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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. Causation/correlation
Show that you understand the argument by PARAPHRASING it and saying IT FAILS TO CONVINCE (don't have to say why yet)
None
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... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)

2. In Critical Reasoning Inference questions - an inference may follow from a single...
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent
Sentence or fact
Point of the author's argument. Conclusion words - the One Sentence Test - Fact vs Opinion
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface

3. To+verb: verb can be in which tense?

4. Classic flaws in Critical Reasoning 'Flaw Questions' stem
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.
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.

5. What is the conclusion in Critical Reasoning questions? How do you find it.

6. Various subjects enumerated with an 'OR' indicates singular or plural for verb conjugation?
Singular
Show that you understand the argument by PARAPHRASING it and saying IT FAILS TO CONVINCE (don't have to say why yet)
A native of
OTHER

7. Typical pronouns that cause trouble
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.
From -between... and
It - they - its - their - them - which and that
'but also'

8. Analogies - metaphors and other comparisons all require...
'but also'
It - they - its - their - them - which and that
Parallel structure
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)

9. Reading Comprehension Inference questions
A common flaw where... 'always -' 'none -' 'some -' and 'only' etc. set boundaries for the logic of an argument. Be careful with scope.
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 there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL
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

10. 'Better than at any time' or 'better than at any OTHER time'?
OTHER
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.)
Parallel structure
None

11. A llama is 'a native of' / 'native to' Peru
To shrink back physically or emotionally
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
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).

12. Answer choices with word 'being'...
Are usually wrong
Supports the conclusion. usually what isn't the conclusion. Sometimes this is just a conjecture.
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)
Grammatically...logically

13. Argument Essay Paragraph 2

14. 'Distinguish red ... green' 'distinguish .... red ... green
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... (Most of what authority a has to say on subject matter S is correct. a says p about S. Therefore - p is correct.)
'but also'
From -between... and

15. Argument Essay Para 3

16. Preposition after verb 'to credit'

17. Strategy for Reading Comprehension
It - they - its - their - them - which and that
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 native of
OTHER

18. 'Like' or 'unlike' triggers

19. Recoil
Supports the conclusion. usually what isn't the conclusion. Sometimes this is just a conjecture.
Identify most offensive flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
To shrink back physically or emotionally
Show that you understand the argument by PARAPHRASING it and saying IT FAILS TO CONVINCE (don't have to say why yet)

20. Preposition after 'to be modelled'
From -between... and
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)
After
Point of the author's argument. Conclusion words - the One Sentence Test - Fact vs Opinion

21. Typical wrong answers in Critical Reasoning
Make sure there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.
OTHER
None

22. 'Not only' is always followed by

23. To be regarded 'as' or not 'as'

24. Disconnect
From -between... and
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
A common flaw where... 'always -' 'none -' 'some -' and 'only' etc. set boundaries for the logic of an argument. Be careful with scope.
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)

25. A statistical syllogism (proportional syllogism or direct inference)
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 most offensive 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
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)

26. Items being compared must be both ... and ... comparable
Grammatically...logically
Identify another 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
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).

27. Preposition after 'to be considered'
Native to
Point of the author's argument. Conclusion words - the One Sentence Test - Fact vs Opinion
None
Identify another flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable

28. Answer choices with 'There is/are/has/have'...
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).
Countable things 'How many'
At FEWER than 68000 people
Are usually wrong

29. Argument Essay Paragraph 1

30. What is the evidence in Critical Reasoning questions?

31. Confusion of absolute numbers and percentages
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.
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... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
Singular

32. Argument Essay Para 4

33. 'With total employment at less than 68000 people...' what should change?
At FEWER than 68000 people
None
To shrink back physically or emotionally
After the verb

34. 'There is' 'There are'. where is the subject
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).
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent
To shrink back physically or emotionally
After the verb

35. 'Fewer' and 'number' refer to ...and answer the question...

36. 'Less' and 'amount' refer to ...and answer the question...

37. Limiting Words

38. Bolded statement questions commonly ask to choose the answer that...
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... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface
'with'

39. A person is 'a native of' / 'native to' the UK?
Sentence or fact
OTHER
A native of
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)

40. Strategy for Sentence Correction

41. When there is a modifying phrase at the beginning of the sentence -
OTHER
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)
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

42. Appeal to authority
1. Identify the question type 2. Untangle the stimulus 3. Predict the answer 4. Evaluate choices
Parallel structure
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.)
'but also'

43. Strategy for Critical Reasoning questions
After the verb
1. Identify the question type 2. Untangle the stimulus 3. Predict the answer 4. Evaluate choices
Supports the conclusion. usually what isn't the conclusion. Sometimes this is just a conjecture.
After