Skill Categories

Focus on the Last Line

The answer to a short dialogue question is most often found in the last line of the conversation.

Choose Answers with Synonyms

The correct answer often contains synonyms — words with similar meanings but different sounds — for key words in the conversation.

Avoid Similar Sounds

Incorrect answers often contain words with similar sounds but very different meanings from what you hear. You should definitely avoid these answers.

Draw Conclusions About Who, What, Where

It is common to ask you to draw a conclusion based on clues in the dialogue — such as who the speaker is, what happened, or where the conversation takes place.

Listen for Who and What in Passives

It is sometimes difficult to understand who or what is doing the action in a passive sentence. The correct answer often restates the active meaning using passive structure.

Listen for Who and What with Multiple Nouns

When there is more than one noun in a sentence, answers may confuse which noun does what. Identify the subject and object carefully.

Listen for Negative Expressions

Negative expressions are very common in short dialogues. The most common correct response to a negative statement is a positive statement containing a word with an opposite meaning.

Listen for Double Negative Expressions

It is possible for two negative ideas to appear in one sentence. Two negatives together express a positive meaning.

Listen for "Almost Negative" Expressions

Certain expressions such as barely, hardly, and scarcely have "almost negative" meanings and are common in the short dialogues.

Listen for Negatives with Comparatives

A sentence with a negative and a comparative has a superlative meaning. For example, "No one is more intelligent" means "She is the smartest."

Listen for Expressions of Agreement

Expressions of agreement (So do I, Neither do I) are common in short dialogues and indicate the speaker agrees with the previous statement.

Listen for Expressions of Uncertainty and Suggestion

Expressions of uncertainty (tag questions, might, think) and suggestion (Why not…? How about…?) indicate the speaker's attitude.

Listen for Emphatic Expressions of Surprise

Emphatic expressions of surprise (e.g., "He DID get a new car") imply that the speaker did not expect something to be true.

Listen for Wishes

A wish implies that the opposite of the wish is true. For example, "I wish I could go" means the speaker cannot go.

Listen for Untrue Conditions

A condition implies the opposite is true. For example, "If I had time, I would go" means the speaker does not have time.

Listen for Two- and Three-Part Verbs

Two- and three-part verbs (phrasal verbs) include a verb and one or more particles. The particle changes the meaning of the verb.

Listen for Idioms

Idioms are special expressions all speakers of a language know. They describe one situation but apply to many different areas of life.

Anticipate the Topics

It is very helpful to anticipate the topics of the long conversations before you hear them. Briefly look at the answers to determine the topics.

Anticipate the Questions

It is very helpful to anticipate what the questions will be and listen specifically for the answers to those questions.

Determine the Topic

As you listen to each long conversation, think about the topic or main idea. The first one or two sentences generally give the topic.

Draw Conclusions About Who, What, When, Where

Try to set the situation in your mind — Who is talking? When and where does the conversation probably take place? What is the source of information for the conversation?

Listen for Answers in Order

Detail questions in long conversations are answered in order. It is possible to read along with the answers while you listen to the conversation on the recording.

Anticipate the Topics

It is very helpful to anticipate the topics of the long talks before you hear them. Briefly look at the answers to determine the topics.

Anticipate the Questions

It is very helpful to anticipate what the questions will be and listen specifically for the answers to those questions in the long talks.

Determine the Topic

As you listen to each long talk, think about the topic or main idea. The first sentence is generally a topic sentence.

Draw Conclusions About Who, What, When, Where

Try to set the situation in your mind — Who is talking? When and where does the talk take place? What course is it concerned with?

Listen for Answers in Order

Detail questions in long talks are answered in order. It is possible to read along with the answers while you listen to the talk on the recording.

Be Sure the Sentence Has a Subject and a Verb

The most common problems involve missing subjects, missing verbs, or extra subjects or verbs in a sentence.

Be Careful of Objects of Prepositions

An object of a preposition can be mistaken for the subject of a sentence. An object of a preposition is a noun, pronoun, gerund, or noun clause after a preposition.

Be Careful of Appositives

An appositive is a noun that comes before or after another noun with the same meaning. It can be mistaken for the subject of a sentence.

Be Careful of Present Participles

A present participle (-ing form) is part of the verb when preceded by a form of be. It is an adjective when it is not accompanied by a form of be.

Be Careful of Past Participles

A past participle is part of the verb when accompanied by have or be. It is an adjective when not accompanied by have or be.

Use Coordinate Connectors Correctly

When you have two clauses, connect them correctly using coordinate conjunctions: and, but, or, so, or yet.

Use Adverb Time and Cause Connectors Correctly

Sentences with adverb clauses use time connectors (before, after, when) or cause connectors (because, since). A connector at the beginning of a sentence requires a comma.

Use Other Adverb Connectors Correctly

Adverb clauses can express contrast, condition, manner, and place using connectors like if, although, and provided.

Use Noun Clause Connectors Correctly

A noun clause functions as a noun and can be an object of a verb, object of a preposition, or the subject of a sentence.

Use Noun Clause Connector/Subjects Correctly

A noun clause connector (what, who, whoever) can also serve as the subject of the clause at the same time.

Use Adjective Clause Connectors Correctly

An adjective clause describes a noun and is positioned directly after the noun it describes, introduced by a connector like who, which, or that.

Use Adjective Clause Connector/Subjects Correctly

An adjective clause connector (who, that) can also be the subject of the clause at the same time, serving two functions.

Use Reduced Adjective Clauses Correctly

In a reduced adjective clause, the connector and the be-verb that directly follow it are omitted. If there is no be-verb, the main verb changes to the -ing form.

Use Reduced Adverb Clauses Correctly

In a reduced adverb clause, the subject and be-verb are omitted. If there is no be-verb, the subject is omitted and the main verb changes to the -ing form.

Invert the Subject and Verb with Question Words

Question words (what, when, where, why, how) invert S+V when introducing a question, but do NOT invert when joining two clauses.

Invert the Subject and Verb with Place Expressions

After ideas expressing place (here, there, nowhere, or prepositional phrases of place), the subject and verb sometimes invert.

Invert the Subject and Verb with Negatives

The subject and verb are inverted after certain negatives (no, not, never) and related expressions (hardly, barely, only) at the beginning of a sentence.

Invert the Subject and Verb with Conditionals

In conditional structures, the subject and verb may invert when the helping verb is had, should, or were and the connector if is omitted.

Invert the Subject and Verb with Comparisons

An inverted subject and verb may also occur after a comparison (more...than). This is optional but common on TOEFL tests.

Make Verbs Agree After Prepositional Phrases

Prepositional phrases can come between the subject and the verb and cause confusion in subject-verb agreement. The object of a preposition is NOT the subject.

Make Verbs Agree After Expressions of Quantity

When the subject is an expression of quantity (all, most, some) followed by of, the verb agrees with what follows of — singular or plural.

Make Inverted Verbs Agree

When the subject and verb are inverted (after place expressions, negatives, etc.), it can be difficult to locate them and make them agree.

Make Verbs Agree After Certain Words

Certain words are always grammatically singular (everybody, someone, each, every, either, neither) and require singular verbs.

Use Parallel Structure with Coordinate Conjunctions

Coordinate conjunctions (and, but, or) join equal expressions. What is on one side must be grammatically parallel to what is on the other side.

Use Parallel Structure with Paired Conjunctions

Paired conjunctions both...and, either...or, neither...nor, and not only...but also require parallel structures on both sides.

Use Parallel Structure with Comparisons

When making a comparison (-er...than or more...than), the things being compared must be in parallel form.

Form Comparatives and Superlatives Correctly

Comparative is formed with -er or more...than; superlative is formed with the + -est or most. Use -er and -est for short adjectives, more and most for longer ones.

Use Comparatives and Superlatives Correctly

Comparative is used to compare two things; superlative is used when there are more than two items and you want to show the best or most outstanding.

Use the Irregular -er, -er Structure Correctly

An irregular comparative structure uses two parallel comparatives introduced by the (the harder...the further, the older...the more).

After Have, Use the Past Participle

Whenever you see the helping verb have in any of its forms (have, has, having, had), be sure the verb that follows is in past participle form.

After Be, Use the Present Participle or the Past Participle

The verb be in any of its forms can be followed by another verb in the present participle (is doing) or past participle (is done) form.

After Will, Would, or Other Modals, Use the Base Form of the Verb

After a modal (will, would, shall, should, can, could, may, might, must), the verb should always be in its base form.

Know When to Use the Past with the Present

A common error is switching from past tense to present tense for no logical reason. Check sentence meaning carefully when both tenses appear.

Use Have and Had Correctly

Present perfect (have + past participle) refers to the period from the past until the present. Past perfect (had + past participle) refers to a time that started and ended in the past.

Use the Correct Tense with Time Expressions

Time expressions clearly indicate what verb tense is needed: in 1980 → simple past; by 1990 → past perfect; since 1999 → present perfect.

Use the Correct Tense with Will and Would

Present tense combines with will; past tense combines with would. Mixing these (past with will, or present with would) is a common error.

Use the Correct Form of the Passive

The passive must be formed with be + past participle. A common error is using a present participle (-ing) instead of a past participle (-ed).

Recognize Active and Passive Meanings

When there is no object after a verb, study the meaning of the subject and verb to determine if the verb should be active or passive.

Use the Correct Singular or Plural Noun

A common error is a singular noun used where a plural is needed, or a plural used where a singular is needed. Key words like many, several, both signal plural.

Distinguish Countable and Uncountable Nouns

Countable nouns can be counted (book, books); uncountable nouns cannot (information, water). Distinguish them to use the correct modifiers.

Recognize Irregular Plurals of Nouns

Many nouns have irregular plurals that do not end in -s (criteria, data, phenomena). These can cause confusion because they look singular.

Distinguish the Person from the Thing

Nouns can refer to persons or things. Sometimes the person form is used in place of the thing, or the thing is used in place of the person.

Distinguish Subject and Object Pronouns

Subject pronouns (I, he, she, we, they) are used as subjects. Object pronouns (me, him, her, us, them) are used as objects of verbs or prepositions.

Distinguish Possessive Adjectives and Pronouns

Possessive adjectives (their, your, his) describe nouns. Possessive pronouns (theirs, yours, his) take the place of nouns and cannot be accompanied by a noun.

Check Pronoun Reference for Agreement

Every pronoun and possessive must agree with the noun it refers to. Singular nouns require singular pronouns; plural nouns require plural pronouns.

Use Basic Adjectives and Adverbs Correctly

Adjectives describe nouns or pronouns. Adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Do not use one in place of the other.

Use Adjectives After Linking Verbs

A linking verb (looks, seems, feels, becomes) is followed by an adjective rather than an adverb. Be careful because the adjective does not always directly follow the linking verb.

Position Adjectives and Adverbs Correctly

A one-word adjective should come in front of the noun it describes. An adverb should not come between a verb and its object.

Recognize -ly Adjectives

Generally a word ending in -ly is an adverb. However, there are a few -ly adjectives (weekly, daily, friendly, likely) that describe nouns.

Use Predicate Adjectives Correctly

Certain adjectives (alive, afraid, asleep, alone, etc.) appear only after linking verbs and cannot appear directly in front of nouns.

Use -ed and -ing Adjectives Correctly

An -ing adjective means the noun does the action (a cleaning woman). An -ed adjective means the noun receives the action (the cleaned car).

Use Articles with Singular Nouns

With all countable singular nouns, you must have an article (unless you have another determiner such as my or each). Uncountable and countable plural nouns do not require an article.

Distinguish A and An

A is used in front of consonants; an is used in front of vowels (a, e, i, o, u). Exception: u pronounced like the consonant y uses a (a university); h not pronounced uses an (an honor).

Make Articles Agree with Nouns

The definite article the is used for both singular and plural nouns. The indefinite article (a or an) can only be used with singular nouns. A common error is using a or an with plural nouns.

Distinguish Specific and General Ideas

The definite article the refers to one specific noun. The indefinite article (a or an) is used when the noun could be one of several different nouns.

Recognize Incorrect Prepositions

Sometimes an incorrect preposition is given in a sentence. You must know the correct preposition for common expressions (e.g., called off, count on).

Recognize When Prepositions Have Been Omitted

Sometimes a necessary preposition has been omitted from a sentence. You must recognize when a preposition is needed (e.g., wait for me, plan on attending).

Distinguish Make and Do

Make often has the idea of creating or constructing. Do often has the idea of completing or performing. Many uses of make and do are idiomatic and difficult to classify.

Distinguish Like, Alike, and Unlike

Like and alike are adjectives meaning similar. Like and unlike are also prepositions that must be followed by objects. Like comes before a noun; alike comes after a linking verb.

Distinguish Other, Another, and Others

To use other, another, and others correctly, consider: (1) singular or plural, (2) definite (the) or indefinite (a, an), (3) adjective (with noun) or pronoun (by itself). Another is only for indefinite singular; others is only a plural pronoun.

Answer Main Idea Questions Correctly

Almost every reading passage will have a question about the main idea — asked as topic, subject, title, primary idea, or main idea. Find the main idea by studying topic sentences, most often found at the beginning of each paragraph.

Recognize the Organization of Ideas

There may be questions about the organization of ideas in a passage — how ideas in one paragraph relate to ideas in another paragraph.

Answer Stated Detail Questions Correctly

A stated detail question asks about one piece of information in the passage. The correct answer is often a restatement of what is given in the passage using different words.

Find "Unstated" Details

You will sometimes be asked to find an answer that is not stated, not mentioned, or not true in the passage. Three answers are true or stated; one answer is not.

Find Pronoun Referents

You will sometimes be asked to determine which noun a pronoun refers to. Look before the pronoun to find the noun it refers to.

Answer Implied Detail Questions Correctly

These questions ask you to draw a conclusion from a specific detail. Questions contain words like implied, inferred, likely, or probably. Some information is given; you draw a conclusion from it.

Answer Transition Questions Correctly

You will sometimes be asked about what probably came before the reading passage (preceding paragraph) or after it (following paragraph). You must draw a conclusion based on the passage.

Find Definitions from Structural Clues

When asked to determine the meaning of a word, look for structural clues in the passage. The passage may provide information about the meaning, or there may be clues telling you that a definition is included.

Determine Meanings from Word Parts

When asked the meaning of a long word you do not know, try to determine the meaning by studying the word parts — prefixes, roots, and suffixes.

Use Context to Determine Meanings of Difficult Words

When asked the meaning of a difficult word, the passage will probably give you a clear indication of what the word means. Use the surrounding context to understand it.

Use Context to Determine Meanings of Simple Words

When asked the meaning of a simple everyday word, a secondary meaning is being tested. Do not give the normal everyday meaning; instead, determine the secondary meaning from context.

Determine Where Specific Information Is Found

Sometimes a question asks you to determine where in the passage a piece of information is found. Answer choices will list possible locations (lines or paragraphs).

Determine the Tone, Purpose, or Course

Review questions may ask about (1) the tone of the passage (informational, expository, factual, humorous, sarcastic, impassioned), (2) the author's purpose in writing, and (3) the course in which the passage might be used.

Determine Where to Insert a Piece of Information

On the computer TOEFL test, a question may ask where a particular piece of information should be inserted in the passage. You must click on one of the squares in the passage to indicate the correct position.