GMAT Verbal : GMAT Verbal
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal
All GMAT Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #613 : Correcting Word Usage Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The affect of the meeting was far greater enthusiasm for the upcoming event.
cause
mission
resolution
affect
effect
effect
This sentence misuses the word "affect," which is a verb meaning to cause. It is clear from the context of the sentence that a word meaning a result is necessary here. The appropriate word is "effect," which is the noun to affect. The other words do not fit properly. "Cause" is a verb meaning to change or a noun meaning a mission. "Mission" means a statement of purpose, and resolution means the act of completing an action. The correct choice is "effect."
Example Question #614 : Correcting Word Usage Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The children were amazed by the enormity of the elephant.
capacity
scope
enormity
extension
bulk
bulk
This sentence misuses the word "enormity," which means a great amount of evil. The context of this indicated that the children are amazed by the size of the elephant. While all of the choices have something to do with size, there are slight differences in how each word is used. "Capacity" means the amount of volume something can hold, "scope" means the range something covers, "extension" means a continuation, and "bulk," the correct choice, means the size of something in three dimensions.
Example Question #615 : Correcting Word Usage Errors
Choose the best version of the underlined portion of the sentence. One option will remain unchanged.
I cannot understand there reluctance to try the delectable cuisine of India!
I cannot understand they're reluctance to try the delectable cuisine of India!
I cannot understand there reluctance to try the delectable cuisine of India!
I cannot understand their reluctance to try the delectable cuisine of India!
I cannot understand their reluctance to try the delectable cuisine of India!
This tests a commonly misused word. We have three options: 'there', 'their', and 'they're'. The latter is a conjunction between the words 'they' and 'are', which is not appropriate in the context here. 'There' refers to a location (i.e. 'over there'). Since that is not what we need here, the option 'their' is correct because it is referring to people.
Example Question #616 : Correcting Word Usage Errors
Please choose the best version of the underlined phrase. One option will remain unchanged.
I worry that I will be ready to take my driver's license test or that I will ever be ready!
I worry whether I will be ready to take my driver's license test or whether I will ever be ready!
I worry that I will be ready to take my driver's license test or that I will ever be ready!
I worry that I will never be ready to take my driver's license test or that I will never be ready!
I worry if I will be ready to take my driver's license test or if I will ever be ready!
I worry whether I will be ready to take my driver's license test or whether I will ever be ready!
When not stating a condition necessary for the action, it is always preferable to use the word 'whether' over 'if'. In this instance, 'that' is also not the best version of the sentence. 'Whether' is best because there are multiple meanings to the word 'that' and 'if', and it eliminated the ambiguity.
Example Question #67 : Correcting Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words
Please choose the best version of the underlined portion of the text. One option will remain unchanged.
Although continuous altercations between the white settlers and the Native Americans, tensions grew to a fever pitch.
As a result of continuous altercations between the white settlers and the Native Americans, tensions grew to a fever pitch.
With continuous altercations between the white settlers and the Native Americans, tensions grew to a fever pitch.
Although continuous altercations between the white settlers and the Native Americans, tensions grew to a fever pitch.
While continuous altercations between the white settlers and the Native Americans, tensions grew to a fever pitch.
Despite continuous altercations between the white settlers and the Native Americans, tensions grew to a fever pitch.
As a result of continuous altercations between the white settlers and the Native Americans, tensions grew to a fever pitch.
Here, we need to choose the phrase that makes logical sense. The sentence needs a phrase that works in the same direction as the concluding clause. The tension grew because of the continuous altercations. Therefore, the best option is 'as a direct result of', since the first clause caused the second. 'Although' and 'despite' need a contradictory ending to the sentence. 'While' is not grammatically correct, and 'with' is not the best version of the underlined phrase.
Example Question #611 : Correcting Word Usage Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The reason that sea turtles are much bigger than land tortoises and freshwater turtles is directly correlated with the vastness of their habitat, the ocean, and the fact that they travel such far distances.
is directly correlated with the vastness of their habitat, the ocean, and the fact that they travel such far distances
is directly correlated with the vastness of their habitat, the ocean, and the fact that they travel such far distances
is that they live in a large habitat, the ocean, and must travel far distances
is that they live in a large habitat, the ocean, and traveling far distances
is from the distances they travel in their large habitat, the ocean
is that they live in a large habitat, the ocean, and must travel far distances
The correct answer is the only one that uses the correct subject-verb agreement and has correct grammar. For example, the "reason" cannot be "directly correlated" with something.
Example Question #1071 : Sentence Correction
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
During its early years, Ford Motor Company produced just a few cars with groups of two or three men working on each car, but within a decade the company would lead the world in the expansion and refinement of the assembly line concept, which made use of in-house part production and vertical integration.
but within a decade the company had led the world in the expansion and refinement of the assembly line concept, making use of in-house part production and vertical integration
but within a decade the company led the world in the expansion and refinement of the assembly line concept, which made use of in-house part production and vertical integration
but within a decade the company led the world in the expansion and refinement of the assembly line concept, and was making use of in-house part production and vertical integration
but within a decade the company had led the world in the expansion and refinement of the assembly line concept, and was making use of in-house part production and vertical integration
but within a decade the company would lead the world in the expansion and refinement of the assembly line concept, which made use of in-house part production and vertical integration
but within a decade the company led the world in the expansion and refinement of the assembly line concept, which made use of in-house part production and vertical integration
The correct answer is the only one that uses the correct tense (simple past) to maintain the parallel structure of the sentence.
Example Question #3 : Correcting Subject Verb Agreement Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
A majority of the shareholders wants the company to pursue a more aggressive cost-reduction strategy because they fear that low-cost competition from Asia has the potential to put them out of business.
want the company to pursue a more aggressive cost-reduction strategy because they fear that low-cost competition from Asia has the potential to put it out of business
want the company to pursue a more aggressive cost-reduction strategy because they fear that low-cost competition from Asia has the potential to put them out of business
fear that low-cost competition from Asia has the potential to put the company out of business and want the company to pursue a more aggressive cost-reduction strategy
wants the company to pursue a more aggressive cost-reduction strategy because they fear that low-cost competition from Asia has the potential to put them out of business
wants the company to pursue a more aggressive cost-reduction strategy because it fears that low-cost competition from Asia has the potential to put the company out of business
wants the company to pursue a more aggressive cost-reduction strategy because it fears that low-cost competition from Asia has the potential to put the company out of business
The subject of the sentence is singular (“majority”). The verbs and pronouns used throughout the sentence must agree in number with the subject (i.e., wants, it, the company).
Example Question #4 : Correcting Subject Verb Agreement Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
In such a dismal investment climate, neither of the long/short equity funds have greater than a 50% chance of outperforming their benchmark.
neither of the long/short equity funds has greater than a 50% chance of outperforming its benchmark
neither of the long/short equity funds have greater than a 50% chance of outperforming their benchmarks
neither of the long/short equity funds have had a greater than 50% chance of outperforming their benchmark
neither of the long/short equity funds have had a greater than 50% chance of outperforming their benchmarks
neither of the long/short equity funds have greater than a 50% chance of outperforming their benchmark
neither of the long/short equity funds has greater than a 50% chance of outperforming its benchmark
Neither is a singular noun; the verb “has” must agree.
Example Question #4 : Correcting Subject Verb Agreement Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Rational creatures can made items that augmented the natural capacities of themselves and other beings in ways that transcend the limitations of naturally gave substantial forms.
Rational creatures can make items that augment the natural capacities of themselves and other beings in ways that transcending the limitations of naturally give substantial forms.
Rational creatures can makes items that augments the natural capacities of themselves and other beings in ways that transcends the limitations of naturally given substantial forms.
Rational creatures can makeing items that augmented the natural capacities of themselves and other beings in ways that transcends the limitations of naturally given substantial forms.
Rational creatures can made items that augmented the natural capacities of themselves and other beings in ways that transcend the limitations of naturally gave substantial forms.
Rational creatures can make items that augment the natural capacities of themselves and other beings in ways that transcend the limitations of naturally given substantial forms.
Rational creatures can make items that augment the natural capacities of themselves and other beings in ways that transcend the limitations of naturally given substantial forms.
The correct answer is the only one in which all the verbs agree in number with their objects and in the present tense in line with the structure of the sentence.
All GMAT Verbal Resources
