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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. 'Better than at any time' or 'better than at any OTHER time'?
None
Countable things 'How many'
OTHER
'with'

2. A statistical syllogism (proportional syllogism or direct inference)
It - they - its - their - them - which and that
Non countable things 'How much'
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

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

4. Answer choices with word 'being'...
Are usually wrong
OTHER
Native to
It - they - its - their - them - which and that

5. Strategy for Sentence Correction

6. Analogies - metaphors and other comparisons all require...
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
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.

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

8. Disconnect
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)
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
'as'

9. Limiting Words

10. 'Distinguish red ... green' 'distinguish .... red ... green
From -between... and
After the verb
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface

11. A llama is 'a native of' / 'native to' Peru
Point of the author's argument. Conclusion words - the One Sentence Test - Fact vs Opinion
After
Native to
None

12. Items being compared must be both ... and ... comparable
Are usually wrong
Grammatically...logically
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)
From -between... and

13. Argument Essay Paragraph 1

14. 'Like' or 'unlike' triggers

15. 'With total employment at less than 68000 people...' what should change?
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.
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

16. Typical wrong answers in Critical Reasoning
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.
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.)
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).
Are usually wrong

17. Preposition after 'to be considered'
None
Grammatically...logically
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface
Are usually wrong

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

19. 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.
Countable things 'How many'
1. Identify the question type 2. Untangle the stimulus 3. Predict the answer 4. Evaluate choices
To shrink back physically or emotionally

20. Preposition after 'to be modelled'
After
Singular
Supports the conclusion. usually what isn't the conclusion. Sometimes this is just a conjecture.
Non countable things 'How much'

21. Answer choices with 'There is/are/has/have'...
OTHER
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent
1. Identify the question type 2. Untangle the stimulus 3. Predict the answer 4. Evaluate choices
Are usually wrong

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

23. 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)
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.)
After the verb
It - they - its - their - them - which and that

24. In Critical Reasoning Inference questions - an inference may follow from a single...
'with'
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)
Sentence or fact

25. Argument Essay Para 4

26. Bolded statement questions commonly ask to choose the answer that...
A common flaw where... 'always -' 'none -' 'some -' and 'only' etc. set boundaries for the logic of an argument. Be careful with scope.
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)
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion

27. When there is a modifying phrase at the beginning of the sentence -
'with'
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
Show that you understand the argument by PARAPHRASING it and saying IT FAILS TO CONVINCE (don't have to say why yet)
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)

28. 'Not only' is always followed by

29. Strategy for Reading Comprehension
Identify another flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
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
Identify most offensive flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
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.)

30. Preposition after verb 'to credit'

31. What is the evidence in Critical Reasoning questions?

32. Strategy for Critical Reasoning questions
Are usually wrong
From -between... and
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')
1. Identify the question type 2. Untangle the stimulus 3. Predict the answer 4. Evaluate choices

33. Classic flaws in Critical Reasoning 'Flaw Questions' stem
After the verb
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface
To shrink back physically or emotionally

34. Various subjects enumerated with an 'OR' indicates singular or plural for verb conjugation?
Show that you understand the argument by PARAPHRASING it and saying IT FAILS TO CONVINCE (don't have to say why yet)
Singular
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.

35. Argument Essay Paragraph 2

36. Reading Comprehension Inference questions
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.)
Are usually wrong
Make sure there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL
After

37. 'There is' 'There are'. where is the subject
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')
A common flaw where... 'always -' 'none -' 'some -' and 'only' etc. set boundaries for the logic of an argument. Be careful with scope.
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent
After the verb

38. Causation/correlation
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent
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).
To shrink back physically or emotionally

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

40. Appeal to authority
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.
Are usually wrong
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.)

41. Recoil
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)
To shrink back physically or emotionally
Supports the conclusion. usually what isn't the conclusion. Sometimes this is just a conjecture.
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')

42. A person is 'a native of' / 'native to' the UK?
Identify another flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
A native of
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
Identify most offensive flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable

43. Argument Essay Para 3