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Explanations
These explanations were written by Erin
Billy.
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1. A
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Simple sentence: pine is source
We need the main complement here.
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2. A
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Simple sentence: computers are small
We need the main complement here.
If we choose (B), then we would need a noun after
smaller than.
If we choose (C), we would need that + sentence.
If we want to choose (D), then we would need a
noun after as small as.
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3. B
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Simple sentence: goal is to help students
We need a subject and a verb after the relative
pronoun what.
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4. D
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Simple sentence: transparency makes it useful
Remember the TestMagic sentence: You make me
happy. After make we can have an object
and an adjective.
Student: What does transparency mean?
Erin Billy: If something is transparent,
then we can see through it, like glass.
Student: Is that the opposite of opaque?
Erin Billy: Yes, it is. If something is opaque,
we cannot see through it, like metal or wood.
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5. A
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Simple sentence: scientists achieved recognition
We need a main subject here.
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6. B
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Simple sentence: trees grow
We have an adjective clause here, so we need a
subordinating conjunction, a subject, and a verb.
In this case, which is a relative pronoun,
meaning it is a subordinating conjunction and a
noun at the same time.
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7. D
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Simple sentence: Barbara Pentland wrote symphonies,
concertos, and opera
A prolific artist is an appositive; i.e.,
A prolific artist and Barbara Pentland
are the same thing.
Student: Can we also say that it is a reduced adjective
clause?
Erin Billy: By all means! The original clause would
look like this:
Barbara Pentland, who was a prolific artist, wrote...
Erin Billy: What does prolific mean?
Student: That means it can produce a lot!
Erin Billy: Yes, just remember the word life
and think that prolific means creating
lots of life.
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8. B
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Simple sentence: Chisos Mountains were created
Nothing is missing from the sentence the way it
stands; we should therefore add something that is
optional and complete. (B) is an adverb clause and
it is complete.
(A) is impossible because occur is an intransitive
verb and cannot take an object. If we want to use
(A), then we would have to add in. For example,
we could say that occurred in the area...
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9. A
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Simple sentence: design projects
A lot of people miss this one. They often choose
(D). (D) is impossible simply because we already
have a complete sentence before the blank and (D)
does not add something that can be added to a complete
sentence. Erin Billy calls this the "Blank
Noun" pattern.
If we choose (A), then we are choosing a preposition,
as. Then, some coins can become the
object of the preposition. This one is a little
confusing because we have two prepositions together,
as and on. However, we can do this
with as and like. For example:
I like to eat somewhere I feel comfortable,
like at home.
We cannot choose (B) because we would need a verb
after some coins since because is
a subordinating conjunction.
We have the same problem with (C); that
is a subordinating conjunction and requires a subject
and verb after it.
Finally, similarly is an adverb and we still
have the original problem--some coins is
all alone in the sentence. If we want to choose
(D), then we would have to say something like this:
...similarly, some coins have the same design.
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10. D
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Simple sentence: Alaska found years costly
We have a reduced adjective clause here. The original
clause would be: services that were providedby...
Notice also the meaning of found here. Remember
this sentence:
I found her helpful.
That means I thought she was helpful.
Erin Billy: What part of speech is costly?
Student: Is it an adverb?
Erin Billy: No, I'm afraid not. It looks like an
adverb, but it's an adjective. Do you know what
it means?
Student: It means expensive.
Erin Billy: You got it!!
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11. C
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Simple sentence: content decreases
We have a reduced adjective clause here. The original
clause would be: decreases, which thereby
makes them more fragile. This one is tricky
because we keep thereby when we reduce the
adjective clause.
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12. C
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Simple sentence: extent was not realized
This is Neg
Intro. We need the question form in the mains
subject and main verb after the Neg
Intro form, Not until.
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13. C
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Simple sentence: explorer was Jedediah Strong Smith
This is a very common TOEFL question!! Remember
the TestMagic sentence:
You are the first person to tell me I am funny.
After first we can use a noun and the infinitive
form.
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14. D
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Simple sentence: play depicts life
So many people miss this question. First, we need
an object for the preposition on. In this case,
we should use stage because we are saying that the
play is going to be performed on a stage.
This sentence is a little bit tricky because we
have a reduced adjective clause here. The original
clause would be: stage that is bare of
scenery,
Erin Billy: What does bare mean?
Student: Naked?
Erin Billy: Right. So, what does it mean in this
sentence?
Student: It means the stage doesn't have any scenery?
Erin Billy: Right.
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15. B
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Simple sentence: there are mines
We need a main subject and a main verb here.
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