TOEIC : Sentence Completion

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for TOEIC

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Example Questions

Example Question #8 : Pronouns

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

She came to class to get something from _____________ friend. 

Possible Answers:

she

his 

her

he

Correct answer:

her

Explanation:

The correct answer is "her." This pronoun refers to the subject, "she," which is singular and feminine, so the pronoun must also be singular and feminine. It also needs to be a possessive pronoun, since the pronoun describes something that belongs to the subject of the sentence ("her friend"). The only choice that fits these descriptions is "her," so it is the best choice. 

Example Question #34 : Demonstrate Command Of The Conventions Of Standard English Grammar And Usage : Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.1.1

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

Each class has ____________ own teacher.

Possible Answers:

its

their

her

his 

Correct answer:

its

Explanation:

The correct answer is "its." This sentence requires a singular pronoun to agree with the subject, "apartment" which is singular, therefore, the choice "their," which is plural, is incorrect. The word apartment does not have a gender, so we do not use "his" or "her." That is why the best choice is "its."

Example Question #31 : Sentence Completion

Kathy was mad. I had never seen _______________ so mad.

Possible Answers:

he

her

him

she

Correct answer:

her

Explanation:

This question is a simple interrogation of correct pronoun usage. The only possible correct answer is thus "her" since "Kathy" is the object of the second main clause. 

Example Question #32 : Sentence Completion

Yesterday, Paul Williamsonbergfriend was hired as the ________________ financial officer of the company.

Possible Answers:

boss

primary

solo

chief

Correct answer:

chief

Explanation:

This question asks you to select the best answer based on context clues, and a knowledge of the most appropriate idiomatic expression in this case. While "solo" and "primary" could both be considered grammatically correct options, neither of these is a common business expression, whereas "chief financial officer" is a very common job title at companies of a certain size. While "boss" has a vaguely similar meaning to chief, it is to informal to be appropriate for use in this setting.

Example Question #33 : Sentence Completion

The disorder and bad publicity brought on by the Williamsonbergfriend scandal really ________________ the company's standing in the industry.

Possible Answers:

ameliorated

damaged

removed

opened

Correct answer:

damaged

Explanation:

"Disorder and bad publicity" clearly would "hurt" or "damage" a company's standing. "Ameliorated" is a verb meaning to improve, and is thus an antonym of the correct answer. A company's standing is unlikely to be completely "removed" unless that company ceases to exist. "Opened" does not make sense in this context.

Example Question #34 : Sentence Completion

Even a cursory glance at the results of the ____________________ would let any reasonable observer know that the company's books were not in order.

Possible Answers:

auditorium

physical examination

audit

count up

Correct answer:

audit

Explanation:

Here, we're looking for a noun that would refer to a detailed accounting of the company's financial "books" or records. The only word that makes sense in this context is "audit."

Example Question #35 : Sentence Completion

I stayed away from all my sick friends, because I didn't want to ______________.

Possible Answers:

make a mess

have a rest

catch the flu

catch sight of 

Correct answer:

catch the flu

Explanation:

The sentence states that the subject did not want to become sick like his friends. "To catch the flu" means to become sick with the flu. "To catch sight of something" means to have your attention drawn to it; "make a mess" means to cause disorder and "have a rest" means to relax.

Example Question #5 : Logic Based Sentence Completions

It is a possibility that a thunder storm ________________ cause the city to flood.

Possible Answers:

should

could

is

None of these

Correct answer:

could

Explanation:

This sentence is talking about the possibility of flooding so could is the best answer. "Could" is used to express possibility. "Should" is used when giving advice. "Is" is a being verb.

Example Question #36 : Sentence Completion

My uncle's favorite piece of advice was, "You ___________ always follow your heart."

Possible Answers:

could

None of these

would

should

Correct answer:

should

Explanation:

"Should" is the correct answer because should is an imperative commonly used when giving advice. "Could" is used when talking about past abilities. While the question is talking about the advice his uncle used to give. "Would" is incorrect because "would" is commonly used when speaking about unreal situations or conditions.

Example Question #37 : Sentence Completion

People say I ______________ my father. I have his jet black hair and pointy nose.

Possible Answers:

go after

None of these

take after

look after

Correct answer:

take after

Explanation:

"Take after" is the correct answer because it means to resemble someone. Here the sentence says the subject shares physical traits with his father like hair color and nose shape. "Go after" means to try and get something. "Look after" means to care for someone.

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