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. Typical pronouns that cause trouble
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.
Supports the conclusion. usually what isn't the conclusion. Sometimes this is just a conjecture.
It - they - its - their - them - which and that


2. 'There is' 'There are'. where is the subject
After the verb
From -between... and
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')
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)


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

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4. Preposition after 'to be modelled'
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
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).
'with'
After


5. A llama is 'a native of' / 'native to' Peru
Singular
'as'
Native to
After


6. Preposition after verb 'to credit'

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7. What is the evidence in Critical Reasoning questions?

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8. 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.
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)
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


9. Various subjects enumerated with an 'OR' indicates singular or plural for verb conjugation?
Countable things 'How many'
Are usually wrong
Parallel structure
Singular


10. 'Like' or 'unlike' triggers

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


12. 'Distinguish red ... green' 'distinguish .... red ... green
To shrink back physically or emotionally
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent
From -between... and
Non countable things 'How much'


13. Appeal to authority
Point of the author's argument. Conclusion words - the One Sentence Test - Fact vs Opinion
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.)
OTHER
None


14. Argument Essay Para 4

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15. Disconnect
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
None
After
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.)


16. 'Better than at any time' or 'better than at any OTHER time'?
Singular
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)
OTHER
Sentence or fact


17. 'Not only' is always followed by

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18. Typical wrong answers in Critical Reasoning
A common flaw where... 'always -' 'none -' 'some -' and 'only' etc. set boundaries for the logic of an argument. Be careful with scope.
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.
Countable things 'How many'
Non countable things 'How much'


19. Argument Essay Paragraph 1

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20. Analogies - metaphors and other comparisons all require...
After
Parallel structure
Are usually wrong
None


21. Answer choices with 'There is/are/has/have'...
Supports the conclusion. usually what isn't the conclusion. Sometimes this is just a conjecture.
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
A common flaw where... 'always -' 'none -' 'some -' and 'only' etc. set boundaries for the logic of an argument. Be careful with scope.
Are usually wrong


22. Argument Essay Para 3

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23. A person is 'a native of' / 'native to' the UK?
A native of
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)
From -between... and
A common flaw where... 'always -' 'none -' 'some -' and 'only' etc. set boundaries for the logic of an argument. Be careful with scope.


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

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25. Preposition after 'to be considered'
At FEWER than 68000 people
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
To shrink back physically or emotionally
None


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

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27. Strategy for Sentence Correction

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28. Limiting Words

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29. Classic flaws in Critical Reasoning 'Flaw Questions' stem
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)
Parallel structure
Identify another flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable


30. A statistical syllogism (proportional syllogism or direct inference)
None
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.)
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface
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).


31. In Critical Reasoning Inference questions - an inference may follow from a single...
Non countable things 'How much'
Sentence or fact
Identify another flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
After the verb


32. Bolded statement questions commonly ask to choose the answer that...
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface
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
None


33. Items being compared must be both ... and ... comparable
Grammatically...logically
None
Make sure there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL
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


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

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35. Strategy for Critical Reasoning questions
After the verb
1. Identify the question type 2. Untangle the stimulus 3. Predict the answer 4. Evaluate choices
Identify most offensive flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
Show that you understand the argument by PARAPHRASING it and saying IT FAILS TO CONVINCE (don't have to say why yet)


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

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37. Strategy for Reading Comprehension
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.)
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
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).
Singular


38. Reading Comprehension Inference questions
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
Native to
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')


39. Causation/correlation
OTHER
Point of the author's argument. Conclusion words - the One Sentence Test - Fact vs Opinion
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)
Show that you understand the argument by PARAPHRASING it and saying IT FAILS TO CONVINCE (don't have to say why yet)


40. Answer choices with word 'being'...
Are usually wrong
OTHER
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')
From -between... and


41. 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)
1. Identify the question type 2. Untangle the stimulus 3. Predict the answer 4. Evaluate choices
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface
Point of the author's argument. Conclusion words - the One Sentence Test - Fact vs Opinion


42. Argument Essay Paragraph 2

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43. Recoil
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).
To shrink back physically or emotionally
Countable things 'How many'