Exercise – Unit 07: Agreement – 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. Physics ——- one of my favorite subjects.
(A) be (B) to be (C) is (D) are

Answer: (C) is

“Physics” is a singular noun, even though it ends in “s.” It refers to a single subject (a field of science or a branch of science), so it requires a singular verb.
(A) Be is the base form of the verb and is not grammatically correct in this context.
(B) To be is the infinitive form and cannot function as the main verb in this sentence.(D) Are is a plural verb and does not match the singular subject “Physics.”

2. There are some books on the table, which ——- about fish.
(A) does (B) do (C) is (D) are

Answer: (D) are
The relative pronoun “which” refers to some books. The subject “books” is plural, and “are” agrees with it. “Which” also functions as a linking verb to describe the books’ state (being “about fish”).
(A) does: Singular verb; does not match the plural subject “books.”
(B) do: Implies action, but the sentence describes a state.
(C) is: Singular verb; does not match “books.”

3. A third of the students ——- passed the test.
(A) are (B) have (C) has (D) is

Answer: (B) have
When fractions are involved, the number of the verb is determined by a noun in the prepositional phrase.
When the subject is a fraction (e.g., “a third of”), the verb agrees with the object of the preposition “of.” In this case, “students” is plural, so the plural verb “have” is correct.
(A) Are does not fit the present perfect tense required here.
(C) “Has” is singular and does not match the plural object “students.”
(D) “Is” is singular and not appropriate in the present perfect tense

4. The bus comes here ——- 30 minutes.
(A) each (B) another (C) every (D) all

Answer: (C) every
The sentence is intended to mean that the bus comes at 30-minute intervals.
“Every” is used to describe regular intervals of time, making “every 30 minutes” the correct choice.
(A) “Each” refers to individual items or occurrences, but it does not describe repeated intervals.
(B) “Another” means “an additional one” or “one more” and does not fit the concept of time intervals.
(D) “All” cannot describe frequency or intervals of time, so it is inappropriate here.

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

World famous folk singer, Daniel Matthews, ——- with the Smallville Choir, will give a small concert on August 27th. Mr. Matthews will perform songs from his new CD Voices of Heaven. Tickets are limited so ——- fans who missed his last concert should hurry! Tickets go on sale on June 30th. Call the Smallville Arts Hall on 021-333-0999 for more information.

1. (A) next
(B) along
(C) by
(D) who

2. (A) every
(B) another
(C) all
(D) each

Answer:

1. (B) along
The word “along” is followed by “with” to give the meaning of “together.”
“Along with” is a common phrase meaning “together with,” which fits perfectly to describe Daniel Matthews performing with the Choir.
(A) “Next” refers to time or sequence, which doesn’t fit the sentence.
(C) “By” implies location or agency (e.g., “written by”), which is not relevant here.
(D) Although “who” introduces a clause, it is grammatically incorrect and disrupts the sentence structure.

2. (C) all
“All” matches with the plural noun “fans” because a modifier and the noun modified by it must agree in number.
“All fans” refers to the entire group of people who missed the last concert, which is logical and grammatically correct.
(A) “Every” refers to individuals collectively and doesn’t work when describing a group of fans.
(B) “Another” refers to one more or an additional item, which does not fit the plural subject “fans.”
(D) “Each” refers to individuals separately, which doesn’t match the plural subject “fans.”

C. Fill the blank with the appropriate word.

1. His wedding has been ——- in the newspapers.
(A) said
(B) told
(C) pronounced
(D) announced

Answer: (D) announced
To announce = to make known publicly.
“Announced” is the correct verb for reporting something publicly, especially in newspapers.
(A) “Said” is used to report speech but not for public announcements.
(B) “Told” requires a direct object (e.g., “He told me”), and it is not appropriate here.
(C) “Pronounced” refers to formal declarations or speech but is not used for news announcements.

2. I was ——- for speeding.
(A) fined
(B) find
(C) found
(D) founded

Answer: (A) fined
To fine = to charge money as punishment for an offense.
“Fined” is the appropriate term for being charged a monetary penalty for speeding.
(B) “Find” is the base form and does not fit grammatically.
(C) While “found” is grammatically correct, it does not fit the context of being penalized.
(D) “Founded” refers to establishing something, which is irrelevant here.

3. I asked them to ——- the cost of repairing my car.
(A) estimate
(B) cost
(C) evaluate
(D) predict

Answer: (A) estimate
To estimate = to calculate approximately.
“Estimate” means to calculate an approximate cost, which fits perfectly in this context.
(B) “Cost” as a verb does not make sense grammatically in this sentence.
(C) While “evaluate” means to assess, it is not commonly used when referring to monetary amounts.
(D) “Predict” means to forecast, which does not fit the idea of determining a cost.

4. I wonder if you could ——- a room for me at the hotel.
(A) make
(B) do
(C) preserve
(D) reserve

Answer: (D) reserve
Make a hotel reservation.
“Reserve” means to book a room in advance, which fits perfectly.
(A) “Make” does not collocate with “a room” in this context.
(B) “Do” is too vague and does not match the idea of booking or securing a room.
(C) “Preserve” means to maintain or keep something intact, which is not relevant to hotel reservations.