TOEFL Structure and Written Expression

Arizona __ a very dry climate.

• has

• being

• having

• with

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'has' because it indicates possession. The sentence states that Arizona possesses a very dry climate, making 'has' the appropriate verb to complete the thought.

One of the least effective ways of storing information is learning __ it.

• how repeat

• repeating

• to repeat

• repeat

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'to repeat' because it fits the structure of the sentence, indicating the action of learning in an infinitive form. The other options do not grammatically complete the sentence.

Strauss finished __ two of his published compositions before his tenth birthday.

• written

• write

• to write

• writing

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'writing' because it fits the structure of the sentence, indicating the action Strauss was engaged in before his tenth birthday. The other options do not grammatically complete the sentence.

Many modern architects insist on __ materials native to the region that will blend into the surrounding landscape.

• use

• to use

• the use

• using

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'using' because it fits the structure of the sentence, indicating the action of employing materials. The phrase 'insist on' is typically followed by a gerund, making 'using' the appropriate form.

Before the Angles and the Saxons __ to England, the Iberians had lived there.

• coming

• come

• came

• did come

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'came' because it is the simple past tense, indicating that the Angles and Saxons arrived in England after the Iberians had already lived there. 'Coming' and 'come' do not fit the past context.

If water is heated to 212 degrees F. __ as steam.

• it will boil and escape

• it is boiling and escaping

• it boil and escape

• it would boil and escape

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'it will boil and escape' because it accurately describes the process of water reaching its boiling point at 212 degrees F, indicating that it will transition to steam.

According to some historians, if Napoleon had not invaded Russia, he __ the rest of Europe.

• had conquered

• would conquer

• would have conquered

• conquered

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'would have conquered' because it indicates a hypothetical situation in the past. If Napoleon had not invaded Russia, historians believe he would have successfully conquered the rest of Europe.

Football teams don't play in the Super Bowl championship __ either the National or the American Conference.

• unless they win

• but they win

• unless they will win

• but to have won

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'unless they win' because it indicates that teams must win their respective conferences to play in the Super Bowl. The other options do not convey this necessary condition clearly.

Less moderate members of Congress are insisting that changes in the social security system __ made.

• will

• are

• being

• be

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'be' because it fits the subjunctive mood required after 'insisting that'. The phrase indicates a demand for changes, making 'be' the appropriate form to express this necessity.

It is necessary __ the approaches to a bridge, the road design, and the alignment in such a way as to best accommodate the expected traffic flow over and under it.

• plan

• to plan

• planning

• the plan

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'to plan' because it fits the structure of the sentence, indicating the necessity of planning the approaches, road design, and alignment to accommodate traffic flow.