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. Appeal to authority
Identify most offensive flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
'with'
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.)


2. Typical pronouns that cause trouble
It - they - its - their - them - which and that
Countable things 'How many'
Supports the conclusion. usually what isn't the conclusion. Sometimes this is just a conjecture.
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent


3. Answer choices with word 'being'...
To shrink back physically or emotionally
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface
Are usually wrong
After the verb


4. In Critical Reasoning Inference questions - an inference may follow from a single...
Countable things 'How many'
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)
At FEWER than 68000 people
Sentence or fact


5. Disconnect
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
None
To shrink back physically or emotionally
Parallel structure


6. 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)
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.
Are usually wrong
A common flaw where... 'always -' 'none -' 'some -' and 'only' etc. set boundaries for the logic of an argument. Be careful with scope.


7. 'Better than at any time' or 'better than at any OTHER time'?
Singular
Parallel structure
OTHER
'but also'


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


9. A person is 'a native of' / 'native to' the UK?
'but also'
Are usually wrong
Singular
A native of


10. Bolded statement questions commonly ask to choose the answer that...
Supports the conclusion. usually what isn't the conclusion. Sometimes this is just a conjecture.
OTHER
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface
None


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


12. Strategy for Sentence Correction

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13. Answer choices with 'There is/are/has/have'...
Make sure there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')
Show that you understand the argument by PARAPHRASING it and saying IT FAILS TO CONVINCE (don't have to say why yet)
Are usually wrong


14. Preposition after verb 'to credit'

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15. 'Like' or 'unlike' triggers

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16. 'With total employment at less than 68000 people...' what should change?
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.)
Point of the author's argument. Conclusion words - the One Sentence Test - Fact vs Opinion
Identify another flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
At FEWER than 68000 people


17. A llama is 'a native of' / 'native to' Peru
Non countable things 'How much'
'with'
Native to
Grammatically...logically


18. Analogies - metaphors and other comparisons all require...
Parallel structure
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
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


19. A statistical syllogism (proportional syllogism or direct inference)
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).
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent
Are usually wrong


20. Argument Essay Para 3

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21. Argument Essay Paragraph 2

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

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23. Classic flaws in Critical Reasoning 'Flaw Questions' stem
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent
Identify most offensive flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
'but also'


24. Strategy for Reading Comprehension
Singular
At FEWER than 68000 people
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
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface


25. 'There is' 'There are'. where is the subject
Parallel structure
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent
At FEWER than 68000 people
After the verb


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

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

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28. Argument Essay Paragraph 1

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29. 'Distinguish red ... green' 'distinguish .... red ... green
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
Are usually wrong
From -between... and


30. Limiting Words

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31. Causation/correlation
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')
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... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)
'as'


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

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

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34. 'Not only' is always followed by

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35. Typical wrong answers in Critical Reasoning
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.
'but also'
Supports the conclusion. usually what isn't the conclusion. Sometimes this is just a conjecture.
Native to


36. Strategy for Critical Reasoning questions
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
1. Identify the question type 2. Untangle the stimulus 3. Predict the answer 4. Evaluate choices
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')


37. What is the evidence in Critical Reasoning questions?

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38. Argument Essay Para 4

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39. Recoil
Make sure there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL
To shrink back physically or emotionally
Non countable things 'How much'
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.)


40. Items being compared must be both ... and ... comparable
Show that you understand the argument by PARAPHRASING it and saying IT FAILS TO CONVINCE (don't have to say why yet)
Grammatically...logically
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


41. Confusion of absolute numbers and percentages
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.
Singular
Identify most offensive flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable


42. Reading Comprehension Inference questions
A native of
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)
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


43. Preposition after 'to be considered'
None
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface
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).