📘 Why “So Delicious Meal” Is Wrong on TOEIC
Mastering So / Such / Too / Very in Test Questions
On TOEIC, the words so, such, too, and very look simple — but they’re some of the most common traps in Part 5. They feel similar, but they follow very different patterns.
If you’ve ever stared at a sentence like:
It was ___ delicious meal.
… and wondered if it should be so, such, too, or very, this guide is for you.
1️⃣ The Core Problem
❌ Wrong: So delicious meal
✅ Correct: Such a delicious meal
Even though “delicious” is a describing word, there’s a noun right after it (“meal”). That changes what TOEIC expects.
The same pattern catches test-takers with:
❌ Too beautiful view → ✅ Very beautiful view / Such a beautiful view / Too beautiful to believe (if it’s a problem)
❌ Very too much work → No. You can’t mix “very” and “too.”
2️⃣ What Each Word Really Does
So → Adjective or adverb only, no noun after
The meeting was so long that everyone left early.
He spoke so quickly I couldn’t take notes.
📌 If a noun follows, don’t use “so.”
Such → Adjective + noun group
It was such a great presentation that people applauded.
We had such nice weather for the event.
📌 If the noun is singular and countable, add “a” or “an.”
📌 Uncountable nouns like “weather” don’t need “a.”
Too → Negative or problem
This coffee is too hot to drink.
The price is too high for our budget.
📌 Implies something is excessive or causes an issue.
Very → Strong, but not a problem
She’s very talented.
The explanation was very clear.
📌 Neutral emphasis — not cause/effect or complaint.
3️⃣ TOEIC-Style Practice
Q1. The coffee was ___ hot to drink.
(A) so
(B) such
(C) too
(D) very
✅ Answer: (C) too — It’s a problem: “too hot to drink.”
Q2. It was ___ a difficult project that no one finished it.
(A) so
(B) such
(C) too
(D) very
✅ Answer: (B) such — “Such a” + noun (“project”).
Q3. He gave a ___ detailed answer that the manager took notes.
(A) so
(B) such
(C) too
(D) very
✅ Answer: (A) so — No noun after “detailed,” so “so” is correct.
Q4. That was ___ delicious meal we’ve ever had.
(A) so
(B) such
(C) too
(D) very
✅ Answer: (B) such — Adjective + noun pattern (“delicious meal”) needs “such.”
📌 Strategy / Takeaway
So → Describing word only, no noun after.
Such → Describing word + noun. Add “a/an” if singular countable.
Too → Negative or problem.
Very → Strong but neutral.
Golden Rule:
On TOEIC, don’t trust what “sounds” right. Check if there’s a noun after, and whether the meaning is neutral or a problem — that’s your clue.
Final Word
These four words are easy to understand but tricky to master under time pressure. Spot the pattern, choose the one TOEIC expects, and you’ll pick up points other test-takers lose.
For more strategies and resources to master TOEIC modifier traps, visit the English Library Collection and start locking in degree-word confidence today.
