GMAT Verbal Practice Paper

  GMAT Practice Test 1 Verbal Sections Instructions 41 questions Time -75 minutes There are three types of questions in the verbal section: critical reasoning, reading comprehension and sentence correction. For each question, select the best answer of the choices given. Each of the Critical Reasoning questions is based on a short argument, a set of statements or a plan of action. Each of the Reading comprehension questions is based on the content of a passage. After reading the passage, answer all the questions pertaining to it on the basis of what is stated or implied in the passage. Each of the sentence correction questions presents a sentence, part or all of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence, you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. Follow the requirements of standard written English to choose your answer, paying attention to grammar, word choice and sentence construction. Select the answer that produces the most effective sentence; your answer should make the sentence clear, exact, and free of grammatical error. It should also minimize awkwardness, ambiguity and redundancy. 1. Studies by Abreu and his co-workers suggested that, unlike iron-sulphur complexes found in other vitamins, which are usually bound to four surrounding cysteine amino acids, Vitamin D contains the iron-sulphur complexes that are bound to only three cysteine amino acids. (a) Vitamin D contains the iron-sulphur complexes that are (b) There are iron-sulphur complexes in vitamin D which are (c) the iron-sulphur complexes found in vitamin D are (d) the iron-sulphur complexes which are found in vitamin D have been (e) the iron-sulphur complexes which are found in vitamin D are (c) Faulty comparison. The phrase 'unlike iron-sulphur complexes found' shows the comparison, which should be made logical by comparing them to some other 'complexes'. The given sentence compares 'iron-sulphur complexes' with 'vitamin D' and thus, needs correction. (a) This option is incorrect because in this 'iron-sulphur complexes' are compared to 'vitamin D'. (b) The subject 'there' is illogically compared to 'iron-sulphur complexes'. (c) Correct. This option correctly compares 'iron-sulphur complexes found in other vitamins' to 'the iron-sulphur complexes found in Vitamin D'. Furthermore, it uses concise structure. (d) The use of 'have been' in the option results in unnecessary shift in tense. Moreover, the introduction of relative clause 'which are found' makes it wordy. (e) Though this option removes the faulty comparison problem, it is still wordy because of the use of the relative clause 'which are found in Vitamin D'. Solution. 2. Recently, insurance companies started following discretionary premium pricing policies to minimize their own risk. They charge higher premiums for insurance policies which cover automobiles when the insuring family contains one or more young drivers. Which of the following, if true, most justifies the charging of higher premiums for the policies stated in the argument? (a) Automobile repairing charges have gone up by 50 % during the last five years. (b) Automobile insurance constitutes a major fraction of any insurance company's business. (c) Issuing comprehensive policies that cover risks for the whole family is needed for the insurance companies to get business. (d) Some insurance companies have declared losses during the last decade because of claims resulting from automobile accidents. (e) Statistics have shown that over 60% of accidents are caused by young drivers between 20 to 25 years of age. Solution. (e) The question asks for the justification of the collection of higher premium for the policies which cover automobiles when the insuring family contains young drivers. Thus the right option should prove that the claims from those families are likely to be high. (a) If this is true, the premiums should be high for all families, not just for the families with young drivers. So, this option is incorrect. (b) This does not justify higher premiums of the said insurance policies. In fact, if it true, insurers will do more business in this sector and thus the premiums should be less for all automobile insurance policies. (c) This is incorrect because it is not talking about automobile premiums. (d) If this true, the automobile premiums for all automobile policies should be high, not just for the specific policies. (e) Correct. This proves that the risk of payment will be more in case of families with young drivers and thus the higher premiums are justified. 3. In the film Xala, Ousmane Sembène's interrogation of gender, African tradition, and modernity in post-independent Africa is problematic in many ways; however, Sembène reaffirms gender and traditional reality in contemporary Africa, his vision is also surreal i.e. strangely unfamiliar, and romanticized. (a) However (b) despite (c) because (d) for (e) while (e) Conjunction. The sentence after the semicolon should explain how the Ousmane's interrogation is problematic. The use of 'however', which, in modern usage, acts as an adverb, makes the sentence incorrect as the two clause present do not have conjunction and so result in run-on sentence. (a) The given sentence is wrong because it is a run-on sentence. (b) The use of 'despite', which is a preposition, cannot be used to connect two clauses after the semicolon. Thus the error of run-on sentence persists. (c) Though 'because' is a conjunction, its use is incorrect because there is no causal relation between two clauses after the semicolon. (d) The use of 'for' as a conjunction is acceptable. But the sentence is incorrect in two ways. Firstly there is no causal relation between two clauses present after semicolon and secondly, 'for' with the meaning of because cannot be used at the beginning of the sentence. (e) Correct. The conjunction 'while' brings out the contrast between in his acceptance of 'traditional reality' and surreal 'vision'. This contract explains the problem presented in the main clause before the semicolon. Solution. 4. Even governmental agencies are no exception for the demands from customers. More and more road users are demanding for 'New Generation Highways' for using which they are ready to pay small tolls. Despite high amounts to be paid to the builders as incentives, these ultra-modern highways should not be much more costly to the government than were their predecessors. Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the conclusion about the cost of the 'New Generation Highways'? (a) Several state transportation departments offer the builders of 'New Generation Highways' incentives whose percentages are dependent on the quality of highway constructed. (b) Highway builders, anticipating high returns on tolls and incentives, are likely to reduce their initial construction bids drastically. (c) The smoother 'New Generation Highways' drastically reduce the need for costly automobile repairs that are caused by prolonged driving. (d) Many others in highway building industry, hearing about the superior quality of New Generation Highways, want to construct them in their own states. (e) The New Generation Highway' is designed in such a way that it reduces traffic jams, making the journey comfortable. Solution. (b) The question is asking for the option which strengthens the argument about the cost of the new generation highways. The right option should prove that the construction of the said highways should not be too costly. (a) If this statement is true, they need to pay more incentives to have better highways, a factor which increases the cost of the 'New Generation Highways'. Thus, it is not the answer. (b) Correct. if this statement is true, 'New Generation Highways' will be constructed at cheaper prices by the competitive highway builders. Then, they will not be costly. (c) This option is incorrect, because it talks about the possible reduction of expenditure to the highway user, not to the governmental agencies, which need to pay construction charges for the new highways. (d) This option is incorrect because it talks about the quality, but not the cost, of the proposed highways. (e) This option is incorrect because this too talks about the utility, but not the cost, of the highways. 5. Though many historians describe African-American workers in Chicago during 1920s to be prosperous, the documentary evidence from contemporary sources, such as newspaper articles, individual accounts, and government reports indicate that African-American workers during this decade experienced chronic unemployment and were consistently underpaid. (a) indicate that African-American workers during this decade experienced (b) indicates that African-American workers during this decade experienced (c) have indicated that African-American workers during this period experienced (d) has indicated that African-American workers, during that period, experienced (e) indicates African-American during that period being experienced (b) Tense structure and subject verb agreement. The underlined part starts with a verb 'indicate', which should be singular because the subject 'the documentary evidence' is singular. Moreover, the sentence should maintain correct verb sequence, using correct tenses for different verbs used in the complex sentence. (a) The option is incorrect as it is wrongly uses plural verb for singular subject. (b) Correct. The sentence correct verb form 'indicates' and also uses simple past correctly for the past action in the last part of the sentence. (c) Though the plural verb form 'have indicated' is correctly used, the earlier verb is in simple present and this is unnecessary shift. (d) The verb 'has indicated' presents both problems of unnecessary tense shift and subject-verb agreement. (e) Though the sentence corrects agreement problem with the verb 'indicates', the verb in that clause is not a complete verb making it a fragment. Solution. DIRECTIONS for Questions 6 to 10 : Read the following passage and answer the questions that follows : Predatory pricing, an anti-competitive measure employed by a dominant company to protect its market share from new or existing competitors, gets virtually no respect from economists. But it is a popular legal and political theory for several reasons. Firstly, huge sums of money are involved in predatory litigation; during the 1970s, one MNC spent over $100 million a year defending itself against claims of predatory pricing. Secondly, the idea of predatory pricing lends itself to political lobbyism, especially when combined with xenophobia; protectionist members of Congress frequently invoke this myth in their attempts to protect businesses in their districts from foreign competition. Finally, but not lastly, ideological anti-business pressure groups, such as consumer societies, employ this pricing tale in their efforts to discredit business activities and to promote governmental control over industry. Despite the popularity of the predatory pricing, the pricing policy can exist only in rare situations. The 'predator' must have the market power to increase its products' prices unilaterally. There must be a reasonable expectation that the predator will be able to recoup its losses after its 'predation' ends, i.e. after competitors are driven out of market. One realistic possibility is cross-subsidization in which the more competitive services or products are subsidized by the less competitive services or products. The theory of predatory pricing has always seemed to have a grain of truth in it- at least to non-economists. But research over the past 50 years has proved it to be otherwise. There has never been a single clear-cut example of a monopoly created by so-called predatory pricing. In fact, the allegations of predatory pricing are frequently made by competitors who are either unwilling or unable to cut down their own prices. Thus, battle against predation is inevitably protectionist and anti-consumer as Harold Demsetz noted. 6. Which of the following best expresses the function of the passage as a whole? (a) Establishment of immorality of a pricing policy. (b) Evaluation of practicality of a business practice. (c) A case for establishment of a pricing strategy. (d) A non-economist view of predatory pricing. (e) A case study of unsuccessful marketing strategy. (b) Main idea question. The question requires looking at the passage as a whole in order to determine the author's main idea. The first paragraph explains why the predatory pricing is popular and second begins with despite the popularity...indicating that its not of common existence. And final paragraphs goes on declaring that there is not even a single example. Thus, the passage is talking about practicality of the pricing policy. (a) The passage is not talking about the ethical side of the predatory pricing policy. (b) Correct. The passage is evaluating whether the predatory pricing is a practical one or not and finally declares that it is not practical. (c) The passage is not suggesting predatory pricing policy. In fact it is declaring it not possible to undertake predatory pricing. (d) Non-economist's view is mentioned only in one sentence. This is a supporting idea, rather than the main idea (e) There is no specific case study mentioned in the passage. Solution. 7. It can be inferred from the passage that the author used the word 'so-called' in third passage (sentence 3) in order to (a) emphasize the popularity of the word 'predatory pricing'. (b) imply how competitors use the word 'predatory pricing' to their advantage. (c) suggest that the concept of predatory pricing is no more than a myth. (d) exemplify how non-economists misuse the word 'predatory pricing'. (e) propose a better word is needed for the concept of predatory pricing. (c) Rhetorical question The question asks for the author's purpose in using the word 'so-called'. This question being an inference question, the answer is not likely to be explicit. The context in which the word is used states that 'there is no single clear cut example of creation of monopoly through 'so-called' predatory pricing'. This indicates that the author does not accept the reality of predatory pricing and that the name is a misnomer. This concept is to be reflected by the right option. (a) The author is declaring that there is not even a single case of success of predatory pricing. So he is not emphasizing the popularity. (b) The advantageous reference of the term predatory pricing is not of interest in the context the sentence is used. (c) Correct. The author explicitly says there predatory pricing is not a reality. To indicate this he used this word. (d) The author is not criticizing non-economists. (e) The author is not proposing a better word to the policy. He is not likely to propose a better word for a concept which, he feels, is non-existent. Solution. 8. Which of the following can be properly inferred about the MNC solely from the information given in the assage? (a) The MNC in question used predatory pricing more frequently than its competitors. (b) The reputation of the said MNC has been severely damaged because of the litigations on predatory pricing. (c) The MNC is the most representative example for the MNCs in terms of amount spent on predatory pricing policies. (d) The MNC exemplified spent what the author considers inordinately high amount on litigation of its pricing policies. (e) The MNC landed itself in financial trouble because of the amount it had to spend on the accusations of predatory pricing. (d) Inference and evaluation. The question asks us to draw an inference about the MNC stated in the first passage. He quotes the example of the MNC to prove that large sums of money is involved in predatory pricing litigations. We should evaluate the validity of each option independently, within the parameters of this statement. (a) In the passage, no comparison is given between the MNC and its competitors regarding the frequency of predatory pricing. So, this statement cannot be inferred. (b) Only financial aspect of predatory pricing litigation is talked about in the passage. Basing on this statement, we cannot infer about the loss of reputation because of predatory pricing. (c) Though the MNC is given as an example of the companies who need to spend a lot of money on predatory pricing litigation, no substantiation is given as per the representative nature of the company. Thus, it cannot be inferred. (d) Correct. In the sentence before the statement, the author states that predatory pricing is popular because of many reasons, one reason being huge sums spent. Then he goes on telling that the company spent more than $100 million in this litigation. So the inference is justified. (e) The aftermath of expenditure on predatory pricing is not talked about. Thus, this inference is outside the scope. Solution. 9. The passage suggests which of the following about the 'predator' mentioned in second sentence of second paragraph. (a) Ideological anti-business pressure groups are likely campaign against that. (b) Governmental controls to prevent monopolistic activities of a company are absent in the milieu in which the company operates. (c) The fact that it undertakes predatory pricing proves that it has the market power. (d) Predatory pricing is the only way for the company to surpass the profitability of the company. (e) It is not likely to have the market power to increase its products' prices unilaterally. (e) Inference The question asks for the inference about the 'predator' mentioned in the passage. The predator is mentioned in relation to the pre-requisites for using the predatory pricing policy. It should have market power and reasonable expectation to recoup losses resulted from predatory pricing. So the inference too should be in this regard. In the later part, he says that 'one realistic possibility...'. This implies that the earlier cases are unrealistic. (a) Ideological anti-business pressure groups are mentioned in relation to the popularity of the predatory pricing while the 'predator' is mentioned for the improbability of the predatory pricing. So, this option is outside the scope as far as this question is concerned. (b) The use of phrase 'rare situations' in the preceding sentence implies that such situation is unlikely. Thus, this cannot be inferred. (c) It is explicitly stated in the passage that 'market power' is a pre-requisite for predatory pricing, not a proof for predatory pricing. Thus, this cannot be inferred. (d) The passage does not deny other factors that influence profitability of the company. This inference is beyond the scope. Solution. (e) Correct. The author explicitly states that predatory pricing is possible only in 'rare situations'. Then he goes on telling that it should have the market power etc. this implies that the predatory mentioned is not likely to have this. 10. According to the passage, which of the following would NOT support the predatory pricing if a company tries to undertake it? (a) Cross subsidization to offset losses in one of the branches of diversified company. (b) A company's capability to decide prices in monopolistic ways. (c) Disinclination of the competitors to reduce prices. (d) Non-economists' perception of predatory pricing. (e) Scarcity of resources on the part of the competitors. (d) Explicit detail. The question asks for a factor that does not act against predatory pricing. So, we should eliminate the factors that support. (a) 'Cross subsidization' is mentioned in the last sentence of second paragraph as a factor that supports predatory pricing. (b) This is mentioned in the second sentence of second paragraph as a pre-requisite for predatory pricing. (c) It can be inferred from the information given in the passage that if the competitors do not reduce the price, they are likely to lose customers because of predatory pricing. Thus, this makes predatory pricing a realistic possibility. (d) Correct. What non-economists perceive cannot support or act against the predatory pricing. (e) If the competitors do not have resources to fight predatory pricing, then the predator can successfully use predatory pricing. Solution. 11. Full of speculation that the United States was in a 'housing bubble' that was about to burst, the popular press ran feature stories depicting the irrational run-up in home prices and a potential crash which was very likely. (a) stories depicting the irrational run-up in home prices and a potential crash which was very likely. (b) stories about the irrational run-up in home prices and that there would be a potential crash. (c) Stories that describe about the irrational run-up in home prices and about the potential for a crash. (d) stories about the irrational run-up in home prices and about the potential for crash. (e) Stories, which show how the run-up in home prices is irrational and how there is a potential crash. (d) Wordiness and parallel structure. The sentence presents a redundancy problem by using the words 'likely' and 'potential' together. The sentence uses a relative clause in stead of a phrase making the structure wordy. (a) Redundancy of expression makes this sentence incorrect. (b) The expression is wordy and unparallel because 'stories about X' and 'that there would be a potential crash' are not parallel. (c) The use of relative clause after stories makes it not only wordy but also unparallel to the prepositional phrase after 'and'. (d) Correct. The sentence uses prepositional phrase using concise structure and is parallel because it use two prepositional phrases with conjunction 'and'. (e) The sentence is wordy because of the use of two parallel relative clauses and there is tense shift. The use of simple present in the relative clauses gives a sense that the potential for crash is present 'now'. Solution. 12. Scientists have long recognized the promise of research involving human embryos and foetuses for the advancement of basic science as well as for the development of life saving vaccines and therapies. (a) the promise of research involving human embryos and foetuses for the advancement of (b) the promise of research involving human embryos and foetuses to advance (c) the promising research which involves human embryos and foetuses for the advancing of (d) the promising research, which involves human embryos and foetuses in advancing (e) the promise of research involving both human embryos as well as foetuses for the advancement of Solution. (a) Rhetoric and idiom The question tests the idiomatic expression. 'Recognizing the promise' is correct expression and 'promise of X' as well as 'for Y' is idiomatic expression. Both criteria are met and thus the sentence is correct in the given form. (a) Correct. This option correctly uses the object 'promise' and uses the idiomatic expression 'for the advancement of'. (b) 'promise' to is with a different meaning from 'promise for'. The second sense is correct in the given situation. (c) Recognizing the promise is correct idiom, while this option uses 'the promising research' giving a sense that they recognize the 'research' rather than the 'promise' of it. (d) The error of illogical shift of object is not corrected. Moreover, the use of 'in advancing' is not idiomatic. (e) Use of 'as well as' along with 'both' is redundant. 13. Nitrous Oxide, popularly known as laughing gas, is a weak general anesthetic. It has very low short term toxicity and is an excellent analgesic. So a 50/50 mixture of this gas and oxygen is commonly used during child birth and dental procedures for short term anesthesia Which of the following, if true, argues most against the common use of Nitrous Oxide as anesthetic? (a) Pre-anesthetic interviews to decide specific dosage of anesthetic are not needed for the application of Nitrous Oxide. (b) Its lower solubility in blood causes very rapid onset and offset of anesthesia and thus, cannot be used for anesthesia for longer periods. (c) Use of Nitrous Oxide, even in small doses, results in inhibition of some enzymes, which are vital for protein synthesis, an effect that is quite long lasting. (d) Many other anesthetics available in market are cheaper than Nitrous Oxide. (e) It can cause a feeling of nausea when too much of it is inhaled in too short a time. (c) The question seeks for information that argues against the use of Nitrous Oxide as anesthetic. (a) This is an advantage of the gas and thus does not argue against the gas as anesthetic. (b) This is talking about the limitations of the gas as a long term anesthetic while the given conclusion is about the short term anesthetic use of the gas. So this does not weaken the conclusion. (c) Correct. If this is true, the use of the gas as an anesthetic is not advisable. (d) Though this argues against the gas on economical basis, the higher cost of the gas may not outweigh the advantages of short term toxicity and analgesic nature of the gas. (e) The correct dosage and correct period for inhalation are likely to be followed by the doctors and thus, correct doses given over correct time makes it useful. Thus, this option does not argue against the use of the gas. Solution. 14. By finding, dating, and interpreting the trash and treasures of ancient generations, our curiosity about our past as a species is satisfied in archaeology, and shows us how we have become what we are. (a) generations, our curiosity about our past as a species is satisfied in archaeology, and shows (b) generations satisfy, in archaeology, our curiosity about our past as a species and show (c) generations, our past as a species satisfies our curiosity in archaeology and shows (d) generations, archaeology satisfying our curiosity about our past as a species and shows (e) generations, archaeology satisfies our curiosity about our past as a species and shows (e) Dangling modifier and illogical predication. The sentence starts with a prepositional phrase that should logically modify the subject. In the given sentence the prepositional phrase by 'finding, dating, and interpreting...' illogically modifies 'our curiosity', resulting in dangling modifier error. Further more, the use of 'curiosity' as subject makes it mean that our curiosity 'shows how have become what we are'. This is the error of illogical predication. (a) The illogical predication and dangling modifier error with the prepositional phrase 'by finding...' make this option incorrect. Solution. (b) The prepositional phrase 'by finding...' cannot function as subject of the verb 'satisfy'. This would have been correct, though awkward, in the absence of preposition 'by'. (c) The subject 'our past' is illogically modified the prepositional phrase beginning the sentence creating dangling modifier error. The problem of illogical predication persists as the structure means 'our past satisfies our curiosity'. (d) Though the dangling modifier error is corrected by using 'archaeology' as subject, the sentence becomes a fragment because of the use of the infinite verb 'satisfying'. (e) Correct. The use of archaeology as subject removes both the dangling modifier error and illogical predication error. The sentence is parallel with parallel verbs 'satisfies' and 'shows'. 15. The problem of navigation by sea was one of mankind's most epic quests- a technical problem so complex that it challenged the best minds of its time, which was so important that the nation that solved it would rule the economy of the world (a) which was (b) one (c) a problem (d) yet, one (e) and the problem was (c) Modification parallel structure. The sentence contains a main clause before dash. The additional information is added as appositive. The relative clause 'which was' is used after 'its time', results in misplaced modifier error. (a) This option is incorrect because of the misplaced relative clause. (b) The indefinite pronoun one is used whose antecedent should be 'a technical problem'. But in the later part we need only 'problem' because it is talking about ruling the economy of the world. So the pronoun 'one' cannot be used logically. (c) Correct. The problem of using indefinite pronoun is removed by using the correct logical noun 'problem. A problem' is parallel to 'a technical problem' and is functioning as appositive correctly. Thus, this is the best of option. (d) The problem of indefinite pronoun persists and it is not correct to use 'yet', as there is no contrast. (e) Use of 'and' with a main clause after it makes it unparallel to the noun phrase present in the earlier part of the sentence. Solution. 16. Many people consider budget a teaching tool to improve the profitability. The lessons are usually not beneficial for small businesses, because it is too late for them to learn from the failures. They would be already in too deep a trouble to come out. Which of the following, if followed by small businesses, can make budget a teaching tool by overcoming the impediments depicted in the argument? (a) They should get the budget prepared by professional who are not likely to go wrong in preparing it. (b) They should carefully take into consideration fixed expenses such as rent and variable expenses such as travel expenses and commissions to be given to employees. (c) They should not attempt to prepare budget until they are confident of being able to prepare a realistic and feasible budget. (d) They should break their annual budget into quarters and monitor their progress every three months to detect problems and make corrections in their business operations. (e) They should wait until the deviations from budget expectations become conspicuous and then should take decisions about business management only then. Solution. (d) The argument gives information telling how the budget cannot work as a teaching tool for the small businesses and the question seeks information that makes the budges a teaching tool for them. We should identify the option that removes the problems mentioned in the argument. (a) This makes the budget a good budget, but it does not make it a teaching tool. Thus, this option is incorrect. (b) This option is incorrect because of the same reason as in option A. (c) This option qualifies the preparation of the budget, but it does not make it useful as a teaching tool. (d) Correct. if they follow this strategy, the small businesses learn from budget and try to improve the performance basing on it. (e) This cannot teach because it will be too late to do anything by that time as per the premises given in the argument. DIRECTIONS for Questions 17 to 21: Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow: The rising concerns about the increased use of pesticides have changed the agricultural research scenario and the direction of the biotechnology research. The positive correlation between the physical ailments and exposure to pesticides, both directly and indirectly, has led biologists to look for feasible alternative. The federal regulations to reduce the deleterious use of pesticides might not achieve the desired goals; 44% of foods tested in a recent study showed some traces of pesticides, many of which contained DDT, a pesticide that had been banned in United States twelve years before the study. Most of the pesticide pollution may not be strong enough to have an immediate effect on humans, while its ill-effects on nature cannot be over-emphasized. Animals, such as European Starling birds, are affected both behaviorally and psychologically. Biotechnology, however, seems to present a 'bio-friendly' and eco-friendly solution to this problem. For example, 'Bacillus thuringiensis' toxin protein, which is all by itself harmless, becomes a potent toxin in the gut of certain kinds of moth and of mosquito larvae. The gene coding for this protein has been cloned from various 'Bacillus thuringiensis' strains, and has been incorporated into several plants. The moth against which the toxin is active dies after eating from the 'transformed' plant. One disadvantage of this biological pest control is that the plant is resistant 'only' to that specific species of moth. Another disadvantage is that the moth species may develop resistance to the toxic protein. To minimize the latter problem, farmers are advised to plant some 'wild type' crop (which do not produce the toxin) in a corner of their plots and the toxin-producing crop of the same species on the remainder. In this way, toxin resistant insects may not have so much of an advantage over the toxic sensitive siblings that the toxin-resistant ones will not quickly become the prevalent species in the ecosystem. The non-chemical approach may not seem to be a perfect solution. More over, a lot more testing is to be done before we actually embrace this. By not treating the crops with chemicals, the mankind may face a situation of major reduction of agricultural produce. But then, paying a bit more now is a small price to pay to have fewer problems later. 17. Which of the following titles best suits the content of the passage? (a) The role of biotechnology in modern agriculture (b) Evaluation of measures to prevent the ills of pesticide use (c) Raising concerns about pesticide use (d) Biotechnology- the panacea for modern agriculture (e) The ways of minimizing pesticide use (b) Main Idea The question is asking for the main idea of the passage. The first passage talks about the rising concerns about the use of pesticides and gives reasons for that. The second passage talks about the prospects of biotechnological methods of controlling pests. Final passage explicitly states that we need to do a lot of research to make the method discussed in earlier passage feasible alternative for the pesticides. So, overall, the passage is talking about the biotechnology's role in finding an alternative to the pesticides. The right option should reflect this idea. (a) The role of biotechnology in pest control is talked about. Modern agriculture is too broad a term to be used for the pest control. So, this is outside the scope of the passage. (b) Correct. The measures developed by biotechnology to prevent the harmful pesticide use are the main concept of the passage. This best expresses the main idea of the passage. (c) The concept of rising concerns of pesticide use is used only to introduce the main concept. (d) Though biotechnology is considered a promising field, the author does not declare it as a panacea. In fact, he states in the last paragraph that a lot of research is needed. (e) The passage is talking about just one way to reduce the pesticide use. That too, in a tentative way. Which of the following, if true, would best explain the finding of traces of DDT in many of foods studied in the study mentioned in the passage? Solution. 18. (a) The study mentioned in the passage is conducted by a Scientific Organization which is beyond the influence of business organizations. (b) The positive correlation between exposure to DDT and some respiratory problems in humans is accepted to be correct by international scientific community. (c) Federal regulations on DDT use in US are likely to be strictly implemented through hierarchical administrative machinery, which is quite scrupulous. (d) Some countries from which foods sold in supermarkets have been imported do not have laws that prohibit the use of DDT. (e) Violation of the US laws prohibiting DDT is not same as that of such laws of other countries. Solution. (d) Logic The question asks to identify the reason for the finding of traces of DDT in many foods though it had been banned in US. The reason must be that either the laws in US are violated or the traces must be coming from outside US. (a) This explains the validity of the test. It does not explain the existence of the DDT in the said foods. (b) This option endorses the validity of the correlation. It does not explain the existence of the DDT in the studied foods. (c) If this is true, the traces should not be found in the foods. Thus, this is not the answer. (d) Correct. If this is true, the foods studied might have been imported from those countries are likely to show the traces of DDT. (e) The violation in US may be more or less than that in other countries. This may or may not explain the finding of the traces. So, it is not the best answer. 19. It can be inferred from the information in the passage that, in the context of the given passage, the purpose of 'wild type' crop is to (a) maintain genetic configuration of the plant species whose resistance to pests is to be improved. (b) improve the genetic vigor of the whole species whose resistance is to be improved. (c) cause some of the insects give birth to toxic sensitive siblings in good enough numbers to prevent the 'dominance' of toxic resistant siblings. (d) decrease the toxic resistance of insects making toxic resistant species prevalent in the ecosystem. (e) give a sample for the sake of comparisons of relative effect of insects on the genetically engineered and on non-engineered plants. (c) Application question. While discussing the disadvantages of the biotechnology methods, the author mentions that the toxin resistant pest may develop and as a remedy to this problem, he advises the planting of 'wild type' crop in one corner. So, the purpose must be to prevent the development of toxin resistant pests. The correct option should reflect this. (a) The author does not indicate that, by planting wild type crop, genetic configuration can be maintained. In fact, doing so 'disturbs' the genetic configuration because of cross pollination. (b) Improvement of genetic vigor of crops is not the point of interest. So, it is outside the scope. (c) Correct. This expresses the function of prevention of development of toxin resistant pests. (d) The purpose is to 'prevent', not to 'assist', the development of toxic resistant species. In fact, if toxic resistance is decreased, the pert control is not possible. (e) The purpose is not to make comparison. It is the prevention of dominant toxic resistant species. Solution. 20. It can be inferred from the passage that the first disadvantage mentioned in the second part necessitates scientists to (a) increase the toxicity of the protein to make it more effective. (b) develop a universal protein which helps the plants. (c) revert to the use of pesticides to protect the plants. (d) discourage the use of 'wild type' crops. (e) develop different toxic proteins to control different species of pest. (e) Inference question. Solution. The question is asking for what the scientists would have to do to overcome the disadvantage given. The disadvantage is that only specific moths can be killed. One toxin cannot kill all species of pests. So scientists naturally have to find out a universal toxin or develop different toxins for different species of pests. The right option should reflect either of these ideas. (a) The disadvantage is not because of the less toxicity of the toxic protein. It is the specificity of the toxin that creates the problem. (b) The scientist should look for a universal 'toxin for the pests', not a universally beneficial protein for the plants. (c) The scientists are trying to prevent the use of pesticides. Reverting to the use is not advisable. (d) Doing this will develop toxic resistant species of pests and thus, the very purpose of toxin cloning is lost. (e) Correct. Because a specific toxin can kill a specific species of pests, scientists should do this to prevent different kinds of pests. 21. The third paragraph serves which of the functions in relation to the whole passage? (a) It accepts the demerits of the solution mentioned in second paragraph and still advocates the solution. (b) It criticizes the solution given in second paragraph and qualifies the use of the solution. (c) It accepts the problem mentioned in the first paragraph and, rejecting solution given in second paragraph, demands for the tolerance of the said problem. (d) It gives an alternative to the solution proposed in second paragraph for the problem mentioned in the first paragraph. (e) It brings out economic implications of the problem mentioned in first problem and proposes a cost effective alternative to the solution mentioned in the second paragraph. (a) Organization question. The question asks for the function of the third paragraph in relation with the whole passage. The first passage talks about the rising concerns about the use of pesticides and gives reasons for that. The second passage talks about the prospects of biotechnological methods of controlling pests. Final passage explicitly states that we need to do a lot of research to make the method discussed in earlier passage feasible alternative for the pesticides. So, the passage is supporting further research on biological pest control, a solution given in the second paragraph. (a) Correct. The first sentence states that the biological pest control does not seem to be a perfect solution. Still, it concludes that we need to pay more for a better problem free future. Thus, it indirectly supports the solution mentioned in the second paragraph. (b) The last paragraph is not criticizing the solution. In fact, it indirectly supports the solution. Nor was it qualifying the use of the solution mentioned in second paragraph. (c) The endorsement of the problem is implied, but an alternative to the biotechnological solution is not given. (d) No alternative for the solution mentioned in the second paragraph is given. (e) The economic implication is implications about decreased agricultural production, not about the use biotechnology. No cost effective alternative for the solution is given. Solution. 22. Caffeine increases the levels of neurotransmitter dopamine, which activates the pleasure centers in the brain and also increases, in blood, the levels of adrenaline, which keeps us active. Excessive levels of dopamine in nerve cells and of adrenalin in blood deprive our bodies needed levels of sleep and thus, in the long run, of the benefits of deep sleep. Which of the following can be properly concluded solely from the information given above? (a) If caffeine is not taken regularly, though we remain tired and inactive in short term, we will become active and alert in the long run. (b) Caffeine, while keeping us active in the short term, is harmful to the body in the long run. (c) Most of the people who suffer from insomnia (sleeplessness) must have consumed caffeine in large quantities in the past. (d) Correct levels of dopamine and adrenaline are crucial for sustaining active and healthy life. (e) Caffeine, though it functions same way as heroine and cocaine, is far less harmful than those drugs. Solution. (b) The question seeks a conclusion that can be properly drawn from the information given. The first premise states how caffeine keeps us active while the second premise states the demerits of this induced activeness. (a) This option is incorrect because with the information about caffeine-consumption, we cannot infer about the effects of absence of caffeine as many factors can contribute to the said effects. (b) Correct. This conclusion uses the information given in all the premises and does not go beyond the scope of the premises. (c) This is a far-fetched conclusion as no information given in the argument to the effect that people become sleepless enough, because of caffeine, to become insomniacs. (d) This option is incorrect because the premise is mainly about the caffeine, which is ignored in this conclusion. (e) This option is incorrect as it goes beyond the scope; there is comparison between the effects of caffeine and those of heroine and cocaine. 23. Which of the following explains long term ill-effects of caffeine despite its seemingly advantageous short term effects? (a) Consistent activeness in the short run deprives our bodies of more and more energy and thus we become weak and susceptible to many illnesses in the long run. (b) Consistent and persistent intake of caffeine makes our body 'excessively' active both mentally and physically and our bodies tend not to take enough rest to keep our bodies healthy in the long run. (c) High levels of caffeine in the blood resulted from addiction to it inhibit the secretion of some hormones in the body which are necessary for being active. (d) Caffeine which is beneficial to the body is almost always taken with some other alkaloids which make human body less active. (e) Some other alkaloids that are usually taken by caffeine consumers also have same effects on human body as caffeine does. (b) The question is asking to find explanation of the given ill-effects of the caffeine. (a) This option is incorrect as the effect of caffeine is not discussed in this option. (b) Correct. This option correctly points out how 'excessive' activeness in the short run and how deprived sleep makes us vulnerable to illness in the long run. (c) This option is incorrect because if it is true, we should become less active. (d) This is wrong because it is not explaining the ill-effects. (e) This is not correct as this alternative explanation to the effect of caffeine. It does not explain the illeffects of caffeine. Solution. 24. Because of their rapid rate of replication, ease of laboratory analysis, and because they can obtain the wide diversity of laboratory-generated mutants, a bacterium has been described as excellent models for studying the process of evolution. (a) and because they can obtain the wide diversity of laboratory-generated mutants, a bacterium has (b) and because the laboratory-generated mutants that can be obtained are widely diverse, bacteria has (c) bacteria, with the wide diversity of laboratory-generated mutants that can be obtained, has been (d) and the wide diversity of laboratory-generated mutants that can be obtained, bacteria have (e) bacteria, with the wide diversity of laboratory-generated mutants that can be obtained, have been (d) Pronoun reference and subject-verb agreement. The sentence uses plural pronouns they and theirs. Thus, the referent must be plural, while in the underlined part, a singular noun 'bacterium' is incorrectly used. The subordinate clause after 'and' is not parallel to the prepositional phrase before the conjunction 'and'. (a) Use of singular noun 'bacterium' is incorrect. Finally, 'because' clause after 'and' is not parallel to the prepositional phrase before 'and'. (b) The parallelism problem persists and the singular verb 'has' does not agree with the plural subject 'bacteria'. Solution. (c) If this structure were to be correct, there must be one and before the phrase 'ease of laboratory analysis'. Moreover, the prepositional phrase wrongly modifies 'bacteria' giving a sense that 'all bacteria' are 'with the wide diversity of laboratory-generated mutants' while in fact the diversity is shown only 'in laboratory-generated mutants'. (d) Correct. The sentence correctly uses parallel elements 'rapid rate, ease of laboratory analysis' and 'wide diversity'. A plural noun 'bacteria' is correctly used agreeing with the plural pronouns and nouns used elsewhere. Finally, the subject-verb agreement problem is corrected. (e) The use of the subject 'bacteria' is incorrect because of the same reason as is given in the case of option C. 25. Though his predecessors explained homology in animal kingdom as a result of supernatural design, Darwin had explained it as a result of descent with modification from common ancestors. (a) Though his predecessors explained homology in animal kingdom as a result of supernatural design, Darwin had explained it as a result of descent with modification from common ancestors. (b) While his predecessors had explained homology in animal kingdom as a result of supernatural design, Darwin explained the homology as the result of descent with modification from common ancestors (c) His predecessors explained homology in animal kingdom as a result of supernatural design; Darwin explained the homology as the result of descent with modification from common ancestors. (d) Despite the fact that homology in animal kingdom has been explained, by his predecessors, as a result of supernatural design, Darwin explained the homology as a result of descent with modification from common ancestors. (e) Because his predecessors explained homology in animal kingdom as a result of supernatural design, Darwin had explained it as one of descent with modification from common ancestors. (b) Correct use of tense and pronoun reference. The sentence uses the pronoun 'it' with ambiguity; the pronoun can refer to either homology or animal kingdom. Moreover, the sentence incorrectly uses past perfect for the second past action. (a) Pronoun ambiguity and incorrect use of past perfect to express past action make this option incorrect. (b) Correct. The contrast is correctly brought out by the use of conjunction 'while'. The sentence correctly uses past perfect tense in the first subordinate clause and simple past in the main clause. The problem of ambiguity of reference is removed by using noun, in stead of a pronoun. (c) The use of semicolon divides the sentence and this disjunction removes depiction of the contrast, which is the main interest of the sentence. (d) The expression 'despite the fact' is wordy. Moreover, the change of subject from 'predecessors' to 'animal kingdom' is incorrect as the contrast is to be shown between what his predecessors did and what Darwin did. (e) Incorrect use of the conjunction because tries to establish causal relation while the contrast is to be shown. Moreover, past perfect tense is incorrectly used for the later action. The pronoun 'it' is ambiguous. Solution. 26. The battle of dominance of the global aviation marketplace after 1945 was largely an Anglo-American competition in which diplomacy played an important role in shaping its outcome. (a) in which diplomacy played an important role in shaping its outcome (b) where the diplomacy played an important role to shape its outcome (c) the outcome of which had been shaped by the important role played by the diplomacy. (d) which made diplomacy to play an important role to shape its outcome. (e) in which diplomacy played an important role to shape its outcome. (a) Idiom and tense sequence. The sentence contains a relative clause 'in which...' correctly modifying the 'competition'. The sentence correctly uses the idiom 'play a role in doing something'. The given sentence is correct. (a) Correct. This sentence is with correct modification and correct idiom. Solution. (b) 'Where' is not a correct conjunction to use, for it is used for only for places. Moreover to 'play role to shape' is not correct idiom. (c) Though the relative clause 'the outcome of which...' is correctly used, the sentence is illogically using past perfect implying that the outcome had been decided 'before' the starting of competition. (d) The sentence illogically gives a sense that the competition made diplomacy play a role. Also, the to infinitive after 'play an important role' is unidiomatic. (e) The use of to shape is unidiomatic. 27. Warning to net-users; some businesses that conduct only online business are least worried about the possibility of violation of laws. Thus, if you are online customer to any online business, you have every possibility of losing your hard earned money. Which of the following, if true, should most alleviate the problem faced by online customers? (a) Online businesses use a variety of marketing strategies such as e-mail marketing to attract customers. (b) The general administrative wing for complaints has received a lot of complaints about malpractices undertaken by online businesses. (c) Federal law now makes electronic contracts and electronic signatures given by online businesses as legal and enforceable as those on paper. (d) The likelihood of losing money in real life business transactions is as much as that of losing money in online business transactions. (e) The bad propaganda an online business store gets from dishonoring business contracts will reduce the potential customers and thus, it is not likely to cheat the customers. (c) The question seeks for information that alleviates the problem faced by online customers. The reason for the problem is that the businesses may not honour the contracts. (a) This option is incorrect it does not reduce the problem faced by online customers. (b) This option proves that the problem given in the passage exists. It does not show a way to overcome this problem. (c) Correct. If this is true, the online customers are not likely to lose money. Thus, this is the best option. (d) This fact does not reduce the problem of online customers. This is an endorsement of rather than a relief from, the problem stated in the argument. (e) This is a problem to the company, not to the customer. Thus, this is not the answer. Solution. 28. Amateur astronomers, even today, constitute a minority whose skills in using and designing instruments or whose perseverance as observers permit them to make a significant contribution to the knowledge of astronomy. (a) permit them to make a significant contribution (b) permits them in making a significant contribution (c) will permit that they can make significant contribution to (d) permits them they significantly contribute to (e) permits them to make a significant contribution (e) Idiomatic expression and subject-verb agreement. The sentence presents a verb agreement problem. Though the given sentence uses correct idiom 'to permit one to do something' it contains a subject-verb agreement error. When two nouns are combined by the coordinating conjunction 'either ... or', the verb should agree with the second noun that comes after 'or'. In the given sentence, the verb 'permit' does not agree with 'perseverance'. Thus, the sentence needs correction. (a) The verb 'permit' does not agree with the singular subject 'perseverance.' (b) Though the verb agrees with the singular subject, the unidiomatic use of 'permit them in making' makes the expression unidiomatic. (c) The verb 'will permit' has unnecessary tense shift to simple future. Further more, 'permit someone +that clause' is not idiomatic. (d) Though verb agreement problem is corrected, using a subjunctive mood clause 'they significantly contribute to...' is incorrect. Solution. (e) Correct. The verb problem and unidiomatic expression are eliminated. 29. An English mathematician and inventor, from his boyhood, Charles Babbage was obsessed with the idea of a universal language and he conceived his first mechanical calculator approximately around 1812. (a) from his boyhood, Charles Babbage was obsessed with the idea of a universal language and he conceived his first mechanical calculator approximately around 1812. (b) Charles Babbage was obsessed with the idea of a universal language from his boyhood and conceived first his mechanical calculator around 1812. (c) Charles Babbage was obsessed from his boyhood with the idea of a universal language and conceived his first mechanical calculator around approximately 1812. (d) Charles Babbage was obsessed from his boyhood with the idea of a universal language and conceived his first mechanical calculator around 1812. (e) from his boyhood, Charles Babbage was obsessed with the idea of a universal language, and conceived, around 1812, his first mechanical calculator. (d) Modification and redundancy. The sentence contains prepositional phrases that function as modifier phrases. Thus, they must be placed with the words they modify without causing any ambiguity. In the given sentence, the prepositional phrase 'from his boyhood' is present between another modifier noun phrase 'an English mathematician and inventor' and the subject 'Charlie Babbage', and this position creates ambiguity making the phrase squinting modifier. Moreover, the use of 'approximately' and 'around' is redundant expression. Thus, the sentence needs correction. (a) The prepositional phrase 'from his boyhood' is a squinting modifier. The use of 'approximately' and 'around' is redundant. (b) Though the redundancy problem is removed, the new position of the prepositional phrase 'from his boyhood' makes it mean 'universal language from the boyhood' rather than 'obsessed from boyhood'. Even the word 'first' is misplaced. (c) The use of the prepositional phrase after 'obsessed' gives correct sense. But the use of 'approximately' makes it redundant. (d) Correct. The sentence correctly places modifiers 'first' and 'from his boyhood'. The problem of redundancy is removed by omission of the word 'approximately'. (e) The prepositional phrase is squinting. The verb 'conceived' and the object 'his first mechanical calculator' are unnecessarily separated the time phrase, which is best placed at the end of the sentence as far as possible. Solution. 30. One governmental estimate on how much of a shortfall exists in the state pension plans says that there is a total deficit of $375 billion in money promised over money available. Candid Global Analysts (CGA), an Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), says that the real deficit might be closer to $800 billion. Which of the following, if true, would prove that the NGO's estimate is more reliable? (a) Non-governmental organizations usually do not have access to governmental records that are related to governmental liabilities. (b) The figures given by nongovernmental organizations are likely to be inflated to criticize governmental policies. (c) People in the state respect Candid Global Analysts as a frank and reliable source of analysis about governmental policies. (d) Governmental estimates usually present a rosy picture of affairs in economical predictions so that the government does lose the credibility in the public opinion. (e) The governmental estimates are prepared, not by political leaders, but by government officials who are held responsible for all of their actions. (d) The question is asking for information that makes the NGO's estimate more reliable. So, we should identify the information that supports the validity of the NGO's information. (a) This implies that they cannot get information that is needed to arrive at an estimate. This makes the information of NGOs less reliable. So this option is incorrect. Solution. (b) This means that the figures given by NGO are inflated and thus, the estimates based on these inflated figures becomes less reliable. So this is not the answer. (c) The fact that people respect something does not mean the information is reliable. Some organizations which are quite popular among people, might give incorrect information. Thus, this condition does not increase the reliability of the organization. (d) Correct. If this is true, the governmental figures presented in the argument become deflated, implying that the actual figures must be greater. This gives a reason to trust the figures of CGA. And thus, this is the correct option. (e) If this is true, the governmental figures will be more reliable and this information disproves the information given by CGA. Thus, it is not the answer. 31. One governmental estimate on how much of a shortfall exists in the state pension plans says that there is a total deficit of $375 billion in money promised over money available. Candid Global Analysts (CGA), an Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), says that the real deficit might be closer to $800 billion. If both of the estimates given above are 'correct', which of the following, if true, would explain the wide gap between the two estimates? (a) When it comes to estimating, all kinds of organizations, both governmental and nongovernmental, follow the same method of data analysis and data collection methods. (b) Pension funds invest their funds in different types of financial securities and can directly own assets whose value is likely to increase over time. (c) The governmental estimates are dependent on present value of dollar, while nongovernmental organizations take into consideration inflation, and other factors that are likely to reduce the value of dollar. (d) There are standardized definitions which are universally accepted for the terms 'deficit' and 'real deficit' (e) Whenever estimates about the same thing are made by both governmental and nongovernmental organization, the gap is quite wide. (c) The governmental figures show a possible deficit of $375 billion and CGA's figures show a deficit of $800 billion. If both figures are to be correct, then, there must be some factor that explains the disparity. One possible factor can be the different criteria basing on which the figures are arrived. (a) If same methods are applied, naturally comparable results should be achieved. This implies that only one of the figures must be true. This explanation cannot make both figures valid. Thus, it is incorrect. (b) This talks about the investment possibilities and possibility of reduction of the deficit. But this does not explain the wide gap, given the condition that both figures are correct. (c) Correct. if this statement is true, both values must be correct as they are dependent on different values of dollar, one with present value and the other with reduced value of the dollar because of inflation etc. if this is true, both values will be correct. (d) This option is incorrect because the existence of standard explanations does not explain the gap given in the argument. (e) Endorsement of existence of gap between the two does not explain the reason for the gap. Thus, it is incorrect. Solution. 32. One of the greatest Elizabethan scientists, William Gilbert, who died four hundred years ago, published a book called De Magnete three years before his death, the first ever work on experimental physics. (a) published a book called 'De Magnete' three years before his death, (b) had published a book called 'De Magnete' three years before his death, (c) had published, three years before his death, a book called 'De Magnete', (d) having published three years before his death a book called 'De Magnete', (e) published a book three years before his death called 'De Magnete'. (c) Explanation: tense use and modification. Solution. The sentence contains an appositive after the underlined portion, and this appositive should be placed immediately after the noun it modifies. In the given the sentence, the logical antecedent for this is the book 'De Magnete' which should be placed immediately before the appositive i.e. last part of the underlined part. The sentence also present a tense error as it uses simple present to denote a past action that occurred before another past action. (a) Use of simple past 'published' is incorrect as this action occurred 3 years before he died. The placing of the noun 'death' at the end makes the following appositive misplaced. (b) The option correctly uses past perfect tense in the first part, but the misplacement of appositive is not corrected. (c) Correct. The sentence correctly uses past perfect tense 'had published' to refer to an action that happened before another past action. the sequence of words places 'a book called De Magnete' correctly at the end, making the appositive 'the first ever work' correctly placed after it. (d) The use of 'having published' makes the sentence an incomplete one as there is no main verb. (e) Though the sentence corrects modification error, it does not correct tense error. Simple past is incorrectly used. DIRECTIONS for Questions 33 to 37: Read the following passage and answer the questions that follows : Art, in general terms, affirms not only the individual spirit of an artist but also its historical milieu as well as the artist's place in the society. Harlem Renaissance -an era of creativity among African-Americans that occurred after World War I and lasted until the middle of Depression- depicts a positive racial identity together with a raising selfesteem in Black Americans. A major factor leading to the rise of the Harlem Renaissance was the migration of African-Americans, between 1919 and 1926, from rural southern states to Northern urban centers such as New York City, Chicago, and Washington, DC. During the period before Harlem Renaissance, Jim Crow laws in the South had separated blacks from the main stream of American life, a segregation that was extended by violently oppressive white groups constituting the Ku Klux Klan. The traditions of a segregated and largely rural agrarian culture that had experienced slavery had a distinctive and rich grass-roots oral tradition, music, and religion. During any period of time before Harlem Renaissance, being a professional artist had not been a choice for Black Americans. Issues of cultural identity as well as social and political tension in a segregated culture gave rise to a flowering of the arts in Harlem. Most well-known are the published works of writers, poets, dramatists and musicians; less is known about the painters, and sculptors of the Harlem Renaissance. The artistic expression symbolizes their devotion of and attachment to Harem, which symbolized both higher standards of living resulting from improved employment opportunities, and freedom of expression resulting from absence of oppression, conditions that were conducive for development of art aesthetically and professionally. 33. According the passage, the African American artistic expression during Harlem Renaissance shows that (a) The African Americans found pride in belonging to Harlem at the time of its inception. (b) The Harlem was not affected much during World War I and Depression. (c) The African Americans started recovering from the humiliation faced during earlier period of slavery and discrimination. (d) Better employment opportunities were the main reasons for the rise of self-esteem and racial identity. (e) Artist's place in society is more important than the individual spirit as literature is to serve the social purpose of bringing out social change. (c) Explicit detail question. The question asks for the quality depicted during Harlem Renaissance. In the first paragraph, it is explicitly stated that the Renaissance depicts the positive racial identity with raising self-esteem of Black Americans. Solution. (a) Though the African Americans take pride in belonging to Harlem, the use of the phrase 'at the time of inception' in this option cannot be justified. We do not have any information as to when they started taking pride in belonging to Harlem. (b) The passage says that Harlem Renaissance occurred during world war and depression. No information regarding the effect of these on Harlem is given in the passage. (c) Correct. the passage states explicitly that the Harlem Renaissance depicted the a positive racial identity joined with a raising self-esteem in Black Americans. This justifies the given option. (d) It is the absence of slavery that was the main reason for the rise of self-esteem and racial identity. (e) No information about relative importance of artist's place in society and individual spirit is given in the passage. So, this goes beyond the scope of the passage. 34. It can be inferred, from the information given in the passage, that which of the following was the most possible effect of Jim Crow laws? (a) State funded hospitals gave priority to the whites even though African Americans needed medical attention more urgently than the former. (b) Transportation services charged more from African Americans than from the whites to render same quality of services. (c) African Americans had to pay high amounts to 'buy' their freedom from the slave owners. (d) Some laws governing the establishment of educational institutions required that public schools be segregated by race. (e) At least there existed one or two laws which allowed equal punishments for both African Americans and the whites if the crime committed was very serious. (d) Explanation: Inference. The question asks for an inference about Jim Crow laws. The passage says that the laws segregated Blacks from main stream of American life. The inference should show some bad effect of these laws on the African Americans. (a) This implies that there is discrimination against, not segregation of, African Americans. (b) This is also an incident of discrimination. (c) Though at higher cost, they can buy freedom and thus, can join the mainstream of American life. This is not segregation. (d) Correct. This implies that Blacks were segregated from the whites basing on the race. (e) There was neither discrimination nor segregation in the situation. Solution. 35. Which of the following statements would provide the most logical continuation of the final paragraph of the passage? (a) As a result, most the Southern states that had resisted African American literature started accepting them. (b) Thus, Harlem Renaissance resulted in positivistic racial identity which later fueled civil rights movement. (c) Consequently, the American artistic movement embraced African American literature as an important ingredient of main stream literature. (d) Thus, Harlem Renaissance is the result not only of individual artistic aspirations but also of political and social aspirations of a race. (e) However, the Harlem Renaissance failed to cater to the needs of aspiring African American. (d) Organization question. The question asks for further conclusion to be added to the passage. This should be in tune with the tone of the earlier part of the passage, and must be justified by the information given. It should not go beyond the content given in the passage. The passage starts with the statement that art expresses not only individual spirit but also the historical milieu. Later the passage went on saying the reasons for the Harlem Renaissance. (a) Acceptance of Harlem Renaissance cannot be added because the passage does not contain any information for the acceptance by the South. (b) This is incorrect because Harlem Renaissance resulted 'from', not resulted 'in' the positivistic racial identity. Solution. (c) Acceptance of African American literature by American Mainstream literature goes far beyond the scope of information given in the passage. (d) Correct. the passage proves that the Harlem Renaissance was resulted from the rising self-esteem because of political freedom and individual aspiration of African Americans. (e) The author's tone towards Harlem Renaissance is positive while the tone of this sentence is negative. Thus, it cannot be the suitable conclusion. 36. Which of the following statements about the African American culture in the South before the Harlem Renaissance is supported by information given in the passage? (a) A unique mode of artistic forms and religious practices as well as traditions developed among African American out of their mode of livelihood and social status as slaves. (b) The traditions of a segregated and largely rural agrarian culture that had experienced slavery are largely influenced by the slave owners of the South. (c) A distinctive and rich grass-roots oral tradition, music, and religion dominated the behavior of slaves from South more that it did in the case of slaves from the North. (d) Oppressive groups such as Ku Klux Klan had impeded the growth of the distinctive African American culture which was to reflect the effects of agrarian lifestyles and effects of slavery. (e) The growth of culture was more profound in Harlem than it was in the South. (a) Explanation: Application question. The question asks for identification of the statement that is supported by the passage. We need to verify the validity of every inference logically and chose the answer that follows. (a) Correct. The last sentence of second paragraph actually stated the same thing in different words. (b) The influence of slave owners cannot be inferred about. In fact, the effect might be less as the culture is distinctive. (c) This statement cannot be justified as there is no comparison between slaves of North and those of South. (d) In fact, the Ku Klux Klan 'supported' the development of distinctive culture among slaves by segregating them. (e) There is no comparison between growth of culture in Harlem and South. Solution. 37. It can be inferred that the growth of arts in Harlem in the Renaissance period was directly resulted from all of the following EXCEPT (a) A sense of pride felt by African Americans from their racial identity. (b) A desire for equality in matters of civil rights. (c) A feeling of dissatisfaction felt because of social discrimination. (d) A rising of self-esteem in Black Americans. (e) Oppression of Ku Klux Klan. (e) Inference. The question is asking to identify the factor that is not a supposed reason for the artistic movement. So, we should identify the options that WERE the reasons and eliminate them. (a) Cultural identity is an explicit reason for the Harlem Renaissance as given in the first paragraph. (b) Political tension is an explicitly given reason for the movement in third paragraph. (c) Social tension is directly given in the passage in third paragraph. (d) This is given as a reason for the development of artistic expression in third paragraph. (e) Correct. it is clearly stated that the absence of oppression resulted in the Harlem Renaissance. But the presence of it would not assist the development of artistic movement. Solution. 38. The problem with the books on military technology is that they deal with topics that are subject to secrecy, hype and misinformation, which makes those sources unreliable to judge the military capabilities of a country. (a) Which makes (b) making (c) and this makes (d) it makes (e) a condition which makes Solution. (e) The sentence uses the relative clause 'which makes those sources...' connecting the following information to 'misinformation' only. It is not just 'misinterpretation' that makes the sources unreliable. It is the combination of all the factors. Thus, the given sentence is incorrect. (a) the relative clauses modifies only 'misinformation' only giving a sense that it is only the misinformation that makes the sources unreliable, while in fact, the secrecy, hype and misinformation together make them unreliable. Thus, this option is incorrect. (b) The use of participle 'making' does not make it clear as to what makes them unreliable. It might be the dealing with topics or their being to subject to secrecy, hype and misinformation. (c) The pronoun 'this' has no antecedent. In formal English, this pronoun should not be used to refer to a whole sentence. (d) The use of 'it' creates the absence of antecedent problem. (e) Correct. The option correctly introduces a noun 'condition' which is an appositive referring to the whole situation in the preceding part of the sentence. This usage correctly expresses the relation of the latter part of the sentence to the earlier part of the sentence. 39. The term implicit contract refers to a transaction or relationship that is conducted without a formal written contract. Many business activities are based on implicit contract, which is not covered by law, but is followed with mutual interest. Which of the following most directly exemplifies the concept of implicit contract? (a) A company does not sign a formal written contract that it will not supply damaged products. However, if any damaged product is delivered by mistake, the company will replace it with a good product of the same kind to any possible legal action. (b) A food product producer does not give any written guarantee that its products are not harmful to heath. If it does not follow industry accepted quality standards, the company will lose its customers to its rival. (c) A company offering services gives satisfaction guarantee. If the customer is not satisfied with the services offered, he can claim full refund and the company promises that no questions will be asked about the claim. (d) A magazine offers trial issues for two months. If the readers are not satisfied with the quality of the articles, they do not need to pay for the issues. It has been noticed recently that more than 80% of subscribers have demanded the discontinued the subscription. (e) A building society sells its apartments financed with variable interest rates on mortgages. There is no formal agreement that prevents the society from raising interest rates substantially; however, rates are not raised normally as it is in their interest to maintain competitive interest rates. (e) The question seeks an example for the situation described in the given argument. The unwritten contract is followed to the advantage of both the parties. (a) That the company corrects its mistake to prevent legal action indicates that there is a possibility of legal action and the argument explicitly states that the issue is not covered by law. So this cannot be an example of the situation given in the argument. (b) The non-compliance makes the company lose the customers, a situation which is deleterious to the company. There is no mutual benefit achieved by both the parties i.e. the consumer and business organization. Thus, this is not the example of the given situation. (c) There is a formal agreement in this situation as there is a satisfaction guarantee. Thus, it cannot be the answer. (d) The trial issue is not a formal guarantee. Still, the company loses money. It is the customers who were benefited at the expense of the publishing company. There is no mutual benefit. Thus, this cannot be the example. (e) Correct. Even in the absence of formal records, the building society does not raise interest rates to be competitive. This benefits the customers and the company too is benefited because of the gained competitive edge over the other companies. Solution. 40. Making sense of federal Indian law can be facilitated by pointing out inconsistencies in the existing rulings, by acknowledging possible rationales for those inconsistencies, and by suggesting remedies that might be applied. (a) by acknowledging possible rationales for those inconsistencies, and by (b) (c) (d) (e) Solution. acknowledging possible rationales for those inconsistencies, and by by acknowledging possible rationales for them, and by by acknowledging rationales for them, which are possible and by by acknowledging possible rationales for the inconsistencies, by (a) Parallel structure. The sentence contains a list of actions that function as prepositional objects and these elements must be parallel to each other. The given sentence has the forms 'by pointing out, by acknowledging', and 'by suggesting'. All these element s are parallel and thus the sentence is correct. (a) Correct. The sentence is correct it is with parallel elements correctly used. (b) This option is incorrect because the use of participle changes the meaning. It implies that we can point out the inconsistencies, acknowledging the rationales for those inconsistencies. This is illogical because if we acknowledge the rationale behind the inconsistencies, we cannot point them out. (c) Though the structure is parallel, the sentence uses the pronoun 'them' which has no clear cut antecedent. It is not clear whether the rationale about the 'rulings' or 'inconsistencies' is talked about. (d) The sentence, though uses parallel elements, becomes wordy because of the relative clause 'which are possible' instead of 'possible rationales'. The pronoun ambiguity is not corrected. (e) The sentence needs 'and' before the last 'by'. Without the and, the sentence is with changed meaning and grammatically incorrect. 41. Although knowledge surrounding the loss of biodiversity is incomplete, the states agreed that measures needed to be taken to preserve biodiversity. (a) Although knowledge surrounding the loss of biodiversity is incomplete, the states agreed that measures needed to be taken to preserve biodiversity. (b) Although the knowledge about the loss of biodiversity is incomplete, the states agreed on the measures needed to be taken to preserve biodiversity. (c) In spite of the incomplete knowledge about the loss of biodiversity, the states agreed that the measures were needed to be taken to preserve biodiversity. (d) Despite the fact that the knowledge in loss of biodiversity is incomplete, the states agreed on the measures needed to preserve biodiversity. (e) Although the knowledge about the loss of biodiversity is incomplete, the states agreed on measures needed to preserve biodiversity. (e) Wordiness and rhetoric structure. The sentence is wordy as the expression 'needed to be taken is' redundant. Moreover, the expression knowledge surrounding is awkward construction. (a) 'Knowledge surrounding' is awkward construction. Moreover, the expression 'measures needed to be taken' is redundant. (b) The expression 'needed to be taken' is redundant. (c) The expression measures needed to be taken is redundant expression. Moreover, the sentence is changing the meaning. This option implies that the countries accepted that the measures 'were' needed while the implication is that they decided on the measures. (d) The use of the expression 'despite the fact' is redundant and thus, should be faulted. (e) Correct. The sentence correctly uses a subordinate clause to bring out the contrast and concise because it removes the redundant expression present in the original sentence. Solution.