TOEFL structure skill 9

An adjective clause describes a noun. Because the clause is an adjective, it is positioned directly after the noun that it describes.

In the first example, there are two clauses: this is the subject of the verb is, and I is the subject of the verb want.That is the adjective clause connector that joins these two clauses, and the adjective clause that I want to buy describes the noun house.

In the second example, there are also two clauses: house is the subject of the verb is, and I is the subject of the verb want. In this sentence also, that is the adjective clause connector that joins these two clauses, and theadjective clause that I want to buy describes the noun house.

The following example shows how these sentence patterns could be tested in the Structure section of the TOEFL test.

Example

The job _____ started yesterday was rather difficult.
(A) when
(B) was
(C) after
(D) that he

In this example, you should notice quickly that there are two clauses: job is the subject of the verb was, and the verb started needs a subject. Because there are two clauses, a connector is also needed. Answers (A) and (C) have connectors, but there are no subjects, so these answers are not correct. Answer (B) changes started into a passive verb; in this case the sentence would have one subject and two verbs, so answer (B) is not correct. The best answer to this question is answer (D). The correct sentence should say: The job that he started yesterday was rather difficult. In this sentence job is the subject of the verb was, he is the subject of the verb started, and the connector that joins these two clauses.

The following chart lists the adjective clause connectors and the sentence pat terns used with them.

EXERCISE 9: 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).

1. I did not believe the story that he told me. (C)

Analysis:

First Clause : I did not believe the story
Second Clause : He told me
Adjective clause connector : that

2. Ms. Brown, whom did you recommend for the job, will start work tomorrow.(I)

Analysis:

First clause : Ms. Brown will start work tomorrow
Second clause : Did you recommend for the job (incorrect)
It should be you recommended for the job
Adjective clause connector : whom

The correct sentence is Ms. Brown, who you recommended for the job, will start work tomorrow.

3. The lecture notes which lent me were not clearly written.(I)

Analysis:

First clause : The lecture notes were not clearly written
Second clause : lent me (incorrect)
It should be I lent
Adjective clause connector : which

The correct sentence is the lecture notes which I lent were not clearly written

4. Sally has an appointment with the hairdresser whom you recommended. (C)

Analysis:

First clause : Sally has an appointment with the hairdresser
Second clause : you recommended
Adjective clause connector : whom

5. The phone number that you gave me.

Analysis:

First clause : The phone number (incorrect: no verb)
Second clause : you gave me
Adjective clause connector : that
The correct sentence is The phone number that you gave me IS wrong

6. She is able to solve all the problems which did she cause.(I)

Analysis:

First clause : She is able to solve the problems
Second clause : did she cause (incorrect)
It should be she caused
Adjective clause connector: She is able to solve all the problems which she caused

7. The day that she spent on the beach left her sunburned. (C)

Analysis:

First clause : The day left her sunburned
Second clause : she spend on the beach
Adjective clause connector : that

8. Next week I am going to visit my cousins, whom have not seen in several years.(I)

Analysis:

First clause : Next week I am going to visit my cousins
Second clause : have not seen in several years (incorrect)
It should be I have not seen in several years
Adjective clause connector : whom
The correct sentence is Next week I am going to visit my cousins, whom i have not seen in several years

9. Did you forget the promise whom you made? (C)

Analysis:

First clause : Did you forget the promise
second clause : you made?
Adjective clause connector : whom

10. The teacher whom the students like the most is their history teacher.

Analysis:

First clause : The teacher is their history teacher
Second clause : the students like the most
Adjective clause connector : whom

TOEFL structure skill 7

A noun clause is a clause that functions as a noun; because the noun clause functions as a noun, it can be used in a sentence as an object of a verb (if it follows a verb) or an object of a preposition (if it follows a preposition). Study the clauses and connectors in the following sentences.
(Indonesian Version)

In the first example, there are two clauses, I don’t know and he said such things. These two clauses are joined with the connector why. Why changes the clause he said such things into a noun clause which functions as the object of the verb don’t know.

In the second example, the two clauses I am thinking and he said such things are also joined by the connector why. Why changes the clause he said such things into a noun clause which functions as the object of the preposition about.

The following example shows how these sentence patterns could be tested in the Structure section of the TOEFL test

Example

The citizens worry about ____ is doing.

(A) what the government
(B) the government
(C) what
(D) what the government it

In this example, the sentence contains the main subject and verb, the citizens worry, and it also contains an additional verb, is doing. The sentence needs a subject for the verb is doing and a connector to join the two clauses. The best answer is answer (A) because it has the connector what and the subject government. Answer (B) is incorrect because it does not have a connector. Answer (C) is incorrect because it does not have a subject for is doing. Answer (D) is incorrect because it has two subjects for is doing.

The following chart lists the noun clause connectors and the sentence patterns used with them.

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).

1. It is unfortunate that the meal is not ready yet. (C)

Analysis:
Both clauses are correct because they have subject and verb

2. She told me when should pick up the children. (I)

Analyisis:
should pick up the children is incorrect. It should be I should pick up the children.

3. The instructor explained where was the computer lab located. (I)

Analysis:
Where was the computer lab located is incorrect. It should be where the computer lab was located.

4. We could not believe what he did to us. (C)

Analysis:
Both clauses are correct.

5. Do you want to know if it going to rain tomorrow? (I)

Analysis:
If it going to rain tomorrow is incorrect. It should be If it is going to rain tomorrow.

6. We never know whether we will get paid or not. (C)

Analysis:
Both clauses are correct

7. This evening you can decide what do you want to do. (I)

Analysis:
Second clause: what do you want to do is incorrect. It should be what you want to do.

8. The manager explained how wanted the work done. (C)

Analysis:
Second clause: how wanted the work done is incorrect. It should be how he wanted work done.

9. The map showed where the party would be held. (C)

Analysis:
Both clauses are correct

10. Can you tell me why was the mail not delivered today? (I)

Analysis:

Second clause: why was the mail not delivered today is incorrect. It should be why the mail was not

delivered today.

TOEFL structure skill 5

Sentences with adverb clauses have two basic patterns in English. Study the clauses and connectors in the following sentences:

(Indonesian Version)

He is tired because he has been working so hard.

Because he has been working so hard, he is tired.

In each of these examples, there are two clauses: he is tired and he has been working so hard. The clause he has been working so hard is an adverb clause that is introduced with the connector because. In the first example, the connector because comes in the middle of the sentence, and no comma (,) is used. In the second example, the connector because comes at the beginning of the sentence. In this pattern, when the connector comes at the beginning of the sentence, a comma (,) is required in the middle of the sentence.

The following example shows how this sentence pattern could be tested in the Structure section of the TOEFL test.

Example

_____ arrived at the library, he started to work immediately.

(A) The student
(B) When
(C) He
(D) After the student

In this example, you should recognize easily that the verb arrived needs a subject. There is also another clause, he started to work immediately. If you choose answer (A) or answer (C), you will have a subject for the verb arrived, but you will not have a connector to join the two clauses. Because you need a connector to join two clauses, answers (A) and (C) are incorrect. Answer (B) is incorrect because there is no subject for the verb arrived. Answer (D) is the best answer because there is a subject, student, for the verb, arrived, and there is a connector, after, to join the two clauses.

The following chart lists common adverb connectors and the sentence patterns used with them.

EXERCISE 6: 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).

1. After the plane circled the airport, it landed on the main runway. (C)

Analysis:
Both clauses have subject and verb.
The connector “when” is correct, too.

2. The registration process took many hours since the lines so long. (I)

Analysis:
The second clause has no verb. It should be the lines were so long.
The connector “since” is correct.

3. This type of medicine can be helpful, it can also have some bad side effects. (I)

Analysis:
Both clauses are correct but there is no connector.

4. The waves were amazingly high when the storm hit the coastal town. (C)

Analysis:
Both clauses and connector are correct.

5. We need to get a new car whether is on sale or not. (I)

Analysis:
Second clause has no subject. It should be it is on sale or not
Connector “whether” is correct

6. Just as the bread came out of the oven, while a wonderful aroma filled the kitchen. (I)


Analysis:
There are two connectors; Just and While.
“While” should be erased, so the sentence becomes a wonderful aroma filled the kitchen.

7. Everyone has spent time unpacking boxes since the family moved into the new house. (C)

Analysis:
Both clauses and connector are corretc.

8. Although the area is a desert many plants bloom there in the springtime. (I)

Analysis:
There is no comma after the first clause. It should be the area is a desser,

9. The drivers on the freeway drove slowly and carefully while the rain was falling heavily because they did not want to have an accident. (C)

Analysis:
All three clauses are correct and the connectors are correct, too.

10. If you plan carefully before you take a trip, will have a much better time because the small details will not cause problems. (I)

Analysis:
Second clause ” will have a much better time” has no subject. It should be you will have a much better time.