TOEFL Structure & Written Expression - Beginner

TOEFL Structure & Written Expression

Test Format

Part A: Structure (15 questions)

• Incomplete sentences with 4 answer choices


• Choose the option that best completes the sentence


• Focus on: sentence structure, grammar rules, word order


• Time: About 10 minutes

Part B: Written Expression (25 questions)

• Complete sentences with 4 underlined portions


• Identify the portion that contains an error


• Focus on: grammar errors, word choice, idioms


• Time: About 15 minutes

Essential Grammar Areas

1. Subject-Verb Agreement

The subject and verb must agree in number (singular/plural).

Basic Rules:

• Singular subjects take singular verbs


• Plural subjects take plural verbs

Examples:

• The student studies hard. (singular)


• The students study hard. (plural)

2. Verb Tenses

Present Tenses

• Simple Present: I work every day.


• Present Continuous: I am working now.


• Present Perfect: I have worked here for two years.

Past Tenses

• Simple Past: I worked yesterday.


• Past Continuous: I was working when you called.


• Past Perfect: I had worked there before moving.

Future Tenses

• Simple Future: I will work tomorrow.


• Future Continuous: I will be working at 3 PM.


• Future Perfect: I will have worked 10 hours by evening.

3. Articles (a, an, the)

Indefinite Articles (a, an)

• Use a before consonant sounds: a book, a university


• Use an before vowel sounds: an apple, an hour

Definite Article (the)

• Use with specific nouns: the book on the table


• Use with superlatives: the best student


• Use with unique things: the sun, the moon

4. Prepositions

Time Prepositions

• at: at 3 o'clock, at night


• on: on Monday, on July 4th


• in: in 2023, in the morning

Place Prepositions

• at: at home, at school


• on: on the table, on the street


• in: in the room, in the city