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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 person is 'a native of' / 'native to' the UK?
A native of
Parallel structure
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)

2. Strategy for Critical Reasoning questions
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.
OTHER
1. Identify the question type 2. Untangle the stimulus 3. Predict the answer 4. Evaluate choices

3. Preposition after 'to be considered'
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
None
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)

4. Strategy for Reading Comprehension
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
Supports the conclusion. usually what isn't the conclusion. Sometimes this is just a conjecture.
Countable things 'How many'
Identify another flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable

5. Classic flaws in Critical Reasoning 'Flaw Questions' stem
'but also'
At FEWER than 68000 people
Non countable things 'How much'
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent

6. 'With total employment at less than 68000 people...' what should change?
At FEWER than 68000 people
Point of the author's argument. Conclusion words - the One Sentence Test - Fact vs Opinion
'with'
After

7. Typical wrong answers in Critical Reasoning
Are usually wrong
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
Native to
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.

8. Various subjects enumerated with an 'OR' indicates singular or plural for verb conjugation?
Are usually wrong
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)
Singular
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).

9. Argument Essay Para 4

10. Limiting Words

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

12. Answer choices with 'There is/are/has/have'...
Are usually wrong
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).
After
Parallel structure

13. 'Not only' is always followed by

14. Argument Essay Paragraph 1

15. When there is a modifying phrase at the beginning of the sentence -
'with'
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)
A native of

16. Items being compared must be both ... and ... comparable
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)
Grammatically...logically
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.
After the verb

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

18. A statistical syllogism (proportional syllogism or direct inference)
Parallel structure
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).
Countable things 'How many'
'but also'

19. Argument Essay Para 3

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

21. Causation/correlation
From -between... and
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)
Native to
1. Identify the question type 2. Untangle the stimulus 3. Predict the answer 4. Evaluate choices

22. Preposition after 'to be modelled'
Non countable things 'How much'
After
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent
Countable things 'How many'

23. 'Like' or 'unlike' triggers

24. Strategy for Sentence Correction

25. What is the evidence in Critical Reasoning questions?

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

27. 'Distinguish red ... green' 'distinguish .... red ... green
A common flaw where... 'always -' 'none -' 'some -' and 'only' etc. set boundaries for the logic of an argument. Be careful with scope.
Identify most offensive flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
Grammatically...logically
From -between... and

28. Answer choices with word 'being'...
Are usually wrong
From -between... and
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

29. Argument Essay Paragraph 2

30. 'There is' 'There are'. where is the subject
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).
After the verb
Make sure there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL

31. Bolded statement questions commonly ask to choose the answer that...
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)
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface
Non countable things 'How much'
Sentence or fact

32. Reading Comprehension Inference questions
Parallel structure
Make sure there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL
Are usually wrong
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion

33. Confusion of absolute numbers and percentages
'as'
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
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.)

34. A llama is 'a native of' / 'native to' Peru
Native to
'as'
Point of the author's argument. Conclusion words - the One Sentence Test - Fact vs Opinion
Singular

35. In Critical Reasoning Inference questions - an inference may follow from a single...
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).
From -between... and
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

36. 'Better than at any time' or 'better than at any OTHER time'?
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'
OTHER
Sentence or fact

37. Appeal to authority
Supports the conclusion. usually what isn't the conclusion. Sometimes this is just a conjecture.
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 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)
Singular

38. Preposition after verb 'to credit'

39. Analogies - metaphors and other comparisons all require...
Countable things 'How many'
After
Parallel structure
Supports the conclusion. usually what isn't the conclusion. Sometimes this is just a conjecture.

40. Recoil
To shrink back physically or emotionally
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')
After the verb
A native of

41. Disconnect
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... 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.
'as'
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion

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

43. Typical pronouns that cause trouble
Supports the conclusion. usually what isn't the conclusion. Sometimes this is just a conjecture.
It - they - its - their - them - which and that
Identify another flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
From -between... and