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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. Preposition after 'to be considered'
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.)
Sentence or fact
None
It - they - its - their - them - which and that

2. 'Not only' is always followed by
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 the verb
Supports the conclusion. usually what isn't the conclusion. Sometimes this is just a conjecture.
'but also'

3. Typical pronouns that cause trouble
It - they - its - their - them - which and that
At FEWER than 68000 people
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)
To shrink back physically or emotionally

4. Answer choices with word 'being'...
Grammatically...logically
Are usually wrong
Non countable things 'How much'
OTHER

5. Reading Comprehension Inference questions
From -between... and
Point of the author's argument. Conclusion words - the One Sentence Test - Fact vs Opinion
None
Make sure there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL

6. Argument Essay Para 4
Show that you understand the argument by PARAPHRASING it and saying IT FAILS TO CONVINCE (don't have to say why yet)
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).
Make sure there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL

7. A statistical syllogism (proportional syllogism or direct inference)
Supports the conclusion. usually what isn't the conclusion. Sometimes this is just a conjecture.
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).
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface
A native of

8. What is the evidence in Critical Reasoning questions?
Supports the conclusion. usually what isn't the conclusion. Sometimes this is just a conjecture.
'with'
Show that you understand the argument by PARAPHRASING it and saying IT FAILS TO CONVINCE (don't have to say why yet)
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).

9. Recoil
From -between... and
Show that you understand the argument by PARAPHRASING it and saying IT FAILS TO CONVINCE (don't have to say why yet)
To shrink back physically or emotionally
None

10. 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.
Singular
A native of
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.

11. 'Distinguish red ... green' 'distinguish .... red ... green
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)
From -between... and
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... 'always -' 'none -' 'some -' and 'only' etc. set boundaries for the logic of an argument. Be careful with scope.

12. Preposition after 'to be modelled'
After
Sentence or fact
After the verb
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)

13. Strategy for Reading Comprehension
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
'with'
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')
From -between... and

14. Classic flaws in Critical Reasoning 'Flaw Questions' stem
None
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')
Singular

15. Argument Essay Paragraph 1
OTHER
Show that you understand the argument by PARAPHRASING it and saying IT FAILS TO CONVINCE (don't have to say why yet)
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)
After the verb

16. 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... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
It - they - its - their - them - which and that
Supports the conclusion. usually what isn't the conclusion. Sometimes this is just a conjecture.

17. What is the conclusion in Critical Reasoning questions? How do you find it.
Show that you understand the argument by PARAPHRASING it and saying IT FAILS TO CONVINCE (don't have to say why yet)
Point of the author's argument. Conclusion words - the One Sentence Test - Fact vs Opinion
After the verb
Parallel structure

18. A llama is 'a native of' / 'native to' Peru
Native to
Supports the conclusion. usually what isn't the conclusion. Sometimes this is just a conjecture.
Show that you understand the argument by PARAPHRASING it and saying IT FAILS TO CONVINCE (don't have to say why yet)
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')

19. In Critical Reasoning Inference questions - an inference may follow from a single...
A native of
'as'
Sentence or fact
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.

20. Typical wrong answers in Critical Reasoning
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.
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
From -between... and

21. Causation/correlation
Show that you understand the argument by PARAPHRASING it and saying IT FAILS TO CONVINCE (don't have to say why yet)
Singular
Countable things 'How many'
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)

22. 'There is' 'There are'. where is the subject
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 the verb
Make sure there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL
Identify most offensive flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable

23. To+verb: verb can be in which tense?
Identify most offensive flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
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).
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')
At FEWER than 68000 people

24. 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)
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
Grammatically...logically

25. 'Better than at any time' or 'better than at any OTHER time'?
Parallel structure
OTHER
From -between... and
After

26. A person is 'a native of' / 'native to' the UK?
Parallel structure
A native of
A common flaw where... 'always -' 'none -' 'some -' and 'only' etc. set boundaries for the logic of an argument. Be careful with scope.
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')

27. Disconnect
1. Identify the question type 2. Untangle the stimulus 3. Predict the answer 4. Evaluate choices
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
Grammatically...logically
Show that you understand the argument by PARAPHRASING it and saying IT FAILS TO CONVINCE (don't have to say why yet)

28. Preposition after verb 'to credit'
Show that you understand the argument by PARAPHRASING it and saying IT FAILS TO CONVINCE (don't have to say why yet)
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).
'with'

29. 'With total employment at less than 68000 people...' what should change?
At FEWER than 68000 people
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface
It - they - its - their - them - which and that
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)

30. Analogies - metaphors and other comparisons all require...
From -between... and
Parallel structure
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... 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.

31. 'Fewer' and 'number' refer to ...and answer the question...
Countable things 'How many'
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
Grammatically...logically
A native of

32. Limiting Words
Are usually wrong
Show that you understand the argument by PARAPHRASING it and saying IT FAILS TO CONVINCE (don't have to say why yet)
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.

33. Confusion of absolute numbers and percentages
Identify another flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
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.
After
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)

34. Strategy for Sentence Correction
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.)
Countable things 'How many'
Identify most offensive flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
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

35. 'Less' and 'amount' refer to ...and answer the question...
At FEWER than 68000 people
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
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.)

36. Argument Essay Para 3
To shrink back physically or emotionally
OTHER
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
Identify another flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable

37. Items being compared must be both ... and ... comparable
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)
Grammatically...logically
Are usually wrong
After

38. Answer choices with 'There is/are/has/have'...
Are usually wrong
To shrink back physically or emotionally
Countable things 'How many'
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).

39. Strategy for Critical Reasoning questions
Singular
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface
1. Identify the question type 2. Untangle the stimulus 3. Predict the answer 4. Evaluate choices
Sentence or fact

40. Bolded statement questions commonly ask to choose the answer that...
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')
Non countable things 'How much'
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface

41. To be regarded 'as' or not 'as'
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)
'as'
Show that you understand the argument by PARAPHRASING it and saying IT FAILS TO CONVINCE (don't have to say why yet)
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.)

42. Argument Essay Paragraph 2
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
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)
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion

43. 'Like' or 'unlike' triggers
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... (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)
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)

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GMAT Reading Comprehension

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