TOEIC Part 5 tips: grammar and word choice
TOEIC Part 5 has 30 incomplete-sentence questions testing grammar and vocabulary in isolation. Look at the blank's position first: if the four options are the same word in different forms, decide what part of speech the sentence needs (noun, verb, adjective, adverb) before reading every option's meaning. For vocabulary questions, check which word collocates naturally with the words around the blank, not just which one 'sounds right' in isolation.
What Part 5 tests
Each item is a single sentence with one word or phrase missing, and four answer choices. About half the questions are grammar (word form, tense, prepositions) and half are vocabulary (word meaning and collocation).
Spot the pattern first
- Same root, different form: the four options are usually a noun, verb, adjective and adverb of one word — decide the part of speech the blank needs before comparing meanings.
- Tense and agreement: check the subject's number and the time clues in the sentence (‘last year’, ‘by the time’, ‘currently’).
- Prepositions: these often depend on the verb or noun right before the blank, not on general meaning.
Vocabulary questions
When all four options are different words with related meanings, look at the words directly before and after the blank. TOEIC vocabulary questions are usually collocation tests: one word pairs naturally with the surrounding noun or verb, and the others do not, even if their dictionary meaning seems close.
Time target
Aim for under 30 seconds per question so Part 5 takes about 15 minutes, leaving more time for Part 6 and Part 7.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are in TOEIC Part 5?
Part 5 has 30 questions, each a single incomplete sentence with 4 answer choices.
Is TOEIC Part 5 mostly grammar or vocabulary?
It's a mix: roughly half test grammar (word form, tense, prepositions) and half test vocabulary and collocation.
How long should I spend on Part 5?
About 15 minutes in total, or under 30 seconds per question, to leave enough time for Part 6 and Part 7.
