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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. When there is a modifying phrase at the beginning of the sentence -
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.
Native to
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

2. Argument Essay Paragraph 2

3. 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.
Sentence or fact
Countable things 'How many'
It - they - its - their - them - which and that

4. Appeal to authority
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).
Parallel structure
'as'

5. 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?)
Sentence or fact
At FEWER than 68000 people

6. What is the evidence in Critical Reasoning questions?

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

8. Preposition after 'to be modelled'
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')
Point of the author's argument. Conclusion words - the One Sentence Test - Fact vs Opinion
After
Non countable things 'How much'

9. Recoil
'with'
Parallel structure
To shrink back physically or emotionally
After

10. Reading Comprehension Inference questions
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
1. Identify the question type 2. Untangle the stimulus 3. Predict the answer 4. Evaluate choices
Make sure there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL
'but also'

11. Analogies - metaphors and other comparisons all require...
Are usually wrong
Parallel structure
To shrink back physically or emotionally
'but also'

12. Typical pronouns that cause trouble
It - they - its - their - them - which and that
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.)
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent
Make sure there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL

13. Argument Essay Paragraph 1

14. Strategy for Sentence Correction

15. 'There is' 'There are'. where is the subject
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... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
After the verb
Supports the conclusion. usually what isn't the conclusion. Sometimes this is just a conjecture.

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

17. 'Not only' is always followed by

18. Typical wrong answers in Critical Reasoning
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.
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
After the verb

19. Preposition after verb 'to credit'

20. Various subjects enumerated with an 'OR' indicates singular or plural for verb conjugation?
'with'
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).
'as'
Singular

21. Disconnect
Parallel structure
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
After
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion

22. In Critical Reasoning Inference questions - an inference may follow from a single...
Identify most offensive flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)
Sentence or fact
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')

23. Classic flaws in Critical Reasoning 'Flaw Questions' stem
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
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
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent

24. Argument Essay Para 3

25. Argument Essay Para 4

26. 'Distinguish red ... green' 'distinguish .... red ... green
From -between... and
'as'
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.
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

27. Preposition after 'to be considered'
Point of the author's argument. Conclusion words - the One Sentence Test - Fact vs Opinion
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)
None

28. 'Better than at any time' or 'better than at any OTHER time'?
OTHER
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
Parallel structure
Identify most offensive flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable

29. Items being compared must be both ... and ... comparable
Are usually wrong
Countable things 'How many'
Identify another flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
Grammatically...logically

30. 'Like' or 'unlike' triggers

31. A llama is 'a native of' / 'native to' Peru
At FEWER than 68000 people
'but also'
After
Native to

32. Bolded statement questions commonly ask to choose the answer that...
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface
'but also'
Singular
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)

33. Strategy for Critical Reasoning questions
Identify another flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
Non countable things 'How much'
1. Identify the question type 2. Untangle the stimulus 3. Predict the answer 4. Evaluate choices
Sentence or fact

34. Limiting Words

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

36. Causation/correlation
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)
After
Grammatically...logically
Sentence or fact

37. 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).
A common flaw where... 'always -' 'none -' 'some -' and 'only' etc. set boundaries for the logic of an argument. Be careful with scope.
Native to
Are usually wrong

38. Answer choices with 'There is/are/has/have'...
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface
After
Are usually wrong
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion

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

40. Strategy for Reading Comprehension
Countable things 'How many'
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.
Point of the author's argument. Conclusion words - the One Sentence Test - Fact vs Opinion
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

41. 'With total employment at less than 68000 people...' what should change?
1. Identify the question type 2. Untangle the stimulus 3. Predict the answer 4. Evaluate choices
At FEWER than 68000 people
To shrink back physically or emotionally
None

42. Answer choices with word 'being'...
Identify most offensive flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)
Are usually wrong
'as'

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