Why “It Was Approved” Can Still Be Wrong on TOEIC
On TOEIC, the danger is not always a long sentence or a difficult word. Sometimes the problem is a small word like it, they, this, or that.
These words look simple. But if more than one thing appears in the sentence, the meaning can become unclear.
TOEIC often tests whether you can track exactly what a small word refers to. If the link is unclear, the answer may be wrong even when the sentence sounds natural.
The trap: the small word is not clear
A small word becomes risky when there is more than one possible thing it could point to.
Unclear: The new guidelines were reviewed by the legal team before they were submitted.
What does “they” mean? The guidelines? The legal team? The sentence creates confusion.
In TOEIC Part 5 and Part 6, the correct answer often needs a clear meaning link. A sentence can sound grammatical but still fail because the reference is vague.
What TOEIC wants: a clear meaning link
TOEIC is not only checking whether the word is possible. It is checking whether the reader can understand the sentence without confusion.
Clear
The clients reviewed the proposal and decided to reject it. They disagreed with its terms.
“They” clearly means the clients.
Unclear
The proposal was shown to the team and the clients, but they had concerns.
“They” could mean the team or the clients.
TOEIC move: When you see a small reference word, ask: “What exact thing does this point to?”
TOEIC-style check: one thing or more than one?
First, decide whether the small word should point to one thing or more than one thing.
The final report was submitted on Friday. ___ was approved on Monday.
Answer: It
The sentence mentions one document: the final report. “It” clearly points to that one document.
Do not use “it” when two things are possible
If two possible things appear before the blank, “it” may become unclear.
The report and the presentation were submitted on Friday. ___ was approved on Monday.
Better answer: They, if both were approved
“It” is weak here because the sentence mentions two things. The reader cannot know whether “it” means the report or the presentation.
This and that can also be vague
This and that often point to an idea, a situation, or a previous sentence. That can be useful, but it can also become vague.
Clear
The delivery was delayed by three days. This caused several complaints.
“This” clearly means the delay.
Unclear
The supplier changed the delivery date after the manager contacted the client. This caused confusion.
What caused confusion? The change? The contact? The timing?
In TOEIC, clear meaning matters. If a reference word points to a whole situation, the situation must be easy to identify.
People, things, and groups must match
Small words also need to match the type of thing they replace.
The marketing team finished the proposal yesterday. ___ will present it to the client tomorrow.
Answer: They
In this sentence, “they” naturally points to the people in the marketing team. “It” would point to the team as an organisation or the proposal, so it does not fit the action “will present”.
Quick TOEIC check
Choose the clearest answer. First ask what the small word needs to replace.
1. The invoice arrived yesterday. ___ was sent to accounting immediately.
Answer: It
2. The invoices arrived yesterday. ___ were sent to accounting immediately.
Answer: They
3. The shipment was delayed by customs. ___ caused problems for the warehouse team.
Answer: This
In question 3, “This” points to the situation: the shipment was delayed by customs.
The five-second TOEIC check
When you see it, they, this, that, them, he, or she, do not move too quickly. Use this short process.
Find the target
What exact word, group, object, or idea does it point to?
Check one or many
Is the target one thing or more than one?
Check person or thing
Does the small word match a person, object, team, or situation?
Check clarity
If two meanings are possible, the sentence is probably unsafe.
Common mistake patterns
This TOEIC trap often appears when learners read too quickly or translate only part of the sentence.
Speed Trap
You choose “it” because it sounds natural, without checking what it means.
Translator
You translate the sentence, but lose the link between the small word and its target.
Over Thinker
You see several possible meanings and cannot decide which one the sentence needs.
Memoriser
You know the words “it” and “they”, but do not check how they work inside the TOEIC sentence.
Final Word: small words need clear links
TOEIC is not just checking whether you know the words it, they, this, and that. It is checking whether you can track their meaning without confusion.
Always ask what the small word replaces. If the answer is not clear, the sentence may be a trap.
The useful habit is simple: find the target first, then choose the word that points to it clearly.
Want to know why small grammar questions keep costing you points?
If you often miss questions that look easy, the problem may not be knowledge alone. It may be how you track meaning under time pressure.
The My TOEIC Coach Learning Block Diagnostic helps you identify whether your mistakes come from overthinking, rushing, translating, memorising without using, passive listening, or fatigue.
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