All GMAT Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Sentence Correction
The number of people evacuating the coast towns have doubled in the past hour.
(No changes needed)
In the past hour, the number of people evacuating the coast towns have doubled.
The number of people evacuating the coast towns has doubled in the past hour.
The number of people who will be evacuating the coast towns have doubled in the past hour.
The number of people who have evacuated the coast towns have doubled in the past hour.
The number of people evacuating the coast towns has doubled in the past hour.
Here, there is a subject-verb agreement problem. The subject is “number,” which is singular. The verb “have” does not match up with “number” because it is plural. We need to say “number . . . has.”
Example Question #2 : Sentence Correction
Underneath the layers of old magazines are my hand-drawn comic book.
Underneath my hand-drawn comic book are layers of old magazines.
Underneath the layers of old magazines were my hand-drawn comic book.
Underneath the layers of old magazines is my hand-drawn comic book.
Underneath the layers of old magazines are my hand drawn comic book.
(No changes needed)
Underneath the layers of old magazines is my hand-drawn comic book.
In the incorrect version, there is a subject-verb agreement problem: the subject (comic book) is singular, but the verb (are) is plural. In the correct version, the singular subject appears with the singular verb (is). Notice that the subject comes after the verb.
Example Question #2 : Sentence Correction
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
A new study reveals that in high school, the vast majority of boys feel social pressure from its peers.
vast majority, of boys, feels social pressure from peers.
vast majority of boys feel social pressure from their peers.
vast majority of boys feel social pressure from its peers.
vast majority of boys feels social pressure from its peers.
vast majority of boys feels social pressure from their peers.
vast majority of boys feel social pressure from their peers.
There are certain words, such as “majority,” that are plural or singular depending on the context and structure of the sentence. For example, “a majority” is usually plural while “the majority” is usually singular. In this case, however, there is an exception, as “the majority of something” should be plural (i.e. the vast majority of boys are). Since "vast majority of boys feel social pressure from their peers" is the only answer in which the plural words "feels" and "their" are used, it is the correct answer.
Example Question #3 : Sentence Correction
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Adopting a pet dog is an important decision due to the fact that they are not toys.
because it is not a toy.
because they are not toys.
for the reason that it is not a toy.
because of the reason that it is not a toy.
due to the fact that they are not toys.
because it is not a toy.
This sentence contains an error in subject/verb agreement. Since the subject is “a pet dog,” a singular noun, the plural pronoun "they" should not be used. The neutral singular pronoun "it" should be used instead. This leaves answers "because of the reason that it is not a toy," "because it is not a toy," and "for the reason that it is not a toy," with "because it is not a toy" being the least wordy and awkward.
Example Question #1 : Sentence Correction
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
In light of her extraordinary creative budgeting proposal, a recent poll put Susan ahead of George in the race for governor and found her to be the best candidate of the two.
In light of her extraordinary creative budgeting proposal, a recent poll put Susan ahead of George in the race for governor and found her to be the best candidate of the two.
In light of her extraordinarily creative budgeting proposal, a recent poll put Susan ahead of George in the race for governor, finding Susan to be the best candidate of the two.
In a recent poll, Susan was put ahead of George in the race for governor in light of her extraordinary creative budgeting proposal, the best candidate of the two.
In light of her extraordinarily creative budgeting proposal, a recent poll put Susan ahead of George in the race for governor and found her to be the better candidate of the two.
A recent poll put Susan ahead of George, in the race for governor, found Susan to be the better candidate of the two because of her extraordinarily creative budgeting proposal.
In light of her extraordinarily creative budgeting proposal, a recent poll put Susan ahead of George in the race for governor and found her to be the better candidate of the two.
There are two main issues that need to be resolved in this sentence, and they both have to do with the correct use of adverbs and adjectives. The first issue is the phrase “extraordinary creative.” When modifying an adjective, an adverb has to be employed. Therefore, the sentence should read “extraordinarily creative.” This eliminates answers two potential answer choices. The next problem is the use of “best” in the phrase “the best of the two.” In this situation, the correct adjective is “better,” since it is a direct comparison between two people. “Better” is the comparative form while “best” is the superlative form. So, the correct answer is "In light of her extraordinarily creative budgeting proposal, a recent poll put Susan ahead of George in the race for governor and found her to be the better candidate of the two."
Example Question #1 : Sentence Correction
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
One in five people who live in that area are first-generation immigrants.
in that area are a first-generation immigrant.
in that area is a first-generation immigrants.
in that area are, a first-generation immigrant.
in that area is a first-generation immigrant.
in that area are first-generation immigrants.
in that area is a first-generation immigrant.
While it may initially appear that "people" is the subject of the sentence, "in five people" is a prepositional phrase, so "people" cannot be the subject of the sentence. "One" is actually the subject of the sentence. Given that "one" is singular, the corresponding verb is "is," not "are." When changing the verb to the appropriate form, it becomes apparent that one cannot refer to "first-generation immigrants" either, because that would mean saying that "one" is "first-generation immigrants," which does not make sense because one of the compared terms is singuar and the other is plural. To fix the sentence's error, one must not only adjust the verb "is" to "are," but also change the plural "first-generation immigrants" to the singular "a first-generaiton immigrant." So, the correct answer is "in that area is a first-generation immigrant."
Example Question #3 : Sentence Correction
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Whether that actor is in a dramatic or comedic role, the naturalness and effortlessness of his acting channel a certain inner peace that he seems to possess even when not on screen.
his naturalness and effortlessness channels certain inner peace
the naturalness and effortlessness of his acting channels a certain inner peace
his naturalness and effortlessness of his acting channel a certain inner peace
the natural and effortlessness of his acting channel a certain inner peace
the naturalness and effortlessness of his acting channel a certain inner peace
the naturalness and effortlessness of his acting channel a certain inner peace
The verb “channel” corresponds to a plural subject, “naturalness and effortlessness.” "Acting" is not the subject, which is a mistake that could cause a test taker to pick an answer choice that uses “channels,” the form of the verb that is used for singular subjects. Incorrect answer choices that use “channel” contain other errors.
Example Question #5 : Sentence Correction
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Jade’s wool skirt, which features multiple textures, are not in season for the summer, and so she is looking forward to the fall when she can once again wear her favorite items.
is not in season for the summer, and so she looked forward to the fall
are not in season for the summer, and so she looks forward to the fall
is not in season for the summer, and so she is looking forward to the fall
are not in season for the summer, and so she was looking forward to the fall
are not in season for the summer, and so she is looking forward to the fall
is not in season for the summer, and so she is looking forward to the fall
In this sentence, the verb does not agree with the subject. The subject, “wool skirt” is singular (“which features multiple textures” is a modifying phrase and doesn’t count), so the correct verb form is “is,” not “are.”
Example Question #4 : Sentence Correction
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Taylor Chris and Morgan are names that parents can give to either a boy or a girl.
Taylor, Chris, and Morgan are names that parents can give to either a boy or a girl.
Taylor, Chris, and Morgan is a name that parents can give to either a boy or a girl.
Taylor, as well as Chris, and also Morgan, are names that parents can give to either a boy or a girl.
Taylor and Chris and Morgan is a name that parents can give to either a boy or a girl.
Taylor Chris and Morgan are names that parents can give to either a boy or a girl.
Taylor, Chris, and Morgan are names that parents can give to either a boy or a girl.
The sentence contains an error in how it formats its list. Each item in a list needs to be separated from other items in the list by a comma, and a comma needs to be used before the "and" that precedes the last item in the list as well. (This is called the "Oxford comma" and helps to prevent ambiguity in certain sentences.) So, the correct answer is "Taylor, Chris, and Morgan are names that parents can give to either a boy or a girl."
Example Question #7 : Sentence Correction
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Many different varities of trees can be found in that forest, including pine spruce and, elm.
can be found in that forest, including pine spruce and, elm.
can be found, in that forest, including pine spruce and elm.
can be found in that forest, including pine, spruce, and elm.
can be found in that forest, including, pine spruce and, elm.
can be found in that forest including pine, spruce and, elm.
can be found in that forest, including pine, spruce, and elm.
The error in this sentence has to do with the way commas are use in the list at the end of the sentence. When listing three or more things, commas should be placed between each item in the list, including after the last one, in order to avoid ambiguity.
All GMAT Verbal Resources
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