TOEFL: How to increase your chances of success

There is often a great deal of comparison made between the TOEFL tests, and the GRE test and on one level, yes, there are some striking similarities. Both tests are designed to test a persons aptitude and confidence as well as level of skill with the English language and both tests do this by requiring the test subject to apply their knowledge of English vocabulary (and grammar) in a variety of contexts and situations.

Both tests have drawn criticism and have been subject to a great of controversy, with such condemnation directed towards either the inherent biases of such tests, their ineffectiveness of determining the level of skill of the test subject. A counter argument to this would be that yes, there will be a semi-rigid structure to the toefl tests as they are standardized, although this is actually done in the best interests of the test subject, in order to remove any potential cultural, class or racial biases. A common reason as to why students who are required to sit the toefl test fail is because they simply learn English as a language, purely by rote.

They memorize and recite words, repeating them in parrot fashion with each word learned and assessed purely by itself with no thought given whatsoever as to its context or proper meaning.
The reason why this poses particular problems and can be especially fatal to the chances of success within such tests is that the toefl tests tend to use quotes and excerpts from literature in order to test the level of aptitude of the test subject. Some similes for example are meant to invoke emotion or the imagination and whilst to native English speakers they are perfectly intelligible (albeit it a little quaint or peculiar) to a non native speaker, who sees it under exam conditions may and often will struggle to understand.

A student sitting these tests will no doubt look at a simile such as “as busy as a bee” and fail to appreciate its meaning or significance, often getting bogged down in the all too literal meaning, and failing to appreciate the contextual meaning. This is also the case when they encounter a word that they have not came across, in the agony of the moment they look at the word and get flustered because they do not understand it straight away.

The toefl test also actively challenges the experience and skill base of the candidate, as it will require them to read an academic work and then comment on the significance of it. They maybe required to assess it critically, perhaps weighing its strengths and weaknesses.

Verb to Complement

1. The teacher decided (to accept) the paper.
2. They appreciate (having) this information.
3. His father doesn’t approve of his (going) to Europe.
4. We found it very difficult (to reach) a decision.
5. Donna is interrested in (opening) a bar.
6. George has intention of (leaving) the city now.
7. We are cager (to return) to school in the fall.
8. You would be better off (buying) the car.
9. She refused (to accept) the gift.
10. Mary regrets (being) teh one to have to tell him.
11. George pretended (to be) sick yesterday.
12. Carles hopes (to finish) his thesis this year.
13. They agreed (to leave) early.
14. Helen was Anxious (to tell) her family about her promotion.
15. We are not ready (to stop) this reearch at this time.
16. Henry shouldn’t risk (driving) so fast.
17. We demands (to know) what is going on.
18. She is looking forwaard to (returning) to her country.
19. There is no excuse for (leaving) the room in this condition.
20. Gerald returned to his home after (leaving) the game.

Verb Agreement

1. Neither Bill nor Marry is going to the play tonight.

2. Anything is better than going to another movie tonight.

3. Skating are becoming more popular every day.

4. A number of reporters was at the conference yesterday.

5. Everybody who has a fever must go home immediately.

6. Your glasses were on the bureau last night.

7. There were some poeple at the meeting last night.

8. The committe has already reached a decision.

9. A pair of jeans were in the washing machine in this morning.

10. Each student has answered the first three question.

11. Either John or his wife makes breakfast each morning.

12. After she had perused the material, the secretary decided that everything was in order.

13. The crowd at the basketball game was wild with excitement.

14. A pack of wild dogs have frightened all the ducks away.

15. The jury is trying to reach a decision.

16. The army has eliminated this section of the training tet.

17. The number of students who have withdrawn from class this quarter are appaling.

18. There have been too many interruptions in this class.

19. Every elementary school teacher has to take this examination.

20. Neither Jill nor her parents have seen this movie before.