Monday, August 1, 2011

Skill 1: Be Sure The Sentence Has a Subject and a Verb

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You know that a sentence in English should have a subject and a verb. The Most common types of problems that will encounter in the Structure section of the TOEFL test have to do with subjects and verbs:
  1. Subject is missing
  2. Verb is missing
  3. Subject and Verb are missing
  4. Extra Subject and Verb

Example 1:
......................was backed up for miles on the freeway

(A) Yesterday
(B) In the morning
(C) Traffic
(D) Cars

Analysis:
  • In this example, we know that the sentence has a verb (was), but there is no a subject. 
  • The best answer is C because it is a singular subject that agrees with singular verb (was).
  • Answer (A,) yesterday and (B), in this morning because they are not subject.
  • Answer (D), Cars incorrect because it is a plural subject and doesn't agree with singular verb, was.

Example II:

Engineers..................for work on the new space program.

(A) necessary
(B) are needed
(C) hopefully
(D) next month

Analysis:
  • In this example, we know that the sentence has a Subject (Engineers), but it doesn't have a Verb. 
  • The best answer is (B) because it is a verb. 
  • Answers (A), (B), (C) are incorrect because they are not verb.
Example III:

The boy.............going to the movies with a friend.

(A) he is
(B) he always was
(C) is relaxing
(D) will be

Analysis:
  •  In this sentence, we know that there is Subject (boy), and a part of a verb (going), but going is not completed because it needs to be (is).
  • The best answer is (D), will be because will be together with going to is complete sentence.
  • Answer (A) and (B) because there are extra subject.
  • Answer (C) is incorrect because there is extra verb.
EXERCISE 1: 

Underline the Subjects once and Verb twice in each of the following sentences. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C), or incorrect (I).

1. Last week went fishing for trout at the nearby mountain lake. (I)

    Analysis:
  • The sentence has a Verb (went), but it doesn't have a Subject. So it is incorrect.
2. A schedule of the day's events can be obtained at the front desk. (C)

    Analysis:
  • The sentence has a Subject (schedule) and a verb (can be obtained), so it is correct.
3.  A job on the day shift or the night at the plant available. (I)

    Analysis:
  • The sentence has a Subject (Job), but it doesn't have a Verb.
  • The correct sentence should be "A job on the day shift or night at the plant is available".
4. The new computer program has provides a variety of helpful applications. (I)

    Analysis:
  • The sentence has a Subject ( The new computer program) and auxiliary verb (has), but main verb (provides) is incorrect. So, it is incorrect. 
  •  The correct Sentence should be The new computer program has provided a variety of helpful program.
5. The box can be opened only with a special screwdriver. (C)

    Analysis:
  • The sentence has a subject (box) and a Verb (can be opened). So it is correct

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