

  8. Most people have a feeling _____.
    1) responsible
    2) responsibility
    3) of responsibility
    4) to be responsible

  9. This movie theater can hold _____.
    1) much audience
    2) a large audience
    3) much audiences
    4) many audiences

  10. When the forests _____, there can be forest fires.
    1) become dry
    2) becoming dry
    3) become drying
    4) drying

  11. "What kind of work are you doing here?"
    "I'm _____ as an accountant."
    1) worked
    2) occupied
    3) hired
    4) employed

  12. "I don't want to buy anything in this store, do you?"
    "Yes, I'd like to buy _____"
    1) pencil
    2) much pencils
    3) any pencils
    4) some pencils

  13. The rainy season is over, and the weather is nice. We can _____ sports.
    1) do
    2) have
    3) play
    4) enjoy

  14. It is the height of the tourist season now. _____ the rooms in the hotels are reserved.
    1) Almost
    2) Almost of
    3) Almost all of
    4) Most of all

  15. "Where did you work before?"
    "I worked only ten yards _____ railroad track."
    1) from
    2) from the
    3) near
    4) away

  16. "I don't think it will rain today, do you?"
    "No, I _____ so."
    1) think not
    2) not think
    3) don't think
    4) do think not

  17. We have only five minutes. I think we _____.
    1) hurry
    2) be hurry
    3) to hurry
    4) should hurry

  18. Many people showed up at the stadium. They are _____ the championship game.
    1) anxious seeing
    2) anxious to see
    3) to anxiously see
    4) to see anxiously

  19. "Who did you meet at the party?"
    "I met many _____ people."
    1) grandly
    2) celebration
    3) fame
    4) prominent

  20. "Tom was not sure that the meeting would be held today."
    "But I _____."
    1) certain
    2) certainly
    3) am certain
    4) am certainly

  21. My brother likes to watch baseball; I _____ football.
    1) prefer to watch
    2) to prefer watching
    3) watch preferring
    4) preferring to watch

  22. Some people are waiting for the bulletin. It will _____ soon.
    1) be circulate
    2) circulate around
    3) come near
    4) come around

  23. "When will Tom and Mary arrive?"
    "They left home an hour ago. I think they will _____.
    1) be here shortly
    2) shortly be here
    3) here be shortly
    4) here shortly be

  24. We don't know how many pieces are sold a month. But the manager _____.
    1) know
    2) do know
    3) is knowing
    4) knows

  25. The city bus is going to change routes and schedules. They are _____ a schedule now.
    1) arranging
    2) arranging up
    3) be arrange
    4) to arranging


by Kenji Kitao & S. Kathleen Kitao

kkitao@mail.doshisha.ac.jp