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. Argument Essay Para 4

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2. 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.)
Point of the author's argument. Conclusion words - the One Sentence Test - Fact vs Opinion
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')


3. A statistical syllogism (proportional syllogism or direct inference)
Parallel structure
To shrink back physically or emotionally
It - they - its - their - them - which and that
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).


4. 'Distinguish red ... green' 'distinguish .... red ... green
1. Identify the question type 2. Untangle the stimulus 3. Predict the answer 4. Evaluate choices
From -between... and
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.


5. Answer choices with word 'being'...
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)
Are usually wrong
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
Native to


6. Strategy for Critical Reasoning questions
Are usually wrong
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
Supports the conclusion. usually what isn't the conclusion. Sometimes this is just a conjecture.


7. 'Not only' is always followed by

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8. 'Like' or 'unlike' triggers

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9. 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)
Grammatically...logically
Singular
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


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

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11. Typical wrong answers in Critical Reasoning
After the verb
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).
Answers are outside scope - 180s - and irrelevant comparisons.
After


12. 'With total employment at less than 68000 people...' what should change?
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)
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
At FEWER than 68000 people


13. Confusion of absolute numbers and percentages
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')
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'
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion


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


15. Typical pronouns that cause trouble
Supports the conclusion. usually what isn't the conclusion. Sometimes this is just a conjecture.
None
Singular
It - they - its - their - them - which and that


16. Classic flaws in Critical Reasoning 'Flaw Questions' stem
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.
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent
Parallel structure
'with'


17. A person is 'a native of' / 'native to' the UK?
'but also'
A native of
Only infinitive e.g. 'to turn' (never 'to turning')
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. To+verb: verb can be in which tense?

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19. 'Better than at any time' or 'better than at any OTHER time'?
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
Make sure there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL
OTHER
Non countable things 'How much'


20. Preposition after verb 'to credit'

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21. Reading Comprehension Inference questions
A native of
Make sure there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL
Grammatically...logically
Are usually wrong


22. Preposition after 'to be modelled'
Make sure there is DIRECT DETAILED support for inference in the question stimulus but usually NOT CATEGORICAL
After
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface
Identify most offensive flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable


23. Limiting Words

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

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25. Recoil
'as'
Sentence or fact
To shrink back physically or emotionally
None


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

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27. 'There is' 'There are'. where is the subject
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion
After the verb
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 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. Preposition after 'to be considered'
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)
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
None
Are usually wrong


29. Argument Essay Para 3

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30. What is the evidence in Critical Reasoning questions?

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31. Items being compared must be both ... and ... comparable
It - they - its - their - them - which and that
Non countable things 'How much'
Grammatically...logically
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


32. Causation/correlation
Identify another flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable
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).
A common flaw where... (is the relationship causal? are there other possible causes?)


33. Strategy for Reading Comprehension
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
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.)
To shrink back physically or emotionally


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

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35. A llama is 'a native of' / 'native to' Peru
'as'
Native to
'with'
Identify most offensive flaw in author's reasoning; explain why it is questionable


36. Bolded statement questions commonly ask to choose the answer that...
A native of
At FEWER than 68000 people
Finds a connection between the 2 parts of the stimulus in boldface
Sentence or fact


37. Argument Essay Paragraph 2

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38. Argument Essay Paragraph 1

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39. Analogies - metaphors and other comparisons all require...
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).
Parallel structure
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)


40. Strategy for Sentence Correction

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41. When there is a modifying phrase at the beginning of the sentence -
Grammatically...logically
'but also'
Mistaking correlation for causation - confusing actual value with percent
Make sure that the subject of that phrase is what follows the comma (e.g. p175 qq34-36 of coursebook)


42. Answer choices with 'There is/are/has/have'...
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)
'but also'
Are usually wrong
A native of


43. Disconnect
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
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)
A common flaw where... lack focus of evidence and focus of conclusion