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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. Bolded statement questions commonly ask to choose the answer that...
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface
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
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')

2. Argument Essay Para 4

3. Typical wrong answers in Critical Reasoning
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface
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
A common flaw where... 'always -' 'none -' 'some -' and 'only' etc. set boundaries for the logic of an argument. Be careful with scope.

4. Reading Comprehension Inference questions
Make sure there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)
Sentence or fact
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.

5. In Critical Reasoning Inference questions - an inference may follow from a single...
A common flaw where... 'always -' 'none -' 'some -' and 'only' etc. set boundaries for the logic of an argument. Be careful with scope.
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).
OTHER
Sentence or fact

6. Classic flaws in Critical Reasoning 'Flaw Questions' stem
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')
Supports the conclusion. usually what isn't the conclusion. Sometimes this is just a conjecture.
1. Identify the question type 2. Untangle the stimulus 3. Predict the answer 4. Evaluate choices
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent

7. Confusion of absolute numbers and percentages
Parallel structure
At FEWER than 68000 people
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... argues from a generalization true for the most part to a particular case (in contrast to induction - which argues from particular cases to generalisations).

8. 'Better than at any time' or 'better than at any OTHER time'?
Singular
Identify most offensive flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
Non countable things 'How much'
OTHER

9. Preposition after 'to be modelled'
After the verb
Point of the author's argument. Conclusion words - the One Sentence Test - Fact vs Opinion
After
Identify most offensive flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable

10. Recoil
'with'
Native to
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
To shrink back physically or emotionally

11. A person is 'a native of' / 'native to' the UK?
A native of
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).
Identify another flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)

12. When there is a modifying phrase at the beginning of the sentence -
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)
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 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
Identify most offensive flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable

13. Argument Essay Para 3

14. Appeal to authority
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 there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL
Identify most offensive flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
After the verb

15. Strategy for Reading Comprehension
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')
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
Identify most offensive flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
'as'

16. Limiting Words

17. 'With total employment at less than 68000 people...' what should change?
Native to
Show that you understand the argument by PARAPHRASING it and saying IT FAILS TO CONVINCE (don't have to say why yet)
After the verb
At FEWER than 68000 people

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

19. A statistical syllogism (proportional syllogism or direct inference)
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface
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).
Grammatically...logically
Are usually wrong

20. Argument Essay Paragraph 1

21. Analogies - metaphors and other comparisons all require...
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 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)
Parallel structure
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent

22. 'Like' or 'unlike' triggers

23. Preposition after 'to be considered'
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
None

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

25. Answer choices with 'There is/are/has/have'...
At FEWER than 68000 people
Are usually wrong
1. Identify the question type 2. Untangle the stimulus 3. Predict the answer 4. Evaluate choices
'with'

26. Causation/correlation
At FEWER than 68000 people
Singular
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... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)

27. 'There is' 'There are'. where is the subject
Identify another flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)
After
After the verb

28. Answer choices with word 'being'...
Are usually wrong
At FEWER than 68000 people
Make sure there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent

29. Various subjects enumerated with an 'OR' indicates singular or plural for verb conjugation?
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface
A native of
Point of the author's argument. Conclusion words - the One Sentence Test - Fact vs Opinion
Singular

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

31. Items being compared must be both ... and ... comparable
Identify most offensive flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
Grammatically...logically
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent
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)

32. Disconnect
To shrink back physically or emotionally
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.
'but also'

33. Typical pronouns that cause trouble
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)
Sentence or fact
It - they - its - their - them - which and that
From -between... and

34. 'Not only' is always followed by

35. Preposition after verb 'to credit'

36. A llama is 'a native of' / 'native to' Peru
At FEWER than 68000 people
Parallel structure
Native to
A common flaw where... 'always -' 'none -' 'some -' and 'only' etc. set boundaries for the logic of an argument. Be careful with scope.

37. Argument Essay Paragraph 2

38. Strategy for Sentence Correction

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

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

41. 'Distinguish red ... green' 'distinguish .... red ... green
None
Sentence or fact
Non countable things 'How much'
From -between... and

42. What is the evidence in Critical Reasoning questions?

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