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

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2. Strategy for Critical Reasoning questions
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
From -between... and
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.


3. Typical pronouns that cause trouble
It - they - its - their - them - which and that
A native of
Native to
Show that you understand the argument by PARAPHRASING it and saying IT FAILS TO CONVINCE (don't have to say why yet)


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

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5. Appeal to authority
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)
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.)
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


6. Various subjects enumerated with an 'OR' indicates singular or plural for verb conjugation?
Make sure there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL
Singular
From -between... and
Sentence or fact


7. In Critical Reasoning Inference questions - an inference may follow from a single...
Sentence or fact
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.
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)


8. Preposition after 'to be considered'
None
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface
After the verb
To shrink back physically or emotionally


9. 'Distinguish red ... green' 'distinguish .... red ... green
From -between... and
To shrink back physically or emotionally
'as'
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.


10. Bolded statement questions commonly ask to choose the answer 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
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface
A common flaw where... 'always -' 'none -' 'some -' and 'only' etc. set boundaries for the logic of an argument. Be careful with scope.


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

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12. Limiting Words

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13. 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.
'as'
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
Show that you understand the argument by PARAPHRASING it and saying IT FAILS TO CONVINCE (don't have to say why yet)


14. Strategy for Sentence Correction

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15. Preposition after verb 'to credit'

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

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17. 'With total employment at less than 68000 people...' what should change?
'but also'
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent
At FEWER than 68000 people
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion


18. 'Like' or 'unlike' triggers

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

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20. 'There is' 'There are'. where is the subject
1. Identify the question type 2. Untangle the stimulus 3. Predict the answer 4. Evaluate choices
Parallel structure
'with'
After the verb


21. Strategy for Reading Comprehension
'with'
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
Native to
Identify another flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable


22. Argument Essay Paragraph 2

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23. Disconnect
Identify another flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
Singular
Sentence or fact


24. Reading Comprehension Inference questions
Singular
'as'
Make sure there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL
Countable things 'How many'


25. Classic flaws in Critical Reasoning 'Flaw Questions' stem
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
Grammatically...logically
Sentence or fact
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent


26. When there is a modifying phrase at the beginning of the sentence -
'but also'
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.)
After the verb
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)


27. Argument Essay Para 4

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28. What is the evidence in Critical Reasoning questions?

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29. Argument Essay Para 3

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30. Causation/correlation
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)
Singular
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.)


31. 'Not only' is always followed by

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32. Argument Essay Paragraph 1

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33. Answer choices with 'There is/are/has/have'...
A common flaw where... 'always -' 'none -' 'some -' and 'only' etc. set boundaries for the logic of an argument. Be careful with scope.
Native to
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.
Are usually wrong


34. Preposition after 'to be modelled'
Parallel structure
It - they - its - their - them - which and that
After
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion


35. Recoil
Native to
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)
At FEWER than 68000 people


36. Analogies - metaphors and other comparisons all require...
A native of
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.)
Are usually wrong
Parallel structure


37. 'Better than at any time' or 'better than at any OTHER time'?
OTHER
From -between... and
Identify another flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
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.


38. A person is 'a native of' / 'native to' the UK?
Are usually wrong
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')
None
A native of


39. Typical wrong answers in Critical Reasoning
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.
'but also'
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)
From -between... and


40. Answer choices with word 'being'...
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
Parallel structure
Are usually wrong
To shrink back physically or emotionally


41. Items being compared must be both ... and ... comparable
Grammatically...logically
Singular
After
Native to


42. A llama is 'a native of' / 'native to' Peru
Supports the conclusion. usually what isn't the conclusion. Sometimes this is just a conjecture.
Are usually wrong
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)
Native to


43. A statistical syllogism (proportional syllogism or direct inference)
Supports the conclusion. usually what isn't the conclusion. Sometimes this is just a conjecture.
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
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