TOEIC Preparation - Week 6 Peter Follette follette@unice.fr
Reading section 75 minutes 100 questions: 40 Incomplete sentences (in isolation) 12 Incomplete sentences (in context) 48 Reading comprehension Answer every question Don t lose time on difficult questions
Reading sectionv - Incomplete Sentences 40 questions with gaps,4 possible answers Grammar Parts of speech/related words Connecting sentence elements Vocabulary
Common issues - Conditionals Conditional 1: If John is at the meeting, we will ask him... Conditional 2: If John were here, we would ask him... Conditional 3: If John had been here, we would have asked him...
Common issues - Conditionals If the product were not safe, we it. (A) would sell (B) don t sell (C) will sell (D) would not sell
Common issues - Connecting elements Two parts of a sentence, need to be connected: Cause-effect (because, since, therefore, as...) Contrast (However, nevertheless, yet, but, while, whereas, on the other hand, in contrast, although, despite, in spite of...) To develop an argument (moreover, furthermore...) Timing (after, before...)
Common issues - connecting elements Two elements within a sentence, need to be connected: Similar (and; both...and) Contrast (but, yet) Choice (or; neither...nor)
Common issues - connecting clauses we had checked the figures, the supervisor found a mistake. (A) Unless (B) However (C) Since (D) Even though
Common issues - connecting clauses Ms. Sam s work is both creative accurate. (A) but (B) or (C) and (D) nor
Common issues - Parts of speech List of related words (verb forms,noun vs. adjective vs.participle...),need to determine which part of speech is needed. Look for clues in the words surrounding the blank: adjectives, nouns, articles, etc. Identify the subject, main verb, etc. Be familiar with prefixes, suffixes, word forms...
Common issues - Parts of speech The month. of the new building will start next (A) constructive (B) construction (C) construct (D) constructed
Common issues - Present vs.past article! When an action is done by something (the actor) to something else (the object), the actor is described using the present participle (-ing) and the object is described using the past participle:! The professor s talk fascinated the audience. The talk was fascinating. The audience was fascinated.
Common issues - Present vs.past article! The report gave the team the information they needed. (A) enclosing (B) enclosed (C) to enclose (D) has been enclosed
Common issues -Verbs of agency or causation Simple form (infinitive without to ):! Have someone do something: I had the mechanic replace the brakes on my car! Make someone/something do something: The teacher made the student take the exam again.! Let someone/something do something: The referee let the player enter the game. I let my insurance policy expire.
Commonissues -Verbs of agency or causation Infinitive:! Allow someone/something to do something: The policeman allowed him to return to his car and drive home. I allowed the computer to complete the update.! Permit someone to do something: The rules permit us to vote on the budget whenever we want.
Common issues -Verbs of agency or causation Past participle: Have something done: I had my car repaired. The university had the room painted over the summer.
Common issues -Verbs of agency or causation The human resources assistant makes all job applicants a typing test.! (A) take (B) takes (C) to take (D) had taken
Common issues -Verbs of agency or causation The company has never permitted employees public statements.! (A) making (B) to make (C) make (D) made
Common issues - Mass vs.count nouns Mass snow water food money information pollution advice research Count tree person sandwich dollar car item word company evidence
Common issues - Mass nouns Some words can be both mass and count nouns: sometimes with different meanings: time, room, light, work sometimes depending on whether you re speaking about something generally or about individual types of something: I like wine. I have a book on the wines of bordeaux.
Common issues - Mass nouns One form only (no plural; informations) Can never use a or an (I need an information) Use much, little, some, any How much snow is there on the mountain? There is little snow on the mountain.
Common issues - Count nouns Both singular and plural forms Can use a or an Can never be used in the singular form without an article or equivalent (e.g., I see tree; I see a tree) Use many, few, some, any How many people were at the meeting? There were few people at the meeting.
Common issues - Count nouns The employees collected several give to the poor. (A) clothes (B) some clothes (C) bags of clothes (D) bag of clothes to
Common issues -Articles For general case, no article (and use plural form for count nouns): I like ice cream I like cookies For specific case, use an article or equivalent The if it s known what is being referred to: The test last week was incredibly difficult. A or an if it s not known (at least to the listener); can use some for mass nouns: I m looking for a new job I need some advice
Common issues - Count nouns keeps an office running smoothly. (A) The schedule (B) Schedule (C) A schedule (D) Schedules