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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. Bolded statement questions commonly ask to choose the answer that...
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).
'with'
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface
Sentence or fact

2. 'Fewer' and 'number' refer to ...and answer the question...
To shrink back physically or emotionally
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)
None
Countable things 'How many'

3. 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.)
Non countable things 'How much'
Singular
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).

4. Recoil
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).
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'
To shrink back physically or emotionally

5. Typical wrong answers in Critical Reasoning
'but also'
1. Identify the question type 2. Untangle the stimulus 3. Predict the answer 4. Evaluate choices
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.
Are usually wrong

6. Strategy for Sentence Correction
A native of
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
Grammatically...logically
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')

7. 'Less' and 'amount' refer to ...and answer the question...
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 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
Non countable things 'How much'
After

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

9. Argument Essay Para 4
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.)
Show that you understand the argument by PARAPHRASING it and saying IT FAILS TO CONVINCE (don't have to say why yet)
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).
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

10. Answer choices with word 'being'...
Point of the author's argument. Conclusion words - the One Sentence Test - Fact vs Opinion
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... 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.

11. Items being compared must be both ... and ... comparable
Grammatically...logically
Native to
'but also'
None

12. Preposition after 'to be modelled'
After
Non countable things 'How much'
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)
A common flaw where... 'always -' 'none -' 'some -' and 'only' etc. set boundaries for the logic of an argument. Be careful with scope.

13. 'Like' or 'unlike' triggers
From -between... and
After the verb
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)

14. What is the conclusion in Critical Reasoning questions? How do you find it.
None
Point of the author's argument. Conclusion words - the One Sentence Test - Fact vs Opinion
It - they - its - their - them - which and that
Identify another flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable

15. To+verb: verb can be in which tense?
At FEWER than 68000 people
Countable things 'How many'
From -between... and
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')

16. 'Not only' is always followed by
Sentence or fact
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')
'but also'
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

17. 'With total employment at less than 68000 people...' what should change?
A common flaw where... 'always -' 'none -' 'some -' and 'only' etc. set boundaries for the logic of an argument. Be careful with scope.
At FEWER than 68000 people
Are usually wrong
Non countable things 'How much'

18. Limiting Words
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... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
None
Supports the conclusion. usually what isn't the conclusion. Sometimes this is just a conjecture.

19. A llama is 'a native of' / 'native to' Peru
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)
Native to
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.

20. In Critical Reasoning Inference questions - an inference may follow from a single...
Sentence or fact
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)
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

21. Argument Essay Paragraph 1
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)
Identify another 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)
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.

22. A statistical syllogism (proportional syllogism or direct inference)
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
Point of the author's argument. Conclusion words - the One Sentence Test - Fact vs Opinion
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
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).

23. When there is a modifying phrase at the beginning of the sentence -
From -between... and
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')
After the verb

24. Strategy for Critical Reasoning questions
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)
1. Identify the question type 2. Untangle the stimulus 3. Predict the answer 4. Evaluate 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).
At FEWER than 68000 people

25. Preposition after verb 'to credit'
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.)
Native to
'with'

26. Answer choices with 'There is/are/has/have'...
Grammatically...logically
Are usually wrong
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).
A native of

27. Argument Essay Para 3
Identify another flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
Singular
'but also'
'as'

28. Argument Essay Paragraph 2
Non countable things 'How much'
Singular
None
Identify most offensive flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable

29. 'Distinguish red ... green' 'distinguish .... red ... green
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.)
Grammatically...logically
From -between... and

30. Disconnect
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
Show that you understand the argument by PARAPHRASING it and saying IT FAILS TO CONVINCE (don't have to say why yet)
Make sure there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL
Parallel structure

31. Various subjects enumerated with an 'OR' indicates singular or plural for verb conjugation?
It - they - its - their - them - which and that
A common flaw where... 'always -' 'none -' 'some -' and 'only' etc. set boundaries for the logic of an argument. Be careful with scope.
Singular
Point of the author's argument. Conclusion words - the One Sentence Test - Fact vs Opinion

32. 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.
Point of the author's argument. Conclusion words - the One Sentence Test - Fact vs Opinion
A native of
After

33. What is the evidence in Critical Reasoning questions?
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)
After the verb
Supports the conclusion. usually what isn't the conclusion. Sometimes this is just a conjecture.

34. 'Better than at any time' or 'better than at any OTHER time'?
Are usually wrong
A native of
Point of the author's argument. Conclusion words - the One Sentence Test - Fact vs Opinion
OTHER

35. Typical pronouns that cause trouble
Sentence or fact
From -between... and
It - they - its - their - them - which and that
'with'

36. 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.)
Non countable things 'How much'
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

37. Preposition after 'to be considered'
Native to
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)
Countable things 'How many'
None

38. A person is 'a native of' / 'native to' the UK?
1. Identify the question type 2. Untangle the stimulus 3. Predict the answer 4. Evaluate choices
Point of the author's argument. Conclusion words - the One Sentence Test - Fact vs Opinion
A native of
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion

39. Analogies - metaphors and other comparisons all require...
1. Identify the question type 2. Untangle the stimulus 3. Predict the answer 4. Evaluate choices
Countable things 'How many'
Are usually wrong
Parallel structure

40. Reading Comprehension Inference questions
Parallel structure
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)
Native to
Make sure there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL

41. Causation/correlation
Identify most offensive flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
Singular
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)
Point of the author's argument. Conclusion words - the One Sentence Test - Fact vs Opinion

42. To be regarded 'as' or not 'as'
'with'
'as'
At FEWER than 68000 people
Supports the conclusion. usually what isn't the conclusion. Sometimes this is just a conjecture.

43. 'There is' 'There are'. where is the subject
After the verb
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... 'always -' 'none -' 'some -' and 'only' etc. set boundaries for the logic of an argument. Be careful with scope.
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)

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