Collins ELT TOEFL Vocabulary and Grammar Sample Pages

vocabulary

grammar for the toefl i bt ®

Comparative structures

Study the explanations and examples in the chart. Make your own examples based on each rule.

OVERVIEW

Comparative structures are used to say how two things or people are similar or different.

-er adjective + than / more + adjective + than

Use more with adjectives of more than two syllables and some two-syllable adjectives. less + adjective + than Note irregular forms: better, worse, further

Cities are becoming larger and more crowded.

Life in rural areas tends to be less expensive and less stressful. more + noun

fewer / less + noun

Use fewer with count nouns and less with non-count nouns.

Add much, far, considerably, or significantly to make a comparison stronger.

More people live in cities today than ever before.

Large cities often have fewer parks and green areas than small towns.

Small towns generally have less crime than large cities.

Cities are significantly larger now than they were 20 years ago.

High-rise buildings are far more common in large cities than in small towns.

Negative comparative structures

not as + adjective + as

Rural areas are not as crowded as cities. not as many / much + noun + as

Use many with count nouns and much with non-count nouns.

Equal comparative structures

as + adjective + as

as many / much + noun + as

There are not as many job opportunities in rural areas as there are in towns. There is not as much pollution in rural areas as there is in towns.

Living in a small town is as healthy as living in the country.

There are as many museums and other cultural opportunities in smaller towns as in cities.

Practice Exercises

A Complete the paragraph with words from the box.

as considerably content fewer friendlier more much smaller

DICTIONARY SKILLS

My hometown is much 1 than the other cities in my region. It has 2 schools and colleges, and there are not 3 many stores, museums, or libraries. Nevertheless, I love my hometown because I think the people there are 4 than in other places. Life is 5 less stressful and people have 6 free time. As a result, they are 7 happier and more 8 than those who live in larger cities.

The pre xes un-, in-, il-, and im- can be used to make an adjective into its opposite. For example, the opposite of friendly is unfriendly. Use your dictionary to nd the opposite of these words: legal, ethical, visible, probable, mortal, usual, efficient.

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B The paragraph below contains eight errors in comparative forms. Circle and correct the errors. More than one option may be possible. Somebody wants to build a factory in your hometown. Do you support or oppose this plan?

If a factory is built in my hometown, there will be many advantages. First, there will be many more employment. Second, roads will be more good and transportation will be more faster. There will also be much more educational and recreational facilities. Unfortunately, there will also be some disadvantages. The town will not be peaceful as before and it will be very more polluted. Much more people will come to work here. The town will probably become more crowded and there will be less parks and trees. On the whole, however, I feel that there are more advantages than disadvantages and I would support this plan.

C These are examples of types of topics in question 2 of the speaking section (paired choice). Write two comparative sentences to compare each pair of topics.

TEST TIP: Speaking section question 1 (paired choice)

In this question, it does not matter which choice you make. e important thing is to show that you can evaluate the two choices and say why one is better than the other. In your answer, you should mention the bene ts of your choice and also the drawbacks of the alternative. is question tests your ability to:

1. Express and justify likes, dislikes, values, preferences.

2. Take a position and defend it.

3. Make a recommendation and justify it.

Test Practice

A The following question is similar to question 1 in the speaking section (choice). Make notes. Some people prefer to live in a city. Others prefer to live in the country. Which do you think is better and why?

Notes

My opinion

Reason 1

Reason 2

Reason 3

Now write a transcript of your spoken response (or record your response and write the transcript here). Check your work carefully for correct use of comparative structures.

B Read the following example of a question that is similar to question 2 in the writing section (independent task) of the Paper Edition of the TOEFL iBT test. Plan, write, and revise your written response to the question.

It is better for children to grow up in the countryside than in a big city. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to develop your essay.

Opinion

• Example Reason 1:

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• Detail

• Example Reason 2:

• Detail

• Example Reason 3:

• Detail

ere are ve main types of essay questions in this section of the test. ey are:

Description or explanation

Imaginary or hypothetical situations

Use a library or online resource to nd more examples of TOEFL iBT essay questions. Practice identifying the types of questions and choose examples of each type to practice your essay planning and writing skills.

Modals (present and future)

Study the examples in the chart. Make your own examples based on each verb.

OVERVIEW

Modal verbs are used before the infinitive of other verbs. They add meanings connected with certainty or obligation, expressing the speaker’s attitude to an action or event.

Obligation or necessity have to / need to Everyone has to / needs to reduce their energy consumption. No obligation or necessity don’t have to / needn’t

You don’t have to / needn’t make major lifestyle changes to cut back on energy consumption.

Advice or recommendation should / ought to

shouldn’t

Governments should / ought to spend more money on protecting the environment. Governments shouldn’t allow factories to produce pollution. Certainty or uncertainty will (sure)

would (hypothetical)

may / might (less certain) could (possible)

Ability or permission

can

Past and passive forms

To form the past with would, should, could, may, and might, use the modal + have + past participle.

To form the passive, use the modal + be + the past participle.

To form the past passive, use the modal + have + been + the past participle.

A rise in the Earth’s temperature will affect animals and marine life.

Reducing energy consumptions would also reduce pollution caused by gas emissions.

Governments may / might introduce stricter laws. Companies could reduce pollution by creating more products with recyclable packaging.

We can develop alternative sources of energy.

They should have monitored the effects of global warming more carefully.

We might have reduced energy consumption sooner, if we had known about its effects on the environment.

Energy consumption has to / should be reduced. Animals and marine life will be affected by a rise in the Earth’s temperature.

More money could have been spent on protecting the environment.

Note the difference in meaning between the two past forms of need: didn’t need to do (something you didn’t do because it wasn’t necessary) and needn’t have done (something that you did that wasn’t necessary).

Also, note there are more modals, but these are the ones most useful for the test.

Practice Exercises

A Complete the paragraph with modal verbs from the chart.

Global warming 1 (possibly) be permanently changing the Earth’s climate. Climate scientists agree that global warming 2 (definitely) impact on all wildlife and marine habitats. Some people believe that we 3 (not necessary) be too concerned as these changes are happening only very gradually. Others believe that governments 4 (urgent) take action immediately. They insist that all countries 5 (advise) restrict carbon dioxide emissions and that they

6 (not a good idea) wait until it is too late.

Scientists have recently predicted that average global temperatures

7 (possible) increase between 1.4 and 5.8 degrees Celsius by the year 2100. Changes resulting from global warming 8 (less certain) include rising sea levels, as well as an increase in severe weather events. Everyone

9 (ability) take action now by taking measures to increase energy efficiency and reduce consumption. Even the smallest reduction 10 (possible) help to slow down the effects of global warming.

B Rewrite these sentences using the passive form.

1. Everyone should do more to protect the environment.

WORD BUILDING

The root duc- in the word reduce means to lead. Reduce means lead back (cut down). Duc- or duct- is found in many words. Examples: educate (lead into knowledge), introduce (lead people to know each other). Use your dictionary to nd the meaning of these words: abduction, induction, deduce conduct, aqueduct

2. They should have detected the effects on the environment much sooner.

3. We shouldn’t use gas and coal to produce energy.

4. Governments will have to pass stricter laws to protect the environment.

5. We could have prevented the harmful effects of global warming.

6. They shouldn’t have built nuclear power plants in an earthquake zone.

C Read the following response to question 1 in the speaking section (choice). Choose the best modals in the response to complete it.

Some people say that every city should have a car-free day once a month. Other people say it would cause a lot of problems. Which side do you support and why?

I agree with the view that cities 1would / should have a car-free day once a month. First, if people used their cars less, there would be less pollution. The air 2would / will be cleaner, and there 3would / will be less noise. Second, if people use alternative methods of transportation, they 4may / should realize that they 5have to / needn’t use their car quite so often. In fact, they 6might / haveto start to enjoy walking or riding a bicycle to work or school on a regular basis and as a result they 7could / need to become healthier. Of course this idea 8should / may be a little inconvenient for people who have to travel a long way to work. Those people 9may / might have to stay at home on car-free days, which 10wouldn’t / needn’t be good for them or their employers. But on the whole, if there were a car-free day every month, I think people 11should / might appreciate the parks and trees in the city and start to walk around the city more. People 12might / can also become a little friendlier and happier. I think this would be a very good idea in my city.

STUDY TIP

e criteria for question 1 of the speaking section (choice) include pace, uency, and intonation, as well as vocabulary and grammar usage. You will also be graded on your ability to support opinions with personal details and to organize your response so that it is clear and easy to understand. Practice by recording your response within the allocated time of 45 seconds. Make a brief plan of the main points before you start to speak. Listen to your recording. Did you speak naturally and clearly? Were your ideas well organized? Did you use appropriate grammar and vocabulary to express your ideas?

D These are examples of the types of topics that may come up in question 1 of the speaking section (choice). Write two sentences using modal verbs to answer each question.

1. Some people think that TV should only be for education, while others think it should be for entertainment. Which side do you support and why?

2. Students should not use cell phones during class. Do you agree or disagree?

E The following question is similar to task 2 in the writing section (independent essay) of the Paper Edition of the TOEFL iBT test. Think of three sentences that would use modals in your answer to this question.

Some people think governments should spend money exploring outer space (for example, traveling to Mars and to other planets). Other people disagree and think governments should spend this money to help solve problems here on Earth. Which of these two opinions do you agree with? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

Test Practice

TEST TIP: Speaking section question 1 (paired choice)

Remember to use transition words and phrases to guide your listener through the organization of your ideas. ere are three main reasons for my opinion. e rst reason is … e second reason is … In addition … Finally … .

The following question is similar to question 1 in the speaking section (choice). Make notes for your answer.

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Some people enjoy living in a climate where it is warm all year. Others prefer to live in a climate where there are four seasons. Which type of climate do you prefer and why?

Notes

My opinion

Reason 1

Reason 2

Reason 3

Now write a transcript of your spoken response (or record your response and write the transcript here). Think about how you could use modals in your answer.

Conditional sentences

Study the explanations and examples in the chart. Write your own examples based on each type of conditional. Include some examples using negative verbs for one or both clauses.

OVERVIEW

Conditional sentences are used to talk about a result that depends on something else happening first.

Explanation and structure Example

Zero conditional: a result that always or usually happens

Condition: If + (present), Result: (present)

First conditional: a result that is possible and likely

Condition: If + (present), Result: (will + verb)

Second conditional: a result that is possible but less likely

Condition: If + (past), Result: (would + verb)

Third conditional: a result that is hypothetical, a different result of something that has already happened

Condition: If + (past perfect), Result: (would + have + past participle)

If you stay in a dorm on campus, you make more friends.

You make more friends if you stay in a dorm on campus.

If she takes a part-time job, she’ll have less time to study.

She’ll have less time to study if she takes a part-time job.

If I had more time, I would join an academic study group.

I would join an academic study group if I had more time.

If he had worked more on his assignment, he would have passed the class. He would have passed the class if he had worked more on his assignment.

If I were* you, I’d talk to your academic advisor.

I wouldn’t take any extra classes if I were* you.

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Note:

1. If the condition is first, there is a comma. There is no comma if the result is first.

2. *Was and were are both correct as first and third person singular forms of the verb be in second conditional sentences. Was is more usual in spoken English; were is more usual in formal and written English.

3. Conditional sentences can also be a mixture of different types. For example, If I had sent in my application earlier, I would have a job now

Practice Exercises

A Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs in parentheses.

1. If you are absent from class too often, you graduate. (not able to)

2. He get a part-time job if he doesn’t have enough money. (have to)

3. If she fails this class, she enough credits. (not get)

WORD BUILDING

The root dorm- means sleep. A dormitory is a place to sleep. Be careful not to confuse this root with dom - which means home. Example: domestic policy (= home policy, not foreign policy). Use your dictionary to nd the meanings of these words: dormant, domicile

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4. We the test if we had studied harder. (not fail)

5. If they knew more about science, they better grades in biology. (get)

6. He wouldn’t have become a teacher if he to grad school. (not go)

B Complete the sentences using the phrases in the box.

join an academic study group not get a grade not have enough money get a discount on books not have so many classes not study harder save your work onto a flash drive spend more time traveling

1. If you have a student ID, .

2. If I don’t get a part-time job, .

3. If you moved off campus,

4. If she doesn’t hand in her assignment on time, .

5. He won’t get a good grade .

6. She will find the class easier

7. I would have more free time

8. You wouldn’t have lost your assignment .

C These are examples of types of topics in question 2 of the writing section (independent essay) of the Paper Edition of the TOEFL iBT test. Complete each sentence with your own ideas.

1. If I could change one thing about my hometown,

2. If I could study a subject I had never studied before, .

3. If I could meet a famous person from history, .

4. If I could go back in time,

5. If I could meet a famous singer or sportsperson,

6. If I were asked to choose one thing to represent my country,

7. If I could invent a new life-changing product,

8. If I were to travel for one year,

STUDY TIP

In the speaking section, you can speak from your notes. Practice making clear notes and speaking from them. Record your voice. is will help you to sound con dent and calm during the test. Remember to nish with a strong concluding sentence by using signpost words, such as Finally ... In conclusion ... To summarize ... To conclude ... . Do NOT add any personal comments at the end of the recording. Please note: Taking notes is not a requirement of the TOEFL iBT test, i.e. if you prefer not to take notes, you don’t have to.

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Test Practice

A The following question is similar to question 2 in the speaking section of the test (campus situation). Read the announcement. Then listen to a conversation on the same topic. Take notes.

Announcement

Starting in the fall semester, all freshmen will be required to take an academic composition class in their first year. This is so that all students become familiar with the standard of academic writing required in their courses. It will also help students to understand the importance of academic rules, such as being careful to avoid plagiarism.

Notes

Main change

Reason 1

Reason 2

Woman’s opinion

Reason 1

Detail

Reason 2

Detail

The woman expresses her opinion of the announcement. State her opinion and explain the reasons she gives for holding that opinion.

According to the announcement

The reason for this is

The woman agrees / disagrees with this decision.

Her first reason is

Her second reason is

In addition, she thinks that

B The following question is similar to question 2 in the speaking section (campus situation). Read the announcement. Then listen to a conversation on the same topic. Take notes.

Notice from the Office of Student Affairs

In an effort to reduce traffic on campus, students and staff will be required to register for on-campus parking and purchase a one-year parking permit. A valid parking permit will be required at all times in any of the university parking lots. Starting next semester, metered parking will no longer be available. Permits for visitors can also be purchased depending on availability.

Notes

The man expresses his opinion of the announcement. State his opinion and explain the reasons he gives for holding that opinion. Write your spoken response (or record your response and write the transcript here). You have 60 seconds (125–150 words).

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TEST TIP: Speaking section question 2 (campus matters)

In this question, you will read a short text about a college campus situation. It may be an announcement or an article. First, you will read the text. en you will listen to two students talking about the situation. Take notes during the conversation as you will hear it only once. One of the students will either agree with or oppose the information in the reading passage. Begin your answer by brie y describing the campus situation. en state the speaker’s opinion including some supporting details.