Diabetes blocks the body’s ability to process sugar during digestion.

Examples: 3. Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed Manhattan’s Central Park, wanting the park to be a “democratic A B C playground” where everyone was equal. D

a. A b. B

c. C d. D

THERE are a few important differences between the structure sections of the new computer-based TOEFL exam and the old paper-based exam. The kinds of questions are the same, but the computer-based test offers fewer questions. More important, the questions on the computer exam will be selected according to your level of pro- ficiency. Your first question will be “average” in difficulty. The next question will be easier or harder, depending upon how you answered the first question. The rest of the questions will follow this pattern. Throughout the struc- ture section on the computer-based test, the level of difficulty of each question will be based upon your answer to the previous question. This chart compares the structure sections of the two tests: Computer-Based TOEFL Exam “Structure” Supplemental Paper-Based TOEFL Exam “Structure and Written Expression” 15–20 minutes 25 minutes 20–25 questions 40 questions Question types see “Kinds of Structure Questions” below Question types are divided into two sections: Part A are not divided into sections. Incomplete sentence and consists of 15 incomplete sentences “structure” sentences with underlined words and phrases will be questions and Part B consists of 25 sentences with presented at random. underlined words and phrases “written expression” questions. The computer selects questions based on your level All test-takers answer the same questions. of proficiency. Once you submit an answer, you cannot go back to You can return to previous questions and change previous questions. your answer. Your score on this section is combined with your score Your score on this section is not combined with your on the essay in the writing section. score on the essay in the writing section Test of Written English™. Source: Barron’s Passkey to the TOEFL ® , 4th ed., 2001. – S T R U C T U R E : G R A M M A R A N D S T Y L E – 5 3 Computer-Based Test vs. Paper-Based Test 4. A lack in folic acid, especially in early pregnancy, can lead to serious birth defects. A B C D

a. A b. B

c. C d. D

Answers: 3-b, 4-a. G r a m m a r a n d S t y l e R e v i e w Now that you have a better idea of what to expect on the structure section of the TOEFL exam, it’s time to review some basic English grammar patterns and rules. This review and the practice exercises throughout the chapter will help you write more clearly and correctly and better prepare for the exam. The Basic Unit of Writing: Sentences and Sentence Structure When we write, we express our ideas in sentences. But what is a sentence, anyway? S UBJECTS , P REDICATES , AND O BJECTS A sentence is the basic unit of thought in the English language. It is composed of two essential parts—a sub- ject and a predicate—and it must express a complete thought. The subject of a sentence tells us who or what the sentence is about. The predicate tells us something about the subject. Thus, in the following sentence: The snow is falling. The word snow is the subject. It tells us what the sentence is about—who or what performed the action of the sentence. The verb phrase is falling is the predicate. It tells us the action performed by or information about the subject. The subject of a sentence can be singular or compound plural: I ate a large pizza. Ted and I ate a large pizza. singular subject compound subject two subjects performing the action The predicate can also be singular or compound: I ate a large pizza. I ate a large pizza and drank a liter of soda. singular predicate compound predicate two actions performed by the subject – S T R U C T U R E : G R A M M A R A N D S T Y L E – 5 4