TOEIC : Sentence Completion

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for TOEIC

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Example Questions

Example Question #61 : Sentence Completion

It was a tough hike that would take the whole day. They needed to be sure they had enough __________

Possible Answers:

possibilities 

prerequisites

percocets 

provisions 

provisos 

Correct answer:

provisions 

Explanation:

Both the difficulty and duration of the hike indicate that the group will need to have supplies with them. Used as a noun, provisions is a synonym for supplies.  

Though the word looks similar, proviso has a very different meaning: it denotes a modification or clause in a contract. 

Though prerequisite also connotes preparation, it means a specific qualification one needs to have in order to be allowed to enrol in something. For example, you might say that a specific wilderness safety training course was a prerequisite to join a hiking group. 

 

Example Question #62 : Sentence Completion

They planned to __________ the mountain before 2:00pm in order to leave themselves plenty of time to hike back down. 

Possible Answers:

descend

submit 

summit 

diminish

surfeit 

Correct answer:

summit 

Explanation:

Used as a verb, to summit means to reach the top of something. Because the second half of the sentence lets you know the group is going back down the mountain, this is the only answer that fits. 

Example Question #63 : Sentence Completion

There were cougars on the mountain. Jean-Paul stressed the importance of remaining _________

Possible Answers:

vigilante 

vivacious 

vigilant

virile 

vacuous 

Correct answer:

vigilant

Explanation:

Vigilant is an adjective meaning aware and attentive; vigilante is a noun meaning someone who takes the law into their own hands (like most comic book superheroes, for example). 

 

 

Example Question #64 : Sentence Completion

There was a fork in the hiking trail; the group stopped at the point where the trail __________

Possible Answers:

disreputed 

divulged

diverged 

dividended 

disrupted

Correct answer:

diverged 

Explanation:

From the first sentence, you know there is a fork in the road. To diverge means to extend in different directions. Although the other words sound similar, none of them has a similar meaning. 

Example Question #65 : Sentence Completion

As the day wore on and the apex of the mountain seemed no closer, the group began to feel ___________ about their prospects of getting back to camp before dark. 

Possible Answers:

erroneous 

anxious 

impervious 

advantageous 

imperial 

Correct answer:

anxious 

Explanation:

There are only two options that convey emotional states: anxious means worried and is therefore the right choice. The only other emotional state on this list, impervious, means impenetrable. 

Example Question #66 : Sentence Completion

__________ his years of experience climbing mountains, Jean-Paul was unsure which path was the right one. 

Possible Answers:

Thither 

Heretofore 

Because 

Respite 

Despite

Correct answer:

Despite

Explanation:

There is a conflict in the sentence between Jean-Paul's uncertainty and his experience. The word despite is the only way to maintain that tension logically. 

Example Question #67 : Sentence Completion

Over many years working in the mountains, Jean-Paul had developed instinctive survival skills. When the cougar leapt out of the woods, his reflexes were swift and ___________

Possible Answers:

automat 

auto 

automaton 

automobile 

automatic 

Correct answer:

automatic 

Explanation:

The word instinctive in the first sentence is the first clue to helping you fill in the blank. The structure of the sentence, too, should also indicate that the word you're looking for is an adjective. Automatic is the only option that fits. 

Example Question #68 : Sentence Completion

When his friends came upon Jean-Paul's body after the cougar attack, they were __________ to see he was still breathing. 

Possible Answers:

recognizing 

reprimanded 

resplendant 

relieved

reconnaissant  

Correct answer:

relieved

Explanation:

The fact that their friend is still breathing will be welcome new to the group of hikers. Therefore, they will feel relief that he has not been more badly injured. The correct choice is relieved. None of the other words are logical. 

Example Question #1 : Conjunctions

Stock positions will not be refunded, ______________ the board understands shareholder's concerns, and will meet personally with any concerned parties.

Possible Answers:

for

and

but

therefore

Correct answer:

but

Explanation:

Here, two independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction, it is up to you to choose the one that most accurately reflects the shift in the sentence. The first clause makes the blunt statement that "stock positions will not be refunded," not exactly reassuring for concerned stockholders. The second clause then changes the tone by offering reassurance. Therefore, "but" is the correct coordinating conjunction.

Example Question #2 : Conjunctions

Which of the following words best completes the sentence?

Neither the painter _________________ the sculptor had received formal training.

Possible Answers:

or

and

for

nor

Correct answer:

nor

Explanation:

The correct answer is "nor." This conjunction is used when two things are presented in the negative sense, in combination with the word "neither." "And" "for" and "or" are all incorrect when used in combination with the word "neither."

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