All GMAT Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1801 : 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.
He decided to try meditation as a way of relieving stress.
He decided, to try meditation as a way
He decided to: try meditation as a way
He decided: to try meditation as a way
He decided to try meditation, as a way
He decided to try meditation as a way
He decided to try meditation as a way
This sentence contains no errors. This is a simple sentence containing two prepositional phrases (starting with "as" and "of"). There is no need for punctuation anywhere in the sentence (and punctuation is never used to split up verb phrases). The correct choice is, "He decided to try meditation as a way."
Example Question #1802 : 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 big, heavy machine was necessary in order to complete the construction of the building.
The big heavy machine was necessary in order to complete
The big: heavy machine was necessary in order to complete
The big, heavy machine was necessary in order to complete
The big, heavy, machine was necessary in order to complete
The big; heavy machine was necessary in order to complete
The big, heavy machine was necessary in order to complete
This sentence contains no errors. The words "big" and "heavy are coordinate adjectives: adjectives that modify the same noun separately, but are not separated with a conjunction. Coordinate adjectives need to be separated with a comma. The correct answer choice is, "The big, heavy machine was necessary in order to complete."
Example Question #1803 : 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.
While looking through her scrapbook, she remembered many pleasant events from her life.
through her scrapbook, she remembered: many pleasant events from her life.
through her scrapbook, she remembered many, pleasant events from her life.
through her scrapbook she remembered many pleasant events from her life.
through her scrapbook she remembered: many pleasant events from her life.
through her scrapbook, she remembered many pleasant events from her life.
through her scrapbook, she remembered many pleasant events from her life.
This sentence contains no errors. The phrase "While looking through her scrapbook" 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. No other changes are necessary.The correct answer choice is, "through her scrapbook, she remembered many pleasant events from her life."
Example Question #1804 : 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.
He dreamt of starting his own publishing company one day.
He was dreaming that starting his own publishing
He dreamed that he would start his own publishing
He was dreaming that he would start his own publishing
He dreamt that he would start his own publishing
He dreamt of starting his own publishing
He dreamt of starting his own publishing
This sentence contains no errors. The word "dreamt" is a valid form of the word "dream." It is the simple past tense form of the word. No changes are necessary; the other choices only add unnecessary words. The correct choice is, "He dreamt of starting his own publishing."
Example Question #1805 : 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 children ran among the trees in the woods.
between
among
near
inside
about
among
This sentence contains no errors. The word "among" means in the presence of, specifically when whatever mentioned is not a group of things in general. "Between" is used when you have separate and individual things (e.g. between the two rocks). Note that "about" is not a synonym for "among." It means concerning/near. The correct choice is "among."
Example Question #241 : 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.
She spent her weekends fishing in the river near her house.
weekends fishing in the river near her house.
weekends fishing in the river, near her house.
weekends fishing, in the river, near her house.
weekends fishing, in the river near her house.
weekends fishing in: the river near her house.
weekends fishing in the river near her house.
This sentence contains no errors. Note that the words "in" and "near" are prepositions and start prepositional phrases: such phrases are not separated from the main clause with commas. No changes are necessary. The correct choice is, "weekends fishing in the river near her house."
Example Question #242 : 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 factory uses up all of its stock by the end of the day, he delivers new supplies every day.
Often
Everyday
Commonly
Every day
Diurnal
Every day
This sentence contains no errors. The words "every day" means literally, every single day. As one word, "everyday" means commonplace. It is clear from the context of the sentence, however, that this particular factory needs a daily delivery. The other choices all have something to do with days or frequency, but do not quite hit the mark. "Every day" is the correct choice.
Example Question #243 : 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 scientists discovered a new animal; its amazing abilities surprised them.
its amazing abilities surprised, them.
its' amazing abilities surprised them.
its amazing abilities surprised them.
it's amazing abilities surprised them.
it is amazing abilities surprised them.
its amazing abilities surprised them.
This sentence contains no errors. "Its," without an apostrophe, is the proper possessive form of the word "it." With the apostrophe (it's), it is a contraction for "it is." The correct choice is, "its amazing abilities surprised them."
Example Question #244 : 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 teacher required the students to bring their own instruments when coming to the music lesson.
lift
carry
truck
take
bring
bring
This sentence contains no errors. All of the available choices are synonyms for "carry," but the difference lies in the point of reference. "Carry," "lift," and "truck" are generic words for carrying something, but "bring" indicates that you are carrying something to the position where the subject is, and "take" indicates you are moving away from the subject. The words "when coming to the music lesson" indicate that they are moving towards the direction of the subject: the music teacher (presumably, the teacher is already there). The correct choice is, "bring."
Example Question #245 : 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 searched for days, he was unable to find the documents he needed.
Though he searched for days he; was unable to find
Though he searched for days; he was unable to find
Though he searched for days, he was unable to find
Though he searched for days he, was unable to find
Though he searched for days he was unable to find
Though he searched for days, he was unable to find
This sentence contains no errors. The phrase "Though he searched for 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. No other changes are necessary. The correct choice is, "Though he searched for days, he was unable to find."