GMAT Verbal : GMAT Verbal

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GMAT Verbal

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #681 : 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.

Since the advent of the original flu vaccine, they have discovered several additional drugs that, when administered by a health care professional, help to reduce the risk of influenza.

Possible Answers:

they have discovered several additional drugs that, when administered by a health care professional, help to reduce the risk of influenza. 

researchers have discovered several additional drugs that, when administered by a health care professional, has helped to reduce the risk of influenza. 

researchers have discovered several additional drugs that, when administered by a health care professional, help to reduce the risk of influenza. 

they have discovered several additional drugs that, when administered by a health care professional, helps to reduce the risk of influenza. 

researchers have discovered several additional drugs that, when administered by a health care professional, helps in reducing the risk of influenza. 

Correct answer:

researchers have discovered several additional drugs that, when administered by a health care professional, help to reduce the risk of influenza. 

Explanation:

Answer choices "researchers have discovered several additional drugs that, when administered by a health care professional, has helped to reduce the risk of influenza" and "researchers have discovered several additional drugs that, when administered by a health care professional, helps in reducing the risk of influenza" contain subject-verb agreement errors because they use singular verbs—"helps" and "has helped"—rather than the plural verbs required by the plural noun "drugs."

The answer choices containing "they" as opposed to "researchers" are incorrect because they contain an ambiguous pronoun. We don't know to whom "they" refers.

The answer choice "researchers have discovered several additional drugs that, when administered by a health care professional, help to reduce the risk of influenza" is correct because it is the only answer choice that correctly avoids using an ambiguous pronoun and doesn't introduce any subject-verb agreement errors.

Example Question #471 : 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 company bought a new machine; its reputation for efficiency was incredible.

Possible Answers:

The company bought a new machine because its CEO wanted its reputation for efficiency to be incredible.

The company bought a new machine, and its reputation for efficiency was incredible.

The company bought a new machine; its reputation for efficiency was incredible.

The company bought a new machine, for its reputation for efficiency was incredible.

The company bought a new machine which had a reputation for incredible efficiency.

Correct answer:

The company bought a new machine which had a reputation for incredible efficiency.

Explanation:

The correct choice is, "The company bought a new machine which had a reputation for incredible efficiency." All of the other sentences are ambiguous and confusing because the pronoun "its" could refer to either the company or the machine as it is used here. The use of "which" clears the confusion, since English grammar dictates that the antecedent of "which" and other relative pronouns come directly before the pronoun.

Example Question #472 : 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 parents lectured the children, even though it was unpleasant for them.

Possible Answers:

The parents lectured the children, even though they found it unpleasant.

The parents lectured the children, even though it was unpleasant for them.

The parents lectured the children, but it was unpleasant for them.

Though the parents found lecturing unpleasant, they lectured the children.

The parents lectured the children, unpleasant as it was.

Correct answer:

Though the parents found lecturing unpleasant, they lectured the children.

Explanation:

The best conveys the idea of this sentence is: "Though the parents found lecturing unpleasant, they lectured the children." The other choices are vague, since the pronouns used make it unclear as to who finds the lecturing unpleasant - the children, the parents, or both? It is also possible that no one specifically considers the lecturing unpleasant, but the sentence is making a statement that lecturing in general is unpleasant. The choice "Though the parents found lecturing unpleasant, they lectured the children" is very specific as to who finds the lecturing unpleasant and why.

Example Question #473 : 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.

Kelly loved to speak with them.

Possible Answers:

to them.

with they.

with her friends.

them.

with them.

Correct answer:

with her friends.

Explanation:

This sentence contains an ambiguous pronoun. A reader would have no idea to whom "them" refers in this sentence. It is always important to clarify who or what the subject/object is before you are able to refer to it using a pronoun. The correct choice is, "with her friends."

Example Question #481 : 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.

After installing the new part in his car, it was not working properly.

Possible Answers:

 it was not working properly.

it was not starting up.

the part did not work properly.

 it would not work.

he could not get it to work.

Correct answer:

the part did not work properly.

Explanation:

The word "it" in this sentence is ambiguous. In this situation, it is possible for the "it" to refer either to the car or the part installed. Take, for example, that he installed a new radio or speakers in his car. It is entirely possible that the car would be able to work when these components are not working and vice versa. Perhaps while installing the radio/speakers, this person accidentally cut a wire that was vital to some other electrical components of the car. It is possible that the car may not start fully (i.e. to be able to drive), but perhaps the radio might still turn on - at least for a bit. So, it is important to clarify this; the best choice is, "the part did not work properly" since it is the only choice that is not vague.

Example Question #482 : 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.

Donavan took his dog to the park; it was very big.

Possible Answers:

his dog to the park; that was very big.

his dog to the park; it was very big.

his dog to the park; who was very big.

his dog to the park, which was very big.

his dog to the park, it was very big.

Correct answer:

his dog to the park, which was very big.

Explanation:

This sentence contains an ambiguous pronoun. The word "it" could easily refer to the dog or the park in English. The choice that fixes this issue is, "his dog to the park, which was very big" because English grammar dictates that a relative pronoun (which) come directly after the word it modifies.

"Who" is not appropriate because this pronoun is only reserved for humans in English, and "that" is inappropriate because the semicolon before it dictates that both clauses must be independent (any phrase that follows "that" is dependent).

Example Question #31 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Ambiguity

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.

William talked to Toby because he was a very sociable individual.

Possible Answers:

who was a very sociable individual.

because he was a very sociable individual.

that was a very sociable individual.

since he was a very sociable individual.

because he was a very genial individual.

Correct answer:

who was a very sociable individual.

Explanation:

This sentence uses the pronoun "he," which is very ambiguous in this sentence. Does "he" refer to William or Toby? Changing the "he" to "who" fixes this issue because English grammar dictates that a relative pronoun appear after the word to which it is referring. "That" makes sense because William and Toby are humans (that is reserved for objects) and the other choices do not make any substantial changes to the original sentence. The answer is, "who was a very sociable individual."

Example Question #32 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Ambiguity

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.

Trina's new song, which topped the charts, is loved by many.

Possible Answers:

Trina's new song is loved by many and topped the charts.

Trina's new song topped the charts, which is loved by many.

Trina's new song, which topped the charts, is loved by many.

Trina's new song is loved by many, so it topped the charts.

Trina's new song, which many people love, topped the charts.

Correct answer:

Trina's new song, which many people love, topped the charts.

Explanation:

This sentence contains many errors: foremost, it is very ambiguous in the usage of the pronoun in its current form. It is unclear whether the sentence means that the charts are loved or Trina's song. Additionally, passive voice is used in this sentence when active voice is better for a relatively complex sentence like this one (i.e. The subject must do the action of the sentence) in standard English. The correct choice is, "Trina's new song, which many people love, topped the charts."

Example Question #33 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Ambiguity

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 largest tree in the park, which is very beautiful, is as old as the city.

Possible Answers:

The largest tree in the park, that is very beautiful, is as old as the city.

The beautiful park's largest tree is as old as the city.

The park's largest tree, which is as old as the city, is beautiful.

The beautiful tree in the park, which is as old as the city, is the largest in the park.

The largest tree in the park, which is very beautiful, is as old as the city.

Correct answer:

The beautiful park's largest tree is as old as the city.

Explanation:

The sentence contains an ambiguous pronoun. Technically, the word "which" could apply to both "the tree" and "the park" in this sentence. The word order needs to be reorganized in such a way that it is clear which words specifically refer to which nouns. The correct choice is, "The beautiful park's largest tree is as old as the city" as all of the other sentences contain some degree of ambiguity. This choice is the only one that is specific and clear.

Example Question #34 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Ambiguity

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 ways infants adapt to new situations tells psychologists more about their brain's development than other attempts to measure intelligence.  

Possible Answers:

their brain's development than

how children's brains develop than do

how one's brain develops than 

developing children's brains than

they develop their brains than

Correct answer:

how children's brains develop than do

Explanation:

Eliminate the choices containing ambiguous pronouns, as it is not clear to whom "their," "one," and "they" refers. Note that the correct answer adds the necessary auxiliary verb "do". The use of the noun in "how children's..." resolves any issues with ambiguity.

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