All GMAT Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #176 : 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.
On nice days Brandon liked to go to the park and fly his model airplane.
On nice days Brandon liked
On nice days, Brandon, liked
On nice days, Brandon liked
On nice days Brandon liked,
On nice days: Brandon liked
On nice days, Brandon liked
This sentence needs a comma after the word "days." The phrase "On nice days" 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, "On nice days, Brandon liked."
Example Question #177 : 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 answering questions Mathew was texting the other members of the committee.
While answering questions: Mathew was texting
While answering questions; Mathew was texting
While answering questions - Mathew was texting
While answering questions Mathew was texting
While answering questions, Mathew was texting
While answering questions, Mathew was texting
The phrase "While answering questions" 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 answering questions, Mathew was texting."
Example Question #178 : 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.
His hobby was collecting headphones, and instruments.
collecting headphones and instruments.
collecting headphones, and instruments.
collecting headphones and, instruments.
collecting, headphones and instruments.
collecting - headphones and instruments.
collecting headphones and instruments.
This sentence misuses a comma. While the conjunction "and" is present, there is no need for a comma because we do not yet have a list (three or more) of items. The comma should be omitted. Any other punctuation elsewhere is inappropriate since it would disturb the meaning of the sentence and does not belong, grammatically. The correct choice is, "collecting headphones and instruments."
Example Question #484 : Gmat Verbal
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.
Nuclear energy which has a bad reputation for being dangerous is actually quite safe.
energy which has a bad reputation for being dangerous is actually
energy; which has a bad reputation for being dangerous is actually
energy, which has a bad reputation for being dangerous is actually
energy, which has a bad reputation for being dangerous, is actually
energy; which has a bad reputation for being dangerous, is actually
energy, which has a bad reputation for being dangerous, is actually
The phrase "which has a bad reputation for being dangerous" is an example of a relative clause, which gives more information about its antecedent: nuclear energy. Any such phrase that occurs in the middle of a sentence must be introduced and completed with a comma. The correct answer choice is, "energy, which has a bad reputation for being dangerous, is actually."
Example Question #485 : Gmat Verbal
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 remaining items on Jake's to-do list were to clean his car, to buy groceries and to pay his bills.
to clean his car, to buy groceries and to pay his bills.
to clean his car to buy groceries, and to pay his bills.
to clean his car, to buy groceries, and to pay his bills.
to clean his car, to buy groceries, and, to pay his bills.
to clean his car to buy groceries and to pay his bills.
to clean his car, to buy groceries, and to pay his bills.
The phrase "to clean his car, to buy groceries and to pay his bills" 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 actions "buy" and "pay" are not related in this case, so they should not be grouped together. The correct answer is, "to clean his car, to buy groceries, and to pay his bills."
Example Question #183 : 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.
Though acting may seem easy to most people it takes much effort and practice.
acting may seem easy to most people; it takes much effort, and practice.
acting may seem easy to most people, it takes much effort, and practice.
acting may seem easy to most people it takes much effort and practice.
acting may seem easy to most people, it takes much effort and practice.
acting may seem easy to most people it takes much effort, and practice.
acting may seem easy to most people, it takes much effort and practice.
This sentence is missing a comma where needed. The phrase "Though acting may seem easy to most people" is 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 clause "it takes much effort and practice" is fine and functions as an independent clause. No additional changes are necessary, so the correct choice is, "acting may seem easy to most people, it takes much effort and practice."
Example Question #486 : Gmat Verbal
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.
Fred decided to learn about economics, in order to gain a better understanding of the world.
to learn about economics, in order to gain a better understanding
to learn about economics: in order to gain a better understanding
to learn about economics in order to gain a better understanding:
to learn about economics in order to gain a better understanding
to learn about economics, in order to gain a better understanding:
to learn about economics in order to gain a better understanding
This sentence misuses a comma. The sentence is a simple sentence, so no punctuation of any sort is needed. The placement of the comma is strange because it is not joining clauses, being used in a list, or otherwise. In fact, the comma is in the middle of the same clause. The same issue lies with the usage of the other punctuation: there is only one clause in this sentence and any punctuation awkwardly splits it up. The correct choice is, "to learn about economics in order to gain a better understanding."
Example Question #487 : Gmat Verbal
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.
Kara's favorite novel 1984 is a literary classic, according to most people.
Kara's favorite novel, 1984, is a literary classic, according to most people.
Kara's favorite novel, 1984 is a literary classic, according to most people.
Kara's favorite novel: 1984 is a literary classic, according to most people.
Kara's favorite novel: 1984, is a literary classic according to most people.
Kara's favorite novel 1984 is a literary classic, according to most people.
Kara's favorite novel, 1984, is a literary classic, according to most people.
This sentence does not contain commas where necessary. The title, George Orwell's 1984 (1949), is an example of 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 choice is, "Kara's favorite novel, 1984, is a literary classic, according to most people."
Example Question #488 : Gmat Verbal
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.
Many, elements on the periodic table are very volatile.
Many elements on the periodic table -
Many elements on the periodic table
Many elements on the periodic table:
Many, elements on the periodic table:
Many, elements on the periodic table
Many elements on the periodic table
This sentence misuses a comma. This sentence is a simple sentence, so no punctuation of any sort is needed. The comma should be omitted because it comes in the middle of an independent clause. The correct choice is, "Many elements on the periodic table."
Example Question #489 : Gmat Verbal
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.
Adam and his friends always engaged in competitions with one another but many around them did not see the point in the trials.
competitions with one another, but many around them did not see the point
competitions with one another, but many around them did not see the point,
competitions with one another but many around them did not see the point,
competitions with one another but many around them did not see the point
competitions: with one another but many around them did not see the point
competitions with one another, but many around them did not see the point
This sentence is missing a comma. The sentence joins two independent clauses with the coordinate conjunction "but," so a comma should appear before "but." No additional punctuation is needed. The correct choice is, "competitions with one another, but many around them did not see the point."