The Pitfalls of the TOLES Foundation Exam. Part 2

In the second part of our TOLES Foundation Exam overview, let’s go over Section 9 – which, according to the majority of my students, is the most difficult part of the test. This section contains a text with ten missing words. Unlike other sections of the exam, there are no multiple-choice options to choose from. Fortunately, however, the Foundation exam provides a helpful clue that the TOLES Higher Exam does not: the first letter of each missing word.

Some instructors recommend reading the entire text first in order to get the general idea without trying to fill in the gaps. Personally, I advise against this. Your time is limited, and you already have several other texts to read thoroughly. In this specific section, you should focus on the sentence itself and on the immediate context.

The first letter is very helpful, especially if you are weighing several alternatives and are not sure which one to opt for. Having said that, let’s look at the other factors you should take into account when identifying the missing word.

First of all, analyze the grammar to determine the correct part of speech. Is it a noun, an adjective, or a verb? To understand this, examine the words immediately before and after the missing word. Additionally, paying close attention to prepositions will often give you the right idea.

A claim form may be s_________ upon the defendant by first class post, fax or other means of electronic communication.

The most helpful clue is often the explanation or definition of the missing word, an example of which you can see in the sentence below.

He was represented by a solicitor who has a lot of experience in residential c____________, which is transferring the ownership of land or property from one person to another.

Another indicator can be found in synonyms or antonyms. For instance, the sentence below includes a direct synonym for the missing word.

If the client fails to f________ or provide the documents within the specified time period, penalties may be imposed.

Finally, collocations – which we practise constantly in our TOLES Foundation classes – are frequently paired with a synonym, as demonstrated in the following sentence.

If either party to the contract commits a m____________ breach, this means a very serious breach, the injured party has the right to terminate the contract.

Answers: served, conveyancing, furnish, material

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