GMAT Verbal : GMAT Verbal

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #10 : Correcting Comma 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 Willis Tower which is one of the largest buildings in the world was built in 1970.

Possible Answers:

The Willis Tower which is one of the largest buildings in the world was built

The Willis Tower, which is one of the largest buildings, in the world was built

The Willis Tower which is one of the largest buildings in the world was, built

The Willis Tower, which is one of the largest buildings in the world was built

The Willis Tower, which is one of the largest buildings in the world, was built

Correct answer:

The Willis Tower, which is one of the largest buildings in the world, was built

Explanation:

The phrase "which is one of the largest buildings in the world"  is an example of a relative clause, which gives more information about its antecedent: the Willis Tower. Any such phrase that occurs in the middle of a sentence must be introduced and completed with a comma. The correct answer choice is "The Willis Tower, which is one of the largest buildings in the world, was built."

Example Question #11 : Correcting Comma 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 man is trusted by many people because he is honest and he likes to help others.

Possible Answers:

because he is honest, and he likes to help others.

because he is honest and he likes to help, others.

,because he is honest and he likes to help others.

because, he is honest, and he likes to help others.

because he is honest and, he likes to help others.

Correct answer:

because he is honest, and he likes to help others.

Explanation:

In this sentence, two independent clauses are being joined by a coordinate conjunction. When this occurs, a comma must come before the coordinate conjunction. The correct answer choice is "because he is honest, and he likes to help others."

Example Question #12 : Correcting Comma 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.

Jogging around his neighborhood he saw something strange.

Possible Answers:

Jogging around his neighborhood, he saw something strange.

Jogging around his neighborhood he saw, something strange.

Jogging around his neighborhood, he saw something, strange.

Jogging around his neighborhood he saw something strange.

Jogging around his neighborhood he saw something, strange.

Correct answer:

Jogging around his neighborhood, he saw something strange.

Explanation:

The phrase "Jogging around his neighborhood" is an example of a introductory phrase, explaining information necessary to the context of the sentence, but outside of the main sentence, grammatically. These types of phrases must be followed by a comma in order to separate them from the rest of the sentence. The correct answer choice is "Jogging around his neighborhood, he saw something strange."

Example Question #13 : Correcting Comma 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 girl's favorite pastime listening to music eventually lead to her career as a professional singer.

Possible Answers:

The girl's favorite pastime listening to music eventually lead to her career, as a professional singer.

The girl's favorite pastime, listening to music, eventually lead to her career as a professional singer.

The girl's favorite pastime, listening to music eventually lead to her career as a professional singer.

The girl's favorite pastime, listening to music eventually lead to her career, as a professional singer.

The girl's favorite pastime listening to music eventually lead to her career as a professional singer.

Correct answer:

The girl's favorite pastime, listening to music, eventually lead to her career as a professional singer.

Explanation:

The phrase "listening to music" is a parenthetical expression: a phrase that explains more about a particular word or phrase in the sentence, but is not introduced by a relative pronoun. These phrases must be introduced and completed with a comma in order to separate them from the main clause of the sentence. The correct answer choice is "The girl's favorite pastime, listening to music, eventually lead to her career as a professional singer."

Example Question #13 : Correcting Comma 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.

They went camping in order to bond fish and test out their survival skills.

Possible Answers:

in order to, bond, fish and test out their survival skills.

in order to bond fish and test out their survival skills.

in order to bond fish and test out their survival, skills.

in order to bond, fish, and test out their survival skills.

in order to bond, fish and test out their survival skills.

Correct answer:

in order to bond, fish, and test out their survival skills.

Explanation:

The phrase "to bond fish and test out their survival skills" is a list of actions. All items in any sort of list/parallel words or phrases should be separated by commas. Additionally, a comma must come before the "and" because the action "fish" and "test out their survival skills" are not necessarily related, so they should not be grouped together. The correct answer is "in order to bond, fish, and test out their survival skills."

Example Question #14 : Correcting Comma 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.

Having completed all her requirements she was ready to receive her certification.

Possible Answers:

Having completed, all her requirements, she

Having completed, all her requirements she

Having completed all her requirements, she

Having completed all her requirements she,

Having completed, all her requirements she,

Correct answer:

Having completed all her requirements, she

Explanation:

The phrase "Having completed all her requirements" is an example of a introductory phrase, explaining information necessary to the context of the sentence, but outside of the main sentence, grammatically. These types of phrases must be followed by a comma in order to separate them from the rest of the sentence. The correct answer choice is "Having completed all her requirements, she."

Example Question #15 : Correcting Comma 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.

Amir who was on the company's board of directors wanted to take the company in a new direction.

Possible Answers:

Amir, who was on the company's board of directors wanted

Amir, who was on the company's board of directors, wanted

Amir who was on the company's, board of directors, wanted

Amir who was on the company's board of directors, wanted

Amir who was on the company's board of directors wanted

Correct answer:

Amir, who was on the company's board of directors, wanted

Explanation:

The phrase "who was on the company's board of directors" is an example of a relative clause, which gives more information about its antecedent: "Amir." Any such phrase that occurs in the middle of a sentence must be introduced and completed with a comma. The correct answer choice is "Amir, who was on the company's board of directors, wanted"

Example Question #16 : Correcting Comma 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.

Few of the new employees who were currently going through training were expected to be around the following year, but management had high hopes for ones that did remain at the company.

Possible Answers:

Few of the new, employees who were currently going through training, were expected

Few of the new, employees who were currently going through training were expected

Few of the new employees, who were currently going through training, were expected

Few of the new employees, who were currently going through training were expected

Few of the new employees who were currently going through training were expected,

Correct answer:

Few of the new employees, who were currently going through training, were expected

Explanation:

The phrase "who were currently going through training"  is an example of a relative clause, which gives more information about its antecedent: employees. Any such phrase that occurs in the middle of a sentence must be introduced and completed with a comma. The correct answer choice is "Few of the new employees, who were currently going through training, were expected."

Example Question #145 : Correcting Punctuation 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 man always had to explain what he did for a living yet he felt that people did not understand, even after the explanation.

Possible Answers:

The man always had to explain what he did for a living, yet he felt that people

The man always had to explain what he did for a living yet he felt that people,

The man always had to explain what he did for a living yet he, felt that people

The man always had to explain, what he did for a living yet he felt that people

The man always had to explain what he did for a living, yet he felt, that people

Correct answer:

The man always had to explain what he did for a living, yet he felt that people

Explanation:

In this sentence, two independent clauses are being joined by a coordinate conjunction. When this occurs, a comma must come before the coordinate conjunction. The correct answer choice is "The man always had to explain what he did for a living, yet he felt that people"

Example Question #146 : Correcting Punctuation 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.

While driving his car on the highway the man happened to see a billboard with an interesting image, but was not able to tell what it was advertising.

Possible Answers:

While driving his car, on the highway the man happened to see a billboard

While driving his car on the highway, the man happened to see a billboard

While driving his car on the highway, the man happened to see a billboard,

While driving his car on the highway the man happened, to see a billboard

While driving his car, on the highway the man happened, to see a billboard

Correct answer:

While driving his car on the highway, the man happened to see a billboard

Explanation:

The phrase "While driving his car on the highway" is an example of an introductory phrase, explaining information necessary to the context of the sentence, but outside of the main sentence, grammatically. These types of phrases must be followed by a comma in order to separate them from the rest of the sentence. The correct answer choice is "While driving his car on the highway, the man happened to see a billboard."

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