TOEIC Reading Part 5: Mastering Incomplete Sentences
It looks simple — just a sentence with a blank. But Part 5 is where grammar, vocabulary, and time pressure collide. If you want to score big in this section, you need more than “what sounds right.” You need precision.
🎯 What Part 5 Tests
30 questions at the start of the Reading Section.
Each question: one sentence, one blank, four answer choices.
Tests grammar, vocabulary, and context — all in seconds.
No audio, no long passages — just pure sentence-level skill.
🧩 Two Question Types
1. Grammar-Based
Checks your control of:
Verb tense & 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
Comparatives & 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
Tests your understanding of:
Word meaning
Collocations — make a decision, not do a decision
Phrasal verbs — look into, call off
Tone & formality — the right register for the situation
✅ Example:
We apologize for any ___ caused by the system upgrade.
(A) condition
(B) inconvenience ✅
(C) improvement
(D) reaction
⚠️ Common Mistakes
Picking an answer that sounds right but is grammatically wrong.
Missing subject–verb agreement in longer sentences.
Confusing similar-sounding words — affect/effect, accept/except.
Ignoring context clues like time words (“yesterday,” “currently”).
Skipping sentence parts that hide the hint.
🛠️ Strategy for Success
Skim the full sentence first — don’t jump straight to the blank.
Identify the part of speech — noun, verb, adjective, preposition?
Apply grammar logic — structure before meaning.
Eliminate two wrong answers fast.
Read your choice in full — does it sound natural and follow the rules?
Mark and skip if stuck — return later to save time.
🧠 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. / She wants to work late.Preposition Pairs — interested in, capable of, responsible for
💡 Coaching-Level Examples
Example 1 (Conjunction)
He worked overtime ___ he could meet the deadline.
(A) because ✅
(B) although
(C) despite
(D) unless
Tip: 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.
Final Word
Part 5 is a game of precision under pressure. The more you practise spotting grammar patterns and natural word combinations, the faster and more accurately you’ll answer.
For more strategies and resources to boost your TOEIC sentence mastery, visit the English Library Collection and start perfecting Part 5 with confidence.
