Sample Questions Printable Sections:
  

 


Sample Questions: Easy
  

1. The new chairs and sofabeds, displayed so brightly in the department store window, receives many stares from the passers-by. 

A.     displayed so brightly in the department store window, receives

B.     which are displayed so brightly in the department store window, and receives

C.      are displayed so brightly in the department store window, receive

D.     being displayed so brightly in the department store window, and receiving

E.     displayed so brightly in the department store window, receive

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The new chairs and sofabeds, displayed so brightly in the department store window, receives many stares from the passers-by.

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.

Grammar issue presented: subject/verb agreement

The subject of the sentence — new chairs and sofabeds — is plural, and a plural verb must follow.  displayed so brightly in the department store window is a modifying phrase.

NOTE: Modifying phrases are often used to obscure agreement issues by splitting apart subject and verb.

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A. displayed so brightly in the department store window- receives
receives (singular verb form) Agrees: NO

B. which are displayed so brightly in the department store window, and receives
receives (singular verb form) Agrees: NO

C.  are displayed so brightly in the department store window, receive
- receive (plural verb form) Agrees: YES
Additional errors?
 Run-on sentence!

D.    being displayed so brightly in the department store window, and receiving
-
receiving (progressive verb form) Agrees: NO!
Additional errors?
Sentence fragment.

E.     displayed so brightly in the department store window, receive
-  receive (plural verb form) Agrees: YES
Additional errors?
None

(E) is correct because it is the only choice in which the verb agrees with the subject by being in the plural form, without creating further errors.


2. The jazz band has played all night and are finally ready to go home.

A.  has played all night and are finally

B.  has played all night and is finally

C.  have played all night and are finally

D. have played all night and is finally

E. has been playing all night and are finally

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The jazz band has played all night and are finally ready to go home.

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Grammar issue presented: subject/verb agreement

The subject of the sentence is jazz band, which is a group, but is a singular entity.  Therefore singular verbs must follow.  Has is singular, but are is not.

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A.  has played all night and are finally

-  has (singular), are (plural) Agree: NO

B.  has played all night and is finally

has (singular), is (singular) Agree: YES

C.   have played all night and are finally

-  have (plural), are (plural) Agree: NO

D. have played all night and is finally

have (plural), is (singular) Agree: NO

E. has been playing all night and are finally

has (singular), are (plural) Agree: NO

(B) is correct because it is the only choice in which both verbs agree with a singular subject

3. Finally rescued from the streets, the shelter provides the dogs with food and routine exercise.

A. the shelter provides the dogs with food and routine exercise.

B. the shelter provides food and routine exercise to the dogs.

C. food and routine exercise is provided to the dogs in the shelter.

D. the dogs are provided with food and routine exercise in the shelter.

E. the dogs, with food and routine exercise, provide in the shelter.

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Finally rescued from the streets, the shelter provides the dogs with food and routine exercise. 
                               

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Grammar issue presented: modifiers

Finally rescued from the streets is a modifier.  It must be placed as close as possible to what it describes.

Finally rescued from the streets, the shelter provides the dogs with food and routine exercise.

The modifier is misplaced because it is next to shelter. The dogs are what is rescued from the streets, NOT the shelter.

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A.     the shelter provides the dogs with food and routine exercise.
Modifies: shelter
Correct: NO

B.     the shelter provides food and routine exercise to the dogs.
Modifies: shelter
Correct: NO

C.    food and routine exercise is provided to the dogs in the shelter.
Modifies: food and routine
Correct: NO

D.    the dogs are provided with food and routine exercise in the shelter.
Modifies: the dog
Correct: YES
Additional errors? None

E.   the dogs, with food and routine exercise, provide in the shelter.
Modifies: the dog
Correct: YES
Additional errors? Changes in meaning ,
sentence fragment

(D) is the only choice which resolves the misplaced modifier without creating additional problems.


4. Betsy loves summertime when she swims, plays tennis, and is making friends.

A.  and is making friends.

B.  and makes friends.

C.  and is able to be making friends.

D. and friends are made.

E. and there will be friends to make.

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.
Betsy loves summertime when she swims, plays tennis, and is making friends.

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.
Grammar issue presented: parallelism

-          The sentence contains a list, which is a case for parallelism.

-          All items in a list must be parallel.  

This sentence contains faulty parallelism because the verb form is making does not match the form of swims and plays.  

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A.     and is making friends.
Parallel? NO - swims / plays / making

B.     and makes friends.
Parallel? YES  - swims / plays / makes

C.      and is able to be making friends.
Parallel? NO - swims / plays / to be making

D.     and friends are made.
Parallel? NO - swims / plays / made

E.     and there will be friends to make.
Parallel? NO - swims / plays / to make

(B) is the only choice which contains proper parallel construction.

 

5. I was surprised that, when given the news, Jack called you and she before anyone else.

A. Jack called you and she before anyone else.

B. you and she were called before anyone else by Jack.

C. Jack called you and her before anyone else.

D. Jack called, before anyone else, you and she.

E. her and you were called by Jack before anyone else.

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.
I was surprised that, when given the news, Jack called you and she before anyone else.

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.
Grammar issue presented: pronoun agreement

In the underlined portion Jack is the subject.  The people he calls are the objects.  The pronoun she is a subjective pronoun, meaning it is used to indicate the subject of a sentence.  Thus it is in the wrong case.  In order to be correct, she must become her, an objective pronoun.  

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A. Jack called you and she before anyone else.
Subject / object / subject
Agrees: NO
she must become her

B. you and she were called before anyone else by Jack.
Subject / subject / object
Agrees: YES
Additional errors? Passive voice: were called, by Jack

C. Jack called you and her before anyone else.
Subject / subject / object
Agrees: YES
Additional errors: None

D. Jack called, before anyone else, you and she.
Subject / object / subject
Agrees: NO
she must become her

E. her and you were called by Jack before anyone else.
object / subject / object
Agrees: NO
she must become her

(B) and (C) contain pronoun agreement.  Though, (B) is not incorrect, it is not the best choice.  The active voice is preferable on the test, making (C) the clearest and best choice.

 

 

6. Every person feels that their needs are more crucial than that of other human beings.

A. their needs are more crucial than that of other human beings.

B. his needs are more crucial than that of other human beings.

C. his needs are more crucial than those of other human beings.

D. his needs are more crucial from that of other human beings.

E. their needs are more crucial from those of other human beings.

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.
Every person feels that
their needs are more crucial than that of other human beings.

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Grammar issue presented: pronoun and noun agreement

In the original sentence person is singular, while their and human beings are both plural. In addition, needs is plural while that is singular.  The sentence must correct agreement in number.

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A. their needs are more crucial than that of other human beings.  
singular noun (person), plural pronoun (their)
Agree: NO
singular comparison (than that of), plural noun (human beings)
Agree: NO

B. his needs are more crucial than that of other human beings.
singular noun (person), singular pronoun (his)
Agree: YES
singular comparison (than that of), plural noun (human beings)
Agree: NO

C.
his needs are more crucial than those of other human beings.
singular noun (person), singular pronoun (his)
Agree: YES
plural comparison (than that of), plural noun (human beings)
Agree: YES

D.
 his needs are more crucial from that of other human beings.
singular noun (person), singular pronoun (his)
Agree: YES
improper comparison (from that of), plural noun (human beings)
Agree: NO

E.
their needs are more crucial from those of other human beings.
singular noun (person), plural pronoun (their)
Agree: NO
improper comparison (from that of), plural noun (human beings)
Agree: NO

(C) is correct because it is the only choice that contains complete agreement.

7. John Edward Kenna, a Senator from West Virginia, was born near St. Albans, in Kanawha County, Viginia, which becomes part of the state of West Virginia in 1863.

A.  which becomes part of the state of West Virginia in 1863.

B.  which was becoming part of the state of West Virginia in 1863.

C. which became part of the state of West Virginia in 1863.

D. which had become part of the state of West Virginia in 1863.

E. which will become part of the state of West Virginia in 1863.

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.
John Edward Kenna, a Senator from West Virginia, was born near St. Albans, in Kanawha County, Viginia, which becomes part of the state of West Virginia in 1863.

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.
Grammar issue presented: verb tense

- The sentence begins in the past and discusses past events.  Therefore all verbs should be in past tense.

-   which becomes is in the present tense and must be corrected.

  GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.  

A. which becomes part of the state of West Virginia in 1863.
Tense: present
Correct: NO

B. which was becoming part of the state of West Virginia in 1863.
Tense: progressive past
Correct: NO  

C. which became part of the state of West Virginia in 1863.
Tense: past
Correct: YES
additional errors? none

D. which had become part of the state of West Virginia in 1863.
Tense: past perfect
Correct: NO  

E.  which will become part of the state of West Virginia in 1863.
Tense: future
Correct: NO

(C) correctly puts the sentence into the past tense.

 


8. Alice Robie Resnick was elected in 1988 as only the second woman in Ohio to serve on the state bench, and is subsequently reelected in 1994 and 2000.

A.  as only the second woman in Ohio to serve on the state bench, and is subsequently reelected in 1994 and 2000.

B. to be only the second woman in Ohio to serve on the state bench, and was subsequently reelected in 1994 and 2000.

C. as only the second woman in Ohio who served on the state bench, and is subsequently reelected in 1994 and 2000.

D.  as only the second woman in Ohio to serve on the state bench, and was subsequently reelected in 1994 and 2000.

E. as only the second woman in Ohio who had served on the state bench, and is subsequently reelected in 1994 and 2000.

  GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.
Alice Robie Resnick was elected in 1988 as only the second woman in Ohio to serve on the state bench, and is subsequently reelected in 1994 and 2000.
     

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Grammar issue presented: verb tense

- All events in the sentence take place in the past.  Therefore all verbs should be in past tense.

- is subsequently reelected is in the present tense and must be corrected.

Alice Robie Resnick was elected in 1988 as only the second woman in Ohio to serve on the state

                              (past tense)


bench, and is subsequently reelected in 1994 and 2000.
    

          (present tense)

  GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.    

A.     as only the second woman in Ohio to serve on the state bench, and is subsequently reelected in 1994 and 2000.
Tense: present
Correct: NO  

B.   as only the second woman in Ohio to serve on the state bench, and was subsequently reelected in 1994 and 2000.
Tense: past
Correct: YES
Additional errors?
None

C.   as only the second woman in Ohio who had served on the state bench, and was subsequently reelected in 1994 and 2000.
Tense: past
Correct: YES
Additional errors?
had served (past perfect)  - should be infinitive to serve.

D.   to be only the second woman in Ohio to serve on the state bench, and is subsequently reelected in 1994 and 2000.
Tense: present
Correct: NO

E. as only the second woman in Ohio who served on the state bench, and is subsequently reelected in 1994 and 2000.
Tense: present
Correct: NO

(B) to be only the second woman in Ohio to serve on the state bench, and was subsequently reelected in 1994 and 2000.

 

9. 42nd Street has more theaters than any street.

A. than any street.

B. than any other street.

C. then any other street does.

D.  than theaters on other streets.

E.  than any street has.  

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42nd Street has more theaters than any street.

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Grammar issue presented: comparison

-          The sentence compares 42nd St to any street.

This sentence contains faulty comparison because to compare one street to any street is illogical.  Any street includes the street being compared.  Any other street must be used to indicate we are comparing one street with all the rest.

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.  

A.     than any street.
Proper Comparison? NO
42nd Street to any street

B.    than any other street.
Proper Comparison? YES
42nd Street to any other street
Additional errors? none

C.   then any other street does.
Proper Comparison? YES
42nd Street to any other street
Additional errors?
Improper use of then.  Than must be used in comparisons.

D.    than theaters on other streets.
Proper Comparison? NO
42nd Street to theaters
         

E.    than any street has.
Proper Comparison? NO
42nd Street to any street
 

(B) is the only choice which properly compares 42nd Street to any other street.

 

10. Hand ale pumps may slightly improve the flavor of ale over gas-powered kegs, but modern pub managers contend that hand ale pumps cost twice as much as gas-powered kegs.

A. hand ale pumps cost twice as much as gas-powered kegs
B. hand ale pumps cost twice as much as gas-powered kegs do
C. maintaining hand ale pumps costs twice as much as gas-powered kegs do
D. maintaining hand ale pumps costs twice as much as it does for gas-powered kegs
E. to maintain hand ale pumps costs twice as much as for gas-powered kegs


ANSWER:

This sentence compares the costs required to maintain two kinds of pumps. (B), the best choice, is able to maintain parallelism in the comparison as well. Choice (A) incorrectly shifts the meaning by comparing the cost of hand ale pumps with the cost of maintaining gas-powered kegs. Choice (C) does the opposite: it compares the cost of maintaining hand ale pumps with the cost of gas-powered kegs themselves. Choice (D) further confuses the sentence by adding a nonparallel phrase, it does for, in which it has no clear referent. Choice (E) introduces the infinitive phrase to maintain, and wrongly attempts to complete the comparison with the nonparallel prepositional phrase for....

The answer is B. 


 


Sample Questions: Medium
  

 

1. The military history of France represent an amalgam of conflicts and struggles encompassing over 2,000 years and spanning areas including much of Europe and their overseas territories, not to mention modern-day France.

A. represent an amalgam of conflicts and struggles encompassing over 2,000 years and spanning areas including much of Europe and their overseas territories

B.    represents an amalgam of conflicts and struggles encompassing over 2,000 years and spanning areas including much of Europe and their overseas territories

C.    represents an amalgam of conflicts and struggles; they encompass over 2,000 years and spanning areas including much of Europe and their overseas territories

D.    represents an amalgam of conflicts and struggles encompassing over 2,000 years and spanning areas including much of Europe and its overseas territories

E.     represent an amalgam of conflicts and struggles which are encompassing over 2,000 years and spanning areas including much of Europe and its overseas territories

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.
The military history of France represent an amalgam of conflicts and struggles encompassing over 2,000 years and spanning areas including much of Europe and their overseas territories, not to mention modern-day France.  

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.
Grammar issue presented: subject /verb agreement

The subject of the sentence is singular: military history, and a singular verb must follow.

The pronoun their 'is plural, but refers to Europe , which is a singular subject.

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.  

A.     represent an amalgam of conflicts and struggles encompassing over 2,000 years and spanning areas including much of Europe and their overseas territories
       represent (plural verb form); their (plural pronoun)
Agree: NO

B.    represents an amalgam of conflicts and struggles encompassing over 2,000 years and spanning areas including much of Europe and their overseas territories
represents (singular verb form); their (plural pronoun)
Agree: NO

C.    represents an amalgam of conflicts and struggles; they encompass over 2,000 years and spanning areas including much of Europe and their overseas territories
represents (singular verb form); their (plural pronoun)
Agree: NO

D.    represents an amalgam of conflicts and struggles encompassing over 2,000 years and spanning areas including much of Europe and its overseas territories
represents (singular verb form); its (singular pronoun)
Agree: YES
Additional errors? None

E.     represent an amalgam of conflicts and struggles which are encompassing over 2,000 years and spanning areas including much of Europe and its overseas territories
represent (plural verb form); its (singular pronoun)
Agree: NO  

(D) is correct because it is the only choice in which there is proper subject/verb agreement and proper pronoun agreement.

 

2. Australian Aboriginal languages and are native to Australia and a few nearby islands, but exclude any languages of Tasmania , comprising several language families.

A.    Australian Aboriginal languages and are native to Australia and a few nearby islands, but exclude any languages of Tasmania , comprising several language families.

B.     Native to Australia and a few nearby islands, Australian Aboriginal languages exclude any languages of Tasmania , comprising several language families.

C.    Comprising several language families and a few nearby islands, Australian Aboriginal languages exclude any languages of Tasmania native to Australia .

D.    Comprising several language families, the Australian Aboriginal languages are native to Australia and a few nearby islands, but exclude any languages of Tasmania .

E.     Excluding Tasmania , native to Australia and a few nearby islands, comprising several language families, are the Australian Aboriginal languages.

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.

Australian Aboriginal languages and are native to Australia and a few nearby islands, but exclude any languages of Tasmania , comprising several language families.                            

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.

Grammar issue presented: modifiers

comprising several languages is a modifier.  It must be placed as close as possible to what it describes.

Australian Aboriginal languages and are native to Australia and a few nearby islands, but

exclude any languages of Tasmania , comprising several language families.

                                     -- modifier --

This question is tricky because the entire sentence is underlined and the modifier is at the end of the sentence, which is unusual.  It is misplaced because it should be modifying Australian Aboriginal languages, NOT Tasmania .

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.

A.    Australian Aboriginal languages and are native to Australia and a few nearby islands, but exclude any languages of Tasmania , comprising several language families.
Modifies: Tasmania
Correct: NO

B.    Native to Australia and a few nearby islands, Australian Aboriginal languages exclude any languages of Tasmania , comprising several language families.
Modifies: Tasmania
Correct: NO

C.    Comprising several language families and a few nearby islands, Australian Aboriginal languages exclude any languages of Tasmania native to Australia .
Modifies: Australian Aboriginal language
Correct: YES
Additional errors?
changes meaning of sentence.

D.    Comprising several language families, the Australian Aboriginal languages and are native to Australia and a few nearby islands, but exclude Tasmania .
Modifies: Australian Aboriginal language
Correct: YES
Additional errors?
None

E.     Excluding Tasmania , native to Australia and a few nearby islands, comprising several language families are the Australian Aboriginal languages.
modifies: Australian Aboriginal language
Correct: YES
Additional errors?
passive voice, vague, meaning is obscured

(D) is the only choice which resolves the misplaced modifier without creating additional problems.

3. The Armet helm, developed in the 15th century, was the first of its era to not only completely enclose the wearer's head, but also being small and light enough to move with the wearer.

  1. but also being small and light enough to move with the wearer.
  2. but also being able to move with the wearer because it was small and light enough.
  3. but also be small and light enough to move with the wearer.
  4. and it also was small and light enough to move with the wearer
  5. and in addition, be small and light enough to move with the wearer.

  GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.
The Armet helm, developed in the 15th century, was the first of its era to not only completely enclose the wearer's head, but also being small and light enough to move with the wearer.

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.
Grammar issue presented: parallelism

-          The sentence contains the not only…but also conjunction which is a case for parallelism.

-          All elements following the conjunction must use proper parallel construction.

This sentence contains faulty parallelism because completely enclose does not match being small and light in grammatical format.

not only

 

but also

enclose the wearers head

 

being small and light

 


 GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.

A.     but also being small and light enough to move with the wearer.
Parallel? NO to not only enclose / but also being

B.    but also being able to move with the wearer because it was small and light enough.
Parallel? NO to not only enclose / but also being

C.    but also be small and light enough to move with the wearer.
Parallel? YES to not only enclose / but also be (both infinitives)

D.    and it also was small and light enough to move with the wearer
Parallel? NO
conjunction is corrupted: not only / it also  

E.     and in addition, be small and light enough to move with the wearer.
Parallel? NO conjunction is corrupted: not only / and in addition

(C) is the only choice which contains proper parallel construction

4. In 1986, socialist President Mitterrand was forced to appoint conservative Jacques Chirac as Prime Minister, resulting in a period known as the Cohabitation, where him and Chirac governed together.

  1. resulting in a period known as the Cohabitation, where him and Chirac governed together.  
  1. resulting in a period known as the Cohabitation, where them governed together.
  1. where him and Chirac governed together, resulting in a period known as the Cohabitation.
  1. where he and Chirac, resulting in a period known as the Cohabitation, governed together.
  1. resulting in a period known as the Cohabitation, where he and Chirac governed together.  

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.
In 1986, socialist President Mitterrand was forced to appoint conservative Jacques Chirac as Prime Minister, resulting in a period known as the Cohabitation, where him and Chirac governed together.

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.
Grammar issue presented: pronoun agreement

In the underlined portion two people govern together.  They are the subjects of the sentence. The pronoun him is an objective pronoun, meaning it is used to show the object of a sentence.  Thus it in the wrong case and must be changed to he— the subjective pronoun:  

him and Chirac governed together.

he and Chirac governed together.

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.

  1. resulting in a period known as the Cohabitation, where him and Chirac governed together.
    Agree: NO Uses him, an objective pronoun in place of the subject.  
  1. resulting in a period known as the Cohabitation, where them governed together.
    Agree: NO
    Uses them, another objective pronoun. They would be correct.  
  1. where him and Chirac governed together, resulting in a period known as the Cohabitation.
    Agree: NO
    Uses him, an objective pronoun in place of the subject.  
  1. where he and Chirac, resulting in a period known as the Cohabitation, governed together.
    Agree: YES
    Additional issues?
    Sentence structure confuses meaning: it seems that he and Chirac resulted  in a period known as Cohabitation.
  1. resulting in a period known as the Cohabitation, where he and Chirac governed together.
    Agree: YES
    Additional issues? None
     

(E) contains pronoun agreement without sacrificing meaning or flow.

5. A recent poll shows that, due to animal overpopulation concerns, dog owners had elected to spay and neuter their pets rather than let them reproduce.

  1. had elected to spay and neuter their pets rather than let them reproduce.
  2. had elected to spay and neuter their pets instead of letting them reproduce.
  3. have elected to be spaying and neutering their pets instead of reproduction.
  4. have elected to spay and neuter their pets rather than let them reproduce.
  5. have elected to spay and neuter their pets rather than reproduction.

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.
A recent poll shows that, due to animal overpopulation concerns, dog owners had elected to spay and neuter their pets rather than let them reproduce.       

  GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.
Grammar issue presented: verb tense

- The sentence describes a situation that continues into the present.  Therefore, all verbs should be in the present.

-   had elected is in the past perfect and must be corrected.

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.

A. had elected to spay and neuter their pets rather than let them reproduce.
Tense: Past
Correct: NO
 

B. had elected to spay and neuter their pets instead of letting them reproduce.
Tense: Past
Correct: NO
 

C. have elected to be spaying and neutering their pets instead of reproduction.
Tense: Present
Correct: YES
Additional errors:
improper comparison: elected
to be spaying… instead of reproduction.  

D. have elected to spay and neuter their pets rather than let them reproduce.
Tense: Present
Correct: YES
Additional errors: none

E. have elected to spay and neuter their pets rather than reproduction.
Tense: Present
Correct: YES
Additional errors:
improper comparison:
elected
to spay…rather than reproduction.

(D) is the only choice which puts the sentence into the present tense without creating any additional errors.

6. It was difficult for Jackie to decide between writing fiction or poetry.

  1. It was difficult for Jackie to decide between writing fiction or poetry.
  2. It was difficult for Jackie to decide between writing fiction and writing poetry.
  3. The decision to write fiction or poetry was difficult among Jackie.
  4. It was difficult for Jackie to decide among writing fiction or poetry.
  5. For Jackie, between writing fiction or poetry, it was difficult to decide.

  GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.

It was difficult for Jackie to decide between writing fiction or poetry.

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.

Grammar issues presented: idiom and parallelism

 between is the correct idiom for two choices.

 among is the correct idiom for three or more choices.

The sentence contains two choices: fiction OR poetry

Thus between is used correctly.

The sentence also requires parallelism between the choices.

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.

  1. It was difficult for Jackie to decide between writing fiction or poetry.
    Idiom: between
    Correct: YES
    Additional issues?
    Lack of Parallelism between writing fiction and poetry; plus between takes the conjunction and, not or.
  1. It was difficult for Jackie to decide between writing fiction and writing poetry.
    Idiom: between
    Correct: YES

    Additional Issues? None
  1. The decision to write fiction or poetry was difficult among Jackie.
    Idiom: among
    Correct? NO
    Additional issues: Meaning is altered and sentence is confusing: among Jackie.
  1. It was difficult for Jackie to decide among writing fiction or poetry.
    Idiom: among
    Correct: NO                        
  1. For Jackie, between writing fiction or poetry, it was difficult to decide.
    Idiom: between
    Correct: YES
    Additional issues? Poor sentence structure, confusing wording.

(B) uses the proper idiom between and creates no additional problems.

7. A partnership among two neighborhoods, the street fair was very successful, although there was some complaints about noise levels.

A. among two neighborhoods, the street fair was very successful, although there was
B. among two neighborhoods, the street fair was very successful, although there will be
C. between two neighborhoods, the street fair was very successful, although there were
D. between two neighborhoods, the street fair was very successful, although there was
E. among two neighborhoods, the street fair was very successful, although there were

 

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.

A partnership among two neighborhoods, the street fair was very successful, although there was some complaints about noise levels.

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.

Grammar issues presented:

pronoun agreement: This sentence contains the wrong idiom: among. Among is used for describing groups of 3 or more. Between is used for two parties. Since there are two neighborhoods, between is appropriate.
subject/verb agreement: The subject of the second half of the sentence is complaints (plural). Therefore, the verb was should be made plural as well: were.

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.

  1. among two neighborhoods, the street fair was very successful, although there was
    Idiom: among
    Correct: NO
    Subject/Verb agreement: NO
  2. among two neighborhoods, the street fair was very successful, although there will be
    Idiom: among
    Correct: NO
    Subject/Verb agreement: YES
    Additional errors: will be = future tense!
  3. between two neighborhoods, the street fair was very successful, although there were
    Idiom: between
    Correct: YES
    Subject/Verb agreement: YES
  4. between two neighborhoods, the street fair was very successful, although there was
    Idiom: between
    Correct: YES
    Subject/Verb agreement: NO
  5. among two neighborhoods, the street fair was very successful, although there were
    Idiom: among
    Correct: NO
    Subject/Verb agreement: YES

(C) corrects both idiom and subject/verb agreement problems.

8. The web spun by orb-weaver spiders are thought to be a marvel of engineering.

A. The web spun by orb-weaver spiders are
B. The webs spun by orb-weaver spiders are
C. The webs spun by orb-weaver spiders is
D. The web spun by the orb-weaver spider are
E. The web spun by the orb-weaver spider is

 

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.

The web spun by orb-weaver spiders are thought to be a marvel of engineering.

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.

Grammar issues presented: subject/object, and subject/verb agreement

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.

  1. The web spun by orb-weaver spiders are (a marvel)
    (singular) (plural) (plural) (singular)
    Agree: NO
  2. The webs spun by orb-weaver spiders are (a marvel)
    (plural) (plural) (plural) (singular)
    Agree: NO
  3. The webs spun by orb-weaver spiders is (a marvel)
    (plural) (plural) (singular) (singular)
    Agree: NO
  4. The web spun by the orb-weaver spider are (a marvel)
    (singular) (singular) (plural) (singular)
    Agree: NO
  5. The web spun by the orb-weaver spider is (a marvel)
    (singular) (singular) (singular) (singular)
    Agree: YES

(E) correctly agrees all noun and verbs.

9. The Pashtun people are the largest tribal group exhibiting segmentary lineage in the world, and though they say there are supposedly 40 million Pashtun, it is impossible to figure out the exact number since the tribes are migratory and are not counted in the census.

A. and though they say there are supposedly 40 million Pashtun, it is impossible to figure out the exact number since the tribes
B.
and though there are supposedly 40 million Pashtun, it is impossible to figure out the exact number since the tribes
C.
and though they are saying that there are supposedly 40 million Pashtun, it is impossible to figure out the exact number since the tribes
D.
they say there are supposedly 40 million Pashtun, but it is impossible to figure out the exact number since the tribes
E.
there are supposedly 40 million Pashtun, it is impossible to figure out the exact number since the tribes

 

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.

The Pashtun people are the largest tribal group exhibiting segmentary lineage in the world, and though they say there are supposedly 40 million Pashtun, it is impossible to figure out the exact number since the tribes are migratory and are not counted in the census.

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.

Grammar issue presented: pronoun ambiguity and redundancy: they say —who are "they"? In any case, they say is redundant, because supposedly means more or less the same thing.

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.

  1. and though they say there are supposedly 40 million Pashtun, it is impossible to figure out the exact number since the tribes
    Pronoun ambiguity and redundancy: they say
    Clear?
    NO
  2. and thoughthere are supposedly 40 million Pashtun, it is impossible to figure out the exact number since the tribes
    Pronoun ambiguity: None: there are
    Clear?
    YES
  3. and though they are saying that there are supposedly 40 million Pashtun, it is impossible to figure out the exact number since the tribes
    Pronoun ambiguity and redundancy: they are saying
    Clear?
    NO
  4. they say there are supposedly 40 million Pashtun, but it is impossible to figure out the exact number since the tribes
    Pronoun ambiguity and redundancy: they say
    Clear?
    NO
  5. there are supposedly 40 million Pashtun, it is impossible to figure out the exact number since the tribes
    Pronoun ambiguity: none: there are
    Clear?
    YES
    Additional errors: Run on sentence: two independent clauses are incorrectly linked by a comma: The Pashtun people are the largest tribal group exhibiting segmentary lineage in the world, there are supposedly 40 million Pashtun, it is impossible to figure out the exact number since the tribes are migratory and are not counted in the census.
B) clears up the pronoun ambiguity and removes redundancy without creating additional errors.

10. Troubled by nightmares, Raul is pursuing hypnosis, and is hoping it will affect his dreams positively.

A. Raul is pursuing hypnosis, and is hoping it will affect his dreams positively.
B.
Raul was pursuing hypnosis, and is hoping it will affect his dreams positively.
C.
Raul is pursuing hypnosis, and hopes hypnosis will affect his dreams positively.
D.
Raul was pursuing hypnosis, and hopes it will affect his dreams positively.
E.
Raul is pursuing hypnosis, and hopes it will affect his dreams positively.

 

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.

Troubled by nightmares, Raul is pursuing hypnosis, and is hoping it will affect his dreams positively.

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.

Grammar issue presented: wordiness: is hoping is better stated as hopes

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.

  1. Raul is pursuing hypnosis, and is hoping it will affect his dreams positively.
    Clear?
    NO
    is hoping: wordy
  2. Raul was pursuing hypnosis, and is hoping it will affect his dreams positively.
    Clear?
    NO
    was pursuing: should not be in past tense
    is hoping: wordy
  3. Raul is pursuing hypnosis, and hopes hypnosis will affect his dreams positively.
    Clear?
    NO
    pursuing hypnosis, and hopes hypnosis: redundant
  4. Raul was pursuing hypnosis, and hopes it will affect his dreams positively.
    Clear?
    NO
    was pursuing: should not be in past tense
  5. Raul is pursuing hypnosis, and hopes it will affect his dreams positively.
    Clear?
    YES
    is pursuing ... hopes

E) corrects the wordiness without creating new errors.

 



Sample Questions: Hard
  

 

1. Selling more than fifteen million copies, Douglas Adams's contributions included not only the famous Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, but also comedy and radio drama.

  1. Douglas Adams's contributions included not only the famous Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, but also comedy and radio drama.
  2. Douglas Adams contributed not only the famous Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, but also comedy and radio drama.
  3. the famous Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy was only one of Douglas Adams's contributions, which also included comedy and radio drama.
  4. the famous Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy also included comedy and radio and was not Douglas Adams' only contribution.
  5. the famous Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy not only was one of Douglas Adams's contributions, but also comedy and radio drama.

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.
Selling more than fifteen million copies, Douglas Adams's contributions included not only the famous Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, but also comedy and radio drama.                                   

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.
Grammar issue presented: modifiers

Selling more than fifteen million copies is a modifier.  It must be placed as close as possible to what it describes.

The modifier is misplaced because it should be modifying the famous Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy NOT Douglas Adams's contributions.

(Common sense tells us that the book Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is what sold fifteen million copies, NOT Adams's contributions.)

Selling more than fifteen million copies, Douglas Adams's contributions included not only

- modifier -

the famous Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, but also comedy and radio drama.

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.

A. Douglas Adams's contributions included not only the famous Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, but also comedy and radio drama.
Modifies: Douglas Adams's contributions
Correct: NO

B. Douglas Adams contributed not only the famous Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, but also comedy and radio drama.
Modifies: Douglas Adams
Correct: NO


C. the
famous Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy was only one of Douglas Adams' contributions, which also included comedy and radio drama.
Modifies: the famous Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Correct: YES
Additional errors? None

D.
the famous Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy also included comedy and radio and was not Douglas Adams's only contribution.
Modifies: the famous Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Correct: YES
Additional errors?
Changes in meaning:
Galaxy also included comedy and radio
The book did not include comedy and radio .
only contribution: Adams had more than one contribution
.  


E.
the famous Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy not only was one of Douglas Adams's contributions, but also comedy and radio drama.
Modifies: the famous Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Correct: YES
Additional errors? Improper comparison:
not
only was one of Douglas Adams' contributions, but also comedy and radio drama.  

(C) is the only choice which resolves the misplaced modifier without creating additional problems.

 

2. Before he retired to become an art collector, Solomon R. Guggenheim studied in Switzerland , worked in his family's mining business, and was the founder of the Yukon Gold Company in Alaska .

  1. and was the founder of the Yukon Gold Company in Alaska .
  2. and had been the founder of the Yukon Gold Company in Alaska .
  3. and also was founding the Yukon Gold Company in Alaska .
  4. and founded the Yukon Gold Company in Alaska .
  5. and he also had founded the Yukon Gold Company in Alaska .

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.
Before he retired to become an art collector, Solomon R. Guggenheim studied in Switzerland , worked in his family's mining business, and was the founder of the Yukon Gold Company in Alaska .

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.
Grammar issue presented: parallelism

-          The sentence lists things Guggenheim did before he retired

-          All items in a list must be parallel.  

This sentence contains faulty parallelism because the first two items describe Guggenheim using verbs: studied and worked; while the last item contains a title: founder.  

GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.  

A.     and was the founder of the Yukon Gold Company in Alaska .
Parallel: NO
studied / worked / was a founder

B.    and had been the founder of the Yukon Gold Company in Alaska .
Parallel: NO
studied / worked / had been the founder

C.    and also was founding the Yukon Gold Company in Alaska .
Parallel: NO
studied / worked / was founding

D.    and founded the Yukon Gold Company in Alaska .
Parallel: YES
studied / worked / founded
This sentence turns the noun founder 'into a verb to found and creates proper parallel construction.  

E.   and he also had founded the Yukon Gold Company in Alaska .
Parallel: NO
studied
/ worked / he had founded
This sentence turns the noun founder into a verb but uses the verb in the past perfect when it should be in the simple past.

(D) contains proper parallel construction because it turns the noun into a verb and uses the same verb form as the other two items in the list.

 

3. David had been a great tennis champion in his youth, but decided to change professions in adulthood and began a small business selling tennis equipment, which, to this day, he still runs.

  1. decided to change professions in adulthood and began a small business selling tennis equipment, which, to this day, he still runs.
  2. had decided to change professions in adulthood and began a small business selling tennis equipment, which, to this day, he still runs.
  3. decided change professions in adulthood and had begun a small business selling tennis equipment, which, to this day, he still runs.
  4. decided to change professions in adulthood and began a small business selling tennis equipment, which, to this day, he still ran.
  5. had decided to be changing professions in adulthood and began a small business selling tennis equipment, which, to this day, he still runs.

  GMAT Sentence Correction: If graphic doesn't load, press shift-refresh in your webbrowser to reload the page.
David had been a great tennis champion in his youth, but decided to change professions in adulthood and began a small business selling tennis equipment, which, to this day, he still runs.