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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. Limiting Words

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

3. A statistical syllogism (proportional syllogism or direct inference)
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... argues from a generalization true for the most part to a particular case (in contrast to induction - which argues from particular cases to generalisations).
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)

4. Preposition after verb 'to credit'

5. Classic flaws in Critical Reasoning 'Flaw Questions' stem
After
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.
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent
Countable things 'How many'

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

7. 'Better than at any time' or 'better than at any OTHER time'?
OTHER
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface
Parallel structure
At FEWER than 68000 people

8. Argument Essay Paragraph 1

9. 'Like' or 'unlike' triggers

10. 'Distinguish red ... green' 'distinguish .... red ... green
To shrink back physically or emotionally
Are usually wrong
Are usually wrong
From -between... and

11. Disconnect
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
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).
A common flaw where... 'always -' 'none -' 'some -' and 'only' etc. set boundaries for the logic of an argument. Be careful with scope.

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

13. When there is a modifying phrase at the beginning of the sentence -
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.
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent
Identify another flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable

14. Strategy for Reading Comprehension
'with'
A common flaw where... 'always -' 'none -' 'some -' and 'only' etc. set boundaries for the logic of an argument. Be careful with scope.
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
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

15. 'There is' 'There are'. where is the subject
After the verb
From -between... and
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).
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).

16. Argument Essay Para 4

17. Various subjects enumerated with an 'OR' indicates singular or plural for verb conjugation?
Singular
To shrink back physically or emotionally
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... (Most of what authority a has to say on subject matter S is correct. a says p about S. Therefore - p is correct.)

18. Confusion of absolute numbers and percentages
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.
Singular
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)

19. Preposition after 'to be considered'
Countable things 'How many'
None
Are usually wrong
From -between... and

20. Analogies - metaphors and other comparisons all require...
OTHER
From -between... and
Sentence or fact
Parallel structure

21. 'With total employment at less than 68000 people...' what should change?
'but also'
From -between... and
At FEWER than 68000 people
After the verb

22. Strategy for Critical Reasoning questions
It - they - its - their - them - which and that
1. Identify the question type 2. Untangle the stimulus 3. Predict the answer 4. Evaluate choices
OTHER
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion

23. Answer choices with 'There is/are/has/have'...
After the verb
From -between... and
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')
Are usually wrong

24. Reading Comprehension Inference questions
To shrink back physically or emotionally
Make sure there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL
Native to
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')

25. 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.
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).
A native of
To shrink back physically or emotionally

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

27. Preposition after 'to be modelled'
After
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
Are usually wrong

28. Appeal to authority
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
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.)

29. Causation/correlation
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
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
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.

30. Bolded statement questions commonly ask to choose the answer that...
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface
Countable things 'How many'
Point of the author's argument. Conclusion words - the One Sentence Test - Fact vs Opinion
Grammatically...logically

31. What is the evidence in Critical Reasoning questions?

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

33. Strategy for Sentence Correction

34. A llama is 'a native of' / 'native to' Peru
It - they - its - their - them - which and that
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)
Native to

35. Answer choices with word 'being'...
Are usually wrong
OTHER
None
Show that you understand the argument by PARAPHRASING it and saying IT FAILS TO CONVINCE (don't have to say why yet)

36. Typical wrong answers in Critical Reasoning
Non countable things 'How much'
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.
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.)

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

38. Items being compared must be both ... and ... comparable
Supports the conclusion. usually what isn't the conclusion. Sometimes this is just a conjecture.
Grammatically...logically
1. Identify the question type 2. Untangle the stimulus 3. Predict the answer 4. Evaluate 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

39. Argument Essay Paragraph 2

40. Recoil
Native to
A common flaw where... 'always -' 'none -' 'some -' and 'only' etc. set boundaries for the logic of an argument. Be careful with scope.
To shrink back physically or emotionally
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)

41. In Critical Reasoning Inference questions - an inference may follow from a single...
Sentence or fact
'as'
Identify most offensive flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
A common flaw where... 'always -' 'none -' 'some -' and 'only' etc. set boundaries for the logic of an argument. Be careful with scope.

42. Argument Essay Para 3

43. 'Not only' is always followed by