GMAT Verbal : GMAT Verbal

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #31 : 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.

When one visits friends who are out of state, it is polite to bring a gift so that you appear to be grateful.

Possible Answers:

its polite to bring a gift so that you appear to be grateful.  

it is polite to bring a gift to be appearing to be grateful.

it is polite to be bringing a gift so that you appear to be grateful.

it is polite to bring a gift so that one appears to be grateful.  

it's polite to bring a gift so that you appear to be grateful.  

Correct answer:

it is polite to bring a gift so that one appears to be grateful.  

Explanation:

If a sentence is describing how “one” should behave, it creates discontinuity to then begin using the word “you” instead of "one" later in the sentence. Therefore, “you” should be replaced by the word “one" to correct the error, and the correct answer is "it is polite to bring a gift so that one appears to be grateful."

Example Question #32 : 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.

Between red and white wine, red wine is most popular during the fall and winter months.

Possible Answers:

more at the fall and winter months. 

more popular during the fall and winter months. 

most popular during the fall and winter months. 

most popular during the fall or winter months. 

most popular during the fall and/or winter months. 

Correct answer:

more popular during the fall and winter months. 

Explanation:

When two items are being compared, “more” is the appropriate word to use, while “most” is appropriate for comparisons involving three or more items. Here, two items ("red and white wine") are being compared. Therefore, “more” is the appropriate word to use, not “most.”

Example Question #33 : 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.

The tailor worked on the wedding dress dutifully and meticulous, knowing that the young woman who had brought in the dress would expect nothing less than perfection. 

Possible Answers:

meticulously, knowing that the young woman brought in the dress

meticulously, knowing that the young woman who had brought in the dress

meticulous, knowing the young woman who had brought in the dress

meticulous, knowing that the young woman who brought in the dress

meticulous, knowing that the young woman who brought in the dress

Correct answer:

meticulously, knowing that the young woman who had brought in the dress

Explanation:

In this sentence, the adjective “meticulous” modifies the verb “worked.” Given that adverbs can only modify verbs, the proper word to use would instead be “meticulously,” which is an adverb. 

Example Question #34 : 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.

 The English teacher, after working in the public school system for fifteen years, decided to run as mayor of her small town. 

Possible Answers:

school system for fifteen years, decided running as mayor of her small town. 

school system for fifteen years, decided to run for mayor of her small town. 

school system for fifteen years, decided to be running run as mayor of her small town. 

school system for fifteen years, decided to be running run for mayor of her small town. 

school system for fifteen years, decided to run as mayor of her small town. 

Correct answer:

school system for fifteen years, decided to run for mayor of her small town. 

Explanation:

This sentence does not comply with the idioms that govern which prepositions should follow verbs. The phrase, “run as mayor” is incorrect because idiomatically, it should be “run for mayor.” Therefore, the correct version of this sentence would read, "The English teacher, after working in the public school system for fifteen years, decided to run for mayor of her small town."

Example Question #35 : 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.

While Marie enjoys most animated films, she did not that studio's latest movie, that did not have enough dialogue for her.

Possible Answers:

which did not have for her enough dialogue

which did not have enough of dialogue for her

that did not have enough of dialogue for her

which did not have enough dialogue for her

that did not have enough dialogue for she

Correct answer:

which did not have enough dialogue for her

Explanation:

"Which” is used to show that there is modification to a phrase when the modification comes after a comma. “That” is used to show that there is a modification to a phrase in which there is not a comma after the subject being modified. Here, "that studio's latest movie" is being modified by the part of the sentence after the comma. Therefore, “which” is appropriate, not “that.”

Example Question #36 : 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.

If your going to major in English, it is wise to read in your spare time in order to develop keen critical reading skills.

Possible Answers:

If your going to major in English, its wise to read

If you're going to major in English, it is wise to read

If you're going to major in English, its wise to read

If your going to major in English, it is wise to read

If you're going to majoring in English, it is wise to read

Correct answer:

If you're going to major in English, it is wise to read

Explanation:

“Your” is used to show possession, while “you’re” is a contraction of “you are.” The appropriate word for this sentence is “you’re,” not “your,” since possession is not being shown. Therefore, the correct form of this sentence is: "If you’re going to major in English, it is wise to read in your spare time in order to develop keen critical reading skills." (Additionally, "its" is possessive while "it's" means "it is.")

Example Question #37 : 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.

No matter what you’re age is, it is still possible to learn new subjects, develop new skills, and discover new interests. 

Possible Answers:

you're, with respect to age, it is still possible to learn new subjects,

your age is, it is still possible to learn new subjects,

you are, with respect to age, it is still possible to learn new subjects,

how much your age, it is still possible to learn new subjects,

you’re age is, it is still possible to learn new subjects,

Correct answer:

your age is, it is still possible to learn new subjects,

Explanation:

“Your” is used to show possession, while “you’re” is a contraction of “you are.” The appropriate word for this sentence is “your,” not “you’re,” since possession is being shown. Therefore, the correct form of this sentence is, "No matter what your age is, it is still possible to learn new subjects, develop new skills, and discover new interests."

Example Question #38 : 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.

When comparing poverty in Haiti and Somalia, it is clear that the quality of living is worst in Haiti.

Possible Answers:

 it is clear that the quality of living is worse in Haiti. 

 it is clear that the quality of living is worser in Haiti. 

 its clear that the quality of living is worse in Haiti. 

 it's clear that the quality of living is worst in Haiti. 

 it is clear that the living quality is worst in Haiti. 

Correct answer:

 it is clear that the quality of living is worse in Haiti. 

Explanation:

When two items are being compared, “worse” is the appropriate word to use, while “worst” is appropriate for comparisons involving three or more items. Here, two items ("poverty in Haiti and Somalia") are being compared. Therefore, “worse” is the appropriate word to use, not “worst.”

Example Question #39 : 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.

If one decides to rent an apartment, you should shop around in order to find the best deal and the best neighborhood.  

Possible Answers:

you should be shopping around in order to find the best deal

you should shop around to find the best deal

you should shop around in order to find the best deal

one should shop around in order to find the best deal

one should shop around to find the best deal

Correct answer:

one should shop around to find the best deal

Explanation:

If a sentence is describing how “one” should behave, it creates discontinuity to then begin using the word “you.” “You” should be replaced by the word “one" in the sentence as it is written to correct this error. Also, the phrase "in order" is not necessary and the sentence is more concise without it. 

Example Question #40 : 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.

A panel of dentists agreed that when comparing the dental hygiene techniques of flossing, brushing, and using mouthwash, that using mouthwash is the less effective.

Possible Answers:

and using mouthwash, that using mouthwash is the less effective.

and using mouthwash, that using mouthwash is the least effective.

and using mouthwash, that mouthwash is the less effective.

and mouthwash, that using mouthwash is the least effective.

and mouthwash, that using mouthwash is the less effective.

Correct answer:

and using mouthwash, that using mouthwash is the least effective.

Explanation:

When two items are being compared, “less” is the appropriate word to use, while “least” is appropriate for comparisons involving three or more items. Here, three items are being compared. Therefore, “least” is the appropriate word to use, not “less.”

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