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- 2026 format
- Build a Sentence
Writing task
TOEFL Build a Sentence (2026): format, tips and an example
Quick answer
You see one line from a two-person exchange, then a reply with some words already in place. You drag the rest into the right order. Some tiles aren't needed.
- ~10sentences to build
- 1 pointeach, right or wrong
- ~23 minfor all of Writing
How to do it well
- Read the first lineThe question tells you the tense and topic of the reply.
- Find the verbPut the subject and verb together first.
- Spot the extra tileIt usually breaks agreement or tense.
Example
Build the reply
“Where did you go last weekend?”
I ___ ___ ___ ___ my cousins.
Tiles: with · the beach · went · to · going
Answer
I went to the beach with my cousins.
“Did you go” is past, so “went” fits and “going” is left over.
Our own example, written to match ETS's format. It isn't an official test question.
Common mistakes
- Using every tile. At least one is often extra.
- Ignoring the question's tense. A past question needs a past reply.
- Question word order. In questions, the helper verb comes before the subject.
What ETS looks for
- It measures your command of sentence structure.
- The exchanges are everyday, social ones.
- Each sentence scores one point, right or wrong.
Source: ETS's content and structure page and Updated TOEFL iBT Test Overview.
Questions
How many Build a Sentence questions are there?
About 10, in the Writing section.
Is there partial credit?
No. ETS's test plan scores each one as right or wrong.
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