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. In Critical Reasoning Inference questions - an inference may follow from a single...
Native to
Identify another flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')
Sentence or fact


2. 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).
Are usually wrong
Point of the author's argument. Conclusion words - the One Sentence Test - Fact vs Opinion
Sentence or fact


3. Strategy for Reading Comprehension
Countable things 'How many'
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
Sentence or fact


4. Items being compared must be both ... and ... comparable
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent
Grammatically...logically
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).
It - they - its - their - them - which and that


5. Various subjects enumerated with an 'OR' indicates singular or plural for verb conjugation?
Non countable things 'How much'
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


6. Analogies - metaphors and other comparisons all require...
'with'
Parallel structure
None
Show that you understand the argument by PARAPHRASING it and saying IT FAILS TO CONVINCE (don't have to say why yet)


7. Disconnect
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 another flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion


8. 'Better than at any time' or 'better than at any OTHER time'?
Make sure there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
Point of the author's argument. Conclusion words - the One Sentence Test - Fact vs Opinion
OTHER


9. Argument Essay Para 3

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

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11. What is the evidence in Critical Reasoning questions?

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12. Argument Essay Para 4

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

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14. Answer choices with word 'being'...
None
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... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)
Are usually wrong


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

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16. Typical pronouns that cause trouble
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)
OTHER
To shrink back physically or emotionally
It - they - its - their - them - which and that


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

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


19. Causation/correlation
'with'
Parallel structure
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)
Non countable things 'How much'


20. 'Like' or 'unlike' triggers

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21. Limiting Words

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22. A llama is 'a native of' / 'native to' Peru
Native to
Make sure there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL
Singular
'with'


23. 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.
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')
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


24. 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)
It - they - its - their - them - which and that
Native to
Identify most offensive flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable


25. Argument Essay Paragraph 2

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26. Argument Essay Paragraph 1

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


28. 'Not only' is always followed by

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29. Strategy for Sentence Correction

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30. Confusion of absolute numbers and percentages
Are usually wrong
Supports the conclusion. usually what isn't the conclusion. Sometimes this is just a conjecture.
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.
Sentence or fact


31. Typical wrong answers in Critical Reasoning
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.
'as'
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion


32. Recoil
Point of the author's argument. Conclusion words - the One Sentence Test - Fact vs Opinion
None
To shrink back physically or emotionally
Parallel structure


33. Reading Comprehension Inference questions
At FEWER than 68000 people
Make sure there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL
Parallel structure
None


34. Appeal to authority
1. Identify the question type 2. Untangle the stimulus 3. Predict the answer 4. Evaluate choices
Sentence or fact
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.)


35. Preposition after verb 'to credit'

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36. A person is 'a native of' / 'native to' the UK?
None
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')
A native of
Sentence or fact


37. 'There is' 'There are'. where is the subject
After the verb
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)
To shrink back physically or emotionally
'but also'


38. Preposition after 'to be modelled'
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
Are usually wrong
After
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface


39. Classic flaws in Critical Reasoning 'Flaw Questions' stem
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent
From -between... and
Make sure there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL
Native to


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

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41. Strategy for Critical Reasoning questions
Singular
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.
1. Identify the question type 2. Untangle the stimulus 3. Predict the answer 4. Evaluate choices
OTHER


42. Preposition after 'to be considered'
None
Grammatically...logically
Are usually wrong
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')


43. 'Distinguish red ... green' 'distinguish .... red ... green
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
From -between... and
OTHER
Non countable things 'How much'