Exercise – Unit 05: Negation and Parallel Structure – Chapter 1: Grammar Practice – Starter TOEIC – Third Edition – Building TOEIC Test-taking Skills – Anne Taylor – Casey Malarcher

A. Choose the word or phrase that best completes the sentence.

1. The baby ——- at all.
(A) not eats
(B) eats not
(C) do not eat
(D) does not eat

Answer: (D) does not eat
The subject “the baby” is singular, so the correct auxiliary verb is does (not do).
In negative sentences with auxiliary verbs, not follows the auxiliary verb: does not + base verb.
Incorrect options:
(A) “not eats” → Wrong structure.
(B) “eats not” → Grammatically incorrect for standard English.
(C) “do not eat” → Incorrect auxiliary verb for a singular subject.

2. ——- finished the task, he couldn’t take a vacation.
(A) Had not
(B) Have not
(C) Not having
(D) Having not

Answer: (C) Not having
This sentence requires a participle phrase to explain why he couldn’t take a vacation.
“Not having” is the correct form to indicate a lack of action that is related to the main clause.
Incorrect options:
(A) “Had not” → This requires a verb form after it, e.g., “had not finished.”
(B) “Have not” → Same issue; incomplete structure.
(D) “Having not” → This is grammatically awkward and rarely used.

3. ——- you are not ready, let’s start later.
(A) If
(B) Unless
(C) Because of
(D) But

Answer: (A) If
“If” is used to introduce a conditional clause, which is appropriate here to indicate a condition for starting later.
Incorrect options:
(B) “Unless” → This means “if not,” so it would create a double negative with “not ready.”
(C) “Because of” → Incorrect, as it does not form a condition.
(D) “But” → Does not make logical sense in this context.

4. Keeping early hours as well as ——- regular physical exercise is essential for your health.
(A) do
(B) does
(C) to do
(D) doing

Answer: (D) doing
The structure “Keeping early hours as well as ——-” requires parallel structure. “Keeping” is a gerund, so the second part must also use a gerund (“doing”).
Incorrect options:
(A) “do” → Does not match the gerund form of “keeping.”
(B) “does” → Verb form, not parallel to “keeping.”
(C) “to do” → Infinitive form, not parallel to “keeping.”

B. Choose the word or phrase that best completes the sentence.

The maintenance department would like to (1) ——- all employees to turn off all electrical appliances before leaving the building. If you are the last person to leave, turn off all computers, photocopiers, printers, and heaters. However, you (2) ——- leave the lights on. These are kept turned on at all times for security purposes.

1. (A) suggest
(B) not to forget
(C) reminder
(D) remind
2. (A) have to
(B) would
(C) must not
(D) need

Answer:

1. (D) remind
The sentence requires a verb that fits the structure “would like to” + base verb.
“Remind” is the correct choice because it means “to prompt someone to remember something,” which fits the context.
Incorrect options:
(A) “suggest” → Grammatically incorrect here; it would require the structure “would like to suggest that.”
(B) “not to forget” → This is a phrase, not a base verb, and does not fit grammatically.
(C) “reminder” → A noun, which does not work in this verb phrase.

2. (A) have to
The instruction specifies that leaving the lights on is mandatory for security purposes. Therefore, the modal verb “have to” is the most appropriate choice, as it indicates a strong obligation.
Incorrect options:
(B) “would” → Suggests a hypothetical situation, which does not match the context of giving a rule or requirement.
(C) “must not” → Implies prohibition, which contradicts the instruction to leave the lights on.
(D) “need” → Could work but lacks the explicit emphasis on obligation that “have to” provides.

C. Fill the blank with the appropriate word.

1. The client agrees to pay all hotel ——- on due dates.
(A) charges
(B) fines
(C) tuitions
(D) fares

Answer: (A) charges
“Charges” refers to the amounts billed by a hotel for services like rooms, meals, or amenities. This fits the context of paying for services.
Incorrect options:
(B) “fines” → Refers to penalties for violations, not general payments for services.
(C) “tuitions” → Refers to fees for education, irrelevant here.
(D) “fares” → Refers to transportation costs, not hotel-related expenses.

2. Our basic ——- is that the customer is always right.
(A) expertise
(B) policy
(C) profession
(D) specialty

Answer: (B) policy
“Policy” refers to a guiding principle or rule adopted by an organization. This fits the context of a general principle about customer service.
Incorrect options:
(A) “expertise” → Refers to specialized knowledge, which doesn’t fit.
(C) “profession” → Refers to an occupation, not a guiding rule.
(D) “specialty” → Refers to a specific area of focus, not a rule or principle.

3. When does the ——- for your printer expire?
(A) warranty
(B) certificate
(C) license
(D) approval

Answer: (A) warranty
“Warranty” refers to a guarantee provided by a manufacturer for a product’s repair or replacement within a certain period. This fits the context of the question about expiration.
Incorrect options:
(B) “certificate” → Refers to a document of authentication, not a guarantee.
(C) “license” → Refers to permission to do something, not a product guarantee.
(D) “approval” → Refers to consent or endorsement, not related to product guarantees.

4. The employee can seek compensation from the employer for ——- of contract.
(A) breach
(B) fulfillment
(C) failure
(D) bleach

Answer: (A) breach
“Breach of contract” refers to the violation or breaking of agreed terms in a contract. This fits the context of seeking compensation.
Incorrect options:
(B) “fulfillment” → Refers to completing a contract, opposite in meaning.
(C) “failure” → Too general and doesn’t specifically refer to contracts.
(D) “bleach” → A cleaning agent, irrelevant to contracts.