TOEIC Reading Part 5: Mastering Incomplete Sentences

TOEIC Part 5 may look simple — just fill in the blank — but it's one of the most technical parts of the test. You’ll need grammar, vocabulary, logic, and speed to succeed. The good news? With the right strategies and practice, you can gain massive points here.

✅ What is TOEIC Part 5?

• Located at the beginning of the Reading Section

• 30 questions total

• Each question is one sentence with a blank

• You must choose the correct answer from four options

• Tests grammar, vocabulary, and context understanding

• No audio, no reading passages — just one sentence each

📚 What Does Part 5 Test?

You’ll face two main types of questions:

1. Grammar-Based Questions

These test your knowledge of:

• Verb tense and subject–verb agreement

• Articles (a, an, the)

• Prepositions (in, at, on, by, for, to, of, with...)

• Conjunctions (because, although, while...)

• Pronouns (he, she, it, their, whose, each, some...)

• Comparatives and superlatives (more, most, -er, -est)

• Conditionals (If I were…, If it rains…)

• Word order (adjective + noun, adverb placement)

✅ Example:
The manager ___ the report before the meeting.
(A) review
(B) reviewing
(C) reviewed ✅
(D) reviews

2. Vocabulary-Based Questions

These test:

• Word meaning

• Collocations (words that go together: “make a decision,” not “do a decision”)

• Phrasal verbs

• Tone/formality (choose the word that fits the situation)

✅ Example:
We apologize for any ___ caused by the system upgrade.
(A) condition
(B) inconvenience ✅
(C) improvement
(D) reaction

⚠️ Common Traps and Mistakes

• ❌ Choosing an answer that sounds right but doesn’t fit grammatically

• ❌ Ignoring subject–verb agreement in longer sentences

• ❌ Getting tricked by similar-sounding words (affect/effect, accept/except)

• ❌ Failing to look at the full sentence context, not just the blank

• ❌ Skipping parts of the sentence that contain clues (e.g., time words like “yesterday”)

🎯 Strategy: How to Master Part 5

1. Skim the full sentence before answering.
   Don’t jump straight to the blank — understand the structure first.

2. Identify the part of speech needed.
   Is it a noun, verb, adjective, or preposition?

3. Use grammar logic first.
   For example, “The team ___ meeting” → must be a verb.

4. Eliminate clearly wrong answers.
   Knock out 2 options fast.

5. Read your final choice in the sentence aloud (in your head).
   Does it sound natural? Does it follow grammar rules?

6. Mark and skip if stuck.
   Don’t waste time — come back later if needed.

🧠 High-Frequency Grammar Patterns

• Present Perfect: has/have + past participle
  "The company has launched a new app."

• Passive Voice: be + past participle
  "The emails were sent yesterday."

• Comparatives: more/less + adjective
  "This method is more efficient than the last."

• Gerund vs. Infinitive:
  "She enjoys working late." vs. "She wants to work late."

• Preposition Pairs:
  "Interested in, capable of, responsible for"

🔍 Harder Examples with Coaching

Example 1 (Conjunction)
He worked overtime ___ he could meet the deadline.
(A) because ✅
(B) although
(C) despite
(D) unless
🧠 Tip: Look for cause-effect structure → “because” fits.

Example 2 (Word Form)
The new intern showed great ___ during the first week.
(A) responsible
(B) responsibly
(C) responsibility ✅
(D) responsive
🧠 Tip: After “great,” you need a noun.

Example 3 (Phrasal Verb)
The meeting was called ___ due to the storm.
(A) for
(B) over
(C) off ✅
(D) out
🧠 Tip: “call off” = cancel