Build a Sentence Task Pack

About the task

Build a Sentence is the first task in the TOEFL Writing section (format effective January 21, 2026). Each item gives you a short context — a sentence and a question — plus a set of scrambled words and phrases (typically 6-12 tiles, sometimes including punctuation). You arrange all of them into one correct, natural sentence that answers the question. The set takes about 6 minutes, and each item is scored correct or incorrect, so accuracy beats speed.

How to use this pack:

• Print the exercises (the answer key prints on the same sheet — fold it under).
• Give yourself about 45 seconds per item.
• Write the full sentence; do not just number the words.
• Check the key, then read the pattern notes for anything you missed.

The grammar patterns the task tests

• Core word order (SVO). English declaratives run subject-verb-object: "She enjoyed the temples." Locate the subject and main verb tiles first; everything else attaches around them.
• Adverb placement. Frequency adverbs (usually, rarely, often) sit before the main verb but after be: "Tom usually rides", "She is rarely late."
• Articles and noun phrases. A/an/the tiles must pair with a noun. Build noun chunks ("the main hall", "an excellent essay") before placing them in the sentence.
• Place before time. When both appear, place usually comes first: "...in the main hall every Tuesday morning" or lead with time for emphasis — but never split the chunks.
• Question inversion. A question tile set (how, does, ...) signals auxiliary-before-subject order: "How often does the shuttle run?"
• Agreement and passives. Match verb tiles to their true subject ("Neither student knows") and recognize passive kits: be-form + past participle + by.

The 12 exercises

1. Context: Maria just returned from a study trip to Kyoto.
   Question: What did she enjoy most?
   Arrange: most / she / the / temples / enjoyed / visiting

2. Context: Tom lives about twenty minutes from the university.
   Question: How does he usually get to campus?
   Arrange: usually / bike / to / rides / campus / his / Tom

3. Context: Final exams start next Monday.
   Question: What are the library hours during exams?
   Arrange: library / the / stays / open / until / midnight / during / exams

4. Context: Dr. Reyes is known for starting class exactly on time.
   Question: How often is she late?
   Arrange: rarely / professor / late / arrives / the

5. Context: The writing contest results were announced this morning.
   Question: How did Ana do?
   Arrange: an / submitted / she / essay / excellent / winning / the / prize

6. Context: The chemistry department posted the lab scores yesterday.
   Question: How did the students react?
   Arrange: students / were / results / the / with / satisfied / the

7. Context: Nadia is planning her commute for the semester.
   Question: What does she want to know about the shuttle?
   Arrange: does / shuttle / how / often / the / run / on / weekends

8. Context: The debate club is organizing its schedule.
   Question: When does the team meet?
   Arrange: team / meets / our / every / morning / Tuesday / in / the / main / hall

9. Context: The proctor is handing out the answer sheets.
   Question: What should students do first?
   Arrange: carefully / instructions / read / the / before / starting

10. Context: Sofia moved to Montreal for a research position.
    Question: How long has she been there?
    Arrange: has / living / she / abroad / been / year / a / for / nearly

11. Context: Two students stayed after class to ask about question five.
    Question: Why did they stay?
    Arrange: neither / answer / knew / student / the / correct

12. Context: The results were published in a peer-reviewed journal.
    Question: Who ran the experiment?
    Arrange: was / by / the / experiment / conducted / researchers / two / graduate

Answer key

1. She enjoyed visiting the temples most. (Word order (SVO))
2. Tom usually rides his bike to campus. (Adverb placement)
3. The library stays open until midnight during exams. (Articles + prepositions)
4. The professor rarely arrives late. (Adverb placement)
5. She submitted an excellent essay, winning the prize. (Articles + participle clause)
6. The students were satisfied with the results. (Subject-verb agreement)
7. How often does the shuttle run on weekends? (Question inversion)
8. Our team meets every Tuesday morning in the main hall. (Place and time order)
9. Read the instructions carefully before starting. (Imperative + adverb)
10. She has been living abroad for nearly a year. (Present perfect continuous)
11. Neither student knew the correct answer. (Agreement with neither)
12. The experiment was conducted by two graduate researchers. (Passive voice)

Some items allow a second natural order (for example, leading with a time phrase). If your sentence uses every word, keeps noun chunks intact, and reads naturally aloud, count it correct — then compare it with the key order.

Self-review checklist

• Did I use every word exactly once?
• Does the sentence actually answer the question in the prompt?
• Subject and verb agree in number?
• Every article sits directly before its noun phrase?
• Would I say this sentence out loud without stumbling?

For the format rules behind this task, see the Build a Sentence strategy guide and the free topic browser. Teachers: lesson 2 of the Teacher Kit builds a 50-minute class around this pack.