When we have a preposition and a noun together, we have a prepositional phrase. A prepositional phrase is actually one kind of adverb phrase. Are you still with me? We’re almost there! So, when we use for and many years together, we have an adverb phrase, right? Right!! Now, ago is an adverb, right?? Right! Therefore, it is redundant (unnecessary) to use ago with the prepositional phrase. Easy, right??? Right!!
3. D Question focus: Correct usage of whose and adjective clauses with quantifiers.
In this question, we want to talk about many of Ayn Rand’s novels in the adjective clause. So we have several things happening at once in this question. First, we are are talking about Ayn Rand’s, not Ayn Rand. When we need to use the possessive form in an adjective clause, we have to use whose. Next, we need to use a quantifier to talk about a certain portion of the novels. The proper way to use quantifiers is to use the quantifier with of.
4 Correction: occurs in
This one is easy to explain: occurs is an intransitive verb, so it cannot be followed by a noun. When we see this kind of problem on the TOEFL, we can often add a preposition.
5. Correction: it is possible
This one is easy to explain: We are missing the main verb in this sentence. We can add is and everything is fine!!
6. C.Question focus: Subordinate clauses and adverb clauses.
If we look at everything in this sentence, we will notice that we have a verb, loses, that does not have a subject. This is the only answer choice with a subject.
Still confused? Okay, in this sentence as is a preposition. Since every preposition must be followed by a noun (called its object), we need to have an object for the preposition. In this case, we have a noun clause as the object of the preposition.
You might still be confused. I explained this one to my students by telling them that as means the same thing (or almost the same thing) as like or for example. 7. Correction: in which
We need to understand adjective clauses and prepositions for this question. Essentially, we need a preposition here because the head noun, system, can go into the adjective clause like this:
A problem or challenge is identified and possible solutions are created and tested in [this] system.
8. Correction: collection
Finally! An easy one to explain. We need a noun here (because we are talking about the largest collection of Native American artifacts); collect is a verb.
9.C Question focus: Transitive verbs.
TOEFL loves this kind of question!!
This one is tricky because have called requires an object and a complement. Usually TOEFL likes to use call with two nouns after it. This is what I tell my students: call + two nouns.
So, in this sentence, we have a simple sentence like this:
... critics... have called Mark Twain... writer
We have two nouns: Mark Twain and writer for the verb have called.
10 Correction: nearly
We need to use nearly, which means almost, to modify as uncommon as. near, on the other hand, is a preposition and must be followed by a noun.
3. D Question focus: Correct usage of whose and adjective clauses with quantifiers.
In this question, we want to talk about many of Ayn Rand’s novels in the adjective clause. So we have several things happening at once in this question. First, we are are talking about Ayn Rand’s, not Ayn Rand. When we need to use the possessive form in an adjective clause, we have to use whose. Next, we need to use a quantifier to talk about a certain portion of the novels. The proper way to use quantifiers is to use the quantifier with of.
4 Correction: occurs in
This one is easy to explain: occurs is an intransitive verb, so it cannot be followed by a noun. When we see this kind of problem on the TOEFL, we can often add a preposition.
5. Correction: it is possible
This one is easy to explain: We are missing the main verb in this sentence. We can add is and everything is fine!!
6. C.Question focus: Subordinate clauses and adverb clauses.
If we look at everything in this sentence, we will notice that we have a verb, loses, that does not have a subject. This is the only answer choice with a subject.
Still confused? Okay, in this sentence as is a preposition. Since every preposition must be followed by a noun (called its object), we need to have an object for the preposition. In this case, we have a noun clause as the object of the preposition.
You might still be confused. I explained this one to my students by telling them that as means the same thing (or almost the same thing) as like or for example. 7. Correction: in which
We need to understand adjective clauses and prepositions for this question. Essentially, we need a preposition here because the head noun, system, can go into the adjective clause like this:
A problem or challenge is identified and possible solutions are created and tested in [this] system.
8. Correction: collection
Finally! An easy one to explain. We need a noun here (because we are talking about the largest collection of Native American artifacts); collect is a verb.
9.C Question focus: Transitive verbs.
TOEFL loves this kind of question!!
This one is tricky because have called requires an object and a complement. Usually TOEFL likes to use call with two nouns after it. This is what I tell my students: call + two nouns.
So, in this sentence, we have a simple sentence like this:
... critics... have called Mark Twain... writer
We have two nouns: Mark Twain and writer for the verb have called.
10 Correction: nearly
We need to use nearly, which means almost, to modify as uncommon as. near, on the other hand, is a preposition and must be followed by a noun.