TOEIC : Conjunctions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for TOEIC

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Conjunctions

Stock positions will not be refunded, ______________ the board understands shareholder's concerns, and will meet personally with any concerned parties.

Possible Answers:

but

and

for

therefore

Correct answer:

but

Explanation:

Here, two independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction, it is up to you to choose the one that most accurately reflects the shift in the sentence. The first clause makes the blunt statement that "stock positions will not be refunded," not exactly reassuring for concerned stockholders. The second clause then changes the tone by offering reassurance. Therefore, "but" is the correct coordinating conjunction.

Example Question #1 : Conjunctions

Which of the following words best completes the sentence?

Neither the painter _________________ the sculptor had received formal training.

Possible Answers:

nor

or

for

and

Correct answer:

nor

Explanation:

The correct answer is "nor." This conjunction is used when two things are presented in the negative sense, in combination with the word "neither." "And" "for" and "or" are all incorrect when used in combination with the word "neither."

Example Question #2 : Conjunctions

Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.

It was raining, ___________ we chose to go to the aquarium instead of the beach. 

Possible Answers:

but

and

so

for 

Correct answer:

so

Explanation:

The correct answer is "so." This is because the word "so" implies causation. The rain caused the subjects of this sentence to make a choice. We are not linking the two ideas, which would require the word "and" and we are not providing a contrast, which would require the word "but." The word "for" should not be used in this sentence because we are not providing an explanation in the second clause of the sentence. 

Example Question #4 : Conjunctions

Choose the word that correctly completes this sentence.

She could not decide whether to go to Harvard _______________ Yale. 

Possible Answers:

nor

and 

or

for 

Correct answer:

or

Explanation:

The correct answer is "or." This is because the subject of the sentence is making a choice between two things in a positive sense. The other conjunctions do not work to provide the contrast that this sentence requires. 

Example Question #3 : Conjunctions

Please choose the correct conjunction to complete the sentence.

I am planning a big dinner this weekend. I am going to make pasta _________________ apple pie.

Possible Answers:

but

None of these

it

so

Correct answer:

None of these

Explanation:

The correct answer is and because and is a conjunction that is used to connect words and ideas. But is used to express contradictions and So means "to the degree which something is stated". It is not correct because it is a preposition. In this sentence the speaker is connecting pasta and apple pie because they are two things that the speaker likes.

Example Question #4 : Conjunctions

Please choose the correct conjunction to complete the sentence.

We could go to the movies _______________ the park.

Possible Answers:

None of these

while

and

or

Correct answer:

or

Explanation:

Or is the correct answer because we are linking two alternative ideas, the speakers two completely different options. And is used to connect similar ideas, but going to the park or the movies are two different options. While is used to express when two or more things are happening at the same time, but in this sentence the speaker can only choose one option.

Example Question #1 : Conjunctions

Neither my grandmother __________________ my grandfather has ever left the country.

Possible Answers:

or

and

nor

but

Correct answer:

nor

Explanation:

The correct answer is "nor." This is the only conjunction that is appropriate to be used when paired with the word "neither," making two ideas negative. This sentence refers to two people, neither of whom has left the country, so "nor" is the best choice.

Example Question #1 : Conjunctions

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

I will either buy a computer _____________ a television; I cannot afford both.

Possible Answers:

or

nor

for 

and

Correct answer:

or

Explanation:

The correct answer is "or." This sentence presents a choice between two things--a computer or a television. The biggest clue that "or" is the correct conjunction is the word "either." The other conjunctions are not appropriate in this sentence.  

Example Question #5 : Conjunctions

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

I am either going to yoga ___________ kickboxing class tonight, both of which take place at 7:00pm. 

Possible Answers:

or

but

and

so

Correct answer:

or

Explanation:

The correct answer is "or." We know that the speaker is making a choice between two things, and cannot do both activities since they both take place at 7:00pm, which is why the answer is not "and." The conjunctions "but" and "so" do not make sense in this sentence. The best choice is "or."

Example Question #6 : Conjunctions

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

When I moved to a new city, I thought I would hate it, _________ I came to see it as a wonderful place.

Possible Answers:

or

and

but

so 

Correct answer:

but

Explanation:

The best choice is "but." We know that this sentence requires the word "but" because there is a contrast--at first the speaker thought one thing, but then changed her mind. The other options link sentences in different ways that aren't appropriate in this sentence.

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