6. Error Identification

Format
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Section VI of TOEIC tests your ability to recognize mistakes in grammar or usage in written sentences. It consists of twenty items. In each item, four expressions -- usually one or two words each -- are underlined. You have to examine all four items and decide which one must be rewritten (it can't simply be omitted) to form a correct sentence. In other works you need to find the underlined expression that contains a mistake.

Tactics
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1. Read each item word for word. Don't just look at the underlined portion of the sentences because the error is often incorrect only because of the context of the sentence.

2. Don't read too quickly. If you do, your eyes may skip over errors, especially those involving "small words" (prepositions, pronouns, articles). Try to pronounce each word in your mind as you read. This will help you catch errors that "sound wrong."

3. If you are unable to find an error after the first reading, look at the verbs in the sentence to see if they are used correctly, since verb errors are the most common errors in Part VI. Check the verb's tense, form, and agreement with the subject.

4. If the verb seems to be used correctly, check for other common errors: word choice, word form, preposition use, and so on.

5. If you still cannot find an error, eliminate choices that seem to be correct. If more than one choice remains¹, make a guess. Put a mark on your answer sheet next to items that you are not sure of so that you can come back to these items if you have time at the end of Section VI. (Be sure to erase² all these marks before the end of the test.)

6. Never spend too much time on any one item.

7. Never leave any blank answers. Always guess.

8. As soon as you finish Part VI, go on to Part VII. Keep in mind that Part VII (Reading Comprehension) takes more time to complete than either Part V or Part VI.

*Testing Points and Skill-Building Exercises
A. Verb Errors
B. Word-Choice Errors
C. Word-Form Errors
D, Preposition Errors
E. Errors with Gerunds, Infinitives³, and Simple Forms
F. Errors with Pronouns
G. Errors with Singular and Plural⁴ Nouns
H. Errors with Comparative and Superlative Forms of Adjectives
I. Errors with Articles
J. Word-Order Errors
K. Errors with Connecting Words
L. Errors with Participial Adjectives