GMAT Sample Verbal Test
Time ---75 Minutes
41 Questions
GMAT Reading Comprehension
The cutting-edge science is ringing alarm bells. Avian flu virus picked up by pigs can
swap genetic materials with another flu virus already in the pig and become a new,
hitherto unknown flu virus for which no person, no animal has preexisting immunity. The
kind of virus causes a pandemic because it spreads from human to human.
If you took a peek into history, it turns out that previous influenza pandemics have
similar scenarios. The greatest influenza pandemic in 1918 caused more than 20 million
deaths of soldiers stationed in France. The last influenza pandemic was in 1968, known
as the Hong Kong flu (H3N2). Thousands of deaths and millions were infected
worldwide.
The other examples are the Nipah virus and Japanese Encephalitis virus, which find
pigs to be good hosts. With JE, the virus circulates in the blood of infected pigs. When
infected pigs are bitten by Culex mosquitoes, the virus replicates in the mosquito's gut.
The next time the mosquito bites a human, the virus is passed on. The pig doesn't get
sick as such. The Nipah virus causes pneumonia symptoms in pigs. In humans, it
causes encephalitis, and humans catch it only with direct contact with infected pigs.
Symptoms range from mild headache to permanent brain damage, and can be fatal.
It's merely a phenomenon of nature that the pig is the "mixing vessel" for the new germ.
But make no mistake, the pig is not the villain, neither is the chicken. It's actually us, and
our horrible farm practices, outdated agricultural policy and, most of all, reckless
disregard of our ecology and environment. "Hygiene and management can control what
eventually happens," says Lam. "Good farming practice will prevent serious outbreaks
and infection to humans." Despite knowing that, animal diseases and the possibility of
transmission to humans are becoming quite alarming. Of the 35 new emerging diseases
in the last 20 years, more than 70 per cent involved animals.
In fact, what we may have done is unwittingly create the perfect launch pad for an
influenza pandemic that will likely kill large numbers of people across the globe.
Although scientists say it's impossible to predict the odds that the virus will alter its
genetic form radically enough to start leaping from human to human, the longer H5N1 is
out there killing chickens, the higher the chances are.
1. Which of the following statement can be inferred from the passage?
(A) New emerging diseases causes more deaths of human than animal.
(B) Animals are the villain for most flues.
(C) Hygiene and management can not control the spread of viruses.
(D) The current bird flu epidemic may be a launch pad for the next influenza pandemic.
(E) The influenza pandemic is always a regional phenomenon.
Which answer is correct? For choice A, the passage did not make any comparison
between deaths of human and deaths of animal. In B, animal is actually not the villain for
most flues. Rather, it is human. Look at the second sentence in the fourth paragraph,
"But make no mistake, the pig is not the villain, neither is the chicken. For C,
"Hygiene and management can control what eventually happens (in the middle of
fourth paragraph), therefore, C is incorrect. E is also incorrect. Though most flues
discussed in this passage were originated from some areas, the passage never stated it
was a regional phenomenon. In fact, it "will likely kill large numbers of people across
the globe , as stated at the beginning of last paragraph. The correct answer is D  the
current bird flu epidemic may be a launch pad for the next influenza pandemic, because
no animal has preexisting immunity and it causes a pandemic by spreading from human
to human.
2. Which of the following best describes the topic of the passage?
(A) What causes the Nipah virus and Japanese Encephalitis virus to happen?
(B) Does Hong Kong flu originate from pig?
(C) From fowl to pigs to humans?
(D) Is influenza pandemic horrible?
(E) Shall we eat chicken?
This question asks you to find a title for the passage. In other word, it requires you to
identify the primary concern of the passage as a whole. The first paragraph presents a
recent virus. The second and third paragraphs describe similar influenza pandemics in
history. The fourth paragraph concludes who should be responsible for the spread of
virus and what human can do to control. The last paragraph indicates that people
stimulated rather than inhibited its promulgation. We can thus conclude the current virus
will also leap to human. Furthermore, the passage as a whole is to "ring alarm bells .
Therefore, C is the best answer.
3. All of the following situations are similar to the spread of avian flu virus described in
the first paragraph EXCEPT:
(A) The BT2 spread from a pig to another pig, and thus causes significant disease in pig.
(B) The AIDS viruses transferred from monkeys to man and spread across the world.
(C) The SARS virus originates from some wildlife and is picked up by civet cats from
which humans got it.
(D) Nipah virus circulates in the blood of infected pig, which is bitten by Culex
mosquitoes, the virus replicates in the mosquito's gut. The next time the mosquito bites
a human, the virus is passed on.
(E) H5N1 starts in chickens and leaps from human to human.
The question requires you to recognize a situation that is not similar to the spear of
avian flu. Before considering following answer choices, we fist define its rationale. It is
something like this: Avian flu virus picked up by pigs and is transferred to human. All of
the situations described in the answer choices are similar to it ex that in choice A (from
animal to animal). Therefore, A is the best answer.
4. What does the author mean by describing the pig as "mixing vessel ?
(A) Pig is the place where various viruses reside.
(B) Pig is the pot in which viruses swap genes and become new, deadly germs.
(C) Viruses are mixed inside the body of pig.
(D) New germs come to the body of pig and reside there.
(E) Pig attracts viruses.
The question requires you to determine the meanings of "mixing vessel . At the
beginning of the passage, the author states that "Avian flu virus picked up by pigs can
swap genetic materials with another flu virus already in the pig and become a new,
hitherto unknown flu virus for which no person, no animal has preexisting immunity.
The kind of virus causes a pandemic because it spreads from human to human. In
other words, pig is the pot in which viruses swap genes and become new, deadly germs.
Therefore, the correct answer is B.
Indian firms have achieved the highest levels of efficiency in the world software
outsourcing industry. Some researchers have assumed that Indian firms use the same
programming languages and techniques as Chinese firms but have benefited from their
familiarity with English, the language used to write software code. However, if this were
true, then one would expect software vendors in Hong Kong, where most people speak
English, to perform not worse than do Indian vendors. However, this is obviously not the
case.
Other researchers link high Indian productivity to higher levels of human resource
investment per engineer. But a historical perspective leads to a different conclusion.
When the two top Indian vendors matched and then doubled Chinese productivity levels
in the mid-eighties, human resource investment per employee was comparable to that of
Chinese vendors. Furthermore, by the late eighties, the amount of fixed assets required
to develop one software package was roughly equivalent in India and in the China.
Since human resource investment was not higher in India, it had to be other factors that
led to higher productivity.
A more fruitful explanation may lie with Indian strategic approach in outsourcing. Indian
software vendors did not simply seek outsourced contract more effectively: they made
aggressive strategic in outsourcing. For instance, most software firms of India were
initially set up to outsource the contract in western countries, such as United States. By
contrary, most Chinese firms seem to position their business in China, a promising yet
under-developed market. However, rampant piracy in China took almost 90 percents of
potential market, making it impossible for most Chinese firms to obtain sufficient
compensation for the investment on development and research, let alone thrive in
competitive environment.
5. Which of the following statements concerning the productivity levels of engineers can
be inferred from the passage?
(A) Prior to the 1980's, the productivity levels of the top Indian software firms were
exceeded by those of Chinese software firms.
(B) The official language of a country has a large effect on the productivity levels of its
software developers.
(C) During the late 1980's and early 1990's, productivity levels were comparable in
China and India.
(D) The greater the number of engineers that a software firm has, the higher a firm's
productivity level.
(E) The amount of human resource investment made by software developers in their
firms determines the level of productivity.
If you do not refer to the original passage, you may pick up B. For test-takers who have
some backgrounds in computer, it is obvious that being familiar with English will gain
some advantage in writing program code. However, the correct answer is C.
6. The primary purpose of the passage is to
(A) contrast possible outcomes of a type of business strategy
(B) suggest more careful evaluation of a type of business strategy
(C) illustrate various ways in which a type of business strategy could fail to enhance
revenues
(D) trace the general problems of a company to a certain type of business strategy
(E) criticize the way in which managers tend to analyze the costs and benefits of
business strategies
This question asks you to summarize the passage's central idea. Which of the five
choices is correct? Based on the verbs initiating the five choices, you can eliminate three
of them:
(A) incorrect. To contrast is to compare several things, but not to agree or disagree.
(C) incorrect. To illustrate is to give example, not to agree or disagree.
(D) incorrect. To trace is to track, not to agree or disagree.
Choice E began with argumental word criticize, but isn't the correct choice because it
addresses the detail. Therefore, B is the right answer: to argue that superior service
does not generate competitive advantage is to suggest more careful evaluation of a type
of business strategy (price reduction).
7. Which of the following best describes the organization of the first paragraph?
(A) A thesis is presented and supporting examples are provided.
(B) Opposing views are presented, classified, and then reconciled.
(C) A fact is stated, and an explanation is advanced and then refuted.
(D) A theory is proposed, considered, and then amended.
(E) An opinion is presented, qualified, and then reaffirmed.
This question requires you to identify the organizational structure of the first paragraph.
In this paragraph, the author first states a fact that Indian firms achieved the highest
efficiency in software outsourcing. Then, an assumption is presented to explain such
phenomenon. However, the author refuted this explanation soon. Thus, C is the best
answer.
8. According to the passage, which of the following statements is true of Indian software
developers?
(A) Their productivity levels did not equal those of Chinese software engineers until the
late eighties.
(B) Their high efficiency levels are a direct result of English language familiarity.
(C) They develop component-specific software.
(D) They are built to outsource the western orders.
(E) They develop more packages of software than do those in Chinese developers.
In the middle of the last paragraph, the author states that "For instance, most software
firms of India were initially set up to outsource the contract in western countries, such
as United States. Thus, the best answer is D.
9. The author suggests that if the researchers of India mentioned in paragraph 1 were
correct, which of the following would be the case?
(A) The computer used in India software firms would be different from the computer
used in China firms.
(B) Indian engineers would be trained to do several different programming jobs.
(C) Familiarity with English language would not have an influence on the productivity
levels of engineers.
(D) The engineers in India-run firms would have lower productivity levels if they have a
poor command of English.
(E) The production levels of India-run firms located in the China would be equal to those
of firms run by China firms.
If the researchers are correct, then the familiarity with English determines the
productivity of engineers. That is, if the engineers in India-run firms have a poor
command of English they would have lower productivity levels, as stated in choice D.
The fact that reducing price can generate a competitive advantage for a company does
not mean that every reduction in price will create such an advantage. Price reduction,
like improvement in service, must be balanced against other types of efforts on the basis
of direct, tangible benefits such as increased revenues. If a company is already
effectively on a par with its competitors because it provides product at an acceptable
price and keeps customers from leaving at an unacceptable rate, then reduction in price
may not be effective, since price is not necessarily the deciding factor for any customer
in any situation.
This truth was not apparent to managers of one operating system software vendor,
which failed to improve its competitive position despite its attempt to reduce price. The
software managers did not recognize the level of customer inertia that arises from the
inconvenience of switching operating system. Nor did they analyze their reduction in
price to determine whether it would attract new customers by producing a new standard
of price that would excite customers or by proving difficult for competitors to copy.
10. According to the passage, reduction in price are comparable to improvement in
service in terms of the
(A) tangibility of the benefits that they tend to confer
(B) increased revenues that they ultimately produce
(C) basis on which they need to be weighed
(D) insufficient analysis that managers devote to them
(E) degree of competitive advantage that they are likely to provide
To answer this question, first locate the question to the second sentence of the passage.
"Price reduction, like improvement in service, must be balanced against other
types of efforts on the basis of direct, tangible benefits such as increased
revenues." Now, go back to answer choices. Choice D and E are irrelevant to the
original sentence, so eliminate them. Then, look at the choice A and B, both of them
repeat the original sentences.
(A) tangibility of the benefits that they tend to confer
(B) increased revenues that they ultimately produce
(C) basis on which they need to be weighed
Both A and B seem to be correct. However, reduction in price is comparable to that of
improvement in service in term of the basis on direct and tangible benefits, not on the
tangibility or specific benefits of increased revenues. So neither A nor B is correct.
Choice B does not repeat the same words, but address the basis for comparison.
Therefore, C is the correct answer.
11. The passage suggests which of the following about price charged by an operating
system software vendor prior to its strategy in reducing its price?
(A) It was slightly low to that of the vendor's competitors.
(B) It threatened to weaken the vendor's competitive position with respect to other
operating system software vendor
(C) It had already been reduced after having caused damage to the vendor's reputation
in the past.
(D) It enabled the vendor to retain customers at an acceptable rate
(E) It needed to be reduced to attain parity with the software provided by competing
vendors.
Here, the question was created in complicated clauses and itself already hard to
understand. In fact, it asks for the situation of the vendor before price reduction. Only D
can be inferred from the passage. The original passage stated that "If a company is
already effectively on & .. keeps customers from leaving at an unacceptable
rate&  and "This truth was not apparent to managers of one operating system
software vendor&  That means the vendor was able to retain customers at an
acceptable rate.
12. The passage suggests which of the following about price charged by an operating
system software vendor prior to its strategy in reducing its price?
(A) It enabled the vendor to retain customers at an acceptable rate
(B) It threatened to weaken the vendor's competitive position with respect to other
operating system software vendor
(C) It had already been reduced after having caused damage to the vendor's reputation
in the past.
(D) It was slightly low to that of the vendor's competitors.
(E) It needed to be reduced to attain parity with the software provided by competing
vendors.
Here, the question asks for the situation of the vendor before price reduction. Only A can
be inferred from the passage. The original passage stated that "If a company is
already effectively on & .. keeps customers from leaving at an unacceptable
rate&  and "This truth was not apparent to managers of one operating system software
vendor&  That means the vendor was able to retain customers at an acceptable rate.
13. The discussion of the operating system software vendor last paragraph serves which
of the following functions within the passage as a whole?
(A) It describes an exceptional case in which reduction in price actually failed to produce
a competitive advantage.
(B) It illustrates the pitfalls of choosing to reduce price at a time when business strategy
is needed more urgently in another area.
(C) It demonstrates the kind of analysis that managers apply when they choose one kind
of business strategy over another
(D) It supports the argument that strategies in certain aspects are more advantageous
than strategies in other aspects.
(E) It provides an example of the point about reduction in price made in the first
paragraph.
Clearly, the author intends to prove his position that reduction in price does not
necessarily generate competitive advantage. E is the correct.
14. The passage suggests that operating system software managers failed to consider
whether or not the price reduction mentioned last sentence
(A) was too complicated to be easily described to prospective customers
(B) made a measurable change in the experiences of customers purchasing
(C) could be sustained if the number of customers increased significantly
(D) was an innovation that competing vendors could have imitated
(E) was adequate to bring the vendor's general level of price to a level that was
comparable with that of its competitors
The passage following "failed to describes the failure. The best choice is D, which is
stated in the last sentence.
GMAT Sentence Correction
1. Satisfied by the strong performance on GMAT test, it was decided by Peter to give
himself a two-week rest.
A. it was decided by Peter to give himself a two-week rest
B. Peter decided to give himself a two-week rest
C. a two-week rest was given by Peter to himself
D. Peter's decision was to give himself a two-week rest
E. it was decided that Peter give himself a two-week rest
The correct answer is B because it is Peter who was satisfied. In choice B, Peter
appears as the subject. Choices A, C, D and E are incorrect because they used it, a
two-week rest, Peter's decision, and it as the sentence subject. In fact, the participial
phrase beginning with satisfied should modify the subject of the main clause in order to
follow the grammar rule.
2. Since 1999, the number of internet websites with the domain name ending with .com
have grown from 62 million to nearly 78 million.
A. have grown from 62 million to nearly 78 million
B. are growing from 62 million to nearly 78 million
C. grew from 62 million to nearly 78 million
D. grow from 62 million to nearly 78 million
E. has grown from 62 million to nearly 78 million
E is the correct answer. In choice A, the plural verb have does not agree with the
singular subject number. Choices B and D commits the same fallacy by using plural
verbal phrase are growing and grow respectively. B, C, and D also misused the verbal
tense which should be present perfect.
3. Eighty percent of notebook computers that were sold in United States last year were
manufactured in China, a country that has the largest population in the world.
A. Eighty percent of notebook computers that were sold in United States last year were
B. Eighty percent of notebook computers that were sold in United States last year had
been
C. Eighty percent of notebook computers that were sold in United States last year have
been
D. Last year eighty percent of notebook computers were sold in United States that have
been
E. Last year eighty percent of notebook computers that were sold in United States had
been
In using only one verb tense, were, choice A fails to indicate that the computers were
manufactured before sold. Choices C and D use the present perfect tense incorrectly,
saying in effect that the computers have been manufactured after they were sold last
year. Choice E suggests that the manufacturing of the notebook computers, rather than
selling, occurred last year, thus making the sequence of events unclear. Only B uses
verb tenses correctly to indicate that manufacturing of the computers was completed
prior to the selling.
4. According to a report from Anderson Accounting, the gross sales of General Movies in
2002 were $86 millions as many as their expected revenues.
A. as many as their expected
B. more than their expected
C. as many as their excepted
D. more than their expectedly
E. as many as their expectedly
Choices A, C, and E do not state the comparison logically. The expression as many as
indicates equality of quantity, but the sentence indicates that the gross sales exceed the
expected revenues by $86 millions. In B, the best choice, more than makes this point of
comparison clear. B also correctly uses the adjective expected, rather than the adverb
expectedly used in D and E, to modify the noun phrase revenues.
5. The current downturn in the U.S. economy is encouraging many young professionals
to return to school, which doubles to twice the number of applicants five years ago.
A. which doubles to twice the number of applicants five years ago
B. doubling to twice the number of applicants five years ago
C. which doubles to twice the number of applicants that were five years ago
D. doubling to twice the number of applicants five years before
E. which doubles to twice the number of applicants five years before
The pronoun which should be used to refer to a previously mentioned noun, not to the
idea expressed in an entire clause. In A, C, and E, which seems to refer to a vague
concept involving young professionals' returning to school, but there is no specific noun,
such as return, to which it can refer. B and D use the correct participial form, doubling, to
modify the preceding clause, but D, like A, uses five years before rather than five years
ago, a phrase that is more idiomatic in context. B, therefore, is the best answer.
6. Using the KB833330, a new virus known as Bagle can be blocked outside the Local
Area Network.
A. Using the KB833330, a new virus known as Bagle can be blocked outside the Local
Area Network.
B. A new virus known as Bagle can be blocked outside the Local Area Network, using
the KB833330.
C. Blocking a new virus known as Bagle outside the Local Area Network, an engineer
can use the KB833330 by an engineer
D. Outside the Local Area Network, a new virus known as Bagle can be blocked using
the KB833330 by an engineer
E. Using the KB833330, an engineer can block a new virus known as Bagle outside the
Local Area Network.
Choice A presents a dangling modifier. The phrase beginning the sentence has no noun
that it can logically modify and hence cannot fit anywhere in the sentence and make
sense. Coming first, it modifies a new virus, the nearest free noun in the main clause;
that is, choice A says that a new virus are using the KB83330. Choice B contains the
same main clause and dangling modifier, now at the end. Contrary to intent, the wording
in choice C suggests that engineers can use the KB833330 after they block a new virus.
In choice D the phrase using ... the KB833330 should follow engineer, the noun it
modifies. Choice E is best.
7. The GMAT math section consists of 37 questions, each question a test of a certain
math concept.
A. each question a test on a certain math concept
B. all the questions a test on a certain math concept
C. all the questions are tested on a certain math concept
D. every question is tested on a certain math concept
E. each question is tested on a certain math concept
Choice A is best: the appositive terms question and test, both singular, agree in
number; both also agree with rule on sentence structure. In C, D, and E choices, Runs-
on sentence is committed.
8. According to a survey, a company president typically spends 60 percent of his or her
time on communicational activities, such as answering the calls, communicating with
clients and to speak on the meetings.
A. communicating with clients and to speak
B. communicating with clients and speaking
C. to communicate with clients and speak
D. to communicate with clients and to speak
E. to communicate with clients and speaking
Because the verb phrases used to describe the communicational duties are governed by
the phrase communicational duties such as, they should each be expressed in the
present participial (or "-ing") form to parallel answering. Choices A, C, D, and E all
violate parallelism by employing infinitives (to...) in place of participial phrases. Only B,
the best answer, preserves the sense of the original, uses the correct idiom, and
observes the parallelism required among and within the three main verb phrases.
9. The best way for an IT professional to protect data is to periodically back it in a pre-
formatted disc.
A. to periodically back it in a pre-formatted disc
B. if it is quickly backed in a pre-formatted disc
C. for it to be backed periodically in a pre-formatted disc
D. if the data is periodically backed in a pre-formatted disc
E. to have them periodically backed in a pre-formatted disc
For parallelism, the linking verb is should link two infinitives: The only way to salvage
... is to back. Choice A begins with an infinitive, but the plural pronouns I do not agree
with the plural noun data. Choices B, C, and D do not begin with an infinitive, and all
present pronoun errors: the singular pronouns cannot grammatically refer to data. The
best choice, E, has parallel infinitives.
10. Unlike a corporation, which pays tax based on its related revenues, a fixed amount
of tax is paid by a sole ownership business.
A. a fixed amount of tax is paid by a sole ownership business
B. with a sole ownership business a fixed amount of tax is paid
C. a sole ownership is paid a fixed amount of tax
D. for a sole ownership business a fixed amount of tax is paid
E. a sole ownership pays a fixed amount of tax
Choice E, the best answer, correctly uses a parallel construction to draw a logical
comparison: Unlike a corporation,..., a sole ownership business.... Choice A
illogically compares a corporation, an entity, with a fixed amount of tax, money. In
choice C, a sole ownership business can not be paid for tax. Choices B and D are
syntactically and logically flawed because each attempts to compare the noun
corporation and a prepositional phrase: with a fixed amount of tax. Choices B and D
are also imprecise and awkward. Finally, choice E is the only option that supplies an
active verb form, pays to parallel pays.
11. In addition to having more employees than UT StartCom, the employees in
GenericSart are higher educated than those in UT StartCom, with more graduate
students.
A. the employees in GenericSart are higher educated than those in
B. GenericStart has higher educated employees than those do
C. the employees in GenericStart are higher educated than those are in
D. GenericStart employees are higher educated that those are in
E. GenericStart has higher educated employees than
In this sentence, the initial clause modifies the nearest noun, identifying it as the thing
being compared with UT StartCom. By making employees the noun modified, choices
A, C, and D illogically compare UT StartCom with employees and claim that the
employees in GenericStart has higher educated employees than UT StartCom does. B,
the best choice, logically compares UT StartCom to GenericStart by placing the noun
GenericStart immediately after the initial clause. B also uses those to refer to
employees in making the comparison between the employees of UT StartCom and
GenericStart. Choice E needs either those in or do after UT StartCom to make a
complete and logical comparison.
12. The gravity will apply the same to an airplane flying in the air as a ship floating on
the water.
A. air as a
B. air as to a
C. air; just as it would to a
D. air, as it would to the
E. air; just as to the
B, the best choice, uses the idiomatic and grammatically parallel form the same to X as
to Y.
13. A report by Business Weekly indicated that the number of money invested by
companies in Business and Research in 2003 was twice that in 2002.
A. the number of money invested by companies in Business and Research in 2003 was
B. the number of money invested by companies in Business and Research in 2003 were
C. the number of money invested by companies in Business and Research in 2003 are
D. the amount of money invested by companies in Business and Research in 2003 were
E. the amount of money invested by companies in Business and Research in 2003 was
Choices A, B, and C are flawed because the uncountable noun money should be
modified by amount rather than number. In addition, B, C, and D incorrectly use the
plural verb were or are with the singular noun money. Choice E, the best answer, is
both grammatically correct and concise.
14. However much people may agree that there is substantial corruption in Chinese
government and that government does its endeavor, it is difficult to keep the problem
under control.
A. However much United States voters may agree that
B. Despite the agreement among people to the fact
C. Although people agree
D. Even though people may agree
E. There is agreement among people that
A is the best choice. Choices B, C, and D incorrectly omit that after agree; that is
needed to create the parallel construction agree that there is substantial corruption . .
. and that the government... . Choice E, though it retains that, is grammatically
incorrect: because E starts with an independent rather than a subordinate clause and
separates its two independent clauses with a comma, it creates a run-on sentence with
no logical connection established between the halves. In B, the agreement ... to the
fact is unidiomatic, and B, C, and E alter the sense of the original sentence by saying
that voters agree rather than that they may agree.
15. Given that most Misubishi cars on the road have some problems with tyre, the
Misubishi Company yielded to hundreds of unsatisfied buyers requesting that it should
call back the cars on the market.
A. requesting that it should
B. requesting it to
C and their request to
D. who requested that it
E. who request it to
Choice D, the best answer, uses the grammatically correct expression requested that it
call back, in which requested that it is followed by the subjunctive verb call. Choice A
incorrectly uses should call rather than call: requesting that already conveys the idea
of "should," and at any rate a modal auxiliary verb, such as should or must, cannot
grammatically follow the expression requested that. Similarly, B and E use the
ungrammatical expression requesting/requested it to. In C, the expression yielded
to... buyers and their demand to call... unnecessarily states that the company yielded
to the buyers as well as to their request. This expression also fails to specify that the
company is expected to call back the cars on the market.
16. Opposites of privatization in China consider state-owned business to be an integral
part of national treasury and question if privatization could weaken the ability of the
country to adjust national economy.
A. to be an integral part of the criminal justice system and question if
B. as an integral part of the national treasure and they question if
C. as being an integral part of the national treasure and question whether
D. integral part of the national treasure and question whether
E. are an integral part of the national treasure, and they question whether
When consider means "regard as," as it does in this sentence, its object should be
followed immediately by the phrase that identifies or describes that object. Thus, to be in
A, as in B, and as being in C produce unidiomatic constructions in the context of the
sentence. Also, although (/and whether can be used interchangeably after some verbs,
question if, which appears in A and B, is unidiomatic, and they in B is unnecessary. E
also contains the unnecessary they, and it uses the ungrammatical construction
consider... facilities are. Grammatically and idiomatically, sound D is the best choice.
17. At least as much as 204 millions or more people in the world earn fewer than $10
per day.
A. At least as much as 204 millions or more people in the world earn fewer than
B. At least as much as 204 millions or more people in the world earn less than
C. More than 204 millions people in the world earn fewer than
D. More than 204 millions people in the world earn less than
E. There are at least 204 millions or more people earn less than
D, the best choice, is idiomatic, clear, and concise. Both A and B incorrectly use much
rather than many to describe the countable noun others. Even if this error were
corrected, though, A and B would still be wrong. Because more than x necessarily
includes the sense of at least as many as x. it is redundant and confusing to use
elements of both expressions to refer to the same number of people. In A and C, fewer
is misused.
GMAT Critical Reasoning
1. Bill earns more commission than does Sandra. But since Andrew earns more
commission than does Lisa, it follows that Bill earns more commission than does Lisa.
Any of the following, if introduced into the argument as an additional premise, makes the
argument above logically correct EXCEPT:
A. Andrew earns more commission than Bill
B. Sandra earns more commission than Lisa
C. Sandra earns more commission than Andrew
D. Sandra and Andrew earn the same amount of commission
E. Bill and Andrew earn the same amount of commission
The question asks for an additional premise that does NOT make the argument logically
correct. Adding A to the information given in the passage leaves open the possibility
that, in order of commission, the people rank: Andrew, Lisa, Bill, Sandra. Because this
order is contrary to the conclusion of the argument, A leaves open the possibility that the
conclusion of the argument is false; it is thus the best answer. By contrast, any of other
choices, when added to the information that the commission Bill earns is greater than
that of Sandra and that the commission Andrew earns is greater than that of Lisa, makes
the conclusion-that Bill earns more commission than Lisa-follow logically.
2. During the SARS days, about 23,500 doctors who had treated SARS sufferers died
and about 23,670 doctors who had not engaged in treatment for SARS sufferers died.
On the basis of those figures, it can be concluded that it was not much more dangerous
to participate in SARS treatment during the SARS day than it was not to participate in
SARS treatment.
Which of the following would reveal most clearly the absurdity of the conclusion drawn
above?
A. Counting deaths among doctors who had participated in SARS treatment in addition
to deaths among doctors who had not participated in SARS treatment
B. Expressing the difference between the numbers of deaths among doctors who had
treated SARS sufferers and doctors who had not treated SARS suffers as a percentage
of the total number of deaths
C. Separating deaths caused by accidents during the treatment to SARS suffers from
deaths caused by infect of SARS suffers.
D. Comparing death rates per thousand members of each group rather than comparing
total numbers of deaths
E. Comparing deaths caused by accidents in the United States to deaths caused by
infect in treating SARS suffers.
Concluding from the similar numbers of deaths in two groups that the relative danger of
death was similar for both groups is absurd if, as here, one group was far smaller. D
exposes this absurdity by pointing out the need to compare death rates of the two
groups, which would reveal the higher death rate for the smaller group. Therefore, D is
the best answer. Since the conclusion acknowledges the difference between the number
of deaths of doctors who treated SARS suffers and doctors who had not treated the
SARS suffers, expressing this difference as a percentage, as suggested by B, is beside
the point. A is inappropriate because it simply adds a third group to the two being
compared. Because cause of death in not at issue, C and E are irrelevant.
3. In 2003 an airline in United State lost more than half, on average, of the foreign
passengers they had previously served each year. Researchers have alleged that this
extreme drop resulted from a rise in price of tickets for international lines from $60 to
$90 per 1,000 miles.
Which of the following, if feasible, offers the best prospects for alleviating the problem of
the drop in passengers as the researchers assessed it?
A. Cooperating with other airlines to provide more international lines.
B. Allowing foreign passengers to pay the same as the previous international line
C. Reemphasizing the goals and mission of the airline as serving both domestic
passengers and foreign passengers
D. Increasing the financial resources of the airline by raising the ticket price for domestic
passengers
E. Offering superior VIP service for foreign passengers.
The researchers attribute the drop in passengers of foreign passengers to an increased
price in ticket. If researchers are correct, reducing these prices should halt the drop in
passenger. B offers a plan for reducing these prices and so is the best answer. The
reasoning of the stimulus can be expressed as:
A (a rise in price of ticket for foreign passengers)=>B (extreme drop of passengers )
Then ~B (drop of passengers did not continue)=>~A (price decreases for foreign
passengers)
None of C, D and E offers a plan that would reduce the prices taken to be responsible
for the drop in passengers. Nor does A offer such a plan: because the problem to be
addressed is a drop in foreign passengers, providing more international lines, as A
suggests, would offer no prospect of alleviating the problem.
4. Our work proves to be very successful. In the past three years, each of our five clients
has experienced the fastest growth of sales in their history. Therefore, if your company
wants to increase sales, do not hesitate to call Sigma & Max, since we are the solution.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously jeopardizes the validity of the argument by
the speaker above?
A. Most of the consultants at Sigma & Max hold MBA degrees.
B. Even without the help of Sigma & Max, the five clients of Sigma & Max will achieve
the same growth rate in sale.
C. Sigma & Max is one of the five leading management consulting companies.
D. Sigma & Max uses an updated accounting approach to help companies to cut cost.
E. All of the five clients of Sigma & Max are doing business in financial industry.
As B states, without the help of Sigma & Max, the five clients of Sigma & Max will
achieve the same growth rate in sale. Therefore, B is the best answer. Choices C and D
exactly strengthen the argument by the speaker. The first and last choices are irrelevant
to the evaluation of the argument above.
Questions 5-6 are based on the following.
If highways were restricted to cars and only those truck with capacity of less than 8 tons,
most the truck traffic would be forced to run outside highway. Such a reduction in the
amount of truck traffic would reduce the risk of collision in highway.
5. The conclusion draw in the first sentence depends on which of the following
assumptions?
A. The roads outside highway would be as convenient as highway for most drivers of
truck.
B. Most roads outside highways are not ready to handle truck traffic.
C. Most trucks that are currently running in highway have a capacity of more than 8 tons.
D. Cars are at greater risk of becoming involved in collisions than are trucks.
E. A reduction in the risk of collision would eventually lead to increases in car traffic.
The first sentence concludes that prohibiting trucks with capacity of more than 8 tons
from highway would force most trucks away from highways. This conclusion cannot be
true unless it is true that, as C says, most trucks that use highways have capacity of
more than 8 tons. Therefore, the first sentence's conclusion assumes this choice, which
is thus the best answer. The conclusion need not assume that roads outside highways
are convenient for trucks (A), since the restrictions would give trucks that have a
capacity of more than 8 tons no choice. The conclusion concerns only how the
restriction would affect the volume of truck traffic, so B, D and E, which deal with cars
and with risk of collision, need not be assumed.
6. Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the conclusion drawn in the
second sentence?
A. Cars with a capacity of more than 8 tons are already excluded outside highways.
B. Highways are experiencing overcrowded traffic primarily because of sharp increases
in car traffic.
C. Many drivers of trucks would rather buy truck with a capacity of less than 8 tons than
be excluded from highways.
D. The number of collisions that occur near highways has decreased in recent years.
E. Trucks that have a capacity of more than 8 tons cause a disproportionately large
number of collisions in highways.
The second sentence concludes that the reduction described in the first sentence would
reduce the risk of collisions in highways. According to E, such a reduction would remove
precisely the kind of truck that causes a disproportionate number of collisions. Thus, E is
the best answer. Because A does not address the question of whether reducing car
traffic would reduce the risk of collisions, it is inappropriate. B and C concern the
question of whether or not the proposed restrictions would reduce highway traffic, but
not the question of whether any resulting reductions would reduce the risk of collisions.
That the number of collisions has recently decreased is irrelevant to whether the
proposed reduction would further reduce collisions, so D is inappropriate.
7. A life insurance company allows people to prepay their endowment insurance at
current rates. The policyholder then pays the premium every year. People should
participate in the program as a means of decreasing the cost for their living after
retirement.
Which of the following, if true, is the most appropriate reason for people NOT to
participate in the program?
A. Peoples are unsure about which insurance company they will choose after retirement.
B. The amount of money accumulated by putting the prepayment funds in an interest-
bearing account today will be greater than the total cost of insurance when they retire.
C. The annual cost of premium is expected to increase at a faster rate than the annual
increase in the cost of living.
D. Some of the insurance companies are contemplating large increases in premium next
year.
E. The prepayment plan would not cover the cost of hospitalization.
The passage recommends that people participate in a premium prepayment program as
a means of decreasing the living cost after they retire. If B is true, placing the funds in an
interest bearing account would be more cost-effective than participating in the
prepayment program. Therefore, B would be a reason for NOT participating and is the
best answer. A is not clearly relevant to deciding whether to participate since the
program applies to whatever insurance companies they choose. C and D, by stating that
premium will increase, provide support for participating in the program. E is not clearly
relevant to deciding whether to participate, since the expenses mentioned fall outside
the scope of the program.
8. The price of purchasing a car in Country Q is 120 percent less than the price of
purchasing a car in Country Y. Even after transportation fees and tariff charges are
added, it is still cheaper for a buyer to import car from Country Q to Country Y than to
buy car in Country Y.
The statements above, if true, best support which of the following assertions?
A. Gasoline prices in Country Q are 120 percent below those in Country Y.
B. Importing cars from Country Q to Country Y will eliminate 120 percent of the sales of
cars in Country Y.
C. The tariff on a car imported from Country Q to Country Y is less than 120 percent of
the price of a car in Country Y.
D. The fee for transporting a car from Country Q to Country Y is more than 120 percent
of the price of a car in Country Q.
E. It takes 120 percent less time to transport a car in Country Q than it does in Country
Y.
If the tariff on importing cars from Country Q to Country Y were as high as 120 percent
or more of the price of purchasing a car in Y, then, contrary to what the passage says,
the price of importing cars from Q to Y would be equal to or more than the price of a car
in Y. thus, the tariff cannot be that high, and C is the best answer. A and E give possible
partial explanations for the price difference, but neither is supported by the passage
because the price advantage in Q might be attributable to other factors. B and D are
both consistent with the information in the passage, but the passage provides no
evidence to support them.
9. In 1992, 5 percent of every dollar paid in tax went to support the unemployed citizens.
In 1998, 8 percent of every dollar paid in tax went to such funds, although that
unemployment rate has decreased in 1998 than in 1992.
Each of the following, if true, could explain the simultaneous increase in percent of every
dollar paid in tax to support the unemployed citizens and decrease in the number of
unemployment rate EXCEPT:
A. On average, each unemployed citizen received more money in 1998 than 1992.
B. On average, people paid less tax in 1998 than in 1992.
C. The individuals had paid more tax than did enterprises during this period.
D. Income before tax has significantly decreased since 1992.
E. The number of tax evaders rose sharply between 1992 and 1998.
Choice A suggests that the total amount of dollars used to support unemployment has
increase, therefore explain the paradox. Choice B, D, and E all suggests that the amount
of tax collected decreased, thus percent of every dollar that went to support the
unemployment increases. Only choice C does not explain such paradox, therefore is the
correct answer.
10. Something must be done to stop spam. In early days, people seldom received
unsolicited email advertisement; but now that numerous bulk email software and
email address finders are developed to collect email address all around the world.
Advertisers use email addresses to market their products and even sell such email lists
to other advertisers. As a result, almost everyone ever get junk email, and sometime
several and even tens of annoying emails a day. So, relevant anti-spam regulations
should be framed to stop unsolicited advertising.
The two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?
A. Background that the argument depends on and conclusion that can be drawn from
the argument.
B. Part of evidence that the argument includes, and inference that can be drawn from
this passage.
C. Pre-evidence that the argument depends on and part of evidence that supports the
conclusion.
D. Background that argument depends on and part of evidence that supports the
conclusion.
E. Pre-evidence that argument includes and a method that helps to supports that
conclusion.
The first portion in boldface introduced a previous situation, as compared to current
situation. The author then made the conclusion in the last sentence, or the second
portion in boldface. Therefore, choice B is the best answer.