1. (Fragment) English is spoken as a first or second language
by millions of people. Many of them coming to the United States
to continue their education or to get jobs. INCORRECT
Correct: English is spoken as a first or second language by
millions of people, many of them coming to the United States to
continue their education or to get jobs.
2. (Fragment) Many universities have ESL programs where students
can take courses according to their abilities and needs. Like
TOEFL preparation, American culture, and advanced reading. INCORRECT
Correct: Many universities have ESL programs where students
can take courses according to their abilities and needs, like
TOEFL preparation, American culture, and advanced reading.
3. (Fragment) Reading newspapers and magazines is helpful in improving a person's reading skills. Daily reading practice helps improve comprehension, vocabulary, and speed. CORRECT.
4. (Fragment) International students should make friends with
Americans or with students from different countries. Because they
will be forced to practice their spoken English. INCORRECT
Correct: International students should make friends with Americans
or with students from different countries because they will be
forced to practice their spoken English.
5. (Fragment) If I could read and write English perfectly.
I would not be taking this course. INCORRECT
Correct: If I could read and write English perfectly, I would
not be taking this course.
6. (Verb) The university made the students to buy health insurance.
INCORRECT
Correct: The university made the students buy health insurance.
7. (Verb) I recommend that all international students be encouraged to attend orientation courses. CORRECT.
8. (Verb) Visitors to the campus are not allow to check out
books from the university library. INCORRECT
Correct: Visitors to the campus are not allowed to check out
books from the university library.
9. (Verb) All students can get a high grade on the TOEFL exam
if they had had more time. INCORRECT
Correct: All students could get a high grade on the TOEFL
exam if they had more time. OR All students can get a high grade
on the TOEFL exam if they have more time.
10. (Verb) Every country has its own culture and customs that have been in existence for many years. CORRECT
11. (Agreement) The similarities between the culture of one country and the culture of another country depend on political, economic, and historical factors. CORRECT.
12. (Agreement) Thousand of years ago in China, some people
believed in the healing power of dragons. INCORRECT
Correct: Thousands of years ago in China, some people believed
in the healing power of dragons.
13. (Agreement) Some scientists believe that people with certain
trait or characteristic will generally possess higher intelligence.
INCORRECT
Correct: Some scientists believe that people with certain
traits or characteristics will generally possess higher intelligence.
14. (Agreement) Teachers at ESL centers have degrees and experience that make them qualified to work with international students.CORRECT
15. (Agreement) Many students find that taking three classes
are more than they can handle. INCORRECT
Correct: Many students find that taking three classes is more
than they can handle.
16. (Run-On Sentence/Comma Splice) I am getting used to American
food, I am adapting to life in the United States and starting
to feel comfortable here. INCORRECT
Correct: I am getting used to American food. I am adapting
to life in the United States and starting to feel comfortable
here.
17. (Run-On Sentence/Comma Splice) In my country, we have burgers and fried chicken, but that is not the usual food for us. CORRECT
18. (Run-On Sentence/Comma Splice) We do not hurry as much
as Americans do we can spend more time cooking at home and eating
leisurely. INCORRECT
Correct: We do not hurry as much as Americans do. We can spend
more time cooking at home and eating leisurely. OR We do not hurry
as much as Americans do; we can spend more time cooking at home
and eating leisurely.
19. (Run-On Sentence/Comma Splice) When I bought a car for
the first time, I didn't know anything about cars I only knew
how to drive a car. INCORRECT
Correct: When I bought a car for the first time, I didn't
know anything about cars. I only knew how to drive a car.
20. (Run-On Sentence/Comma Splice) My native language does not have verb tenses and special forms for certain groups of people; its grammar is very different from English grammar. CORRECT
21. (Parallelism) Watching television and listen to the radio
can help students learn English. INCORRECT
Correct: Watching television and listening to the radio can
help students learn English.
22. (Parallelism) Students often consider three factors when
choosing a university: its fees, if it offers many degree programs,
and its location. INCORRECT
Correct: Students often consider three factors when choosing
a university: its fees, how many degree programs it offers, and
its location.
23. (Parallelism) My roommate spent his spring break driving to Miami, then flying to New York City, and then driving to Buffalo, New York. CORRECT
24. (Parallelism) Many Americans would not be happy if they
did not have two televisions, two cars, and working at an extra
job. INCORRECT
Correct: Many Americans would not be happy if they did not
have two televisions, two cars, and an extra job.
25. (Parallelism) People have become dependent on the radio, the television, and the newspaper to inform them of national and international news. CORRECT
26. (Word Order) Many American famous singers wrote, sang, and recorded "We Are the World." CORRECT
27. (Word Order) The dragon bones in China told scholars where the Shang people lived. CORRECT
28. (Word Order) Today, people who live in large cities know
how important is owning a car and what advantages there are. INCORRECT
Correct: Today, people who live in large cities know how important
owning a car is and what advantages there are.
29. (Word Order) Not until I began to live in the United States did I have problems with my car. CORRECT
30. (Word Order) Every quarter I go to my adviser, who tells
me which courses should I take. INCORRECT
Correct: Every quarter I go to my adviser, who tells me which
courses I should take.
31. (Word Choice) Students on scholarships send there
grades to the foundation responsible for sending them to school.
INCORRECT
Correct: Students on scholarships send their grades to the
foundation responsible for sending them to school.
32. (Word Choice) Hunger, an important problem today,
is sometimes related with poverty, disease, and social discrimination.
INCORRECT
Correct: Hunger, an important problem today, is sometimes
related to poverty, disease, and social discrimination.
33. (Word Choice) Some students dream about sitting in a chair, dictating what they want written, and letting a machine do all the work. CORRECT
34. (Word Choice) The success of an interview often depends on the questions an interviewer asks. CORRECT
35. (Word Choice) Many international students studying
in America plan to come back to their own countries after they
finish studying here. INCORRECT
Correct: Many international students studying in America plan
to go back to their own countries after they finish studying here.
36. (Word Form) Many universities have excellent business programs
with informative courses and competence teachers. INCORRECT
Correct: Many universities have excellent business programs
with informative courses and competent teachers.
37. (Word Form) Many universities require a l0-dollar application fee. CORRECT
38. (Word Form) For many people, the most difficult part of the TOEFL exam is the composition. CORRECT
39. (Word Form) Going back to school was easy for me, but adapting
to a new live styIe was difficult. INCORRECT
Correct: Going back to school was easy for me, but adapting
to a new life styIe was difficult.
40. (Word Form) Overpopulation has caused problems in find
employment for thousands of people. INCORRECT
Correct: Overpopulation has caused problems in finding employment
for thousands of people.
41. (Article) My teacher is not very tall, but he has naturally curly hair and a straight nose. CORRECT
42. (Article) Atlanta, a big city located in the southern part
of United States, has a pleasant climate. INCORRECT
Correct: Atlanta, a big city located in the southern part
of the United States, has a pleasant climate.
43. (Article) Florida attracts many visitors because the state
has a nice weather. INCORRECT
Correct: Florida attracts many visitors because the state
has nice weather.
44. (Article) Cereal with milk is a quick and easy breakfast
because people can buy cereal and milk at supermarket. INCORRECT
Correct: Cereal with milk is a quick and easy breakfast because
people can buy cereal and milk at a supermarket.
45. (Article) Most students who leave their countries and move to a different country will face problems in the first months. CORRECT
46. (Punctuation) Television a means by which we can watch
the world around us, is one of the most useful and enjoyable inventions.
INCORRECT
Correct: Television, a means by which we can watch the world
around us, is one of the most useful and enjoyable inventions.
47. (Punctuation) In some countries, television is owned operated
and controlled by the government. INCORRECT
Correct: In some countries, television is owned, operated
and controlled by the government.
48. (Punctuation) The government uses television to express its ideology, to make people aware of developments in its country, and to encourage people to cooperate with the government. CORRECT
49. (Punctuation) Whether the government controls the mass media or not, many people want to watch sports events, films, and concerts. CORRECT
50. (Punctuation) Although many people dont have the time to
read a newspaper, they can watch the national and international
news. INCORRECT
Correct: Although many people don't have the time to read
a newspaper, they can watch the national and international news.
51. (Capitalization) There are two japanese restaurants near
my parents' home. INCORRECT
Correct: There are two Japanese restaurants near my parents'
home.
52. (Capitalization) Last year, after I finished my ESL courses, I started taking English, math, and business courses. CORRECT
53. (Capitalization) Students sometimes wonder what to do on
a saturday night. INCORRECT
Correct:
54. (Capitalization) During the Summer months, Stone Mountain
Park has nightly entertainment. INCORRECT
Correct:
55. (Capitalization) Many international students attend colleges and universities in the United States. CORRECT
56. (Spelling) Although students in American colleges and universities come from many states and countries, they all study English composition. CORRECT
57. (Spelling) People need food to fill their stomachs, clothes
to cover thier bodies, and shelters to protect themselves. INCORRECT
Correct: People need food to fill their stomachs, clothes
to cover their bodies, and shelters to protect themselves.
58. (Spelling) Many students realize that they need more writting
practice. INCORRECT
Correct: Many students realize that they need more writing
practice.
59. (Spelling) Some people believe that the only way to improve their lives is to change the government. CORRECT
60. (Spelling) There are many differents between the schools
in my country and the schools here. INCORRECT
Correct: There are many differences between the schools in
my country and the schools here.
Now mark the personal test record on the next page. This will give you information about your grammar strengths and weaknesses in a visual format. You will see which areas you need to concentrate on during this course, and you will also see the chapters (sections, lessons) that you should study especially carefully in several books.
This webpage was most recently updated by Marsha Chan on Feb 9, 2004.
Mission College
3000 Mission College Blvd.
Santa Clara, CA 95054-1897
(408) 988-2200