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