Written Expression Questions TOEFL Test

1.   Nobody (A) know  when the(B) process of glass-making (C) was  (D) invented.

The word is not correct (A), because “Nobody” is grammatically singular, so it takes singular verb.

The right sentence : Nobody knows when the process of glass-making was invented.

2.   The languages of the world (A) presents a vast (B) array of structural (C) similarities and (D) differences.

The word is not correct (A), because the verb must be agree with plural subject ”The languages”.

The right sentence : The languages of the world present a vast array of structural similarities and differences.

3.   The rise of multinationals (A) have (B) resulted in a great deal of legal ambiguity because multinationals (C) can (D) operate in so many jurisdictions.

The word is not correct (A), because the verb must be agree with singular subject ”the rise of multinationals”.

The right sentence : The rise of multinationals has resulted in a great deal of legal ambiguity because multinationals can operate in so many jurisdictions.

4.   All of the east- west interstate highways in the United States (A) has even (B) numbers, while north-south interstate highways (C) are (D) odd-numbered.

The word is not correct (A), because the verb must be agree with the plural object “interstate highways”.

The right sentence : All of the east- west interstate highways in the United States have even numbers, while north-south interstate highways are odd-numbered.

5.   (A) When a massive star in the large Magellanic Cloud (B) exploded in 1987, a wave of neutrinos (C) were (D) detected on Earth.

The word is not correct (C), because the verb must be agree with the singular subject “a wave”.

The right sentence : When a massive star in the large Magellanic Cloud exploded in 1987, a wave of neutrinos was detected on Earth.

6.   Every open space in the (A) targeted area that (B) has grass and few bushes (C) are (D) occupied by the white-crowned sparrow.

The word is not correct (C), because “Every open space”  is grammatically singular, so it takes singular verb.

The right sentence : Every open space in the targeted area that has grass and few bushes is occupied by the white-crowned sparrow

7.   Krakatoa (A) is remembered as the volcano that (B) put so much ash into the air that sunsets around the world (C) was affected for two years (D) afterward.

The word is not correct (B), because the verb must be agree with the singular subject “Krakatoa”.

The right sentence : Krakatoa is remembered as the volcano that puts so much ash into the air that sunsets around the world was affected for two years afterward.

8.   The term “Yankee” (A) was originally a nickname for people from New England, but now anyone from the United States (B) are (C) referred (D) to as a Yankee.

The word is not correct (B), because the verb must be agree with singular subject “The term”

The right sentence : The term “Yankee” was originally a nickname for people from New England, but now anyone from the United States is referred to as a Yankee.

9.   A network of small arteries, most (A) sandwiched between the skin and the (B) underlying muscles, (C) supply (D) blood the face and scalp.

The word is not correct (C), because the verb must be agree with singular subject “A network”.

The right sentence : A network of small arteries, most sandwiched between the skin and the underlying muscles, supplies blood the face and scalp.

10.   Mesquite (A) is a (B) small tree in the Southwest (C) who can (D) withstand the severest drought.

The word is not correct (D), because the verb must be agree with singular subject “Mesquite”.

The right sentence : Mesquite is a small tree in the Southwest who can withstands the severest drought.