212 STRUCTURE

The following chart lists adverb time and cause connectors and the sentence patterns
used with them:

ADVERBTIMEAND CAUSE CONNECTORS

TIME CAUSE

a~er as soon as once when as now that

as before since whenever because since
as long as by the time until while inasmuch as
~--.,:,;·,,,.......,..,.__.,...

s V I adverb connector I s V
Teresa went inside because it was raining.
'
I adverb connector I s V, s V
Because it was raining, Teresa went inside.

EXERCISE 7: Each of the following sentences contains more than one clause. Underline
the subjects once and the verbs twice. Circle the connectors. Then indicate if the sentences
are correct (C) or incorrect (I).
C 1. (since) the bank closes in less than an hour, the deposits need to be tallied
immediately.

2. Their backgrounds are thoroughly investigated (befor~ are admitted to the

organization.

3. The citizens are becoming more and more incensed about traffic accidents whenever
the accidents occur at that intersection.

4. The ground had been prepared, the seedlings were carefully planted.

5. We can start the conference now that all the participants have arrived.

6. The building quite vulnerable to damage until the storm windows are installed.

7. Once the address label for the package is typed, can be sent to the mail room.

8. Because the recent change in work shifts was not posted, several workers missed their
shifts.

9. The mother is going to be quite upset with her son as long as he misbehaves so much.

_ _ 10. Inasmuch as all the votes have not yet been counted the outcome of the election
cannot be announced.
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SKILL 29: USE THE IRREGULAR -ER, -ER STRUCTURE CORRECTLY

An irregular comparative structure that has been appearing frequently on the TOEFL test
consists of two parallel comparatives introduced by the.
The harder he tried, the further he fell behind.
The older the children are, the more their parents expect from them.

The first example contains the two parallel comparatives, the harder and the further. The sec-
ond example contains the two parallel comparatives, the older and the more.
In this type of sentence, the and the comparison can be followed by a number of differ-
ent structures.
The more children you have, the bigger the house you need.
The harderyou work, the more you accomplish.
The greater the experience, the higher the salary.

In the first example, the more is followed by the noun children and the subject and verb you
have, while the bigger is followed by the noun the house and the subject and verb you need. In
the second example, the harder is followed by the subject and verb you work, while the more is
followed by the subject and verb you accomplish. In the third example, the greater is followed
only by the noun the experience, while the higher is followed only by the noun the salary. You
should note that this last example does not even contain a verb, yet it is a correct structure
in English.
The following chart outlines this irregular -er, -er structure:

THE-E.R,-E.RSTRUCTURE

THE (same structure), THE. (same structure)

This type of sentence may or.may not include a verb.

EXERCISE 29: Each of the following sentences contains the irregular -er, -er structure. Cir-
cle the two comparisons with the. Underline the parts that should be parallel. Then indi-
cate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

1. (The hotte9 the food is, (harder) it is to eat.

C 2. (The warmei) the weather, Ghe greatei) the attendance at the outdoor concert.

3. The more you say, the worst the situation will be.

4. The more time they have to play, the happier the children are.

5. The thicker the walls, the noise that comes through is less.

6. If you run faster, the earlier you'll arrive.

7. The more you use the phone, the higher the bill will be.

8. The harder you serve, the easier it is to win the point.

266 STRUCTURE

9. The earliest you send in your tax forms, the sooner you will receive your refund.

_ _ 10. The more people there are at the party, you'll have a good time.

EXERCISE (Skills 27-29): Circle the comparatives and superlatives in the following sen-
tences. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

1. The coffee is more stronger today than it was yesterday.

2. The tree that was struck by lightning had been the tallest of the two trees we had in
the yard.

3. He will buy the most fuel-efficient car that he can afford.

4. The closest it gets to summer, the longer the days are.

5. The business department is bigger of the departments in the university.

6. I really do not want to live in the Southeast because it is one of the most hot areas in
the United States.

7. It is preferable to use the most efficient and most effective method that you can.

8. Tonight's dinner was more filling than last night's.

9. The sooner the exam is scheduled, the less time you have to prepare.

_ _ 10. The house is now the cleanest that it has ever been.

TOEFL EXERCISE (Skills 27-29): Choose the letter of the word or group of words that
best completes the sentence.

1. The speed of light is the speed of 3. in Stevenson's landscapes, the

sound. more vitality and character the paintings
seem to possess.
(A) faster
(B) much faster than (A) The brushwork is loose
(C) the fastest (B) The looser brushwork
(D) as fast (C) The loose brushwork is
(D) The looser the brushwork is
2. The use of detail is method of
developing a controlling idea, and
almost all students employ this method.
(A) more common
(B) common
(C) most common
(D) the most common
 WRITTEN EXPRESSION QUESTIONS (Paper and Computer) 267

Choose the letter of the underlined word or group of words that is not correct.

4. Certain types of snakes have been known to survive fasts more as a year long.
A B ~ D
5. The grizzly bear, which can grow up to eight feet tall, has been called a more
A B C D
dangerous animal of North America.

6. Climate, soil type, and availability of water are the most critical factors than selecting
A B -r
the best type of grass for a lawn.
D
7. Peter Abelard, a logician and theologian, was the con troversialest teacher of his age.
A B C D
8. Protein molecules are the most complex than the molecules of carbohydrates.
A B -r D
9. The leek, a member of the lily family, has a mildest taste than the onion.
A B -r D
_ _ 10. The widely used natural fiber of all is cotton.
A B C D

TOEFL REVIEW EXERCISE (Skills 1-29): Choose the letter of the word or group of
words that best completes the sentence.

1. , a liberal arts college specifically 3. While the discovery that many migratory
for deaf people, is located in songbirds can thrive in deforested
Washington, D.C. wintering spots , the fact remains
that these birds are dying at unusual
(A) Gallaudet College
rates.
(B) Gallaudet College is
(C) About Gallaudet College (A) it is heartening
(D) Because of Gallaudet College (B) hearten
(C) heartening
2. varieties of dogs at the show, (D) is heartening
including spaniels, poodles, and collies.
(A) The several
(B) Those
(C) Several
(D) There were several

Choose the letter of the underlined word or group of words that is not correct.

4. The coyote is somewhat smaller in size than a timber wolf.

A B C~
5. The weather reports all showed that there were a tremendous storm front moving in.
A B C D
6. Seldom cactus plants are found outside of North America.
A B C D
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In the first example, the passive is formed incorrectly because the past participle painted
should be used rather than the present participle painting. In the second example, the verb
be has not been included, and some form of be is necessary for a passive verb. The verb in
the second sentence should be will be finished.
The following chart outlines the way to form the passive correctly:

THE FORM OF THE PASSIVE

BE + past participle (BY + object)

EXERCISE 37: Each of the following sentences has a passive meaning. Underline twice the
verbs that should be passive. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

I. The boy had never be stung by a bee.

C 2. The .suits were hung in the closet when they were returned from the cleaners.
3. Money is lending by the credit union to those who want to buy homes.

4. The record had been chose by dancers near the jukebox.

5. The topic for your research paper should have been approved by your advisor.

6. That song has been playing over and over again by Steve.

7. Their utility bills have been increased again and again.

8. The patients who are too sick to sit up are being assisted by the orderlies.

9. The offices were thoroughly clean last evening by the night crew.

10. The car that was struck in the intersection yesterday is being repaired today.

SKILL 38: RECOGNIZE ACTIVE AND PASSIVE MEANINGS

When there is no object (with or without by) after a verb, you must look at the meaning of
the sentence to determine if the verb should be active or passive. Sentences with an incor-
rect passive verb and no by+ object to tell you that the verb should be passive are the most
difficult passive errors to recognize on the TOEFL test. Study the examples:
We mailed the package at the post office.
The letter was mailed by us today before noon.
The letter was mailed today before noon.·
The letter mailed* today before noon.

The first three examples above are correct. The first example has the active verb mailed
used with the object package; the second example has the passive verb was mailed used with
by us; the third sentence has the passive verb was mailed used without an object.
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APPENDIX G: Formation of the Passive

DIRECTIONS: In the following exercises, sentences are shown in both active and passive.
Fill in the blanks in the sentences with whatever is needed to complete the sentences.

EXERCISE GI

ACTIVE PASSIVE
1. He writes many letters. Many letters by him.
2. He wrote many letters. Many letters by him.
3. He has written many letters. Many letters by him.
4. He had written many letters. Many letters by him.
5. He would write many letters. Many letters by him.
6. He would have written many letters. Many letters by him.
7. He is writing many letters. Many letters by him.
8. He was writing many l~tters. Many letters by him.
9. He will write many letters. Many letters by him.
10. He will have written many letters. Many letters by him.
11. He is going to write many letters. Many letters by him.
12. He should write many letters. Many letters by him.

EXERCISEG2

ACTIVE PASSIVE
1. Soon the armies the battle. The battle will be fought by the armies soon.
2. The company is going to buy the
equipment. by the company.
3. Someone in the yard. A hole was being dug in the yard.
4. The referee had already blown the The whistle had .
whistle.
5. Parents Children should be taught good values by
good values. parents.
6. She keeps her valuable jewelry in the in the safe.
safe.
7. The enemy's torpedoes The ship was sunk by the enemy's torpedoes.
8. What you said hurt me. I hurt by .
9. Someone now. The children are being fed now.
10. You should not have said it so so
strongly. strongly.