Toefl structure worksheet - Free Printable

Let's go through each question in the TOEFL review exercise and solve them step by step, explaining why the correct answer is best.

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1. ________ first settled the Hawaiian Islands between A.D. 300 and 750.

(A) The Polynesians
(B) The Polynesians arrived
(C) Because of the Polynesians
(D) It was the Polynesians

✔ Correct Answer: (A) The Polynesians

Explanation:
The sentence needs a subject that can perform the action "settled." Option (A) provides a clear subject ("The Polynesians") and matches grammatically with the verb "settled."

- (B) "The Polynesians arrived" – This is a complete clause, but it doesn't fit because "arrived" is not the same as "settled," and it would make the sentence awkward: "The Polynesians arrived first settled..." — this is ungrammatical.
- (C) "Because of the Polynesians" – This is a prepositional phrase; it cannot be the subject of the sentence.
- (D) "It was the Polynesians" – This is an inverted structure, often used for emphasis, but it’s not appropriate here since the sentence already has a clear subject position and no need for inversion.

👉 So, (A) is the best choice.

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2. In 1066, a bright comet ________ in the sky attracted much attention.

(A) was appearing
(B) appears
(C) it appeared
(D) appearing

✔ Correct Answer: (D) appearing

Explanation:
We are looking for a word or phrase that modifies "comet" and completes the noun phrase before "attracted much attention."

- The full noun phrase is: "a bright comet appearing in the sky" → This acts as the subject of the sentence.
- "Appearing" is a present participle modifying "comet" — this is a common way to describe something that is doing something at the time.

Let’s evaluate the options:

- (A) "was appearing" – This is past continuous tense, but it would require a subject: “a bright comet was appearing…” But then we’d have two verbs: “was appearing” and “attracted,” which makes the sentence confusing.
- (B) "appears" – Present tense, doesn’t match the historical context (1066).
- (C) "it appeared" – This would make the sentence: “In 1066, a bright comet it appeared…” — redundant and incorrect grammar (double subject).
- (D) "appearing" – Correctly functions as a modifier. The sentence becomes: "In 1066, a bright comet appearing in the sky attracted much attention." This is grammatically correct and natural.

👉 So, (D) is correct.

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3. In some daguerreotype cameras, ________ through a hole in the back of the box.

(A) the object’s view
(B) the object was viewed
(C) from the view of the object
(D) viewed the object

✔ Correct Answer: (B) the object was viewed

Explanation:
This sentence describes how images were seen in early cameras. We need a clause that logically completes the idea.

Let’s test each option:

- (A) "the object’s view" – This is a noun phrase, but it doesn’t form a complete thought. "The object’s view through a hole…" is incomplete.
- (B) "the object was viewed" – This is passive voice, but it makes sense: "In some daguerreotype cameras, the object was viewed through a hole..." → This is a clear, grammatical sentence.
- (C) "from the view of the object" – This is awkward and illogical. The camera doesn’t view *from* the object’s perspective.
- (D) "viewed the object" – This would require a subject: “Someone viewed the object...” But there’s no subject here. Also, the sentence starts with "In some daguerreotype cameras," so it's describing a process, not an action by a person.

👉 Only (B) forms a coherent, grammatically correct sentence.

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4. In the Stone Age, stone tools ________ with other rock materials.

(A) polishing
(B) they polished
(C) for polish
(D) were polished

✔ Correct Answer: (D) were polished

Explanation:
We need a verb that agrees with "stone tools" and fits the historical context.

- The tools were being worked on — so passive voice is appropriate.

Let’s examine:

- (A) "polishing" – This is a present participle, but without a subject, it can’t stand alone. “Stone tools polishing…” is incorrect.
- (B) "they polished" – This implies the tools themselves did the polishing, which is illogical. Also, “they” introduces a new subject not previously mentioned.
- (C) "for polish" – This is a prepositional phrase; it doesn’t act as a verb and doesn’t complete the sentence.
- (D) "were polished" – Passive voice, correct tense, and makes sense: “Stone tools were polished with other rock materials.” This is a standard historical construction.

👉 So, (D) is the best choice.

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5. The first steamship to cross the Atlantic ________ Savannah, in 1819.

(A) was the
(B) it was the
(C) the
(D) in it the

✔ Correct Answer: (A) was the

Explanation:
We need to complete the sentence so it identifies the steamship.

Let’s try each:

- (A) "was the" → "The first steamship to cross the Atlantic was the Savannah, in 1819." → This is correct and clear.
- (B) "it was the" → "The first steamship to cross the Atlantic it was the Savannah..." → This is redundant and grammatically incorrect (two subjects).
- (C) "the" → "The first steamship to cross the Atlantic the Savannah..." → No verb, incomplete sentence.
- (D) "in it the" → Nonsensical. Doesn’t make sense.

👉 Only (A) creates a proper sentence.

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✔ Final Answers:

| Question | Correct Answer |
|--------|----------------|
| 1 | (A) The Polynesians |
| 2 | (D) appearing |
| 3 | (B) the object was viewed |
| 4 | (D) were polished |
| 5 | (A) was the |

These choices ensure grammatical correctness, logical meaning, and proper syntax — essential skills for TOEFL reading and writing sections.