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. Bolded statement questions commonly ask to choose the answer that...
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent
Native to
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).


2. Recoil
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
It - they - its - their - them - which and that
Are usually wrong
To shrink back physically or emotionally


3. Typical pronouns that cause trouble
It - they - its - their - them - which and that
'as'
A native of
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.


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

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5. Reading Comprehension Inference questions
Make sure there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL
Identify another flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
Parallel structure


6. Strategy for Critical Reasoning questions
Grammatically...logically
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
OTHER


7. 'Better than at any time' or 'better than at any OTHER time'?
Identify another flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
OTHER
Grammatically...logically
Sentence or fact


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

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9. Argument Essay Para 4

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

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11. When there is a modifying phrase at the beginning of the sentence -
Are usually wrong
It - they - its - their - them - which and that
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)
'but also'


12. Appeal to authority
Make sure there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.
'but also'
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.)


13. Various subjects enumerated with an 'OR' indicates singular or plural for verb conjugation?
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.
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
Singular


14. 'Distinguish red ... green' 'distinguish .... red ... green
Point of the author's argument. Conclusion words - the One Sentence Test - Fact vs Opinion
Grammatically...logically
'but also'
From -between... and


15. Preposition after verb 'to credit'

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

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17. Answer choices with word 'being'...
Are usually wrong
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.
'as'
From -between... and


18. A llama is 'a native of' / 'native to' Peru
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.
Native to
To shrink back physically or emotionally
Are usually wrong


19. Causation/correlation
None
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)
Make sure there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL
1. Identify the question type 2. Untangle the stimulus 3. Predict the answer 4. Evaluate choices


20. Items being compared must be both ... and ... comparable
At FEWER than 68000 people
Grammatically...logically
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent
Non countable things 'How much'


21. Preposition after 'to be considered'
Identify another flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
None
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)
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.)


22. Strategy for Sentence Correction

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23. Classic flaws in Critical Reasoning 'Flaw Questions' stem
None
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent
Non countable things 'How much'
'as'


24. A statistical syllogism (proportional syllogism or direct inference)
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')
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).
Show that you understand the argument by PARAPHRASING it and saying IT FAILS TO CONVINCE (don't have to say why yet)


25. Limiting Words

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26. Typical wrong answers in Critical Reasoning
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)
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)


27. Analogies - metaphors and other comparisons all require...
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).
None
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.


28. Argument Essay Para 3

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29. Disconnect
'with'
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
Native to


30. Strategy for Reading Comprehension
Non countable things 'How much'
Sentence or fact
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')
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


31. In Critical Reasoning Inference questions - an inference may follow from a single...
Sentence or fact
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).
At FEWER than 68000 people


32. 'There is' 'There are'. where is the subject
After the verb
Show that you understand the argument by PARAPHRASING it and saying IT FAILS TO CONVINCE (don't have to say why yet)
'but also'
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


33. What is the evidence in Critical Reasoning questions?

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34. Confusion of absolute numbers and percentages
'as'
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
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.


35. 'Like' or 'unlike' triggers

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

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37. 'Not only' is always followed by

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38. A person is 'a native of' / 'native to' the UK?
Are usually wrong
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).
A native of


39. Argument Essay Paragraph 2

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40. Preposition after 'to be modelled'
OTHER
A native of
After
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)


41. 'With total employment at less than 68000 people...' what should change?
Grammatically...logically
Singular
At FEWER than 68000 people
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface


42. Argument Essay Paragraph 1

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43. Answer choices with 'There is/are/has/have'...
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
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.)
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.