ACOMPUTER TEST VS. PAPER TESTYOU WILL FIND SOME KEY DIFFERENCES BETW...

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COMPUTER TEST VS. PAPER TEST

You will find some key differences between the computer-based

test (CBT) and the paper-and-pencil exam. Although the ques-

tions will cover the same type of material, you will answer fewer

questions about each on the CBT. The structure section of the

CBT is also computer adaptive, meaning that the computer

selects questions based on your ability level. Your first question

will be of average difficulty. If you answer it correctly, your next

question will be harder. If you answer incorrectly, your next

question will be easier. Here is an overview of the differences

between the two tests:

Computer Test:

Paper-and-Pencil:

Structure

Structure and Written

Expression

15–20 minutes

25 minutes

20–25 questions

40 questions

Computer adaptive: the

Test takers answer the same

level of difficulty of ques-

questions.

tions is based on each

test-taker’s ability.

Question types are mixed

Question types fall into two

together and presented

sections:

at random.

Part A—15 sentence-

completion questions

Part B—25 questions in

which you identify grammar

mistakes

Once you submit an answer, You can return to previous

you cannot change it.

questions and change your

answers.

Your score on the structure

Your score on this section is

section is combined with

not combined with another

your score in the writing

part of the test.

portion of the test.

STRUCTURE

53

MAKING SENSE OF SENTENCES

The grass grows.

This is an example of the basic unit of thought

in the English language: the sentence. Sentences must have two

key parts—a subject

and a predicate—and express a complete

thought. The subject (grass) names what the sentence is talking

about. The predicate is a verb or verb phrase (grows) that tells us

something about the subject. The subject of a sentence may be

singular, meaning that there is only one subject. Subjects may

also be compound, meaning they have more than one subject:

The grass and the flowers grow.

The predicate may also be singular or compound. For exam-

ple, here the predicate is singular: I ate a bowl of spaghetti.

In the

following example, the predicate is a compound: I ate a bowl of

spaghetti and drank two glasses of milk.

WHAT IS A CLAUSE?

Like sentences, clauses are groups of words that have a subject

and a predicate. Clauses may be independent or dependent. An

independent clause

stands alone and expresses a complete idea

as in this example: Ximena walked on the grass.

When a sentence

has more than one independent clause, it is called a compound

sentence. In compound sentences, independent clauses are joined

by a connecting word or conjunction

(and, but, or, for, nor, so,

or

yet).

In the following example, the independent clauses are under-

lined: Ximena walked on the grass, but she didn’t get her new shoes

wet.

A dependent clause

does not express a complete thought:

though it was wet.

When a dependent clause stands alone, it is called

a

sentence fragment.

To make a complete thought, a dependent

clause needs an independent clause: Though it was wet, Ximena

walked on the grass.

Sentences that contain an independent clause

and a dependent clause are called complex sentences.

Quick tip:

To identify a sentence fragment or dependent

clause on the TOEFL exam, look for the following joining words,

called subordinating conjunctions.

When a clause has a sub-

ordinating conjunction, it needs an independent clause to com-

plete an idea.

after

because

once

though

when

although

before

since

unless

where

as, as if

if

that

until

while

Practice

Underline the independent clauses in the following sentences.

Find the answers on page 82.