Absolutely!
Here's an explanation of appositives with examples to help you
understand them for the TOEFL ITP test:
What is an appositive?
An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that renames or provides additional
information about another noun or pronoun in the same sentence.
Appositives are usually placed directly next to the word they describe.
They can be essential (not set off by commas) or nonessential (set off by
commas).
Types of Appositives
1. Nonessential appositives:
o Add extra information that is not crucial to the sentence's basic
meaning.
o Set off by commas.
o Example: "William Shakespeare, a famous playwright, wrote Hamlet."
(The fact that he was a famous playwright is extra information).
2. Essential appositives:
o Provide necessary information to identify the noun they describe.
o NOT set off by commas.
o Example: "The book The Great Gatsby is a classic of American
literature." (The title is essential to know which book is being
discussed).
Appositives on the TOEFL ITP
The TOEFL ITP test often uses appositives to test your understanding of sentence
structure and punctuation. Here's how they might appear:
Sentence Completion: You might have to choose the correct appositive to
complete a sentence.
Error Identification: You might have to identify an error in punctuation or
sentence structure related to appositives.
Examples
1. Correct: "My neighbor, a skilled gardener, grows beautiful roses."
2. Incorrect: "My neighbor a skilled gardener grows beautiful roses." (Missing
commas)
3. Correct: "The artist Pablo Picasso is known for his cubist paintings."
4. Incorrect: "The artist, Pablo Picasso, is known for his cubist paintings."
(Commas incorrectly used as 'Pablo Picasso' is essential information)
Tips for the TOEFL ITP
Look for nouns or noun phrases placed next to other nouns.
Determine if the appositive is essential or nonessential to decide whether
commas are needed.
Practice identifying appositives in sentences to improve your speed and
accuracy.
Here's a 10-question multiple-choice exercise to reinforce your understanding of
appositives:
**Instructions:** Choose the best option to complete or correct each sentence.
1. My sister, __________, is studying to become a doctor.
a) a talented musician
b) who plays the piano
c) a future physician
d) playing the piano
2. The movie *Titanic*, __________, won several Academy Awards.
a) a historical romance
b) which was directed by James Cameron
c) being a long film
d) directed by James Cameron
3. Professor Smith, __________, gave a fascinating lecture on astrophysics.
a) a renowned scientist
b) who is a renowned scientist
c) he is a renowned scientist
d) being a scientist
4. The city of Paris, __________, is a popular tourist destination.
a) the capital of France
b) that is the capital of France
c) being the capital of France
d) is the capital of France
5. My favorite book, __________, is a science fiction novel.
a) *Dune*
b) which is called *Dune*
c) being *Dune*
d) is *Dune*
6. Which sentence uses appositives correctly?
a) My dog, a golden retriever is very playful.
b) My dog a golden retriever, is very playful.
c) My dog, a golden retriever, is very playful.
d) My dog, who is a golden retriever is very playful.
7. Which sentence has an *essential* appositive?
a) My brother, John, is a lawyer.
b) The poet Shakespeare wrote many famous plays.
c) My car, a red convertible, is very fast.
d) The restaurant, The Italian Place, is excellent.
8. The famous artist __________, painted the Mona Lisa.
a) Leonardo da Vinci
b) who was Leonardo da Vinci
c) being Leonardo da Vinci
d) was Leonardo da Vinci
9. My uncle, __________, lives in California.
a) an engineer
b) who is an engineer
c) he is an engineer
d) being an engineer
10. The novel *Pride and Prejudice*, __________, is a classic of English literature.
a) by Jane Austen
b) which was written by Jane Austen
c) written by Jane Austen
d) being written by Jane Austen
**Answer Key:**
1. c
2. a
3. a
4. a
5. a
6. c
7. b
8. a
9. a
10. a
This exercise covers both nonessential and essential appositives and tests your
understanding of correct punctuation. Let me know if you'd like more practice!
