All GMAT Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #221 : 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.
Tamika was flattered by the turnout to her performance.
Tamika flattered by the turnout
Tamika was flattered by the turnout
Tamika was: flattered by the turnout
Tamika was - flattered by the turnout
Tamika, flattered by the turnout
Tamika was flattered by the turnout
This sentence contains no errors. Technically, the phrase "Tamia was flattered" could be considered passive voice, but it can also be a combination of a linking verb (was) and an adjective (flattered) acting as an appositive to the subject (Tamika). Additionally, the choices given only contain differences in punctuation, many of which turn the sentence into a fragment. No change is necessary. The correct choice is, "Tamika was flattered by the turnout."
Example Question #222 : 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.
Ubuntu, a South African English word that translates as "kindness," is also the name of a popular program.
Ubuntu a South African English word that translates as "kindness" is also
Ubuntu, a South African English word that translates as "kindness," is also
Ubuntu a South African English word that translates as "kindness," is also
Ubuntu, a South African English word that translates as "kindness" is also
Ubuntu, a South African English word, that translates as "kindness," is also
Ubuntu, a South African English word that translates as "kindness," is also
This sentence contains no errors. The phrase "a South African English word that translates as 'kindness' " 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 choice is, "Ubuntu, a South African English word that translates as "kindness," is also."
Example Question #223 : 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.
Though he obtained a boomerang, he could not figure out how to make it work.
Though he obtained a boomerang; he could not figure out how to make it work.
Though he obtained a boomerang he could not figure out how to make it work.
Though he obtained a boomerang, he could not figure out how to make it work.
Though he obtained a boomerang, he could not, for the life of him, figure out how to make it work.
Though he obtained a boomerang, he could not figure out: how to make it work.
Though he obtained a boomerang, he could not figure out how to make it work.
This sentence contains no errors. The phrase "Though he obtained a boomerang" 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 choice is, "Though he obtained a boomerang, he could not figure out how to make it work."
Example Question #224 : 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.
He was the star of so many musicals that he became known as "The Music Man" by his friends.
He was the star of so many musicals that he became known as "The Music Man" by his friends.
He was the star of so many musicals that he became known as: "The Music Man" by his friends.
He was the star of so many musicals that he became known as The Music Man by his friends.
He was the star of so many musicals, that he became known as "The Music Man" by his friends.
He was the star of so many musicals that he became known: as "The Music Man" by his friends.
He was the star of so many musicals that he became known as "The Music Man" by his friends.
This sentence contains no errors. Note that "that" should not be separated by a comma, even though it begins a new clause. Additionally, the words "The Music Man" should be in quotations because it denotes a special name. A colon could be appropriate in this sentence after the word "as" if the words "by his friends" were omitted. The correct choice is, "He was the star of so many musicals that he became known as "The Music Man" by his friends."
Example Question #225 : 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.
As a part of his journaling process, he took a picture of himself each week and posted it in his book.
his journaling process he took a picture of: himself each week and posted
his journaling process, he took a picture of himself each week, and posted
his journaling process he took a picture of himself each week and posted
his journaling process, he took a picture of: himself each week and posted
his journaling process, he took a picture of himself each week and posted
his journaling process, he took a picture of himself each week and posted
This sentence contains no errors. The phrase "As a part of his journaling process" 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. Additionally, there should not be a comma before the word "and" because "posted it in his book" is not an independent clause. Commas are only used before coordinating conjunctions when they join two independent clauses. No additional punctuation is necessary. The correct choice is, "his journaling process, he took a picture of himself each week and posted."
Example Question #1791 : 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.
Franco had been singing for years; he even was part of many well known choirs.
singing for years: he even was part of many well known choirs.
singing for years/ he even was part of many well known choirs.
singing for years; he even was part of many well known choirs.
singing for years - he even was part of many well known choirs.
singing for years, he even was part of many well known choirs.
singing for years; he even was part of many well known choirs.
This sentence contains no errors. The sentence contains two independent clauses that are not joined with a conjunction, so the appropriate punctuation here is a semicolon. The correct choice is "singing for years; he even was part of many well known choirs."
Example Question #227 : 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.
Every other week, he would spend the day cleaning the entire house, even the garage; to him, it was a form of meditation as well as basic housekeeping.
Every other week, he would spend the day cleaning the entire house, even the garage; to him, it was a form of meditation as well as basic housekeeping.
Every other week, he would spend day cleaning the entire house, even garage; to him, it was form of meditation as well as basic housekeeping.
Every other week, he would spend the day cleaning the entire house, even the garage, to him, it was a form of meditation as well as basic housekeeping.
Every other week, he spending the day cleaning the entire house, even the garage; to him, it was a form of meditation as well as basic housekeeping.
Every other week, he would spend the day cleaning the entire house, even the garage, to him it was a form of meditation, as well as basic housekeeping.
Every other week, he would spend the day cleaning the entire house, even the garage; to him, it was a form of meditation as well as basic housekeeping.
This sentence contains no errors. The phrases "Every other week" and "to him" are examples of introductory phrases, 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.
"Even the garage" 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 should also be introduced and completed with a comma in order to separate them from the main clause of the sentence.
Furthermore, the sentence combined two related independent clauses together without the use of a coordinate conjunction. When this is the case, a semicolon should appear between them, as it does after the word "garage" in this sentence.
The correct choice is "Every other week, he would spend the day cleaning the entire house, even the garage; to him, it was a form of meditation as well as basic housekeeping."
Example Question #228 : 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.
The book stated: "Everyone suspects himself of at least one of the cardinal virtues, and this is mine: I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known."
The book stated 'Everyone suspects himself of at least one of the cardinal virtues, and this is mine: I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known.'
The book stated, " 'Everyone suspects himself of at least one of the cardinal virtues and this is mine I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known.' "
The book stated: Everyone suspects himself of at least one of the cardinal virtues, and this is mine: I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known.
The book stated: "Everyone suspects himself of at least one of the cardinal virtues, and this is mine: I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known."
The book stated - "Everyone suspects himself of at least one of the cardinal virtues, and this is mine: I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known."
The book stated: "Everyone suspects himself of at least one of the cardinal virtues, and this is mine: I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known."
This sentence contains no errors. The colon after "stated" is appropriate because the following clause, the quote, explains what the book stated. Double quotations should be used because this is a direct quote/saying from the book. Within the quote itself, the phrase "I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known" also explains the clause preceding it, so the colon before the word "I" is also appropriate. No changes are necessary. The correct choice is " The book stated that: "Everyone suspects himself of at least one of the cardinal virtues, and this is mine: I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known." "
Example Question #229 : 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.
Because the programmer forgot to add a word into his code, the entire program did not work.
The entire program did not work, because the programmer forgot to add a word into his code.
Because the programmer forgot to add a word into his code: the entire program did not work.
Because, the programmer forgot to add a word into his code, the entire program did not work.
Because the programmer forgot to add a word into his code; the entire program did not work.
Because the programmer forgot to add a word into his code, the entire program did not work.
Because the programmer forgot to add a word into his code, the entire program did not work.
This sentence contains no errors. The phrase "Because the programmer forgot to add a word into his code" 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. It is perfectly acceptable for the word "because" to start the sentence, as long as the sentence is punctuated correctly. Note, however, that "The entire program did not work, because the programmer forgot to add a word into his code" is incorrect because a comma should not appear before the word because in the midst of a sentence. The correct choice is, "Because the programmer forgot to add a word into his code, the entire program did not work."
Example Question #1792 : 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.
She surfed every weekend as a way to unwind from a stressful week.
every weekend, as a way to unwind, from a stressful week.
every weekend: as a way to unwind from a stressful week.
every weekend as a way to unwind from a stressful week.
every weekend as a way to unwind, from a stressful week.
every weekend, as a way to unwind from a stressful week.
every weekend as a way to unwind from a stressful week.
This sentence contains no errors. No additional punctuation, such as commas, are unnecessary because there is not a separate clause in this sentence. The word "as" here acts as a preposition (as well as "from"), and prepositional phrases are not separate clauses. The correct choice is, "every weekend as a way to unwind from a stressful week."