All GMAT Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #11 : Quotation Mark 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.
“Words like prejudice and bigotry are too negative for this publication,” she said.
“Words like ‘prejudice’ and ‘bigotry’ are too negative for this publication”
“Words like ‘prejudice,’ and ‘bigotry,’ are too negative for this publication,”
“Words like “prejudice” and “bigotry” are too negative for this publication,”
“Words like "prejudice" and ‘bigotry’ are too negative for this publication,”
“Words like ‘prejudice’ and ‘bigotry’ are too negative for this publication,”
“Words like ‘prejudice’ and ‘bigotry’ are too negative for this publication,”
Double quotation marks are conventionally used to indicate speech, and commas are conventionally used inside the quotation marks to separate a line of speech from its dialogue tag. Double quotation marks (without commas) are also conventionally used around a word or term to indicate discussion of that word or term in speech. However, because “prejudice” and “bigotry” are already within a set of double quotation marks here, single quotation marks must be used.
Example Question #411 : 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.
Kendra's pair of "Nunn Bush" shoes arrived in the mail today.
Nunn Bush shoes arrived in the mail today.
Nunn Bush, shoes arrived in the mail today.
"Nunn Bush" shoes, arrived in the mail today.
"Nunn Bush" shoes arrived in the mail today.
Nunn Bush shoes, arrived in the mail today.
Nunn Bush shoes arrived in the mail today.
This sentence misuses commas. It is clear that the words "Nunn Bush" is supposed to be the brand name of the shoes. Brand names are never put in quotations and no additional punctuation is necessary. The correct choice is, "Nunn Bush shoes arrived in the mail today."
Example Question #412 : 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 Hunger Games" is a very popular series of novels, revolving around the adventures of Katniss Everdeen in the dystopian country of Panem.
"The Hunger Games" is a very popular series of novels
The Hunger Games is a very popular series of novels
"The Hunger Games" is a very popular series of novels
The Hunger Games is a very popular series of novels
"The Hunger Games," is a very popular series of novels
The Hunger Games is a very popular series of novels
This sentence misuses quotation marks. Since The Hunger Games is the title of a series of books, it should be underlined OR italicized (not both). "The Hunger Games is a very popular series of novels" is the correct choice since it is the only choice that punctuates this series of words properly.
Example Question #21 : Correcting Quotation Mark 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.
Michael asked if "Sandra would be attending the party."
if Sandra, would be attending the party.
if Sandra would be attending the party.
if, "Sandra would be attending the party."
if "Sandra, would be attending the party."
if "Sandra would be attending the party."
if Sandra would be attending the party.
This sentence contains a misuse of quotation marks. The phrase "if Sandra would be attending the party" is not a direct quote from Michael. Instead, it is an indirect question being phrased in the form of a sentence. Only direct quotations deserve quotation marks, so no punctuation is needed; the correct answer choice is, "if Sandra would be attending the party."
Example Question #22 : Correcting Quotation Mark 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.
Levi said, "Albert Einstein said, "Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value." "
"Albert Einstein said, "Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value." "
"Albert Einstein said, 'Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.' "
"Albert Einstein said 'Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.' "
"Albert Einstein said "Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value." "
"Albert Einstein said: "Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value." "
"Albert Einstein said, 'Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.' "
This sentence contains an error in the usage of quotation marks. Quotations within quotations must use single quotation marks. All other rules for quoting still apply. In this case, the quote should be introduced with a comma. The correct choice is, " "Albert Einstein said, 'Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.' " "
Example Question #711 : Correcting Grammatical 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 underlined choices repeats the answer as it is written.
Did Larry just say, "I'm going to go see the Queen?"
Did Larry just say, "I'm going to go see the Queen"?
Did Larry just say, "I'm going to go see the Queen,"?
Did Larry just say, "I'm going to go see the Queen?"
Did Larry just say: "I'm going to go see the Queen?"
Did Larry just say "I'm going to go see the Queen?"
Did Larry just say, "I'm going to go see the Queen"?
The error in the above sentence is in the placement of the question mark. Larry's statement is not the question—the question is if Larry said the statement. Therefore, we need to remove the question mark from "I'm going to see the Queen?" and place it outside the second quotation mark to properly denote the correct question (Did Larry just say, "I'm going to go see the Queen"?)
Example Question #23 : Correcting Quotation Mark 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.
Barbara heard that Carlton "would be coming to town soon."
that Carlton: "would be coming to town soon."
that Carlton, "would be coming to town soon."
that Carlton would be coming to town soon.
that Carlton 'would be coming to town soon.'
that Carlton, 'would be coming to town soon.'
that Carlton would be coming to town soon.
This sentence misuses quotation marks. The phrase "that Carlton would be coming to town soon" is an indirect statement; it is NOT a direct quotation. Quotations should not be used with indirect statements, so the correct choice is, "that Carlton would be coming to town soon."
Example Question #24 : Correcting Quotation Mark 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.
He spent much time reading "Jane Eyre" because it was his favorite book.
reading Jane Eyre because it was his favorite book.
reading JANE EYRE because it was his favorite book.
reading Jane Eyre because it was his favorite book.
reading "Jane Eyre" because it was his favorite book.
reading 'Jane Eyre' because it was his favorite book.
reading Jane Eyre because it was his favorite book.
This sentence misuses quotation marks. Titles of books should be underlined or italicized. The correct choice is, "reading Jane Eyre because it was his favorite book."
Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre was published in 1847.
Example Question #25 : Correcting Quotation Mark 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.
Jacob 'studied' for his History test by watching movies set in the time period the test would cover.
Jacob studied for his History test by watching movies
Jacob "studied" for his History test by watching movies
Jacob "studied" for: his History test by watching movies
Jacob "studied" for his History test, by watching movies
Jacob 'studied' for his History test by watching movies
Jacob "studied" for his History test by watching movies
This sentence misuses quotation marks. Single quotation marks are only used when quoting something within a quotation. It is clear that quotation marks are necessary here in order to indicate that Jacob is not actually studying, but just watching movies, but no other changes are necessary. The correct choice is, "Jacob "studied" for his History test by watching movies."
Example Question #26 : Correcting Quotation Mark 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.
Mickey told Stephanie that 'he would help her complete the project on Tuesday.'
that, 'he would help her complete the project on Tuesday.'
that he would help her complete the project on Tuesday.
that 'he would help her complete the project on Tuesday.'
that, "he would help her complete the project on Tuesday."
that "he would help her complete the project on Tuesday."
that he would help her complete the project on Tuesday.
This sentence misuses quotation marks in two ways:
- Single quotation marks should only be used within an already existing quotation.
- Quotation marks are not necessary because "he would help her complete the project on Tuesday" is not a direct quote.
The phrase "he would help her complete the project on Tuesday" is an indirect statement; quotation marks are never used for such statements and are only used to surround direct quotes or special words.
The correct choice is, "that he would help her complete the project on Tuesday."