Exercise – Unit 09: Modification and Word Order – 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. He is a very ——- person.
(A) society
(B) sociable
(C) sociably
(D) socially

Answer: (B) sociable
The missing word modifies a person and at the same time is modified by “very.”
“Sociable” is an adjective, meaning friendly or good at interacting with others. Since “a very” modifies an adjective, “sociable” is correct here.
(A) Society is a noun, and the sentence requires an adjective to describe the person.
(C) Sociably is an adverb, not suitable for describing the noun “person.”
(D) Socially is an adverb, and adverbs do not directly describe nouns.

2. It’s ——- cold.
(A) terror
(B) terrify
(C) terrible
(D) terribly

Answer: (D) terribly
Think of what part of speech the word “cold” belongs to.
“Terribly” is an adverb that modifies the adjective “cold,” expressing the degree of coldness.
(A) Terror is a noun, not suitable in this context.
(B) Terrify is a verb, not suitable here.
(C) Terrible is an adjective, while the blank requires an adverb to modify “cold.”

3. They have certainly studied ——- to pass the test.
(A) hard enough
(B) hardly enough
(C) enough hard
(D) enough hardly

Answer: (A) hard enough
Hard = with great energy; hardly = almost not
“Hard enough” is the correct order because “enough” comes after adjectives or adverbs like “hard.” This indicates that they studied sufficiently to pass the test.
(B) Hardly enough: Incorrect because “hardly” means “barely,” which changes the meaning of the sentence to suggest they likely didn’t study enough.
(C) Enough hard: Incorrect because “enough” must follow the adverb “hard,” not precede it.
(D) Enough hardly: Incorrect because “enough” and “hardly” together do not make logical sense here.

4. Is there ——- about the project?
(A) new anything
(B) newly anything
(C) anything newly
(D) anything new

Answer: (D) anything new
Words ending in -thing like “anything” always come before their adjectival modifier. Thus, “anything new” is the correct order.
(A) New anything: Incorrect because the adjective “new” cannot precede “anything.”
(B) Newly anything: Incorrect because “newly” is an adverb, and it doesn’t logically fit the sentence.
(C) Anything newly: Incorrect because the adverb “newly” cannot describe “anything.”

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

To: All parents
From: Thamesview High School P.E. Department

We wish to remind parents that all students must ——- in P.E. If a student cannot participate in sports due to illness, they must bring a doctor’s note. The note must explain how long they should be excused from class. Students who do not bring a note will not be excused by the teacher. Thank you for your ——-.

(1) (A) be
(B) have a role
(C) take part
(D) study lessons.

(2) (A) cooperation
(B) cooperating
(C) considering
(D) doing this

Answer:

(1) (C) take part
Take part has the meaning of “to participate” in something.
“Take part” is the correct collocation to express participating in an activity (in this case, P.E. or physical education). It means to join or engage in something actively.
(A) be is too vague and does not convey the idea of participation.
(B) have a role suggests a formal or specific position rather than general participation.
(D) study lessons: Incorrect because “P.E.” involves physical activities, not traditional academic lessons.

(2) (A) cooperation
“Thank you for your cooperation” is a set expression used to express thanks in advance.
“Cooperation” is the correct noun to express collaboration or willingness to work together, which is appropriate in the context of a message to parents.
(B) cooperating is a gerund, and the sentence requires a noun to complete “your __.”
(C) considering is a verb or gerund, not a noun expressing teamwork or assistance.
(D) doing this is informal and unsuitable for the formal tone of the communication.

C. Fill the blank with the appropriate word.

1. ——- three copies of this letter, please.
(A) Be
(B) Do
(C) Make
(D) Build

Answer: (C) Make
To make = to cause to exist or happen.
“Make” is the correct verb to use when referring to producing or creating something, such as copies of a letter.
(A) Be does not indicate the action of creating copies.
(B) Do is too general and doesn’t specifically mean “create copies.”
(D) Build refers to constructing something physical, not reproducing a document.

2. If you violate any conditions specified therein, the contract will automatically ——-.
(A) complete
(B) annul
(C) abolish
(D) terminate

Answer: (D) terminate
All the other choices require an object.
“Terminate” is the correct verb to describe ending a contract legally and officially.
(A) Complete means to finish something, not to end it due to a violation.
(B) Annul means to declare something void, it is typically used in legal or formal declarations like annulment of marriage, not contracts.
(C) Abolish refers to formally ending a law or system, not an individual contract.

3. I’d like to ——- my check.
(A) cash
(B) charge
(C) bill
(D) exchange

Answer: (A) cash
To cash a check = to convert into ready money.
“Cash” is the appropriate verb for exchanging a check for money.
(B) Charge refers to applying a cost or fee, not processing a check.
(C) Bill refers to invoicing or requesting payment.
(D) Exchange implies swapping one thing for another, not cashing a check.

4. Can I ——- money online to Brazil?
(A) refund
(B) reimburse
(C) transfer
(D) repay

Answer: (C) transfer
To transfer = to convey from one place to another.
“Transfer” is the correct term for electronically moving money from one account to another, especially online.
(A) Refund means to return money to someone, not to send it.
(B) Reimburse means to compensate someone for money spent, not transferring funds.
(D) Repay implies paying back a debt, not transferring money.