Exercise – Unit 06: Comparisons – 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. This is much ——- than expected.
(A) well
(B) good
(C) better
(D) best

Answer: (C) better
The presence of “than” can be a key to the answer.
The sentence uses “much,” a modifier commonly paired with comparatives to emphasize the degree of comparison.
“Better” is the comparative form of good, which fits the structure and context.
Incorrect options:
(A) well → A base adverb, not a comparative form.
(B) good → A base adjective, not comparative.
(D) best → Superlative form, unsuitable without comparing one subject to a group.

2. This jacket is ——- superior to that one.
(A) far
(B) few
(C) a few
(D) any

Answer: (A) far
The word “superior” implies a big difference in quality.
“Far” is a modifier commonly used with comparatives or expressions like “superior” to indicate a large degree of difference.
Incorrect options:
(B) few → Refers to quantity, not degree.
(C) a few → Incorrect in this context; relates to small quantities.
(D) any → Cannot modify “superior” meaningfully here.

3. Of all the students, John is the ——-.
(A) tall
(B) taller
(C) tallest
(D) most tall

Answer: (C) tallest
The presence of “of all” is a key to the answer.
The phrase “Of all the students” suggests a superlative comparison because John is being compared to the entire group.
“Tallest” is the superlative form of tall and correctly completes the sentence.
Incorrect options:
(A) tall → Base form, not superlative.
(B) taller → Comparative, used for comparing two subjects, not suitable here.
(D) most tall → Grammatically incorrect; “tall” uses -est for the superlative, not “most.”

4. This is the ——- class I have ever taken.
(A) difficult
(B) most difficult
(C) more difficult
(D) as difficult as

Answer: (B) most difficult
The use of “ever” in this sentence suggests the correct choice.
The phrase “I have ever taken” indicates a superlative degree, as it refers to the highest level of difficulty among all classes taken.
“Most difficult” is the correct superlative form of the adjective difficult.
Incorrect options:
(A) difficult → Base form, not superlative.
(C) more difficult → Comparative, not superlative.
(D) as difficult as → Incorrect; this form is used for equal comparison, not superlative.

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

Sunland Travel Specialists
Dear Ms. Miles,
Let me answer your ——- about travel insurance. You asked about travel insurance Plan A, Plan B, and Plan B+. We have discontinued Plan A. Plan B does not cover dangerous sports, while Plan B+ covers sports such as hang gliding. Plan B+ is more expensive than Plan B, but is the ——- choice for an adventurous traveler.
Sincerely,
Marigold Green

1. (A) asking
(B) asked
(C) question
(D) questioning
2. (A) most
(B) goodest
(C) more
(D) best

Answer:
1. (C) question
We answer a “question” so (C) is the best choice here.
The sentence requires a noun to describe what Ms. Miles asked. “Question” fits perfectly as it refers to an inquiry about travel insurance.
Incorrect options:
(A) asking → A verb or gerund, not a noun.
(B) asked → A past participle, not a noun.
(D) questioning → A noun but means “the act of interrogating,” which is not appropriate in this context.

2. (D) best
The superlative form of good is “best.”
The context compares the suitability of travel insurance plans for an adventurous traveler. The sentence uses “the”, indicating a superlative comparison. “Best” is the superlative form of good, which fits the context.
Incorrect options:
(A) most → Superlative but incomplete; it requires a qualifying adjective (e.g., “most suitable”).
(B) goodest → Grammatically incorrect; “good” uses irregular forms (better, best).
(C) more → Comparative, not superlative, and doesn’t fit the structure.

C. Fill the blank with the appropriate word.

1. Other documents are available upon ——-.
(A) need
(B) want
(C) request
(D) necessity

Answer: (C) request
Upon request = When asked for.
The phrase “available upon request” is a common and standard expression meaning documents can be provided if asked for.
Incorrect options:
(A) need → Grammatically awkward; “available upon need” is not idiomatic.
(B) want → Sounds informal and unnatural in professional contexts.
(D) necessity → Too formal and doesn’t fit the context of asking for documents.

2. The new law takes ——- next week.
(A) outcome
(B) result
(C) effect
(D) consequence

Answer: (C) effect
Take effect = be effective; begin.
The phrase “takes effect” is a standard idiomatic expression meaning the law will become active or enforced.
Incorrect options:
(A) outcome → Refers to a result, not the enforcement of a law.
(B) result → Similar to “outcome,” it does not mean enforcement.
(D) consequence → Implies an impact but doesn’t mean a law coming into force.

3. ——- must be paid to what’s going on here.
(A) Looking
(B) Attention
(C) Presence
(D) Attendance

Answer: (B) Attention
Pay attention to = to look at carefully.
The phrase “attention must be paid” is correct and standard, meaning focus or care is required.
Incorrect options:
(A) looking → A verb or gerund, not appropriate here.
(C) presence → Refers to being physically present, not about focus.
(D) attendance → Refers to being present at an event, not applicable in this context.

4. Prior to leaving, check your bank ——-.
(A) change
(B) balance
(C) remains
(D) rest

Answer: (B) balance
Bank balance = money left over in one’s bank account.
The term “bank balance” refers to the amount of money available in a bank account, making it the correct choice.
Incorrect options:
(A) change → Refers to coins or small amounts of money, not account information.
(C) remains → Refers to leftover parts, not applicable here.
(D) rest → Refers to remaining parts but doesn’t specifically mean a bank account total.