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

2. Strategy for Sentence Correction

3. Answer choices with 'There is/are/has/have'...
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.
Non countable things 'How much'
None

4. Appeal to authority
'but also'
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')
OTHER
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.)

5. 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).
'as'
After
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.

6. 'Distinguish red ... green' 'distinguish .... red ... green
Non countable things 'How much'
From -between... and
After
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.)

7. 'Like' or 'unlike' triggers

8. Strategy for Critical Reasoning questions
To shrink back physically or emotionally
Parallel structure
1. Identify the question type 2. Untangle the stimulus 3. Predict the answer 4. Evaluate choices
Are usually wrong

9. A person is 'a native of' / 'native to' the UK?
A native of
1. Identify the question type 2. Untangle the stimulus 3. Predict the answer 4. Evaluate choices
'but also'
'as'

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

11. 'With total employment at less than 68000 people...' what should change?
None
At FEWER than 68000 people
OTHER
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface

12. In Critical Reasoning Inference questions - an inference may follow from a single...
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
Sentence or fact
It - they - its - their - them - which and that
Grammatically...logically

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

14. When there is a modifying phrase at the beginning of the sentence -
Are usually wrong
'as'
Parallel structure
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)

15. Argument Essay Para 3

16. Recoil
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent
To shrink back physically or emotionally
At FEWER than 68000 people
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. Confusion of absolute numbers and percentages
OTHER
Are usually wrong
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.

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

19. Preposition after 'to be modelled'
Supports the conclusion. usually what isn't the conclusion. Sometimes this is just a conjecture.
After
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.
Make sure there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL

20. Preposition after 'to be considered'
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
None
Are usually wrong
Countable things 'How many'

21. Bolded statement questions commonly ask to choose the answer that...
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface
After
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'

22. Strategy for Reading Comprehension
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
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
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.)

23. Argument Essay Paragraph 1

24. Analogies - metaphors and other comparisons all require...
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).
OTHER
Grammatically...logically
Parallel structure

25. Typical wrong answers in Critical Reasoning
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.
A common flaw where... 'always -' 'none -' 'some -' and 'only' etc. set boundaries for the logic of an argument. Be careful with scope.
Singular
Are usually wrong

26. Items being compared must be both ... and ... comparable
Are usually wrong
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface
Grammatically...logically
Countable things 'How many'

27. A llama is 'a native of' / 'native to' Peru
Native to
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')
'but also'

28. 'There is' 'There are'. where is the subject
Singular
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.
After the verb

29. Causation/correlation
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)
A native of
Are usually wrong
Countable things 'How many'

30. 'Better than at any time' or 'better than at any OTHER time'?
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 that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)
None
OTHER

31. 'Not only' is always followed by

32. Limiting Words

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

34. Argument Essay Para 4

35. What is the evidence in Critical Reasoning questions?

36. Answer choices with word 'being'...
Point of the author's argument. Conclusion words - the One Sentence Test - Fact vs Opinion
1. Identify the question type 2. Untangle the stimulus 3. Predict the answer 4. Evaluate choices
Are usually wrong
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).

37. Various subjects enumerated with an 'OR' indicates singular or plural for verb conjugation?
A common flaw where... 'always -' 'none -' 'some -' and 'only' etc. set boundaries for the logic of an argument. Be careful with scope.
Singular
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.
'but also'

38. Reading Comprehension Inference questions
Identify most offensive flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
Make sure there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL
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).
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface

39. Argument Essay Paragraph 2

40. Disconnect
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)
Point of the author's argument. Conclusion words - the One Sentence Test - Fact vs Opinion
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)

41. Preposition after verb 'to credit'

42. Classic flaws in Critical Reasoning 'Flaw Questions' stem
'but also'
A native of
'as'
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent

43. Typical pronouns that cause trouble
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
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)
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent