Grammar
The Grammar section is further divided into four subsections. Below are samples of each type of question and sets of exercises as well as tips on answering each type of question.
TIPS for Section 1:
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Knowing a lot of colloquial English and commonly used formations of sentences will help you here!
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Even if one option makes a grammatically correct sentence, consider which creates a more common English expression.
TIPS for Section 2:
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Figure out what type of word fits the blank and its correct tense/form before looking at the answer choices.
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If you are not sure what it is asking, use process of elimination to see which option seems best!
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Check if the sentence is missing a neccessary component (prepositional phrase, subject, object, etc.).
Section 1:
Choose the option most appropiate for the blank in the CONVERSATION.
Sample:
A: Are you skipping lunch today?
B: I _______ have to if my stomach doesn't feel better by then.
(a) must
(b) should
(c) can
(d) might
What do you think is the correct answer? The answer is (d) because B offers a situational answer to A's question. If B's stomach does not feel better, then he will skip lunch.
Section 2:
Choose the option most appropiate for the blank in the STATEMENT.
Sample:
Seventy-eight percent of schools ____________ "exemplary" by state officials would be labeled "failing" by federal standards.
(a) rated
(b) rating
(c) are rated
(d) are rating
Which answer is correct? The answer is (a) the verb "rate" is used to describe the subject and does not function as the main verb. Therefore, its correct form is "rated".
Section 3:
Identify the option that contains an awkward expression or grammatical error in the conversation.
Sample:
(a) A: My parents and I are always arguing about how late I get home.
(b) B: That’s too bad. If I am you, I’d move to my own apartment.
(c) A: I want to, but there is no way I can afford it right now.
(d) B: Then you have no choice but to follow your parents’ rules.
Which is grammatically incorrect? The answer is (b). "If I am you" should be "If I were you".
Section 4:
Identify the option that contains an awkward expression or grammatical error in the passage.
TEPS is highly regarded in Korea and across Asia for providing valid and reliable assessments of a test taker’s English proficiency. (a) TEPS has been adopted as the official test of English language proficiency by numerous leading Korean enterprises and government agencies for recruitment and promotion purposes. (b) It is also used in universities and graduate schools, both in Korea and abroad, as a requirement for admission and graduation. (c) The reputation of TEPS as an international test was further established with its adoption by the government of the Republic of Korea as an official test for selecting distinguished foreign students who wish to study in Korea with scholarship grants. (d) In addition, TEPS has also been adopted by various overseas institutions as an official English language proficiency test.
TIPS for Section 3:
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Look for wrong subject-verb agreements!
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Look for wrong tenses in verbs!
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If you are not sure what the right answer is, move onto the next question and come back! Don't waste time.
TIPS for Section 4:
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Remember that this section asks you to find awkward expressions too. Don't forget this!
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Make sure verb tense is consistent throughout all of the sentences. If not, you have found the answer!
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NOT Knowing a lot of vocabulary and expressions will penalize you more so on this section that the others!
Sample questions and additional problems are adopted or produced from the official TEPS Council and English Tests google site. If you want to review the material covered on the exam rather than simply testing yourself, I recommend looking at Grammar Monster's resources. Also, as always, if you have any questions on why an answer is the correct one, feel free to post in the forum under the Grammar Questions tab.