TOEIC Strategies 1: Part 5 - Incomplete Sentences (R)

TOEIC OVERVIEW

Part 5 - INCOMPLETE SENTENCES

You will be given 30 questions and asked to choose the answer that best completes each sentence. Recommended Time: 10 minutes.

LET'S UNDERSTAND 1

QUESTION TYPE 1: Vocabulary questions

- These questions provide answer choices that are from different word families but have similar meanings. In the example sentence in the next column, the answer choices are all verbs and are not part of the same word family - they do not have the same root, prefix, or suffix. To answer a vocabulary question, you must choose the answer choice that completes the sentence based on its meaning.

Examples:

Next week, a computer trainer will be here to to any questions you may have.

(A) provide

(B) request

(D) answer

QUESTION TYPE 2: Grammar questions

- These questions provide answer choices from the same word family. In the example sentence, the answer choices are from the same root word receive. This is a common example of a grammar question. To answer a grammar question, you have to select the best answer choice that completes the sentence based on its form.

Examples:

Payment is due in full within 30 days upon of this invoice.

(A) receipt (Correct)

(B) receive

(D) receiving

STRATEGY 1:
Understanding the two types of questions in Part 5

SNEAK PEEK 1

Instructions: Read the questions and answer choices below and identify what question type each one is - vocabulary question or grammar question. Then, after checking with your mentor, choose the correct answer choice that completes each sentence.

1. Doyoung Incorporated plans branch offices in both Tokyo and Fukuoka by the end of the third quarter.

(A) open

(B) to open

(D) to be opened

QUESTION TYPE:

2. A late payment of $15 will be applied to all accounts more than 30 days overdue.

(A) fee

(B) fare

(D) price

QUESTION TYPE:

3. The long-time worker was diligent and

(A) honestly

(B) honest

(D) honor

QUESTION TYPE:

4. Timing is important when soliciting contributions for political campaigns.

(A) accurately

(B) extremely

(D) quickly

QUESTION TYPE:

5. He was going to meet us at the bookstore or here.

(A) but

(B) neither

(D) either

QUESTION TYPE:

6. The board of directors tried to think all possible alternatives before reaching a decision.

(A) of

(B) by

(D) at

QUESTION TYPE:

7. If the information is public, is neither unreasonable nor unethical to share it.

(A) him

(B) his

(D) its

QUESTION TYPE:

8. We are able to your conditions of delivery per your proposal.

(A) accepting

(B) accepts

(D) accept

QUESTION TYPE:

TOEIC TIPS!

Skim for context clues.

For vocabulary questions, look for words or phrases that give clues to the answer. In item 2, the words late and overdue make choices (B) fare, (C) cost, and (D) price less like sensible answers. These three words are not usually "late" or "overdue." Choice (A) fee is correct.

Focus on words around the blank.

For grammar questions, pay attention to words before and after the blanks to determine which part of speech is required. Usually, words right before and after the blank will tell you which part of speech the correct answer choice needs to be. This helps you eliminate distractors. In item 1, the word plans comes immediately before the blank and needs to be followed by a to-infinitive. This eliminates choices (A) open and (C) opened. Since the statement is in active voice, not passive, choice (D) to be opened cannot be correct. Therefor choice (B) to open is the correct answer.

STRATEGY 2:
Identifying the part of speech needed (for grammar questions)

LET'S TRY IT 1

A. Instructions: Read the 8 sentences and figure out the part of speech needed for the missing words (noun, verb, adjective, or adverb). Then, think of a possible word that would fit each sentence.

1. Doctors have that stress from work can cause other medical problems.

2. The delegates seemed to find the presentation very .

3. Even a company with an excellent image and can fail if it does not meet the market standards.

4. Employee handbooks that are written can improve morale and prevent disagreements.

5. After the governor increased taxes, his declined rapidly.

6. In a recent interview, Mr. Nishimura that his company would report a loss this quarter.

7. It is the ability to perform over time that distinguishes great companies.

8. Good graphic designers can save their clients amounts of money on printing and artwork.

B. Instructions: Read the 8 sentences and figure out the part of speech needed for the missing words (noun, verb, adjective, or adverb). Then, think of a possible word that would fit each sentence.

1. Doctors have that stress from work can cause other medical problems.

(A) find

(B) finding

(D) finds

2. The delegates seemed to find the presentation very .

(A) interests

(B) interest

(D) interestingly

3. Even a company with an excellent image and can fail if it does not meet the market standards.

(A) reputedly

(B) reputable

(D) reputation

4. Employee handbooks that are written can improve morale and prevent disagreements.

(A) careful

(B) caring

(D) carefully

5. After the governon increased taxes, his declined rapidly.

(A) populated

(B) popular

(D) populate

6. In a recent interview, Mr. Nishimura that his company would report a loss this quarter.

(A) confided

(B) confidence

(D) confidential

7. It is the ability to perform over time that distinguishes great companies.

(A) consistent

(B) consistently

(D) consisting

8. Good graphic designers can save their clients amounts of money on printing and artwork.

(A) signify

(B) significant

(D) signification

LET'S UNDERSTAND 2

DOUBLE PASS METHOD

- The Double Pass method is a strategy to help you maximize your time. Go through the questions two times. On the first pass, answer the questions quickly with a maximum of 10 seconds per item. On the second pass, go through the more difficult questions and spend a bit more time choosing the best answer choice. In total, do not spend more than 20 seconds on each question.

STRATEGY 3:
Using the Double Pass method

LET'S PRACTICE 1

First Pass: Answer the easy questions first - 1 minute (10 seconds per question)

A. Instructions: Your mentor will give you one minute to read and choose the best answers below. If you can't choose the answer in 10 seconds, move on to the next item.

1. Eric lives quite a from where he works.

(A) length

(B) space

(D) closeness

2. Next week's seminar ought to provide with a lot of new information.

(A) ourselves

(B) us

(D) our

3. The sales department is showing an increased .

(A) profitable

(B) profits

(D) profiting

4. Dr. Stephens left very early this morning, but because she forgot her briefcase.

(A) recalled

(B) remembered

(D) returned

5. an emergency, press the red alarm button.

(A) If

(B) Due to

(D) When

6. To an outside call, please dial "8," then the number you wish to reach.

(A) place

(B) reach

(D) ring

Second Pass: Answer the easy questions first - 1 minute (10 seconds per question)

B. Instructions: Your mentor will give you 10 more seconds for every item that you could not answer. If you can't find the answer in 10 seconds, make your best guess and continue to the other items. Answer as quickly as you can but don't leave any unanswered questions.

TOEIC TIPS!

Decide the part of speech needed and choose the correct type.

Recognizing the part of needed to complete the sentence can help you find the correct answer. Once you know what type of word you are looking for, find the answer choices in that form. This can help you eliminate wrong answers.

Manage your time wisely.

Answer the easy questions first and do it quickly. Then spend about 10 more seconds on the difficult once that you have skipped. Don't waste time on questions you don't know the answers to. Just make your best guess and move on.

STRATEGY 4:
Choosing infinitives and gerunds that follow certain verbs

LET'S TRY IT 2

Infinitives are verbs in their base form that follows "to" (e.g. to learn) while Gerunds are verbs.

Verbs + Infinitives

A. Instructions: All of the verbs in the choices can be followed by infinitives, but one in each item does not fit the meaning of the sentence. Identify one that does not match each sentence. The first item is done for you.

1. He to complete a full marathon even though he is not very fit.


◯ managed	◯ decided	⌧ reserved

2. Because Engineer Rendell had a lot of experience, he to be promoted.


❑ deserved	❑ prepared	❑ expected

3. It was a successful sales meeting as they to purchase forty five units.


❑ agreed	❑ decided	❑ threatened

4. Did you to see Mr. Jeon when you were in Seoul?


❑ intend	❑ hesitate	❑ expect

5. Although it was a reasonable offer, we them to increase it by 15%.


❑ forced	❑ pretended	❑ persuaded

Verbs + Gerunds

A. Instructions: All of the verbs in the choices can be followed by gerunds, but one in each item does not fit the meaning of the sentence. Identify one that does not match each sentence. The first item is done for you.

1. My work starts at 6:30 in the morning but I getting up early.


◯ don't mind	⌧ can't help	◯ am used to

2. The report replacing the ID system in the new office.


❑ advises	❑ risks	❑ recommends

3. Hailey cannot meeting me before.


❑ admit	❑ remember	❑ recall

4. Increased sales indicate that customers getting the membership discount.


❑ avoid	❑ appreciate	❑ value

5. Mr. Hilton drinking alcohol after his doctor warned him of the dangers.


❑ quit	❑ gave up	❑ contemplated

STRATEGY 5:
Learning different phrasal verbs

LET'S PRACTICE 2

A phrasal verb refers to a verb + particle ( adverb or preposition ), that functions as a verb. Its meaning could be different from the meanings of the individual words.

A. Instructions: Match the ten phrasal verbs on the left to the correct definition on the right.


1. back up	a. to support (someone, e.g. a colleague)
2. think it over	b. to fail to stay on schedule
3. fill out	c. to investigate
4. go over	d. to review or check something
5. fall behind	e. to consider carefully
6. put off	f. to stop using or selling something gradually
7. set up	g. to continue
8. look into	h. to arrange (something, e.g. a meeting)
9. phase out	i. to delay or reschedule something
10. keep on	j. to complete a blank area in a form

B. Instructions: Choose the correct answer choice with the phrasal verb that completes the sentence in each item.

1. The judge promised to any new evidence as soon as possible.

(A) look out of

(B) look into

2. A temporary assistant was hired to Mr. Jongseong while she was on vacation.

(A) take over

(B) fill in for

3. Despite working overtime every day for two weeks, he still with his work.

(A) went through

(B) backed up

4. Tourists visiting Canada are required to an immigration questionnaire.

(A) bring about

(B) think over

5. When color televisions became popular, black and white sets were gradually .

(A) phased out

(B) bought out

6. It was decided to buying the new equipment until next year.

(A) put off

(B) fill out

7. The planned merger between the companies because they couldn't agree on the price.

(A) took over

(B) fell through

8. The customer called twice this morning to a meeting.

(A) set up

(B) call up

TOEIC TIPS!

Check for infinitives and gerunds in the answer choices.

If the answer choices include both infinitives and gerunds, focus on the verb in the question to help you choose the correct answer. Familiarize yourself with common phrases that include infinitives and gerunds.

Learn as many phrasal verbs as possible.

Familiarize yourself with as many common phrasal verbs as possible since they are sometimes tested in the TOEIC test.

LET'S DO THE CHALLENGE!

Let's apply the strategies and tips you have learned in this lesson by answering the 15 items below.

Instructions: Your mentor will give you 5 minutes to finish answering all 15 questions. Apply the Double Pass method to help you maximize your time. Try to spend a maximum of 20 seconds for each question. If you can't find the answer, make your best guess and continue to the other items.

1. The requirements for new food service products were debated at the franchise meeting.

(A) firstly

(B) exhaustively

(D) patently

2. He was asked to testify before the committee his expertise.

(A) inasmuch as

(B) because of

(D) further

3. Airline reservation are being revised to include extensive traveler demographics.

(A) telephones

(B) employees

(D) systems

4. Innovative technology by 3J Cars, Inc. debuted in new models last month.

(A) pioneered

(B) performed

(D) involved

5. The date for the new product launch has been because of problems in production.

(A) produced

(B) mobilized

(D) delayed

6. The growth of the waste disposal industry is being driven by demographic by economic forces.

(A) additionally

(B) as well as

(D) in order to

7. VeeMin Air is known for being on time and having few customer .

(A) complaining

(B) complainer

(D) complain

8. The reports on construction materials, including on cement and ready-mixed concrete, are available in PDF format.

(A) those

(B) this

(D) that

9. The engineers will all need to stay there the Warhol project is finished.

(A) until

(B) toward

(D) for

10. I know we have types of payment plans available for our customers.

(A) mostly

(B) much more

(D) many

11. Our consultants can help you employee attitudes and assess training needs.

(A) survey

(B) volunteer

(D) request

12. New approaches to mass communication the limits of traditional media channels.

(A) transcend

(B) transcends

(D) to transcend

13. The ideal will have a strong sales background and in-country contacts.

(A) expectation

(B) candidate

(D) procedure

14. This brochure provides a brief description of some of the features of the insurance policy.

(A) slantwise

(B) stately

(D) salient

15. The new shopping mall offers free parking and easy access the highway.

(A) of

(B) for

(D) with

LET'S RECAP!

TOEIC TIPS!

1. Skim for context clues.

2. Focus on words around the blank.

3. Decide the part of speech needed and choose the correct type.

4. Manage your time wisely.

5. Check for infinitives and gerunds in the answer choices.

6. Learn as many phrasal verbs as possible.

Familiarize yourself with as many common phrasal verbs as possible since they are sometimes tested in the TOEIC test.

QUESTION TYPE 1: Vocabulary questions

QUESTION TYPE 2: Grammar questions

STRATEGY 1: Understanding the two types of questions in Part 5

STRATEGY 2: Identifying the part of speech needed (for grammar questions)

DOUBLE PASS METHOD

STRATEGY 3: Using the Double Pass method

STRATEGY 4: Choosing infinitives and gerunds that follow certain verbs

Infinitives are verbs in their base form that follows "to" (e.g. to learn) while Gerunds are verbs.

Verbs + Infinitives

Verbs + Gerunds

STRATEGY 5: Learning different phrasal verbs

A phrasal verb refers to a verb + particle ( adverb or preposition ), that functions as a verb. Its meaning could be different from the meanings of the individual words.

STRATEGY 1:
Understanding the two types of questions in Part 5

STRATEGY 2:
Identifying the part of speech needed (for grammar questions)

STRATEGY 3:
Using the Double Pass method

STRATEGY 4:
Choosing infinitives and gerunds that follow certain verbs

STRATEGY 5:
Learning different phrasal verbs