GMAT Reading 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. Disconnect
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
OTHER
Sentence or fact
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.)


2. Items being compared must be both ... and ... comparable
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface
'as'
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


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

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4. Argument Essay Para 3

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5. Preposition after 'to be modelled'
Make sure there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL
After
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent
A native of


6. What is the evidence in Critical Reasoning questions?

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7. Argument Essay Paragraph 2

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8. Preposition after verb 'to credit'

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9. Analogies - metaphors and other comparisons all require...
Parallel structure
'but also'
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


10. Preposition after 'to be considered'
It - they - its - their - them - which and that
None
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... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion


11. When there is a modifying phrase at the beginning of the sentence -
1. Identify the question type 2. Untangle the stimulus 3. Predict the answer 4. Evaluate choices
'as'
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)
A common flaw where... 'always -' 'none -' 'some -' and 'only' etc. set boundaries for the logic of an argument. Be careful with scope.


12. Argument Essay Paragraph 1

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13. 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
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.
Are usually wrong


14. Appeal to authority
At FEWER than 68000 people
Native to
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.)


15. Typical wrong answers in Critical Reasoning
From -between... and
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.
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


16. Bolded statement questions commonly ask to choose the answer that...
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.)
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface
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).


17. Typical pronouns that cause trouble
OTHER
It - they - its - their - them - which and that
Identify another flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
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).


18. Strategy for Sentence Correction

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19. 'Better than at any time' or 'better than at any OTHER time'?
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)
Identify most offensive flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
To shrink back physically or emotionally
OTHER


20. 'With total employment at less than 68000 people...' what should change?
Non countable things 'How much'
At FEWER than 68000 people
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent
Identify another flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable


21. Causation/correlation
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.)
Point of the author's argument. Conclusion words - the One Sentence Test - Fact vs Opinion
'with'
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)


22. Confusion of absolute numbers and percentages
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).
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.
Identify another flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable


23. Strategy for Critical Reasoning questions
Show that you understand the argument by PARAPHRASING it and saying IT FAILS TO CONVINCE (don't have to say why yet)
It - they - its - their - them - which and that
1. Identify the question type 2. Untangle the stimulus 3. Predict the answer 4. Evaluate choices
Identify most offensive flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable


24. '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
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
Native to


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

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

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27. A person is 'a native of' / 'native to' the UK?
Supports the conclusion. usually what isn't the conclusion. Sometimes this is just a conjecture.
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')
A native of


28. Recoil
Sentence or fact
To shrink back physically or emotionally
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).
Supports the conclusion. usually what isn't the conclusion. Sometimes this is just a conjecture.


29. A statistical syllogism (proportional syllogism or direct inference)
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
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
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


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

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31. Various subjects enumerated with an 'OR' indicates singular or plural for verb conjugation?
Singular
A common flaw where... 'always -' 'none -' 'some -' and 'only' etc. set boundaries for the logic of an argument. Be careful with scope.
Identify another flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
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


32. 'There is' 'There are'. where is the subject
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)
'as'
After the verb
From -between... and


33. In Critical Reasoning Inference questions - an inference may follow from a single...
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
Sentence or fact
Identify most offensive flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable


34. Reading Comprehension Inference questions
Make sure there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL
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)
Show that you understand the argument by PARAPHRASING it and saying IT FAILS TO CONVINCE (don't have to say why yet)
Are usually wrong


35. Answer choices with word 'being'...
Are usually wrong
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
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 there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL


36. A llama is 'a native of' / 'native to' Peru
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
Show that you understand the argument by PARAPHRASING it and saying IT FAILS TO CONVINCE (don't have to say why yet)
Native to
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


37. Limiting Words

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38. Answer choices with 'There is/are/has/have'...
Sentence or fact
Make sure there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL
Are usually wrong
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)


39. Argument Essay Para 4

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40. 'Not only' is always followed by

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41. Classic flaws in Critical Reasoning 'Flaw Questions' stem
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent
1. Identify the question type 2. Untangle the stimulus 3. Predict the answer 4. Evaluate choices
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.)
None


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

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43. 'Like' or 'unlike' triggers

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