Language Form and Meaning: verbs, agreement and comparison
Đã giới thiệu| English | Ý nghĩa |
|---|---|
| subject/ˈsʌbdʒekt/ | subject |
| agreement/əˈɡriːmənt/ | agreement |
| comparative/kəmˈpærətɪv/ | comparative |
The nearest noun is not always the subject
- "The box of old photos ___ on the shelf." Photos is next to the gap, but the subject 主语 is box. So the answer is is, not are.
- Language Form and Meaning tests exactly this kind of careful reading.
How the section works
- 42 questions in 25 minutes, about 35 seconds each. You read emails, notices and short articles.
- Some sentences have a box with four choices (A–D). Choose the one that makes the sentence correct and fits the text.
"After a long vote, our class decided [ (A) visit (B) visited (C) to visit (D) visiting ] the science museum." After decide we use to + verb, so the answer is (C) to visit.
The section has 42 questions in 25 minutes. About how many seconds is that per question? (Round to the nearest whole number.)
Độ khó 2/5 · 140 xu + phần thưởng nhỏ khi hoàn thành lần đầu tiên hôm nay
25 × 60 = 1,500 seconds; 1,500 ÷ 42 ≈ 35.7, so about 36 seconds.
Time words decide the verb
- Look for time words: yesterday and last week (past simple), since and already (present perfect), next week and tomorrow (future).
- The clue may come after the box. Read the whole sentence before you choose.
"My cousin [ (A) lives (B) lived (C) has lived (D) is living ] in Canada since 2022." Since 2022 means from then until now → (C) has lived.
Our school ___ a robotics club since last September.
Độ khó 1/5 · 100 xu + phần thưởng nhỏ khi hoàn thành lần đầu tiên hôm nay
Since last September means from then until now, so the present perfect has had.
When the bell rang yesterday, we ___ our science test.
Độ khó 1/5 · 100 xu + phần thưởng nhỏ khi hoàn thành lần đầu tiên hôm nay
An action in progress at a past moment (when the bell rang) uses the past continuous.
Verb patterns
- Some verbs take to + verb (want, decide, hope, plan to go); some take -ing (enjoy, finish, avoid going).
- Make and let take the base form: The teacher made us rewrite it. After a preposition use -ing: interested in joining.
Complete with the right form of join: "Are you interested in ____ the chess club?"
Độ khó 1/5 · 100 xu + phần thưởng nhỏ khi hoàn thành lần đầu tiên hôm nay
After a preposition (in) we use the -ing form.
The coach made us ___ the drill three times.
Độ khó 1/5 · 100 xu + phần thưởng nhỏ khi hoàn thành lần đầu tiên hôm nay
Make + person + base form (repeat).
Agreement
- Agreement 一致: the verb matches its subject. Words like of the students, with his friends or that I bought sit between them and do not change the subject.
- Each, every, everyone and nobody take a singular verb: Everyone in both classes gets a ticket.
Singular or plural verb?
Make subjects and verbs agree, even when words come between them
The list of winners ___ on the noticeboard.
Độ khó 1/5 · 100 xu + phần thưởng nhỏ khi hoàn thành lần đầu tiên hôm nay
The subject is list (singular); of winners does not change it.
"Everyone in the two classes have a ticket" is correct.
Độ khó 1/5 · 100 xu + phần thưởng nhỏ khi hoàn thành lần đầu tiên hôm nay
Everyone takes a singular verb, so it should be has.
Comparison
- Two things: comparative 比较级 (taller than, more useful than). Three or more: superlative (the tallest, the most useful).
- Equal: as tall as. Irregular: good → better → best, bad → worse → worst, far → farther → farthest.
Of all the planets, Jupiter is ___.
Độ khó 1/5 · 100 xu + phần thưởng nhỏ khi hoàn thành lần đầu tiên hôm nay
Comparing with all the planets needs the superlative the largest.
Complete: "The weather today is ____ than yesterday." (comparative of bad)
Độ khó 1/5 · 100 xu + phần thưởng nhỏ khi hoàn thành lần đầu tiên hôm nay
Bad, worse, worst is irregular.
Common mistakes
- Agreeing the verb with the nearest noun (The keys to the lab is… ✗ → are).
- Double comparatives (more busier ✗) and than after a superlative (the best than ✗).
- Choosing quickly before reading the clue at the end of the sentence.
Recap
- Read the whole sentence; find the subject and the time words.
- Learn the verb patterns: want to, enjoy -ing, make someone do.
- Two things → comparative + than; three or more → the + superlative.
Put the steps for a Language Form and Meaning box in order.
Độ khó 3/5 · 200 xu + phần thưởng nhỏ khi hoàn thành lần đầu tiên hôm nay
Clues can come after the box, so read everything before choosing.
Official sources
- Section format checked on 15 November 2026: TOEFL Junior test content (ETS) and the Test Taker Handbook (ETS, PDF).
- Try the free Language Form and Meaning sample questions (ETS). The examples here are original.