TOEFL question - wrong words (2025)

Hello my friends!

This is part of the TOEFL test writing section. The student must find the wrong word in the sentence.

My question is why the word "mammals" is wrong here:

In human beings, as in other mammals, hairs around the eyes are ears and in the nose prevent dust, insects, and other matter from entering these organs.

In human beings, as in other mammals, hairs around the eyes are ears and in the nose prevent dust, insects, and other matter from entering these organs.

Is that "are" your typo or the wrong word in the sentence?

Does the answer key give "mammals" as the wrong word? If not, why do you think it is?

Copyright said:

In human beings, as in other mammals, hairs around the eyes are ears and in the nose prevent dust, insects, and other matter from entering these organs.

Is that "are" your typo or the wrong word in the sentence?

Does the answer key give "mammals" as the wrong word? If not, why do you think it is?

Click to expand...

Copyright said:

In human beings, as in other mammals, hairs around the eyes are ears and in the nose prevent dust, insects, and other matter from entering these organs.

Is that "are" your typo or the wrong word in the sentence?

Does the answer key give "mammals" as the wrong word? If not, why do you think it is?

See Also

dust vs dirt vs soil vs earth vs mudSwatting paws on the groundto clap your erasersapparel, clothing, cloth, garment

Click to expand...

The "are" is my typo...sorry!

Yeah, the answer key gives "mammals" as the wrong word.

It is strange....I think there is a mistake in the answer key.

What do you think?

Are you sure that the word “are” isn’t what you’re expected to correct?

(This question has been asked online for years. I’ve found it as far back as 2005.)

Copyright said:

I don’t know which word they would replace "mammals"with, so I don’t see anything wrong with the sentence.

Click to expand...

Alright, Copyright!

Thanks a lot!!

lingobingo said:

Are you sure that the word “are” isn’t what you’re expected to correct?

(This question has been asked online for years. I’ve found it as far back as 2005.)

Click to expand...

Hello lingobingo !!

2005?? Wow! And nobody has found the wrong word?

This link (from 2009) Soal TOEFL | Agriculture | Livestock Farming has what is probably the correct form of the question. In this case (no "are" and other errors of copying) the answer is indeed A - it should be mammals, not mammal

The website linked to below shows another version of the question. It appears that 'are' is actually a typo because the question itself gives the three underlined choices as to which is the wrong word. It immediately becomes clear that 'mammal' should be 'mammals'. Therefore if we ignore the 'are' typo 'mammal' is the incorrect word.

10. In human beings, as in other mammal, hairs

the eyes are ears and in the nose

dust, insects, and other matter from entering these organs.
English Exercises: TOEFL ITP Written Expression 02

[Cross-posted and agreeing with Julian. ]

JulianStuart said:

This link (from 2009) Soal TOEFL | Agriculture | Livestock Farming has what is probably the correct form of the question. In this case (no "are" and other errors of copying) the answer is indeed A - it should be mammals, not mammal

View attachment 25819

Click to expand...

AWESOME!! Thanks a lot!!

Trochfa said:

The website linked to below shows another version of the question. It appears that 'are' is actually a typo because the question itself gives the three underlined choices as to which is the wrong word. It immediately becomes clear that 'mammal' should be 'mammals'. Therefore if we ignore the 'are' typo 'mammal' is the incorrect word.

10. In human beings, as in other mammal, hairs

around

the eyes are ears and in the nose

prevent

dust, insects, and other matter from entering these organs.
English Exercises: TOEFL ITP Written Expression 02

[Cross-posted and agreeing with Julian. ]

Click to expand...

Perfect!
Thank you, Trochfa !