47). Most state constitutions now mandate that the state budget be balanced each year.
(A) mandate that the state budget be balanced
(B) mandate the state budget to be balanced
(C) mandate that the state budget will be balanced
(D) have a mandate for a balanced state budget
(E) have a mandate to balance the state budget
48). Two new studies indicate that many people become obese more due to the fact that their bodies burn calories too slowly than overeating.
(A) due to the fact that their bodies burn calories too slowly than overeating
(B) due to their bodies burning calories too slowly than to eating too much
(C) because their bodies bum calories too slowly than that they are overeaters
(D) because their bodies bum calories too slowly than because they eat too much
(E) because of their bodies burning calories too slowly than because of their eating too much
Answers -
47). A is the correct answer - When mandate is used as a verb to mean "make it mandatory,' it must be followed by that and a verb in the
subjunctive mood, as in A, the best answer: mandate that x be balanced.
B - incorrect -- uses the ungrammatical mandate x to be balanced.
C - incorrect -- inappropriately uses the future indicative, will be, rather than the subjunctive.
D, E - incorrect -- use wordy and imprecise expressions in place of the verb mandate: neither have a mandate for a balanced... budget nor have a mandate to balance the ... budget makes clear that the requirement is made by the constitution. It is also unclear in D whether each year refers to the mandating or the balancing.
48). D is the best choice -- The members of a comparison (more X than Y) should be expressed in parallel form. This choice correctly uses parallel clauses introduced by because. The clauses themselves are clear and direct.
E - incorrect -- uses parallel forms, but the convoluted structures are awkward and wordy. Furthermore, the word "bodies" would need an apostrophe (bodies') since it is the logical subject of the gerund burning (that is, it answers the question, "Whose burning?").
A, B, C - incorrect -- do not use parallel forms for the two members of the comparison. In addition, A and B use "due to" unidiomatically to mean "because"; properly used, "due to" is synonymous with "attributable to".
Monday, July 31, 2006
Gmat Sentence Correction 45 , 46
45). The Coast guard is conducting tests to see whether pigeons can be trained to help find survivors of wrecks at sea.
(A) to see whether pigeons can be trained to help find
(B) to see whether pigeons can be trained as help to find
(C) to see if pigeons can be trained for helping to find
(D) that see if pigeons are able to be trained in helping to find.
(E) that see whether pigeons are able to be trained for help in finding
46). The first decision for most tenants living in a building undergoing being converted to cooperative ownership
is if to sign a no-buy pledge with the other tenants.
(A) being converted to cooperative ownership is if to sign
(B) being converted to cooperative ownership is whether they should be signing
(C) being converted to cooperative ownership is whether or not they sign
(D) conversion to cooperative ownership is if to sign
(E) conversion to cooperative ownership is whether to sign
Answers -
45). A is the correct answer -- This choice clearly states both the purpose of the test and the purpose of the training.
B - incorrect -- "As help to find" is unidiomatic.
C - incorrect -- "For helping to find" is not the correct idiom; "whether" is preferred to "if" when there are only two alternatives.
D - incorrect -- "That see " is ungrammatical; "whether" is preferred to "if" when there are only two alternatives; "are able to be" should be replaced by the concise "can"; "in helping to find" should be " to help find".
E - incorrect -- "For helping in finding" is incorrect idiom; "are able to be" should be replaced by the concise "can".
46). E is the best choice -- idiomatically completes "whether" with an infinitive, "to sign", that functions as a noun equivalent of decision. It also uses the noun conversion, which grammatically completes the phrase begun by "undergoing".
A, B, C - incorrect -- the phrase "being converted" is awkward and redundant, since the sense of process indicated by
"being" has already been conveyed by "undergoing".
A, D - incorrect -- can be faulted for saying "if" rather than "whether", since the sentence poses alternative possibilities, to sign or not to sign.
(A) to see whether pigeons can be trained to help find
(B) to see whether pigeons can be trained as help to find
(C) to see if pigeons can be trained for helping to find
(D) that see if pigeons are able to be trained in helping to find.
(E) that see whether pigeons are able to be trained for help in finding
46). The first decision for most tenants living in a building undergoing being converted to cooperative ownership
is if to sign a no-buy pledge with the other tenants.
(A) being converted to cooperative ownership is if to sign
(B) being converted to cooperative ownership is whether they should be signing
(C) being converted to cooperative ownership is whether or not they sign
(D) conversion to cooperative ownership is if to sign
(E) conversion to cooperative ownership is whether to sign
Answers -
45). A is the correct answer -- This choice clearly states both the purpose of the test and the purpose of the training.
B - incorrect -- "As help to find" is unidiomatic.
C - incorrect -- "For helping to find" is not the correct idiom; "whether" is preferred to "if" when there are only two alternatives.
D - incorrect -- "That see " is ungrammatical; "whether" is preferred to "if" when there are only two alternatives; "are able to be" should be replaced by the concise "can"; "in helping to find" should be " to help find".
E - incorrect -- "For helping in finding" is incorrect idiom; "are able to be" should be replaced by the concise "can".
46). E is the best choice -- idiomatically completes "whether" with an infinitive, "to sign", that functions as a noun equivalent of decision. It also uses the noun conversion, which grammatically completes the phrase begun by "undergoing".
A, B, C - incorrect -- the phrase "being converted" is awkward and redundant, since the sense of process indicated by
"being" has already been conveyed by "undergoing".
A, D - incorrect -- can be faulted for saying "if" rather than "whether", since the sentence poses alternative possibilities, to sign or not to sign.
Friday, July 28, 2006
Gmat Sentence Correction 43, 44
43). The Diary of Anne Frank tells the true story of a young girl and her family that were hidden during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands by a gentile Dutch couple, though they were eventually discovered.
A). that were hidden during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands by a gentile Dutch couple, though they were eventually discovered
B). that were hidden by a gentile Dutch couple during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, though they were eventually discovered
C). whom a gentile Dutch couple hid during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands but were eventually discovered
D). who were hidden by a gentile Dutch couple during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands but were eventually discovered
E). who were hidden by a gentile Dutch couple during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands even though they were eventually discovered
44). Despite the sequel's poor critical reception, most people seeing it find the acting and cinematography at least as good or even better than the original.
A). most people seeing it find the acting and cinematography at least as good or even better than the original
B). most people seeing it find the acting and cinematography at least as good or even better than the original's
C). most people who see the film find the acting and cinematography at least as good as or even better than those in the original
D). most people who see it find the acting and cinematography at least as good or even better than those in the original
E). most people seeing the film find the acting and cinematography at least as good as or even better than those of the original's
Answers -
43). The correct answer is D -- It correctly uses the pronoun "who" to refer to a girl and her family. Additionally, the phrase "by a gentile Dutch couple" is placed immediately after "who were hidden" to clarify the meaning. Finally, the ambiguous pronoun issue is avoided altogether.
A - incorrect -- The original sentence uses the relative pronoun "that" where "who" is preferred because the antecedent is a group of people. Also, the prepositional phrase "by a gentile Dutch couple" is placed in such a way as to suggest that the occupation was carried out by the couple. Finally, the pronoun "they" is ambiguous – it could refer to the family or to the couple.
B - incorrect -- This choice incorrectly uses the relative pronoun "that" to refer to a group of people. Additionally, the pronoun "they" is ambiguous - it could refer to the family or to the couple.
C - incorrect -- The use of the object pronoun "whom" makes "a girl and her family" the object of the clause "a gentile Dutch couple hid;" however "a girl and her family" are the subject of the next clause "were eventually discovered." This is a mismatch.
E - incorrect -- The pronoun "they" is ambiguous - it could refer to the family or to the couple.
44). The correct answer is C -- This choice correctly replaces "it" with "film", adds the missing "as", and makes clear that the acting and cinematography in the sequel are compared to the acting and cinematography in the original.
A - incorrect -- First, the pronoun "it" is used to refer to the film, but the film has not been mentioned in the sentence. Instead "the sequel's poor critical reception" has been mentioned. This is not the same as the film, so the pronoun "it" has no grammatical antecedent and must be changed.
Second, the phrase "at least as good or even better than" is incomplete: there should be another "as" after "good".
Third, the cinematography and acting are being compared to the "original". What is meant here is that the cinematography and acting in the sequel are as good as the cinematography and acting in the original. This must be changed.
B - incorrect -- The pronoun "it" has no grammatical antecedent and the phrase "at least as good or even better" is missing the second "as" after "good."
D - incorrect -- The pronoun "it" has no grammatical antecedent and the phrase "at least as good or even better" is missing the second "as" after "good."
E - incorrect -- This choice introduces the possessive redundancy "those of the original's." One could say either "those of the original" or "the original's", but using both is redundant.
A). that were hidden during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands by a gentile Dutch couple, though they were eventually discovered
B). that were hidden by a gentile Dutch couple during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, though they were eventually discovered
C). whom a gentile Dutch couple hid during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands but were eventually discovered
D). who were hidden by a gentile Dutch couple during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands but were eventually discovered
E). who were hidden by a gentile Dutch couple during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands even though they were eventually discovered
44). Despite the sequel's poor critical reception, most people seeing it find the acting and cinematography at least as good or even better than the original.
A). most people seeing it find the acting and cinematography at least as good or even better than the original
B). most people seeing it find the acting and cinematography at least as good or even better than the original's
C). most people who see the film find the acting and cinematography at least as good as or even better than those in the original
D). most people who see it find the acting and cinematography at least as good or even better than those in the original
E). most people seeing the film find the acting and cinematography at least as good as or even better than those of the original's
Answers -
43). The correct answer is D -- It correctly uses the pronoun "who" to refer to a girl and her family. Additionally, the phrase "by a gentile Dutch couple" is placed immediately after "who were hidden" to clarify the meaning. Finally, the ambiguous pronoun issue is avoided altogether.
A - incorrect -- The original sentence uses the relative pronoun "that" where "who" is preferred because the antecedent is a group of people. Also, the prepositional phrase "by a gentile Dutch couple" is placed in such a way as to suggest that the occupation was carried out by the couple. Finally, the pronoun "they" is ambiguous – it could refer to the family or to the couple.
B - incorrect -- This choice incorrectly uses the relative pronoun "that" to refer to a group of people. Additionally, the pronoun "they" is ambiguous - it could refer to the family or to the couple.
C - incorrect -- The use of the object pronoun "whom" makes "a girl and her family" the object of the clause "a gentile Dutch couple hid;" however "a girl and her family" are the subject of the next clause "were eventually discovered." This is a mismatch.
E - incorrect -- The pronoun "they" is ambiguous - it could refer to the family or to the couple.
44). The correct answer is C -- This choice correctly replaces "it" with "film", adds the missing "as", and makes clear that the acting and cinematography in the sequel are compared to the acting and cinematography in the original.
A - incorrect -- First, the pronoun "it" is used to refer to the film, but the film has not been mentioned in the sentence. Instead "the sequel's poor critical reception" has been mentioned. This is not the same as the film, so the pronoun "it" has no grammatical antecedent and must be changed.
Second, the phrase "at least as good or even better than" is incomplete: there should be another "as" after "good".
Third, the cinematography and acting are being compared to the "original". What is meant here is that the cinematography and acting in the sequel are as good as the cinematography and acting in the original. This must be changed.
B - incorrect -- The pronoun "it" has no grammatical antecedent and the phrase "at least as good or even better" is missing the second "as" after "good."
D - incorrect -- The pronoun "it" has no grammatical antecedent and the phrase "at least as good or even better" is missing the second "as" after "good."
E - incorrect -- This choice introduces the possessive redundancy "those of the original's." One could say either "those of the original" or "the original's", but using both is redundant.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Gmat Sentence Correction 41, 42
41). Starting at age four, Mozart's father began taking him on tours of the capitals of Europe, in order to demonstrate his musical talents.
(A). Mozart's father began taking him on tours of the capitals of Europe, in order to demonstrate his musical talents
(B). Mozart's father began taking the boy on tours of the capitals of Europe, to demonstrate his musical talents
(C). Mozart began accompanying his father on tours of the capitals of Europe, to demonstrate his own musical talents
(D). Mozart was accompanying his father on tours of Europe's capitals, to demonstrate his musical talents
(E). Mozart's father began taking him on tours of the capitals of Europe, to demonstrate the boy's musical talents
42). According to the professor's philosophy, the antidote to envy is one's own work, always one's own work: not thinking about it, not assessing it, but simply doing it.
(A) one's own work, always one's own work: not thinking about it, not assessing it, but simply doing it
(B) always work; because you don't think about it or assess it, you just do it
(C) always one's own work: not thinking about or assessing it, but simply to do it
(D) not to think or assess, but doing one's own work
(E) neither to think about one's own work nor to assess it, it is always simply doing it
Answers -
41). C is the best choice -- "Mozart" is correctly placed as the subject of the opening modifier "starting at age four." Additionally, the phrase "his own" clarifies that the musical talents in question are those of the subject, Mozart.
A - incorrect -- The original sentence begins with a modifier ("starting at age four") that describes Mozart. Yet, the subject of the main clause is Mozart's father. We need to find a choice that make Mozart himself the subject. Moreover, the pronoun "him" has no grammatical antecedent, since it is meant to refer to Mozart despite the fact that Mozart is not actually present in the sentence (we have "Mozart's father" instead). Finally, the pronoun "his" is somewhat ambiguous: does it refer to Mozart (who, again, is not in the sentence) or to his father?
B -- incorrect -- "Mozart's father" serves illogically as the subject of the opening modifier "starting at age four." Additionally, the pronoun "his" is ambiguous in that it could refer to the boy or the father.
D -- incorrect -- This choice incorrectly uses the verb "was," which does not match the ongoing nature of the modifier "starting at age four." Additionally, the pronoun "his" is ambiguous in that it could refer to Mozart or his father.
E -- incorrect -- "Mozart's father" serves illogically as the subject of the opening modifier "starting at age four." Additionally, the pronoun "him" has no grammatical antecedent, since it is meant to refer to Mozart despite the fact that Mozart is not actually present in the sentence (we have "Mozart's father" instead).
42). The correct answer is A - maintains parallelism - thinking, assessing, doing
D, E - incorrect - violates parallelism -- think, assess, doing are not parallel
C - incorrect - violates parallelism -- thinking, assessing and to do it are not parallel.
B - incorrect -- the antidote to envy is to work always -- changes the meaning of the original sentence.
(A). Mozart's father began taking him on tours of the capitals of Europe, in order to demonstrate his musical talents
(B). Mozart's father began taking the boy on tours of the capitals of Europe, to demonstrate his musical talents
(C). Mozart began accompanying his father on tours of the capitals of Europe, to demonstrate his own musical talents
(D). Mozart was accompanying his father on tours of Europe's capitals, to demonstrate his musical talents
(E). Mozart's father began taking him on tours of the capitals of Europe, to demonstrate the boy's musical talents
42). According to the professor's philosophy, the antidote to envy is one's own work, always one's own work: not thinking about it, not assessing it, but simply doing it.
(A) one's own work, always one's own work: not thinking about it, not assessing it, but simply doing it
(B) always work; because you don't think about it or assess it, you just do it
(C) always one's own work: not thinking about or assessing it, but simply to do it
(D) not to think or assess, but doing one's own work
(E) neither to think about one's own work nor to assess it, it is always simply doing it
Answers -
41). C is the best choice -- "Mozart" is correctly placed as the subject of the opening modifier "starting at age four." Additionally, the phrase "his own" clarifies that the musical talents in question are those of the subject, Mozart.
A - incorrect -- The original sentence begins with a modifier ("starting at age four") that describes Mozart. Yet, the subject of the main clause is Mozart's father. We need to find a choice that make Mozart himself the subject. Moreover, the pronoun "him" has no grammatical antecedent, since it is meant to refer to Mozart despite the fact that Mozart is not actually present in the sentence (we have "Mozart's father" instead). Finally, the pronoun "his" is somewhat ambiguous: does it refer to Mozart (who, again, is not in the sentence) or to his father?
B -- incorrect -- "Mozart's father" serves illogically as the subject of the opening modifier "starting at age four." Additionally, the pronoun "his" is ambiguous in that it could refer to the boy or the father.
D -- incorrect -- This choice incorrectly uses the verb "was," which does not match the ongoing nature of the modifier "starting at age four." Additionally, the pronoun "his" is ambiguous in that it could refer to Mozart or his father.
E -- incorrect -- "Mozart's father" serves illogically as the subject of the opening modifier "starting at age four." Additionally, the pronoun "him" has no grammatical antecedent, since it is meant to refer to Mozart despite the fact that Mozart is not actually present in the sentence (we have "Mozart's father" instead).
42). The correct answer is A - maintains parallelism - thinking, assessing, doing
D, E - incorrect - violates parallelism -- think, assess, doing are not parallel
C - incorrect - violates parallelism -- thinking, assessing and to do it are not parallel.
B - incorrect -- the antidote to envy is to work always -- changes the meaning of the original sentence.
Gmat Sentence Correction 38, 39, 40.
38). The Parthenon was a church from 1204 until 1456, when Athens was taken by General Mohammed the Conqueror, the Turkish sultan, who established a mosque in the building and used the Acropolis as a fortress.
(A) who established a mosque in the building and used the Acropolis as
(B) who, establishing a mosque in the building, used the Acropolis like
(C) who, when he had established a mosque in the building, used the Acropolis like
(D) who had established a mosque in the building, using the Acropolis to be
(E) establishing a mosque in the building and using the Acropolis as
39). The concept of the grand jury dates from the twelfth -century, when Henry II of England ordered panels of common citizens should prepare lists of who were their communities' suspected criminals.
(A) should prepare lists of who were their communities' suspected criminals
(B) would do the preparation of lists of their communities' suspected criminals
(C) preparing lists of suspected criminals in their communities
(D) the preparing of a list of suspected criminals in their communities
(E) to prepare lists of suspected criminals in their communities
40). Chinese, the most ancient of living writing systems, consists of tens of thousands of ideographic characters, each character miniature calligraphic composition inside its own square frame.
(A) each character a miniature calligraphic composition inside its
(B) all the characters a miniature calligraphic ; composition inside their
(C) all the characters a miniature calligraphic composition inside its
(D) every character a miniature calligraphic composition inside their
(E) each character a miniature calligraphic composition inside their
Answers -
38). The best answer is A -- correctly supplies the past tense verbs "established" and "used" to describe two actions performed in 1456; also, it idiomatically employs the phrase "used the Acropolis as a fortress", in which used as means "employed in the capacity of."
B, C -- incorrect -- incorrectly replaces "as" with "like". Furthermore, in
C, "when he had established a mosque" distorts the intended meaning by stating that the first action was completed before the second was begun.
D -- incorrect -- "had established... using" states that Mohammed had already performed the actions before capturing Athens; In addition D includes the unidiomatic construction "using x to be y."
E -- incorrect -- "establishing" and "using" modify Athens, thus
producing an absurd statement.
39). Choice E is best -- the infinitive "to prepare" follows the verb
"ordered", producing the grammatical and idiomatic sequence - x ordered y to do z.
A, B -- incorrect -- "should prepare" in A and "would do" in B produce ungrammatical sequences - x ordered y should/ would do z.
C -- incorrect -- "preparing . . . communities functions" as a participial
phrase is modifying citizens rather than as a verb phrase describing what the citizens were ordered to do.
D -- incorrect -- the construction "ordered panels of common citizens the preparing" is unidiomatic.
40). Choice A is best -- the appositive terms "character" and "composition", both singular, agree in number; both also agree with the singular possessive pronoun "its".
B, C, D, E -- incorrect -- three-way agreement in number stated in choice A is violated.
(A) who established a mosque in the building and used the Acropolis as
(B) who, establishing a mosque in the building, used the Acropolis like
(C) who, when he had established a mosque in the building, used the Acropolis like
(D) who had established a mosque in the building, using the Acropolis to be
(E) establishing a mosque in the building and using the Acropolis as
39). The concept of the grand jury dates from the twelfth -century, when Henry II of England ordered panels of common citizens should prepare lists of who were their communities' suspected criminals.
(A) should prepare lists of who were their communities' suspected criminals
(B) would do the preparation of lists of their communities' suspected criminals
(C) preparing lists of suspected criminals in their communities
(D) the preparing of a list of suspected criminals in their communities
(E) to prepare lists of suspected criminals in their communities
40). Chinese, the most ancient of living writing systems, consists of tens of thousands of ideographic characters, each character miniature calligraphic composition inside its own square frame.
(A) each character a miniature calligraphic composition inside its
(B) all the characters a miniature calligraphic ; composition inside their
(C) all the characters a miniature calligraphic composition inside its
(D) every character a miniature calligraphic composition inside their
(E) each character a miniature calligraphic composition inside their
Answers -
38). The best answer is A -- correctly supplies the past tense verbs "established" and "used" to describe two actions performed in 1456; also, it idiomatically employs the phrase "used the Acropolis as a fortress", in which used as means "employed in the capacity of."
B, C -- incorrect -- incorrectly replaces "as" with "like". Furthermore, in
C, "when he had established a mosque" distorts the intended meaning by stating that the first action was completed before the second was begun.
D -- incorrect -- "had established... using" states that Mohammed had already performed the actions before capturing Athens; In addition D includes the unidiomatic construction "using x to be y."
E -- incorrect -- "establishing" and "using" modify Athens, thus
producing an absurd statement.
39). Choice E is best -- the infinitive "to prepare" follows the verb
"ordered", producing the grammatical and idiomatic sequence - x ordered y to do z.
A, B -- incorrect -- "should prepare" in A and "would do" in B produce ungrammatical sequences - x ordered y should/ would do z.
C -- incorrect -- "preparing . . . communities functions" as a participial
phrase is modifying citizens rather than as a verb phrase describing what the citizens were ordered to do.
D -- incorrect -- the construction "ordered panels of common citizens the preparing" is unidiomatic.
40). Choice A is best -- the appositive terms "character" and "composition", both singular, agree in number; both also agree with the singular possessive pronoun "its".
B, C, D, E -- incorrect -- three-way agreement in number stated in choice A is violated.
Gmat Sentence Correction 36, 37
36). In contrast to large steel plants that take iron ore through all the steps needed to produce several different kinds of steel, processing steel scrap into a specialized group of products has enabled small mills to put capital into new technology and remain economically viable.
(A) processing steel scrap into a specialized group of products has enabled small mills to put capital into new technology and remain
(B) processing steel scrap into a specialized group of products has enabled small mills to put capital into new technology, remaining
(C) the processing of steel scrap into a specialized group of products has enabled small mills to put capital into new technology, remaining
(D) small mills, by processing steel scrap into a specialized group of products, have been able to put capital into new technology and remain
(E) small mills, by processing steel scrap into a specialized group of products, have been able to put capital into new technology and remained
37). Any medical test will sometimes fail to detect a condition when it is present and indicate that there is one when it is not.
(A) a condition when it is present and indicate that there is one
(B) when a condition is present and indicate that there is one
(C) a condition when it is present and indicate that it is present
(D) when a condition is present and indicate its presence
(E) the presence of a condition when it is there and indicate its presence
Answers -
36). D is the correct answer -- uses parallel verb forms to complete the construction "have been able to put... and remain". The logical comparison here is between large steel plants and small mills.
A, B,C -- incorrect -- illogically contrast large steel plants with [the] processing [of] steel scrap. Further, in choices B and C remaining is
not parallel with put; consequently, it is not clear exactly what is remaining economically viable.
E -- incorrect -- remained is not parallel with put.
37). Correct choice is C -- produces a sentence in which pronoun "it" refers clearly and logically to the noun "condition".
A, B -- incorrect -- the phrase "indicate that there . is one" does not grammatically fit with "when it is not" because it has no referent.
B, D -- incorrect -- are imprecise in saying that a test will fail to detect
when a condition is present, since the issue is the presence and not the timing of the condition. Further, "its" presence in D leaves the "it" in "when it is not" without a logical referent: it must refer to condition, not presence.
E -- incorrect -- repeats the error stated above ; also, "the presence ... when it is there" is imprecise and redundant.
(A) processing steel scrap into a specialized group of products has enabled small mills to put capital into new technology and remain
(B) processing steel scrap into a specialized group of products has enabled small mills to put capital into new technology, remaining
(C) the processing of steel scrap into a specialized group of products has enabled small mills to put capital into new technology, remaining
(D) small mills, by processing steel scrap into a specialized group of products, have been able to put capital into new technology and remain
(E) small mills, by processing steel scrap into a specialized group of products, have been able to put capital into new technology and remained
37). Any medical test will sometimes fail to detect a condition when it is present and indicate that there is one when it is not.
(A) a condition when it is present and indicate that there is one
(B) when a condition is present and indicate that there is one
(C) a condition when it is present and indicate that it is present
(D) when a condition is present and indicate its presence
(E) the presence of a condition when it is there and indicate its presence
Answers -
36). D is the correct answer -- uses parallel verb forms to complete the construction "have been able to put... and remain". The logical comparison here is between large steel plants and small mills.
A, B,C -- incorrect -- illogically contrast large steel plants with [the] processing [of] steel scrap. Further, in choices B and C remaining is
not parallel with put; consequently, it is not clear exactly what is remaining economically viable.
E -- incorrect -- remained is not parallel with put.
37). Correct choice is C -- produces a sentence in which pronoun "it" refers clearly and logically to the noun "condition".
A, B -- incorrect -- the phrase "indicate that there . is one" does not grammatically fit with "when it is not" because it has no referent.
B, D -- incorrect -- are imprecise in saying that a test will fail to detect
when a condition is present, since the issue is the presence and not the timing of the condition. Further, "its" presence in D leaves the "it" in "when it is not" without a logical referent: it must refer to condition, not presence.
E -- incorrect -- repeats the error stated above ; also, "the presence ... when it is there" is imprecise and redundant.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Gmat Sentence Correction 34 , 35
34). Though viewed from a distance, Saturn's main rings may appear to be smooth and continuous, they are in fact composed of thousands of separate icy ringlets when viewed up close.
A). Though viewed from a distance, Saturn's main rings may appear to be smooth and continuous, they are in fact composed of thousands of separate icy ringlets when viewed up close.
B). Though Saturn's main rings may appear smooth and continuous when viewed from a distance, they are in fact composed of thousands of separate icy ringlets when viewed up close.
C). Saturn's main rings, when viewed from a distance, may appear to be smooth and continuous, though when viewed up close they are in fact composed of thousands of separate icy ringlets.
D). When viewed from a distance, Saturn's main rings may appear smooth and continuous, but closer viewing reveals them to be composed of thousands of separate icy ringlets.
E). Though composed of thousands of separate icy ringlets if viewed up close, the main rings of Saturn may appear smooth and continuous when they are viewed from a distance.
35). The ancient Inca city of Macchu Picchu, perched on a ridge in the Andes Mountains of Peru, had been built at a high enough altitude that it often makes modern-day tourists from lower elevations sick with oxygen deprivation.
A). had been built at a high enough altitude that it often makes modern-day tourists from lower elevations sick with oxygen deprivation
B). had been built at so high of an altitude that it often makes modern-day tourists from lower elevations sick from oxygen deprivation
C). was built at a high enough altitude that modern day tourists from lower elevations often become sick with oxygen deprivation when visiting the city
D). was built at such a high altitude that modern-day tourists from lower elevations often become sick from oxygen deprivation when visiting the city
E). was built at so high of an altitude that it often makes modern-day tourists from lower elevations sick from oxygen deprivation
Answer -
34). D is the correct answer - This sentence checks the clarity of meaning and modifiers. This choice replaces "though" with "when" and shortens "appear to be" to "appear." Further, its use of the phrase "closer viewing reveals" clearly indicates that the close viewing only reveals (not causes) the composition of the rings.
A - incorrect - The original sentence introduces the main clause with "though viewed from a distance", which sets up the expectation of a contradiction that never materializes. For example, "Though sleepy, the child stayed awake" is correct, whereas "Though sleepy, the child may have eaten soup" is not.
Also, "when viewed up close" is placed in such a way as to illogically suggest that the rings are composed of icy ringlets as a result of being viewed up close.
Finally, "appear to be" is redundant.
B - This choice incorrectly introduces the main clause with "though." Additionally, the placement of "when viewed up close" illogically suggests that the rings are composed of icy ringlets as a result of being viewed up close.
C - This choice incorrectly uses the redundant phrase "appears to be." Additionally, the use and placement of the words "when viewed up close, they are . . ." illogically suggests that the rings are composed of icy ringlets as a result of being viewed up close.
E - This choice incorrectly introduces the main clause with "though." Additionally, the placement of "if viewed up close" illogically suggests that the rings are composed of icy ringlets as a result of being viewed up close.
A). Though viewed from a distance, Saturn's main rings may appear to be smooth and continuous, they are in fact composed of thousands of separate icy ringlets when viewed up close.
B). Though Saturn's main rings may appear smooth and continuous when viewed from a distance, they are in fact composed of thousands of separate icy ringlets when viewed up close.
C). Saturn's main rings, when viewed from a distance, may appear to be smooth and continuous, though when viewed up close they are in fact composed of thousands of separate icy ringlets.
D). When viewed from a distance, Saturn's main rings may appear smooth and continuous, but closer viewing reveals them to be composed of thousands of separate icy ringlets.
E). Though composed of thousands of separate icy ringlets if viewed up close, the main rings of Saturn may appear smooth and continuous when they are viewed from a distance.
35). The ancient Inca city of Macchu Picchu, perched on a ridge in the Andes Mountains of Peru, had been built at a high enough altitude that it often makes modern-day tourists from lower elevations sick with oxygen deprivation.
A). had been built at a high enough altitude that it often makes modern-day tourists from lower elevations sick with oxygen deprivation
B). had been built at so high of an altitude that it often makes modern-day tourists from lower elevations sick from oxygen deprivation
C). was built at a high enough altitude that modern day tourists from lower elevations often become sick with oxygen deprivation when visiting the city
D). was built at such a high altitude that modern-day tourists from lower elevations often become sick from oxygen deprivation when visiting the city
E). was built at so high of an altitude that it often makes modern-day tourists from lower elevations sick from oxygen deprivation
Answer -
34). D is the correct answer - This sentence checks the clarity of meaning and modifiers. This choice replaces "though" with "when" and shortens "appear to be" to "appear." Further, its use of the phrase "closer viewing reveals" clearly indicates that the close viewing only reveals (not causes) the composition of the rings.
A - incorrect - The original sentence introduces the main clause with "though viewed from a distance", which sets up the expectation of a contradiction that never materializes. For example, "Though sleepy, the child stayed awake" is correct, whereas "Though sleepy, the child may have eaten soup" is not.
Also, "when viewed up close" is placed in such a way as to illogically suggest that the rings are composed of icy ringlets as a result of being viewed up close.
Finally, "appear to be" is redundant.
B - This choice incorrectly introduces the main clause with "though." Additionally, the placement of "when viewed up close" illogically suggests that the rings are composed of icy ringlets as a result of being viewed up close.
C - This choice incorrectly uses the redundant phrase "appears to be." Additionally, the use and placement of the words "when viewed up close, they are . . ." illogically suggests that the rings are composed of icy ringlets as a result of being viewed up close.
E - This choice incorrectly introduces the main clause with "though." Additionally, the placement of "if viewed up close" illogically suggests that the rings are composed of icy ringlets as a result of being viewed up close.
35). D is the correct answer - The simple past verb "was" correctly replaces the past perfect verb "had been." The phrase "such a high altitude" replaces "high enough altitude." The sentence is rewritten to avoid ambiguity by removing the pronoun "it." Finally, this choice uses the phrase "sick from" in place of the unidiomatic "sick with."
A - incorrect - First, the past perfect "had been" is unnecessary here because there is only one past event. Second, "high enough" implies that the oxygen deprivation was a goal of the Incas. Third, "it" in this context is ambiguous: is it the altitude or the city that makes tourists sick? Finally, "sick with" is incorrect. It should be "sick from."
B - incorrect - This choice incorrectly uses the past perfect "had been." Additionally, the pronoun "it" is ambiguous in this context and the phrase "so high of an altitude" is awkward.
C - This choice incorrectly uses the phrases "high enough altitude" and "sick with."
E - This choice incorrectly uses the awkward phrase "so high of an altitude." Additionally, the pronoun "it" in this context is ambiguous.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Gmat Sentence Correction 32 , 33
32). . Scientists have observed large concentrations of heavy-metal deposits in the upper twenty centimeters of Baltic Sea sediments, which are consistent with the growth of industrial activity there.
(A) Baltic Sea sediments, which are consistent with the growth of industrial activity there
(B) Baltic Sea sediments, where the growth of industrial activity is consistent with these findings
(C) Baltic Sea sediments, findings consistent with its growth of industrial activity
(D) sediments from the Baltic Sea, findings consistent with the growth of industrial activity in the area
(E) sediments from the Baltic Sea, consistent with the growth of industrial activity there
33). For members of the seventeenth-century Ashanti nation in Africa, animal-hide shields with wooden frames were essential items of military equipment, a method to protect warriors against enemy arrows and
spears.
(A) a method to protect
(B) as a method protecting
(C) protecting
(D) as a protection of
(E) to protect
Answers -
32). D is the best choice - the phrase sediments from the Baltic Sea tells where the sediments originate, findings provides a noun for consistent to modify, and in the area clearly identifies where the industrial activity is growing.
A, B - incorrect - ambiguity - the words "which" and "where" appear to refer to sediments
E - incorrect - it is not clear what consistent describes.
A, C, E - incorrect - there is no logical place to which "there" or "its" could refer.
33). Choice C is best - the participle "protecting" begins a phrase that explains what the shields did.
A , B - incorrect - awkwardly use the singular word "method" to refer to items of military equipment rather than to the use of such items. Also, a method of protecting would be more idiomatic than a method to protect in A or a method protecting in B.
B , D - "as" is incorrect; also, a protection in D has no noun for which it can logically substitute.
E - is incomplete; used to protect would have been acceptable
(A) Baltic Sea sediments, which are consistent with the growth of industrial activity there
(B) Baltic Sea sediments, where the growth of industrial activity is consistent with these findings
(C) Baltic Sea sediments, findings consistent with its growth of industrial activity
(D) sediments from the Baltic Sea, findings consistent with the growth of industrial activity in the area
(E) sediments from the Baltic Sea, consistent with the growth of industrial activity there
33). For members of the seventeenth-century Ashanti nation in Africa, animal-hide shields with wooden frames were essential items of military equipment, a method to protect warriors against enemy arrows and
spears.
(A) a method to protect
(B) as a method protecting
(C) protecting
(D) as a protection of
(E) to protect
Answers -
32). D is the best choice - the phrase sediments from the Baltic Sea tells where the sediments originate, findings provides a noun for consistent to modify, and in the area clearly identifies where the industrial activity is growing.
A, B - incorrect - ambiguity - the words "which" and "where" appear to refer to sediments
E - incorrect - it is not clear what consistent describes.
A, C, E - incorrect - there is no logical place to which "there" or "its" could refer.
33). Choice C is best - the participle "protecting" begins a phrase that explains what the shields did.
A , B - incorrect - awkwardly use the singular word "method" to refer to items of military equipment rather than to the use of such items. Also, a method of protecting would be more idiomatic than a method to protect in A or a method protecting in B.
B , D - "as" is incorrect; also, a protection in D has no noun for which it can logically substitute.
E - is incomplete; used to protect would have been acceptable
Monday, July 03, 2006
Gmat sentence correction 30 , 31
30). Famed for his masterful use of irony, many of Guy de Maupassant's short stories have become classics due to the author slowly revealing at the end of each piece a tragic twist of fate.
A). Famed for his masterful use of irony, many of Guy de Maupassant's short stories have become classics due to the author slowly revealing at the end of each piece a tragic twist of fate.
B). Many of Guy de Maupassant's short stories have become classics because of how he famously and masterfully uses irony, evident in the slow revelation of a tragic twist of fate at the end of each piece.
C).Famed for using irony in a masterful way, many of Guy de Maupassant's short stories have become classics because of the author slowly revealing a tragic twist of fate at the end of each piece.
D). Many of Guy de Maupassant's short stories have become classics because of the author's famed and masterful use of irony, evidenced in the slow revelation of a tragic twist of fate at the end of each piece.
E). Many of Guy de Maupassant's short stories have become classics because he slowly revealed a tragic twist of fate at the end of each piece, demonstrating his famed and masterful use of irony.
31). Teachers in this country have generally been trained either to approach mathematics like a creative activity or that they should force students to memorize rules and principles without truly understanding how to apply them.
A). to approach mathematics like a creative activity or that they should force students to memorize rules and principles
B). to approach mathematics like a creative activity or to force students to memorize rules and principles
C). to approach mathematics as a creative activity or to force students to memorize rules and principles
D). that they should approach mathematics as a creative activity or to force students to memorize rules and principles
E). that they should approach mathematics like a creative activity or that they should force students to memorize rules and principles
Answers -
30). D is the correct answer
A - Incorrect - sentence begins with the modifier "Famed for his masterful use of irony," which requires a person as its subject. However, in the sentence, "many of Guy de Maupassant's short stories" is the subject. Moreover, the phrase "due to the author slowly revealing" is awkward.
B - incorrect - The pronoun "he" must have a person as its antecedent, yet there is no person in the sentence. Remember that "he" cannot refer to "Guy de Maupassant" here, since the name is part of a possessive phrase: "Guy de Maupassant's short stories". The author himself is not grammatically present in the sentence.
C - incorrect - The opening modifier "famed for using irony in a masterful way" incorrectly modifies "short stories" instead of Guy de Maupassant himself. It also contains the awkward phrase "because of the author slowly revealing."
E - incorrect - This choice incorrectly uses the pronoun "he" without a grammatical antecedent in the sentence.
31). C is the correct choice - The construction "either X or Y" requires parallelism between X and Y. In choice C, both X and Y are parallel infinitive phrases ("to approach . . ." and "to force . . .").
A - incorrect - incorrectly pairs an infinitive ("to approach") with a clause ("that they should...") in the construction "either X or Y." Moreover, the use of "like" in the phrase "to approach mathematics like a creative activity" is incorrect. :"As" should be used instead.
B - While this choice does contain proper parallel structure, it incorrectly uses "like" instead of "as" in the phrase "to approach mathematics like a creative activity".
D - This choice incorrectly pairs a clause ("that they should...") with an infinitive ("to approach") in the construction "either X or Y."
E - While this choice does create a parallel construction, it awkwardly begins the parallel elements with the words "that they" instead of the infinitive "to." Moreover, this choice incorrectly uses "like" instead of "as" in the phrase "to approach mathematics like a creative activity".
A). Famed for his masterful use of irony, many of Guy de Maupassant's short stories have become classics due to the author slowly revealing at the end of each piece a tragic twist of fate.
B). Many of Guy de Maupassant's short stories have become classics because of how he famously and masterfully uses irony, evident in the slow revelation of a tragic twist of fate at the end of each piece.
C).Famed for using irony in a masterful way, many of Guy de Maupassant's short stories have become classics because of the author slowly revealing a tragic twist of fate at the end of each piece.
D). Many of Guy de Maupassant's short stories have become classics because of the author's famed and masterful use of irony, evidenced in the slow revelation of a tragic twist of fate at the end of each piece.
E). Many of Guy de Maupassant's short stories have become classics because he slowly revealed a tragic twist of fate at the end of each piece, demonstrating his famed and masterful use of irony.
31). Teachers in this country have generally been trained either to approach mathematics like a creative activity or that they should force students to memorize rules and principles without truly understanding how to apply them.
A). to approach mathematics like a creative activity or that they should force students to memorize rules and principles
B). to approach mathematics like a creative activity or to force students to memorize rules and principles
C). to approach mathematics as a creative activity or to force students to memorize rules and principles
D). that they should approach mathematics as a creative activity or to force students to memorize rules and principles
E). that they should approach mathematics like a creative activity or that they should force students to memorize rules and principles
Answers -
30). D is the correct answer
A - Incorrect - sentence begins with the modifier "Famed for his masterful use of irony," which requires a person as its subject. However, in the sentence, "many of Guy de Maupassant's short stories" is the subject. Moreover, the phrase "due to the author slowly revealing" is awkward.
B - incorrect - The pronoun "he" must have a person as its antecedent, yet there is no person in the sentence. Remember that "he" cannot refer to "Guy de Maupassant" here, since the name is part of a possessive phrase: "Guy de Maupassant's short stories". The author himself is not grammatically present in the sentence.
C - incorrect - The opening modifier "famed for using irony in a masterful way" incorrectly modifies "short stories" instead of Guy de Maupassant himself. It also contains the awkward phrase "because of the author slowly revealing."
E - incorrect - This choice incorrectly uses the pronoun "he" without a grammatical antecedent in the sentence.
31). C is the correct choice - The construction "either X or Y" requires parallelism between X and Y. In choice C, both X and Y are parallel infinitive phrases ("to approach . . ." and "to force . . .").
A - incorrect - incorrectly pairs an infinitive ("to approach") with a clause ("that they should...") in the construction "either X or Y." Moreover, the use of "like" in the phrase "to approach mathematics like a creative activity" is incorrect. :"As" should be used instead.
B - While this choice does contain proper parallel structure, it incorrectly uses "like" instead of "as" in the phrase "to approach mathematics like a creative activity".
D - This choice incorrectly pairs a clause ("that they should...") with an infinitive ("to approach") in the construction "either X or Y."
E - While this choice does create a parallel construction, it awkwardly begins the parallel elements with the words "that they" instead of the infinitive "to." Moreover, this choice incorrectly uses "like" instead of "as" in the phrase "to approach mathematics like a creative activity".
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Gmat sentence correction 26 , 27 , 28 , 29
26). A study commissioned by the Department of Agriculture showed that if calves exercise and associated with other calves, they will require less medication and gain weight quicker than do those raised in confinement.
(A) associated with other calves, they will require less medication and gain weight quicker than do
(B) associated with other calves, they require less medication and gain weight quicker than
(C) associate with other calves, they required less medication and will gain weight quicker than do
(D) associate with other calves, they have required less medication and will gain weight more quickly than do
(E) associate with other calves, they require less medication and gain weight more quickly than
27). Displays of the aurora borealis, or "northern lights," can heat the atmosphere over the arctic enough to affect the trajectories of ballistic missiles, induce electric currents that can cause blackouts in some areas and corrosion in north-south pipelines.
(A) to affect the trajectories of ballistic missiles, induce
(B) that the trajectories of ballistic missiles are affected, induce
(C) that it affects the trajectories of ballistic missiles, induces
(D) that the trajectories of ballistic missiles are affected and induces
(E) to affect the trajectories of ballistic missiles and induce
28). The golden crab of the Gulf of Mexico has not been fished commercially in great numbers, primarily on account of living at great depths-- 2,500 to 3,000 feet down.
(A) on account of living
(B) on account of their living
(C) because it lives
(D) because of living
(E) being they live
29). Delighted by the reported earnings for the first quarter of the fiscal year, it was decided by the company manager to give her staff a raise.
(A) it was decided by the company manager to give her staff a raise
(B) the decision of the company manager was to give her staff a raise
(C) the company manager decided to give her staff a raise
(D) the staff was given a raise by the company manager
(E) a raise was given to the staff by the company manager
Answers -
26). Choice E, the best answer, uses the adverbial phrase "more quickly than" to modify the verb phrase "gain weight".
In A, B, and C - "quicker than" is incorrect because an adjective should not be used to modify a verb phrase.
A and B - incorrectly compound that present tense verb with a past tense verb, "associated".
C and D - correctly use "associate", but C follows with the past tense "required" and D with the present perfect "have required". Both C and D incorrectly conclude with the future tense "will gain".
27). E is the best choice.
The use of the phrasing "can heat... enough to affect" in A and E is more idiomatic than the use of the subordinate clause beginning with "that" in B, C, and D.
B - produces an illogical and ungrammatical statement by making "induce" parallel with the verb "heat" rather than with the appropriate form of the verb affect
C - lacks agreement in using the singular pronoun "it" to refer to the plural noun "displays"
D - is faulty because "induces" cannot fit grammatically with any noun in the sentence.
A - incorrectly separates the two infinitives "to affect" and "to induce" with a comma when it should compound them with "and", as does E, the best choice.
28). C is the best choice.
A, B, D - the phrases "on account of" and "because of" are unidiomatic; "because", which appears in C and E, is preferable here since "because" can introduce a complete subordinate clause explaining the reason why the golden crab has not been fished extensively.
B , E - also produce agreement errors by using the plural pronouns "their" and "they" to refer to the singular noun "crab".
D - like A, fails to provide a noun or pronoun to perform the action of living.
C - which uses "because" and "it" as the singular subject of a clause, is the best choice.
29). C is the best answer. Grammatically, the participial phrase beginning delighted must modify the subject of the main clause. Because it is the manager who was delighted, choice C, in which the company manager appears as the subject, is the best answer.
A, B, D, E - create illogical statements by using it, the decision, the staff, and a raise,respectively, as the sentence subject.
A , D , E - Use of the passive voice
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