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GMAT Reading Comprehension

Subjects : gmat, reading-and-comprehension

Instructions:

Answer 43 questions in 15 minutes.
If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
Match each statement with the correct term.
Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.

1. A llama is 'a native of' / 'native to' Peru
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)
'with'
Describe evidence that would STRENGTHEN the argument and CONCLUDE that without such evidence you're not persuaded (DON'T have 1 sad and lonely sentence here).
Native to

2. Preposition after 'to be considered'
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.
Make sure there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL
None
A native of

3. Disconnect
Singular
Point of the author's argument. Conclusion words - the One Sentence Test - Fact vs Opinion
Identify another flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion

4. Strategy for Critical Reasoning questions
A comparison trap i.e. make sure that the word after like is compared to something of a similar kind (apples and apples) e.g. 'Unlike Latvia - Lithuania - the economy of Estonia...' is incorrect (take out the economy of)
1. Identify the question type 2. Untangle the stimulus 3. Predict the answer 4. Evaluate choices
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
Identify most offensive flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable

5. A statistical syllogism (proportional syllogism or direct inference)
Grammatically...logically
Are usually wrong
A common flaw where... argues from a generalization true for the most part to a particular case (in contrast to induction - which argues from particular cases to generalisations).
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)

6. Strategy for Reading Comprehension
Show that you understand the argument by PARAPHRASING it and saying IT FAILS TO CONVINCE (don't have to say why yet)
1) Read strategically: Passage Map - Topic/Scope/Purpose or Main Idea 2) Analyse question stem 3) Research relevant text in passage 4) Make Prediction 5) Evaluate answer choices
It - they - its - their - them - which and that
At FEWER than 68000 people

7. Answer choices with word 'being'...
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.
Are usually wrong
'with'
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)

8. Items being compared must be both ... and ... comparable
Show that you understand the argument by PARAPHRASING it and saying IT FAILS TO CONVINCE (don't have to say why yet)
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.
1) Read the original sentence carefully - LOOKING FOR ERRORS; if you don't spot errors - go to step 2: 2) Scan and group the answer choices 3) Eliminate choices until only one remains
Grammatically...logically

9. Typical wrong answers in Critical Reasoning
Singular
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.
A common flaw where... 'always -' 'none -' 'some -' and 'only' etc. set boundaries for the logic of an argument. Be careful with scope.
Parallel structure

10. 'Less' and 'amount' refer to ...and answer the question...
After
Parallel structure
Non countable things 'How much'
Countable things 'How many'

11. What is the conclusion in Critical Reasoning questions? How do you find it.
Point of the author's argument. Conclusion words - the One Sentence Test - Fact vs Opinion
Describe evidence that would STRENGTHEN the argument and CONCLUDE that without such evidence you're not persuaded (DON'T have 1 sad and lonely sentence here).
Grammatically...logically
After

12. Recoil
Are usually wrong
Non countable things 'How much'
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.
To shrink back physically or emotionally

13. Analogies - metaphors and other comparisons all require...
1) Read strategically: Passage Map - Topic/Scope/Purpose or Main Idea 2) Analyse question stem 3) Research relevant text in passage 4) Make Prediction 5) Evaluate answer choices
At FEWER than 68000 people
Parallel structure
After the verb

14. Limiting Words
A common flaw where... 'always -' 'none -' 'some -' and 'only' etc. set boundaries for the logic of an argument. Be careful with scope.
To shrink back physically or emotionally
Countable things 'How many'
'as'

15. Argument Essay Paragraph 1
Are usually wrong
A common flaw where... 'always -' 'none -' 'some -' and 'only' etc. set boundaries for the logic of an argument. Be careful with scope.
Show that you understand the argument by PARAPHRASING it and saying IT FAILS TO CONVINCE (don't have to say why yet)
A common flaw where... argues from a generalization true for the most part to a particular case (in contrast to induction - which argues from particular cases to generalisations).

16. Answer choices with 'There is/are/has/have'...
Show that you understand the argument by PARAPHRASING it and saying IT FAILS TO CONVINCE (don't have to say why yet)
Sentence or fact
Are usually wrong
Countable things 'How many'

17. To+verb: verb can be in which tense?
Countable things 'How many'
'but also'
Non countable things 'How much'
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')

18. 'With total employment at less than 68000 people...' what should change?
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)
At FEWER than 68000 people
Countable things 'How many'
'as'

19. Preposition after 'to be modelled'
After the verb
'but also'
After
A common flaw where... for example - which is larger - one-third of x or one-half of y? Without any information to compare x and y - we cannot answer this question.

20. What is the evidence in Critical Reasoning questions?
To shrink back physically or emotionally
Are usually wrong
Supports the conclusion. usually what isn't the conclusion. Sometimes this is just a conjecture.
Countable things 'How many'

21. In Critical Reasoning Inference questions - an inference may follow from a single...
Sentence or fact
A native of
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)
A common flaw where... (Most of what authority a has to say on subject matter S is correct. a says p about S. Therefore - p is correct.)

22. Strategy for Sentence Correction
1) Read the original sentence carefully - LOOKING FOR ERRORS; if you don't spot errors - go to step 2: 2) Scan and group the answer choices 3) Eliminate choices until only one remains
Show that you understand the argument by PARAPHRASING it and saying IT FAILS TO CONVINCE (don't have to say why yet)
A common flaw where... argues from a generalization true for the most part to a particular case (in contrast to induction - which argues from particular cases to generalisations).
Identify another flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable

23. Preposition after verb 'to credit'
A common flaw where... for example - which is larger - one-third of x or one-half of y? Without any information to compare x and y - we cannot answer this question.
Grammatically...logically
'with'
Countable things 'How many'

24. Bolded statement questions commonly ask to choose the answer that...
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface
Are usually wrong
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
From -between... and

25. Reading Comprehension Inference questions
Countable things 'How many'
Parallel structure
Make sure there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL
It - they - its - their - them - which and that

26. 'Like' or 'unlike' triggers
A common flaw where... (Most of what authority a has to say on subject matter S is correct. a says p about S. Therefore - p is correct.)
1) Read strategically: Passage Map - Topic/Scope/Purpose or Main Idea 2) Analyse question stem 3) Research relevant text in passage 4) Make Prediction 5) Evaluate answer choices
A comparison trap i.e. make sure that the word after like is compared to something of a similar kind (apples and apples) e.g. 'Unlike Latvia - Lithuania - the economy of Estonia...' is incorrect (take out the economy of)
A common flaw where... for example - which is larger - one-third of x or one-half of y? Without any information to compare x and y - we cannot answer this question.

27. Classic flaws in Critical Reasoning 'Flaw Questions' stem
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent
Countable things 'How many'
Identify most offensive flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
1) Read the original sentence carefully - LOOKING FOR ERRORS; if you don't spot errors - go to step 2: 2) Scan and group the answer choices 3) Eliminate choices until only one remains

28. Appeal to authority
After
A common flaw where... (Most of what authority a has to say on subject matter S is correct. a says p about S. Therefore - p is correct.)
A common flaw where... 'always -' 'none -' 'some -' and 'only' etc. set boundaries for the logic of an argument. Be careful with scope.
Make sure there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL

29. Confusion of absolute numbers and percentages
1) Read strategically: Passage Map - Topic/Scope/Purpose or Main Idea 2) Analyse question stem 3) Research relevant text in passage 4) Make Prediction 5) Evaluate answer choices
Are usually wrong
A common flaw where... for example - which is larger - one-third of x or one-half of y? Without any information to compare x and y - we cannot answer this question.
Point of the author's argument. Conclusion words - the One Sentence Test - Fact vs Opinion

30. Argument Essay Para 4
After
Describe evidence that would STRENGTHEN the argument and CONCLUDE that without such evidence you're not persuaded (DON'T have 1 sad and lonely sentence here).
A common flaw where... for example - which is larger - one-third of x or one-half of y? Without any information to compare x and y - we cannot answer this question.
Native to

31. Various subjects enumerated with an 'OR' indicates singular or plural for verb conjugation?
To shrink back physically or emotionally
Singular
None
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface

32. Typical pronouns that cause trouble
From -between... and
It - they - its - their - them - which and that
Supports the conclusion. usually what isn't the conclusion. Sometimes this is just a conjecture.
After the verb

33. A person is 'a native of' / 'native to' the UK?
A native of
A common flaw where... argues from a generalization true for the most part to a particular case (in contrast to induction - which argues from particular cases to generalisations).
1) Read strategically: Passage Map - Topic/Scope/Purpose or Main Idea 2) Analyse question stem 3) Research relevant text in passage 4) Make Prediction 5) Evaluate answer choices
'with'

34. 'Fewer' and 'number' refer to ...and answer the question...
Supports the conclusion. usually what isn't the conclusion. Sometimes this is just a conjecture.
A native of
Countable things 'How many'
A common flaw where... for example - which is larger - one-third of x or one-half of y? Without any information to compare x and y - we cannot answer this question.

35. 'Not only' is always followed by
None
'but also'
To shrink back physically or emotionally
Identify most offensive flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable

36. When there is a modifying phrase at the beginning of the sentence -
A common flaw where... (Most of what authority a has to say on subject matter S is correct. a says p about S. Therefore - p is correct.)
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)
Identify most offensive flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
Make sure there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL

37. Causation/correlation
Show that you understand the argument by PARAPHRASING it and saying IT FAILS TO CONVINCE (don't have to say why yet)
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)
Sentence or fact
Singular

38. 'Better than at any time' or 'better than at any OTHER time'?
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')
OTHER
Identify another flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
Show that you understand the argument by PARAPHRASING it and saying IT FAILS TO CONVINCE (don't have to say why yet)

39. Argument Essay Para 3
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent
Identify another flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
1. Identify the question type 2. Untangle the stimulus 3. Predict the answer 4. Evaluate choices
Non countable things 'How much'

40. To be regarded 'as' or not 'as'
At FEWER than 68000 people
It - they - its - their - them - which and that
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface
'as'

41. 'There is' 'There are'. where is the subject
Supports the conclusion. usually what isn't the conclusion. Sometimes this is just a conjecture.
After the verb
Native to
A common flaw where... argues from a generalization true for the most part to a particular case (in contrast to induction - which argues from particular cases to generalisations).

42. Argument Essay Paragraph 2
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.
Identify most offensive flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
None
After

43. 'Distinguish red ... green' 'distinguish .... red ... green
From -between... and
1) Read strategically: Passage Map - Topic/Scope/Purpose or Main Idea 2) Analyse question stem 3) Research relevant text in passage 4) Make Prediction 5) Evaluate answer choices
Parallel structure
1) Read the original sentence carefully - LOOKING FOR ERRORS; if you don't spot errors - go to step 2: 2) Scan and group the answer choices 3) Eliminate choices until only one remains

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GMAT Reading Comprehension

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