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TOEIC Part 5:
Relative Clauses Defining — Rule, Examples, and 20 Practice Questions

Master TOEIC Part 5 relative clauses with 20 defining rule practice questions. Learn key grammar rules, see model answers, and boost your test score.

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Master TOEIC Part 5 relative clauses with 20 defining rule practice questions. Learn key grammar rules, see model answers, and boost your test score.

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TOEIC Part 5: Relative Clauses Defining — Rule, Examples, and 20 Practice Questions

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Understanding Defining Relative Clauses in TOEIC Part 5

Defining relative clauses (also called restrictive relative clauses) provide essential information about the noun they modify. In TOEIC Part 5, you'll encounter multiple-choice questions testing your understanding of these structures. The new 90-minute test format introduced in January 2026 uses multistage adaptive questions, so mastering these grammar points is crucial for improving your score.

Key Rule for Defining Relative Clauses

Rule: Defining relative clauses are necessary to identify the noun they refer to. They cannot be removed from the sentence without changing its meaning. Common relative pronouns include who, which, that, whose, where. The 2026 TOEIC test includes updated question types reflecting real-world communication contexts, such as student emails and campus announcements.

Model Answers with Scoring Breakdowns

Sample Question:

The project,

A. which the team completed last week B. that completed last week C. who completed last week D. where the team completed last week

Model Answer 1 (Band 6.0/Score 200-250)

Answer: A. which the team completed last week

Scoring Breakdown:

  • Task Achievement: The answer correctly identifies the defining relative clause but lacks nuanced understanding of pronoun usage.
  • Coherence and Cohesion: The response is clear and grammatically correct but doesn't demonstrate advanced structuring.
  • Lexical Resource: Basic vocabulary is used appropriately.
  • Grammar: The sentence structure is accurate but not sophisticated.

Answer Text:

The project, which the team completed last week, received positive feedback. The relative clause 'which the team completed last week' provides essential information about the project. This type of question appears frequently in TOEIC Part 5, so understanding defining clauses is important for a high score. The new 2026 test format includes more practical contexts, so studying real-world examples is beneficial.

Model Answer 2 (Band 7.0/Score 250-300)

Answer: A. which the team completed last week

Scoring Breakdown:

  • Task Achievement: The answer correctly identifies the defining relative clause and explains its function.
  • Coherence and Cohesion: The response is well-structured and logically organized.
  • Lexical Resource: A range of vocabulary is used effectively.
  • Grammar: The sentence structure is accurate and varied.

Answer Text:

The project, which the team completed last week, was praised by the client. The defining relative clause 'which the team completed last week' is essential to identify which project is being discussed. In TOEIC Part 5, understanding these structures helps you eliminate incorrect options. The 2026 test's multistage adaptive format means mastering grammar rules is more important than ever. Practicing with updated materials ensures you're prepared for the new question types.

Model Answer 3 (Band 8.0/Score 300-350)

Answer: A. which the team completed last week

Scoring Breakdown:

  • Task Achievement: The answer correctly identifies the defining relative clause and provides a detailed explanation.
  • Coherence and Cohesion: The response is sophisticated and flows logically.
  • Lexical Resource: A wide range of vocabulary is used precisely.
  • Grammar: The sentence structure is complex and accurate.

Answer Text:

The project, which the team completed last week, exceeded all expectations. The defining relative clause 'which the team completed last week' is crucial as it specifies the project in question. In TOEIC Part 5, these clauses often appear in sentences with multiple options. The new 2026 test includes more practical contexts, such as student emails and campus announcements. Understanding these structures ensures you can navigate the test's updated formats and achieve a high score.

Vocabulary Highlights

  1. Essential (adjective): Absolutely necessary; vital.
  • Example: The defining relative clause is essential to identify the noun.
  1. Specify (verb): To mention or identify something clearly and precisely.
  • Example: The relative clause specifies which project is being discussed.
  1. Praise (noun): Expression of approval or admiration.
  • Example: The project received praise from the client.
  1. Multistage adaptive (adjective): A testing format that adjusts difficulty based on previous responses.
  • Example: The new TOEIC test uses a multistage adaptive format.
  1. Contexts (noun): The circumstances or setting in which something happens.
  • Example: The test includes more practical contexts, such as student emails.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Confusing Defining and Non-defining Clauses: Non-defining clauses provide additional information and are set off by commas. Defining clauses are essential and do not use commas.
  1. Incorrect Pronoun Usage: Using 'who' for objects instead of 'whom' or 'that' can lead to errors. Practice distinguishing between subject and object pronouns.
  1. Overlooking the Relative Pronoun: Some questions may omit the relative pronoun, which can be confusing. Make sure to check for the correct pronoun in the options.
  1. Misidentifying the Noun: Ensure the relative clause correctly modifies the intended noun. Misidentification can lead to choosing the wrong option.
  1. Ignoring the Commas: Commas are crucial in defining relative clauses. Pay attention to punctuation to identify the correct structure.

20 Practice Questions for TOEIC Part 5 Relative Clauses Defining

  1. The book

    2. A. which I read last night B. that I read last night C. who I read last night D. where I read last night

  1. The meeting

    2. A. which started at 9 AM B. that started at 9 AM C. who started at 9 AM D. where started at 9 AM

  1. The team

    2. A. which won the competition B. that won the competition C. who won the competition D. where won the competition

  1. The presentation

    2. A. which was given by John B. that was given by John C. who was given by John D. where was given by John

  1. The report

    2. A. which was submitted on time B. that was submitted on time C. who was submitted on time D. where was submitted on time

  1. The building

    2. A. which is under construction B. that is under construction C. who is under construction D. where is under construction

  1. The project

    2. A. which requires more funding B. that requires more funding C. who requires more funding D. where requires more funding

  1. The employee

    2. A. which received the award B. that received the award C. who received the award D. where received the award

  1. The document

    2. A. which was signed by the manager B. that was signed by the manager C. who was signed by the manager D. where was signed by the manager

  1. The conference

    2. A. which was held in Tokyo B. that was held in Tokyo C. who was held in Tokyo D. where was held in Tokyo

  1. The software

    2. A. which needs an update B. that needs an update C. who needs an update D. where needs an update

  1. The training session

    2. A. which was scheduled for Friday B. that was scheduled for Friday C. who was scheduled for Friday D. where was scheduled for Friday

  1. The document

    2. A. which was reviewed by the team B. that was reviewed by the team C. who was reviewed by the team D. where was reviewed by the team

  1. The project

    2. A. which was approved by the board B. that was approved by the board C. who was approved by the board D. where was approved by the board

  1. The report

    2. A. which was due yesterday B. that was due yesterday C. who was due yesterday D. where was due yesterday

  1. The meeting

    2. A. which was rescheduled to next week B. that was rescheduled to next week C. who was rescheduled to next week D. where was rescheduled to next week

  1. The building

    2. A. which is located near the park B. that is located near the park C. who is located near the park D. where is located near the park

  1. The team

    2. A. which completed the task on time B. that completed the task on time C. who completed the task on time D. where completed the task on time

  1. The document

    2. A. which was sent to the client B. that was sent to the client C. who was sent to the client D. where was sent to the client

  1. The conference

    2. A. which was attended by professionals B. that was attended by professionals C. who was attended by professionals D. where was attended by professionals

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