GMAT Verbal : GMAT Verbal

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #1692 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

Zany performers can make audiences laugh without having to be as clever as serious performers.

Possible Answers:

clever as serious performers.

as clever as serious performers.

as clever serious perfomers.

cleverer as serious performers.

as clever, as serious performers.

Correct answer:

as clever as serious performers.

Explanation:

Although slightly awkward, the underlined portion is grammatically correct. The comparison needs to have both uses of the word "as," and to describe distinctly the quality being compared and what is being compared.

Example Question #131 : Correcting Other Errors And Recognizing Correct Sentences

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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

The cause of the disease was still unclear to the scientific community, despite copious tests.

Possible Answers:

The cause of the disease was unclear to the still scientific community, despite copious tests.

The cause of the disease still unclear to the scientific community, despite copious tests.

The cause of the disease were still unclear to the scientific community, despite copious tests.

The cause of the disease was still unclear to the scientific community, despite copious tests.

The cause of the disease was still unclear to the scientific community although despite copious tests.

Correct answer:

The cause of the disease was still unclear to the scientific community, despite copious tests.

Explanation:

The sentence is perfectly correct as written, and needs nothing done to it to improve it. Additionally, all the answer choices that do make a change create one or more grammatical issues. The best choice is to leave the sentence as it is written.

Example Question #1694 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

The player was switching between sports, an act rarely seen from professional athletes in the modern age.

Possible Answers:

The player was switching between sports, an act rare seen from professional athletes in the modern age.

The player was switching between sports an act rarely seen from professional athletes in the modern age.

The player was switching between sports, an act rarely seen from professional athletes in the modern age.

The player was switch between sports, an act rarely seen from professional athletes in the modern age.

The player was switching between sports, an act rarely seen, from professional athletes in the modern age.

Correct answer:

The player was switching between sports, an act rarely seen from professional athletes in the modern age.

Explanation:

The sentence is perfectly correct as written, and needs no improvements made to it. All of the answer choices that do make a change also make the sentence grammatically incorrect in some way. The best choice is to leave the sentence as is.

Example Question #1695 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

The lights were turned off at the same time every night, with no exceptions or changes.

Possible Answers:

The lights, were turned off at the same time every night, with no exceptions or changes. 

The lights were turned off, at the same time every night, with no exceptions or changes.

The lights were turned off at the same time every night, with no exceptions or changes.

The lights were turned off at the same time every night, with no exceptions, or changes.

The lights were turned off at the same time every night; with no exceptions or changes.

Correct answer:

The lights were turned off at the same time every night, with no exceptions or changes.

Explanation:

The sentence is perfectly correct as written and needs no changes made to it in order to improve it. Additionally, the answer choices that do make a change make the sentence gramatically incorrect. The best answer choice is to leave the sentence as it is written.

Example Question #131 : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

The many examples of financial malfeasance at the company made all the executives resign.

Possible Answers:

The many, examples of financial malfeasance, at the company made all the executives resign.

The many examples of financial malfeasance at the company made all the executives resign.

The many examples of financial malfeasance at the company making all the executives resign.

The many examples of financial malfeasance at the company made every executives resign.

The many examples financial malfeasance among the company made all the executives resign.

Correct answer:

The many examples of financial malfeasance at the company made all the executives resign.

Explanation:

The sentence is perfectly correct as written, and needs to have no corrections to improve it. Further, the other answer choices all make the sentence grammatically incorrect.

Example Question #132 : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No 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. One of the answer choices repeats the underlined portion as it is written.

Just like the previous class, the freshmen struggled with the supposedly introductory-level class.

Possible Answers:

Just like the previous class, the freshmen struggled with supposedly introductory-level class.

Just like the previous class, the freshmen struggling with the supposedly introductory-level class.

Just like the previous class the freshmen struggled with the supposedly introductory-level class.

Just like the previous class, the freshmen struggled with the supposedly introductory-level class.

Just like the previous class, the freshmen's struggle with the supposedly introductory-level class.

Correct answer:

Just like the previous class, the freshmen struggled with the supposedly introductory-level class.

Explanation:

The sentence is perfectly correct as it is written, and needs no improvements made to it. All of the answer choices that do make a change also make the sentence grammatically incorrect. 

Example Question #123 : Correcting Other Errors And Recognizing No 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. One of the answer choices repeats the underlined portion as it is written.

All culinary experts agree that not seasoning food enough is much worse than seasoning it too much.

Possible Answers:

All culinary experts agree that not seasoning food enough is much worse than seasoning it too much.

All culinary experts agree, that not seasoning food enough is much worse than seasoning it too much.

All culinary experts, agree that not seasoning food enough is much worse than seasoning it too much.

All culinary experts agree that not seasoning food enough, is much worse than seasoning it too much.

All culinary experts agree that not seasoning food enough is much worser than seasoning it too much.

Correct answer:

All culinary experts agree that not seasoning food enough is much worse than seasoning it too much.

Explanation:

The sentence is perfectly correct as written; no changes are needed. Additionally, every answer choice that does make a change makes the sentence grammatically incorrect. The correct answer choice is to leave the sentence alone.

Example Question #124 : Correcting Other Errors And Recognizing No 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. One of the answer choices repeats the underlined portion as it is written.

The new strategy worked to perfection, with the other team running around the field dazed and confused.

Possible Answers:

The new strategy worked to perfection, with the other team running around the field dazed, and confused.

The new strategy worked to perfection, with the other team running around the field dazed and confused.

The new strategy working to perfection, with the other team running around the field dazed and confused.

The new strategy worked to perfection with the other team, running around the field dazed and confused.

The new strategy worked to perfection, with the other team was running around the field dazed and confused.

Correct answer:

The new strategy worked to perfection, with the other team running around the field dazed and confused.

Explanation:

As it is written, the sentence is perfectly correct with its usage and grammar. Every answer choice that does make a change to the sentence creates some grammatical or usage problem in the sentence. The correct answer choice is to leave the sentence as is.

Example Question #139 : Correcting Other Errors And Recognizing Correct Sentences

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. One of the answer choices repeats the underlined portion as it is written.

Making headway on the project, the scientists decided that they needed to stay in the labaratory overnight.

Possible Answers:

Making headway, on the project, the scientists decided that they needed to stay in the labaratory overnight.

Making headway on the project, the scientists decided that they needed to stay, in the labaratory overnight.

Making headway on the project, the scientists decided that they needed to stay in the labaratory overnight.

Making headway on the project the scientists decided that they needed to stay in the labaratory overnight.

Making headway on the project, the scientists decided that they needed, to stay in the labaratory overnight.

Correct answer:

Making headway on the project, the scientists decided that they needed to stay in the labaratory overnight.

Explanation:

No changes need to be made to the sentence, as it is grammatically correct. All the answer choices that do make a change create a grammatical issue. The correct answer choice is to leave the sentence as it is written.

Example Question #141 : Correcting Other Errors And Recognizing Correct Sentences

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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

Occasionally, the old memories would come back to the woman and give her nightmares.

Possible Answers:

Occasionally the old memories,

Occasionally, the old memories

Occasionally the old memories

Occasionally, the old, memories

Occasionally, the old memories,

Correct answer:

Occasionally, the old memories

Explanation:

The single word "occasionally," in this instance, operates as an introductory clause that gives a condition to the action of the sentence. All such introductory clauses must be set apart from the rest of the sentence with a comma; therefore, the sentence is correct as written.

Tired of practice problems?

Try live online GMAT prep today.

1-on-1 Tutoring
Live Online Class
1-on-1 + Class
Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors