GMAT Verbal Practice Paper

  GMAT Practice Test 3 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. Clinical trials report more incidences of arrhythmias (irregularity in the rhythm of heart beat) among patients who received a pulmonary-artery catheter (PAC) than those among patients who received a central venous catheter (CVC). Thus, the possible future use of PAC to correct the reduced blood supply in coronary arteries should be discouraged. Which of the following, if true, most weakens the conclusion drawn in the above argument? (a) Minor and not-so serious side effects are compulsorily found after any kind of invasive treatments for cardiac problems. (b) Alternatives to PAC require major surgeries which require better medical skills and cardiac surgeons with these skills are less frequently found that those who can use PAC. (c) Vasopressor, an agent which is also used along with PAC to increase blood pressure, is universally accepted to be a major cause of arrhythmia in patients undergoing any major or minor heart surgeries. (d) The pre-operative and post-operative expenditures incurred are extremely low with CVC as compared to those incurred when PAC is used. (e) Many experts feel that more research is needed before the use of PAC is allowed in the hospitals. (c) The question seeks information that argues against the possible future use of PAC because of more incidences of arrhythmia found in clinical trials than those resulted from CVC. The correct option should prove that PAC is a better choice. (a) If the side-effects are unavoidable, we need to use the treatment procedure which causes minimum number of side effects. Then, it is medically rational to use CVC, which has fewer incidences of arrhythmias. (b) This proves that the availability of alternatives, though the alternative treatments are with fewer changes of bad side-effects than PAC, is less. Thus, it is important to use available treatment immediately to save the life of patients. (c) Correct. It gives the alternative and, correct reason for the incidence of arrhythmia. Thus, it is not the PAC which is responsible for the arrhythmia. Then the use of the PAC should be encouraged. (d) The cost factor is not a factor when the risks are considered in medical treatments. (e) This option strengthens the conclusion. Solution. 2. A global vaccination program has eradicated smallpox from the planet, except in controlled forms, the last known natural case of smallpox occurring in Somalia in 1977. (a) A global vaccination program has eradicated smallpox from the planet, except in controlled forms, the last known natural case of smallpox occurring in Somalia in 1977. (b) A global vaccination program had eradicated smallpox from the planet, except in controlled forms, the last known natural case of smallpox occurring in Somalia in 1977. (c) Except in controlled form, a global vaccination program eradicated smallpox from the planet, the last known natural case of smallpox being in Somalia in 1977. (d) A global vaccination program has eradicated smallpox from the planet, except in controlled forms, the last known natural case of smallpox occurred in Somalia in 1977 (e) A global vaccination program eradicated smallpox from the planet, except in controlled forms, the last known case of smallpox, which is natural, occurring in Somalia in 1977. (a) Correct use of tense and modification. The sentence uses prepositional phrase 'except in' positioning it correctly and the absolute phrase at the end correctly gives the required sense. Even the tense structure is correct. The sentence is without error. (a) Correct. The sentence uses present perfect correctly to imply the present effect of that past action. The modifier phrase at the end correctly explains the relationship between different elements of the sentence. (b) This option incorrectly uses the past perfect tense, which is not fit in the given context. (c) This option uses simple past and thus, the implication of present effect is lost. By virtue of its position, the modifier phrase 'except in controlled forms' incorrectly modifies 'global vaccination program' rather than 'smallpox'. (d) The two main clauses are connected by a comma while they need a conjunction to do so. This results in comma splice an error. The prepositional phrase 'except in controlled forms' is squinting. (e) The option uses simple past incorrectly, removing the possibility of present implication. Further more, the last part changes the meaning because of the sentence structure. The sense of 'natural case of smallpox' is different from the sense of 'the case of smallpox which is natural'. The use of simple present for a past occurrence can be faulted. Solution. 3. The risk and even the consequences of mass panic during sporting events are severely underestimated. There are no federal regulations intending to ensure the prevention of panic situations in sport events. The exemptions allowed for insurance claim payment do not include deaths and disabilities caused during sport panic. The above argument is intended to make which of the following conclusions? (a) Thus, the insurance companies land themselves in financial troubles because the unjustified claims resulting from mass panic during sporting events. (b) Therefore, the government should develop legislation that prevents or minimizes the mass panic during sporting events. (c) Consequently, the proportion of claims paid for deaths during sporting events to the total claims paid for all kinds of deaths is increasing. (d) Under the present laws, insurance companies have to pay unjustifiably the insurance claims for deaths and injuries caused during mass panic during sporting events. (e) As a result insurance is likely to cease to be a profitable business in near future. (d) The question seeks for the conclusion intended. The right conclusion should not go beyond the scope of the premises becoming far-fetched. All the premises are to be used in arriving at a conclusion (a) Though the sense of lack of justification for the payment of said claims is there, there is no substantiation for the financial trouble mentioned in this option and thus, this can be considered a far-fetched conclusion. (b) This conclusion ignores an important premise about insurance payment. (c) The proportion can not be inferred about with the information given. It goes beyond the premises. (d) Correct. Its sense includes absence of both regulations and exemptions in relation to mass panic during sporting events. (e) The conclusion is far-fetched. Basing on one segment of liabilities, we cannot comment on the total profitability of the industry. Solution. DIRECTIONS for Questions 4 to 7 : Read the following passage and answer the questions that follows : It has been long believed that the inhibition of hepatic glucose production (HGP), i.e. production of glucose in liver, by insulin resulted from a direct effect of hormone on the liver. However, the recently observed ineffectiveness of insulin on the rodent liver, and the observation that both peripheral insulin infusion and intra-portal insulin infusion are equally effective in suppressing HGP provide evidence that questions this belief, the former observation suggesting that insulin effects extra-hepatic tissue. To explain this indirect effect of insulin on HGP scientist theorized about its actions on pancreatic cells, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscles, the first of which secretes glucagons which instigate HGP. Insulin induces a decrease of non-esterified fatty acids from adipose tissue and of glucanogenic precursors from skeletal muscles, causing a decrease in HGP. On the other hand, experiments on overnight-fasted dogs, prove marked decrease of HGP in the presence of portal plasma insulin, even in the absence of changes in non-esterified fatty acid and glucanogenic precursors. Thus, the forced implication of both direct and indirect effects of insulin in the reduction of HGP is more a reality than an assumption, a fact that has great bearing on further research on diabetes treatment. 4. It can be inferred that all of the following contribute to the production of glucose in liver EXCEPT (a) Absence of portal plasma insulin. (b) Adipose tissue. (c) Intra-portal insulin. (d) glucagons (e) glucanogenic precursors. (c) Inference The question asks to identify the factor that does not contribute the production of glucose in liver. So, the options that contribute the glucose production should be eliminated. (a) In the third sentence of second paragraph it is mentioned that HGP decreases in the presence of insulin. So naturally if it is absent, the glucose will be produced. (b) It is stated in the passage that adipose tissue produces fatty acids which cause HGP. (c) Correct. In the last sentence of first paragraph intra-portal insulin is said to suppress HGP. Thus the presence of intra-portal insulin suppresses rather than contributes, to the production of HGP. (d) It is explicitly stated in the passage that glucagons instigate the glucose production. (e) It is said in the passage that decrease of glucanogenic precursors reduces the HGP, implying that they must be assisting in HGP. Solution. 5. How is the second highlighted part related to first highlighted part in the context of the given passage? (a) The first sentence gives a common belief and the second sentence puts a qualification to that belief. (b) The first highlighted part gives a misconception while second gives the reason for that misconception. (c) The first highlighted part gives a popular belief about insulin while the second highlighted part brings out an alternative explanation for that. (d) The first highlighted part provides popular notion about a physiological effect and the second highlighted part shows the implication of an experimental observation to disprove this notion. (e) The first highlighted part supports the notion that is proved by the implication of the experiment from which the second highlighted sentence derived. (d) Organization. The question asks us to identify the relation between the two underlined parts. In the context of the passage, the first sentence gives what is commonly believed and the paragraph then continues with the present experimental observation. Finally, the paragraph gives information that contradicts that notion. (a) The second highlighted part is not putting a condition to the first sentence. (b) The first sentence is not a misconception. It is accepted at the later part that 'insulin has both direct and indirect effects'. The second sentence is not giving the reason for that. In fact, it is disproving that statement. (c) Though the first sentence gives a belief about how insulin works, the second sentence does not give an alternative explanation for the statement. Solution. (d) Correct. The first sentence is a commonly held notion while the second one disproves that notion by suggesting that insulin has indirect effect. (e) The first sentence does not support the second statement. 6. The experiments on overnight fasted dogs are mentioned in order to illustrate which of the following? (a) The effect of glucanogenic precursors on muscle cells. (b) The indirect effect of insulin on HGP. (c) The decrease of HGP in the absence of non-esterified fatty acids. (d) The direct effect of insulin on HGP. (e) Importance of adipose tissue and skeletal muscles in HGP. (d) Rhetoric. The question asks why the author uses the experiment on overnight fasted dogs. The second passage starts with 'to explain this indirect effect...' Then the author uses 'on the other hand...' implying that he is going to substantiate 'the direct effect of insulin'. Thus, the purpose of author's using this is to provide the experimental support for the 'direct effect of insulin'. (a) This option is outside the scope. The passage says that glucanogenic precursors are produced by muscle cells. But its effects on muscle cells is not mentioned in the passage. (b) it is to disprove the indirect effects. The use of the phrase 'on the other hand' endorses this. (c) The decrease of HGP in the absence of 'changes' in non-esterified fatty acid is being illustrated. Thus, this option is incorrect. (d) Correct. Because the earlier part illustrates the indirect effect and this sentence indicates the direct effect. (e) The importance of the said muscles and tissues are not the point of interest in this part of the passage. Solution. 7. The passage, on the whole, can be best expresses the main idea of the above passage? (a) A physiological effect and various ways how it is resulted. (b) Reconciliation of contradictory theories. (c) Illustration of utility of experiments in medical research. (d) A medical controversy regarding the use of insulin. (e) Description of assumptions entertained in medical treatment. (a) Main idea question. The question asks for the main idea of the passage. The first paragraph talks about the assumed direct effects of the insulin in reducing the HGP while the second paragraph concludes that both direct and indirect effects of insulin are likely to be reason for the reduction in HGP. (a) Correct. The physiological effect of insulin in reducing HGP how it is directly and indirectly resulted is the main topic of the passage. (b) There is no reconciliation. Both views, those about direct effects and indirect effects, are accepted. (c) The utility of experiments is mentioned only in the last sentence of the passage. This information is localized rather than universal. Thus, it is incorrect. (d) The passage does not talk about the controversy about the use of insulin. Its use is universally accepted and it is endorsed in the passage. (e) The effects are stated to be more a reality than assumption. Experimental results are shown to prove the points made in the passage. Solution. 8. Better health consciousness and wider utilization of vaccinations among Americans have made them less and less vulnerable to serious diseases. Medical expenses, however, are rising faster than expenses for any other services; some 40 years ago, American medical spending was estimated at 5% of national income, while it is estimated at 19.5% today. All of the following explain the increasing medical expenditure, despite the decreasing vulnerability of Americans to diseases EXPECT (a) The present generation of Americans, who enjoy a higher level of income than the levels of incomes of their earlier generations, is more mindful of health and wholesome living and thus, is spending a larger share of income on health care. (b) Doctors these days use many costly sophisticated tests to rule out serious illnesses even though the patients who come to them are suffering with minor illnesses. (c) Medical expenses are increasing at rates that exceed those of inflation and dollar depreciation and thus constitute larger share of personal and national incomes. (d) Medical innovations such as new drugs and delicate tools for micro-surgery and infrastructure needed for modern medical treatment have made high levels of capital investments compulsory. (e) Rapid expansion of medical insurance, which pays for the medical expenditure, has made people spend more than what they would have spent if they were to pay from their own pockets. Solution. (c) The question asks for the factor that DOES NOT explain the increased medical expenditure despite lower susceptibility of Americans to diseases. We should identify the factors that explain this paradox and eliminate them. (a) This option posits that they spend a bigger share of increased incomes on health care. This explains the paradox and thus, is not the correct option. (b) This option implies that even patients with minor illnesses are spending more on sophisticated tests and thus, spend more money. This explains the paradox. Thus, this option is incorrect. (c) Correct. This option is illustrating rather than explaining the intensity of the rise. It is giving figures to illustrate the intensity of the medical spending. So, it cannot explain the paradox, and so this is the correct option. (d) This option implies higher medical spending because of the enhanced cost of various instruments and infrastructure. This explains the increased medical spending and thus, is not the correct option. (e) This option implies that people are spending more even for less serious illnesses. This explains the increased medical spending. Thus, this is not the correct option. 9. For the last 75 years, Hormone Treatment (HT) is considered by many doctors, a panacea for diseases that affect women, while some other doctors are skeptical about the use of HT. The skeptics argue the side-effects of the HT far outweigh the advantages making the issue one of the lively controversies of medical sciences. Which of the following, if it could be gathered scientifically, would be relevant to resolve the controversy stated above? (a) The seventy five year old history of hormone therapy in various countries. (b) The number of cases of incidence of heart disease, dementia or osteoporosis- the three most common ailments for women- has increased many fold during the last seventy five years. (c) The number of incidences of ill-effects in patients who used HT and that in patients who did not use HT. (d) A comprehensive study which compares, bringing out the relative worth, the advantage from cured diseases after the use of HT with the disadvantages caused by the side effects of the HT. (e) The number of patients who developed the diseases which are attributed as side effects of medical treatment. (d) The controversy is about relative merits and demerits of the HT. the correct option should state the information whether it is relatively advantageous or disadvantageous. If that is decided, the controversy will be solved. (a) It gives the history of the treatment. It does not talk about relative merits and demerits of the treatment in question. Knowing the history of HT does not solve the controversy as it gives no information about the relative merits and demerits of HT. (b) This option gives the number of cases with the said diseases but the option does not give information whether the positive cases had undergone HT. So, we cannot decide basing on this information. (c) Option C tells us whether the use of HT is dangerous or not. But it cannot bring out the positive features of the HT. thus; this information is not useful to resolve the controversy. So this option is incorrect. (d) Correct. The results of the study will bring out the relative advantages and disadvantages of HT. Thus, it helps to resolve the controversy. (e) This option talks about the ill-effects of medical treatment, but it does not relate these ill-effects to HT. thus, it is not useful to resolve the controversy. Thus, this option is incorrect. Solution. DIRECTIONS for Questions 10 to 13: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows: Whether or not to chose privatization being a dead debate, new ideas to optimize it are occupying the spot light now. 'Performance-based' contract is one such new idea that deserves evaluation as a privatization tool. It is a contract in which governments spell out the final product needed, but leaves to the contractor the discretion for achieving the objective. The most aggressive of these contracts are known as 'share-in-savings' contracts because contractors are paid a percentage of what they save to the public agency. The U.S. Department of education contracts with collection agencies who are paid a flat fee of 25% of all student loan money collected from delinquent persons. Despite positive results found in such cases, the 'performance-based' contract is not a panacea for all ills. To minimize uncertainty, the contracting of this type discourages experimentation with new service delivery techniques. This contract encourages innovation in cost cutting, but not in service delivery; less expensive ways of delivering the same product are more attractive than creation of a better product. Promises rather than performance being more rewarding, contractors have an incentive to make grand promises. However, new ideas, such as this one, should not be discarded just because of some bottlenecks, which can be overcome using some simple thumb rules. The officials should treat selecting the right contractor to be as important as writing a sound contract. They should write provisions into contract that require monitoring of specific services. As privatization deals grow in size and complexity, they will require greater levels of understanding and sophistication on the part of government officials. But performance-based contracts, if handled correctly, can bring the maximum benefits out of privatization: better savings and better services. 10. The author mentions the case of the U.S. Department of Education primarily in order to (a) bring out the differences between 'performance-based' contract and 'share-in-savings' contract. (b) prepare the background to introduce, in the second paragraph, the flaws of 'share-in-savings' contract. (c) give one type of 'share-in-savings' contract. (d) state an example of contract mentioned in earlier sentence. (e) prove superiority of 'share-in-savings' contract over 'performance-based' one. (d) Rhetoric question The question asks for the author's purpose in mentioning the case of the U.S Department of education. He mentions this to illustrate the 'share-in-savings' contract. (a) The author does not try to bring out the differences between the two. In fact, he explicitly mentions that 'share-in-savings' contract as a type of the 'performance-based' contracts. (b) The second paragraph is bringing out the demerits of a wider concept of 'performance-contract', not just 'share-in-savings' contract. (c) The author mentions 'share-in-savings' contract as a type of 'performance-based' contract. He has not mentioned any classification of the former type of contract. (d) Correct. In the preceding sentence, the author mentions the most aggressive of performance contract know as 'share-in-savings' contract. He gives the example for this in the sentence. thus, this is the best answer. (e) There is no comparison implied in the two said contracts. Solution. 11. Which of the following can be properly inferred from the passage? (a) 'Performance-based' contracts are more successful than other privatization tools. (b) The 'aggressive nature' of 'performance-based' contracts makes them ill-fit to the privatization process. (c) The success of the 'performance-based' contract is dependent on the probity of the contractor to some extent. (d) The ability to handle of 'performance-based' contracts correctly is difficult to achieve. (e) Product refinement is one of the likely outcomes of 'performance-based' contracts. Solution. (c) Inference. The question asks for an inference. We should identify the logical inference. (a) There is no comparison between this contract and other types of contracts. (b) This option is incorrect it goes against the tone of the author; while the author is positive in his tone about the 'performance-based contracts', this option is negative in tone. (c) Correct. It is stated, in the second paragraph, the contractors will have incentives to make 'grand' promises. This is given as a disadvantage of the contract system. Thus, it is implied that if the contractors are honest, then, the contract system will work well. (d) This cannot be inferred because it is stated that third paragraph that the bottlenecks can be overcome using simple thumb rules. (e) This cannot be inferred as it is explicitly stated that the contractors, giving importance to cost cutting techniques, do not want to innovate. 12. Which of the following is likely to be a remedy to the problem implied in the highlighted part? (a) The officials should select contractors who are competitive in their proposals to win 'performancebased' contracts. (b) The governments select the best of contractors, who, in the test run of the project, show the performance promised is achievable. (c) The officials should select those contractors who have consistently positive record in other types of projects. (d) The governments should offer more incentives for the 'performance-based' contracts than it does to other types of contract. (e) The governments should discourage the use of 'performance-based' contracts. (b) Application. The first highlighted portion implies that contractors who make grand promises will have advantages. So, the solution should minimize this 'tall promise' problem. (a) If they give competitive proposals, they are likely to make unachievable promises. (b) Correct. Because, if it is undertaken, performance, rather than promises, will have incentive to the contractor and thus, the implied problem of tall promises is removed. (c) This may not solve the problem because if a certain contractor has consistently positive record in 'other' types of projects, he may not be a good performer in the 'performance-based' products. (d) It aggravates the problem as, this makes the contracts more attractive and thus, makes the contractors give more unrealistic promises. (e) In stead of solving the problem, it discourages the contracts themselves. Solution. 13. A government official undertaking which of the following is likely implementing the suggestion given in the highlighted sentence? (a) The official is comparing different proposals to identify which offers best to the government. (b) The official is conducting surprise inspection when the contractor is rendering the contracted service on behalf of government. (c) The official is submitting the performance report about the contractor after the project is completed. (d) The official is negotiating with the contractor to decrease the percentage to be paid to the latter on the completion of project. (e) The official is investigating the track record of the contractor by scrutinizing the references in order to accept the contract proposal. (b) Application. The question is asking to identify the action that follows the suggestion given in the highlighted sentence, which is advising the officials to write a good contract in such a way that they can monitor the performance of contractors. Correct option should reflect this idea. (a) If an official compares the different proposals to determine which offers best, then tall promises come to fore and the official is doing what he advised against. (b) Correct. The official is monitoring the services of the contractors and thus following the advice given in the highlighted sentence. Solution. (c) The official is not monitoring the service. He is just giving the performance report. This does not minimize the disadvantages of the 'performance-based' contract system. (d) This is likely to reduce the attractiveness of the contract. (e) This option is incorrect as the official is not monitoring the service. 14. It is difficult to find more dramatic an episode of economical dislocation in peacetime during the twentieth century than that, which was associated with the reunification of Germany. (a) It is difficult to find more dramatic an episode of economical dislocation in peacetime during the twentieth century than that, which was associated (b) it was difficult to find an episode, that was more dramatic, one that is associated with economic dislocation in peace time during twentieth century than that associated (c) it has been difficult to find a more dramatic episode of dislocation which was economical in peacetime during the twentieth century than what associated (d) It is difficult to find a more dramatic episode of economic dislocation in peacetime during the twentieth century than that associated (e) It is difficult to find a more dramatic episode of economic dislocation in peacetime during the twentieth century than that associating (d) Faulty comparison and modification. The sentence compares the 'episode of economical dislocation in peacetime associated with the reunification' of Germany with such episode during this century. The comparison must be correct, concise and direct. (a) This option contains a word order and structure which give emphasis to 'episode', rather than to 'dramatic' nature. Moreover, the part of sentence with the structure 'that', 'which was associated' is wordy and awkward. Further more the comma used here makes the relative clause 'additional information' incorrectly. (b) The sentence incorrectly shifts to simple past tense. We need to use simple present while giving observations like this. Use of relative clauses in two cases makes it wordy and appositive 'one that is associated with economic dislocation in peacetime' is unnecessary and wordy. (c) Use of present perfect tense in the context is incorrect. the structure 'more dramatic episode of dislocation which is economical' changes the meaning. The use of this structure makes the prepositional phrase 'in peacetime during the twentieth century' becomes misplaced. (d) Correct. The sentence presents the comparison correctly, concisely, and effectively. The removal of relative clauses makes is concise. (e) Though most of this option is correct, the last modifier phrase 'associating with the reunification of Germany' is illogical. DIRECTIONS for Questions 15 to 19: Read the following passage and answer the questions that follows: The definitions of feminism have undergone tremendous change, depending on the type of 'fight' undertaken by women in achieving their goals at different times of history. The old definition- working towards an overall goal as a group- was quite apt, since the origin of this definition can be dated back to 'first wave' of feminism during which women had to fight, as a group, for suffrage rights. The problem being a common one, collection played vital role and women had no choice but to unite to fight, for political rights, against the oppression. The second wave of women's movement emerged during 1960's as a manifestation of women's dissatisfaction, which was mainly triggered by middle-class housewife's role. The women's examination of their personal lives gave rise to programmatic expression in the fight against discrimination in work place, barriers to political office, and even injustice in allocation of federal funds, such as scholarship for academic achievement. Even during this period, the problem was a collective one- though of a smaller group of women- which necessitated coordination among different groups of women being affected by ills of society. Several laws aimed at providing equal rights for women were passed during 1960's and 1970's giving women much aspired political and economical power. Having surpassed most of the 'universal' bottlenecks, today's women have reached the third wave, a radical one. Feminism, as one concept, has slowly diminished as women have received very diverse definitions for feminism and Solution. its goals. Hating to be called 'Femi-Nazi' or 'male-hating' race, feminists now defined themselves out of the 'collective' action. In stead of banning with other women to achieve common goals, many women have chosen to accomplish desires of their own. For example, Hunter Tylo, a soap opera actress who had been canned in after the disclosure of her pregnancy, started her individual fight against 'wrongful termination' and 'pregnancy discrimination', in the Supreme Court. She took the initiative to receive justice against discrimination, because it was important to her. And she was not the only woman to do so. Thus, individual aspirations have come to symbolize feminism. 15. According to the passage, the 'old' definition of feminism was suitable during the first wave of feminism because (a) It was the continuation of older perspective of feminism in defining the scope of feminist fight. (b) Now sociologists consider that definition outdated, and irrelevant. (c) 'The unified fight of women to achieve common goals justifies the definition. (d) The transition of feminist movement into the second wave too retains that definition. (e) The author believes that it is the only possible definition. (c) Specific detail. The question asks for the reason for the aptness of the definition of feminism during for first wave of feminism. As per the passage, during this wave, the women had to fight for a common goal in unified manner. Right option should reflect this. (a) The passage offers no information about the fight before the first wave. (b) Though it is considered outdated, it is not the given reason as per the passage. (c) Correct. It is explicitly stated that the type of fight for a common goal justifies that definition. (d) The retention of older definition during the second wave is not given as a reason for the aptness of the older definition. (e) Author's opinion is not given as a reason for the aptness of the definition. Solution. 16. In the context of the passage, the use of word 'universal' bottlenecks suggests problems faced by (a) both men and women in modern times. (b) more by men than by women now-a-days. (c) more by women than by men in the present society (d) women in a group rather than women as individuals. (e) women as an individual rather than women in a group. (d) Application. The question asks for the interpretation of the word 'universal'. In the early paragraph, it is stated that several laws giving women equal rights, both political and economical, are talked about. Then the passage goes of telling that 'having surpassed universal bottle neck', implying that the problems talked about the problems pertaining to women on the whole. The right option should reflect this idea. (a) This option talks about problems faced by women in modern times, while the implication is about problems only before 1960's. (b) This option is talking about problems faced by men too. This is not point of interest. (c) this option talks about more by women than by men. There is no such comparison in the passage. (d) Correct. This correctly brings out the implied meaning of the phrase. (e) This option is talking about individual problems. Solution. 17. The authors mentions the example of Hunter Tylo in order to give an example of women who (a) best represents the third wave of feminist movement. (b) fight their own battle rather than depend on collective action. (c) face problems in employment because of pregnancy. (d) are criticized as 'man hating' race. (e) prove that definition of feminism is to be changed. (b) Application. Solution. In the earlier sentence, the author explicitly mentions that the women have chosen to accomplish the desires of their own. Thus, the author gives the example to support this idea and thus, the right option should reflect this idea. (a) We cannot support this; there is no comparison in the passage. (b) Correct. The author mentions the lady to support this idea given in the preceding sentence. (c) The problems mentioned about pregnancy are just minor ideas here. (d) This option is incorrect because to avoid this criticism, they undertook individual fight which symbolizes third wave. (e) The intention of individual fight is not to prove definition, but to achieve individual goals. 18. Which of the following titles best expresses the content of the passage? (a) History of feminism. (b) Feminist perspective of social conflict. (c) Changing definitions of feminism. (d) the triumph of feminist movement (e) evolution of definitions of social movements. (c) Main idea. The question asks for the identification of main idea. The first paragraph talks about the definitions of feminism during first wave of feminism, the second paragraph about those during second wave and finally, the third paragraph about those during third wave. This gradual change in definitions should be reflected by the correct option. (a) The passage is not mainly about the history of feminism. (b) The concept of 'social conflict' is outside the scope of the content. (c) Correct. It reflects the main idea of the passage. (d) The triumph of feminism is a subordinate idea in the passage. In the last paragraph, the problems faced by women and how they are now fighting are talked about and this makes the triumph a subordinate idea. (e) The phrase 'social movements' is too broad a term to apply in the given context of the passage. Solution. 19. Which of the following can be properly inferred solely from the information given in the passage? (a) Feminist groups have no relevance in the present scenario. (b) The success of women during second wave of feminism was more than that during first wave feminism. (c) The possible achievement of feminist objectives during the third wave is not likely to be as much as the realized achievement during second wave feminist movement. (d) There should be a universally accepted fixed definition for the concept of feminism. (e) The perception of a problem, whether it is of an individual one or of a common one, is likely to decide the course of action undertaken to solve the problem. (e) Inference. The question seeks for a proper inference. We should identify which option is inferable. (a) We cannot infer from this solely from the information given in the passage; the usefulness of feminism in the present scenario goes beyond the scope of the passage. (b) This option is incorrect as there is no comparison between successes of different waves of feminist movement. (c) There is no comparison between successes of different waves of feminist movement. (d) The author accepts the change of definition basing on the goals and there is no implication to the desirability of fixed definition. (e) Correct. it is implied in the passage. This inference is supported by last but one sentence of second paragraph. Solution. 20. The most worrisome aspect of Ghana's fifteen years of market liberalization reforms is the failure of domestic private business in responding with enthusiasm and in increasing investment. (a) is the failure of domestic private business in responding with enthusiasm and in increasing (b) (c) (d) (e) Solution. are the failures of domestic private business to respond with enthusiasm and with increased is the failing of domestic private business, enthusiastically, to respond with increased is the failure of domestic private business to respond enthusiastically with increased. has been failing the domestic business to respond enthusiastically, and with increased. (d) Idiom and parallel structure The sentence uses the idiom 'failure in responding' giving a sense that 'the domestic business started responding but it could not complete doing so'. This is not the intended sentence. Thus, the sentence needs correction. (a) The expression 'failure in responding' means that 'the private business started it but could not complete'. The sentence logic shows that the private business did not actually respond with increased investment. This option is incorrect. (b) The use of plural verb 'are' causes subject-verb agreement error. The sentence uses 'with enthusiasm' and 'with increased investment'. This idea distorts the meaning. (c) 'failing' refers to action, that is the act of failing. Thus not parallel to 'aspect'. Furthermore, the modifier 'enthusiastically' becomes a squinting modifier. (d) Correct. The sentence uses singular verb correctly. 'Failure to respond' is the needed idiom. The modification at the end is logical and correct grammatically. (e) The use of present perfect is not justified. The element on either side of the coordinating conjunction 'and' are not parallel. 21. Existing accounts of the Clinton health reform efforts of the early 1990s neglect to examine how the change in big business reform interests during the short period between the late 1980s and 1994 had altered the trajectory of compulsory health insurance legislation in Congress. (a) had altered (b) have altered (c) should alter (d) having altered (e) might have altered (e) Tense and illogical predication. This sentence talks about how existing accounts neglect certain aspect of some change. The underlined part is a verb and correct verb form or tense is to be identified. As the underlined part is possibly talking about a past action, the use of past perfect tense in the given sentence is incorrect. (a) The use of past perfect for past action is incorrect. (b) The use of present perfect for a past action is incorrect. (c) In this structure, the sentence means that 'the existing accounts neglect to examine how the change should alter the trajectory'. This is a case of illogical predication. (d) Use of participle in the 'how' clause is incorrect as it makes it a fragment. (e) Correct. This option correctly expresses the unrealized possibility implied in the given sentence. Solution 22. In computer science, bleeding edge is a term that refers to technology that is so new (and thus, presumably is not perfected) that the user is required to risk reductions in stability and productivity in order to use it. However the curious question is how mature must a technology be for it to be regarded as having outgrown the classification 'bleeding edge'. Which of the following statements about a certain technology, if true, proves that the technology has outgrown the said classification? (a) Competing ways of obtaining the end product exist and no one knows for sure, which way obtains the end product with utmost productivity in economical sense. (b) Magazines that evaluate the innovative computer programs in the columns written by experts have not started commenting on the technology either in support of it or against it. (c) Trade journals and industry leaders have spoken against the technology but some organizations are trying to implement it anyway because they are convinced that it is technologically superior. (d) The rewards for the successful early adoption of the technology would be great while the penalties for failure are likely to be great. (e) The output of the technology had been proved to be very successful, as per industry standards, in test trials before it was sold to its potential users who are quite quality conscious. Solution. (e) The argument defines 'bleeding technology' and asks us to identify a statement that proves that a certain technology has outgrown the said classification. So, we should identify a statement that gives a situation which is 'outside' the definition of the 'bleeding technology'. (a) This option implies that we are not sure of the technology we should chose. This is a risk. Thus, the technology can be said to be in bleeding edge classification as per the argument. Thus, this option is incorrect. (b) This option implies that even experts in the field are not sure about the relative merits or demerits of the specific technology. Then the user of the technology is not sure of the technology and thus, it can be bleeding edge technology. (c) This option C implies that it is risky to implement the technology. Thus, the technology is said to be in bleeding edge technology classification. (d) This option too indicates that there is high risk in case of failure of technology in question. Thus it proves that it is in bleeding edge classification. (e) Correct. this option indicates that there is no risk to the technology users as the output has been proved to be successful even before the selling of the technology. This implies that three is no risk and thus it should not be classified as 'bleeding edge' technology. 23. Individuals who either use or abuse drugs, can have very serious negative affects on themselves and on others who associate with them; teenagers can be especially at risk, because of their natural tendency to experiment and the peer pressure they undergo. (a) Individuals who either use or abuse drugs, can have very serious negative affects on themselves and on others who associate with them; teenagers can be especially (b) Individuals using or abusing drugs can have very serious negative effects on themselves and on others who associate with them; especially, teenagers can be (c) Everyone who uses or abuses drugs can have very serious negative affects on themselves and on others who associate with them; teenagers can, specially, be (d) Individual's using or abusing drugs can have very serious negative affects on themselves and on others associating with them; teenagers can be especially (e) Individuals' usage and abusage of drugs can have very serious negative affects on themselves and on others: specially teenagers could be (b) Pronoun antecedent, and word order and diction. Though the sentence is correct in modification and parallel structure, the word 'especially' is misplaced giving the sense 'especially at risk', rather than 'especially teenagers'. (a) The word 'especially' is incorrectly placed before 'at risk'. In fact it logically modifies teenagers and must be present immediately before it. Moreover, the word 'affects' is wrong diction. So, this option is incorrect. (b) Correct. It uses participle phrases which are parallel and the word 'especially' is correctly placed modifying the 'teenagers'. (c) The pronoun 'themselves' and its related forms do not agree with the antecedent 'everyone'. Moreover, 'specially' is wrong diction. (d) Pronouns 'themselves' and 'them' have no antecedent. The adverb is misplaced. (e) The pronoun 'they' and its derivatives have no antecedent. Though the word individuals is used in the first part of the sentence, it is functioning as an adjective and thus, cannot function as an antecedent. Solution. 24. A case study of African American housing and home ownership in Evanston, Illinois, a railroad suburb of Chicago, illustrates that there was a greater diversity in suburban housing markets before World War Two than historians have recognized. (a) a railroad suburb of Chicago, illustrates that there was a greater diversity in suburban housing markets before World War Two than historians have recognized (b) and a railroad suburb of Chicago, illustrate a greater diversity in suburban housing markets before World War Two than what have been recognized by historians. (c) a railroad suburb of Chicago, illustrates that there had been a greater diversity in suburban housing markets before World War Two than the recognition of diversity by historians. (d) a railroad suburb of Chicago, illustrate that there was greater diversity in suburban housing markets before World War Two than that the historians have recognized. (e) and a railroad suburb of Chicago, illustrated that there was greater diversity, before World War Two, in suburban housing markets than the historians' recognition. Solution. (a) Subject verb agreement, modification, and faulty comparison. The given sentence compares the diversity actually present with that recognized by the historians. The comparison is made correctly. It uses modifier phrase 'a railroad suburbs of Chicago' concisely and places it correctly without causing misplacement. (a) Correct. The sentence uses modification by a noun phrase correctly. Comparison is made correctly and finally, the singular verb 'illustrates' agrees the singular subject 'a case study'. (b) The introduction of conjunction 'and' 'makes' the subject compound one, giving a sense that Evanston and the railroad suburb are two separate places. The plural verb 'illustrate' does not agree with the singular subject. The use of passive after 'than' makes the sentence awkward. (c) Though the subject-verb agreement problem is corrected, the sentence uses past perfect incorrectly. The sentence compares 'diversity' with 'recognition', making the comparison faulty. (d) This option is wrong because it is violating agreement principle by using 'illustrate'. Moreover, there is a need for an article before 'greater diversity'. (e) It is unnecessarily using 'and' before 'a railroad suburb of Chicago' incorrectly implying that two places are being studies. It misplaces the prepositional phrase 'in suburban housing markets' giving a sense 'World War in suburban housing markets'. The comparison becomes faulty by using 'historians recognition' after 'than'. 25. 'Decreased presenteeism', which occurs when employees work less productively than usual due to a health or medical problem, is a significant drain on scarce resources of businesses. Thus, the recently proposed 'Presenteeism Scale', is vital, for the employers, in assessing the resulting financial loss because ................. . Which of the following best completes the above passage? (a) the employees can understand the economic worth of their optimum productivity when compared to reduced productivity because of decreased presenteeism. (b) the employers can plan innovative performance incentives to increase the productivity of employees. (c) the employers can plan for the medical insurance to take care of the hospitalization expenses. (d) the employers can assign monetary value to decreased presenteeism that results from health problems of the employees. (e) the employees will become more careful in performing the duties allocated to them. (d) The question seeks for supporting information that proves that the 'presenteeism scale' is important in knowing the financial loss. The right option should state this information. (a) If 'employees' know the economic worth of something, employers need not be in a position to assess the resulting economic loss. (b) If employers can do what is stated in the option, it helps to 'increase' the productivity of employees, but it does not help to 'assess' the loss resulting from 'Decreased presenteeism'. (c) It is not relevant as hospitalization means 'being away from place of work'. Thus it has nothing to do with 'decreased presenteeism'. (d) Correct. The action mentioned in this option makes the employers estimate the financial loss in lost productivity resulting from decreased presenteeism. (e) If employees become more careful, they will reduce the future loss in 'decreased presenteeism'. It will not help the employers to assess the 'resulting' loss from past 'decreased presenteeism'. Solution. 26. Advertisement of a company which sells drinking water: You can now get best out of every drop of water you drink! Our bottled drinking mineral water, with oxygen 300% more than what is usually dissolved in ordinary water, will pep you up by giving more and more energy to your body. Which of the following statements, it true, brings out, in a logical way, the flaw present in the above advertisement? (a) Most companies use exaggeration about the achievement of desired results when they want to advertise their products. (b) The company is notorious for its false claims and advertisements right from its inception. (c) The oxygen dissolved in drinking water does not release energy because only the oxygen that goes to lungs will help release energy. (d) Seeing the positive results of the company, most other bottled drinking water manufacturers started enhancing the content of dissolved oxygen in their own brands. (e) The governmental regulations now in force do not enable the law-enforcing officials to take stringent action against companies making false claims. Solution. (c) The question asks for the flaw in the argument. The claim is that the bottled drinking water contains more oxygen and should be useful. The right option should prove the claim to be incorrect. (a) Though it brings out the exaggeration of the claim made in the advertisement, it does not prove the argument to be basically flawed. (b) This option is incorrect because it attacks the company rather than the advertisement as is required by the question. In fact, this kind of attack is a logical flaw. (c) Correct. It correctly points out the flaw stating the scientific fact which disproves the claim made in advertisement. (d) This option is incorrect because it strengthens the worth of advertisement and it does not bring out the flaw. (e) This option is incorrect because it presupposes the flaw rather than proves the flaw. 27. By developing systematic, albeit crude, information on the timing of economic fluctuations in AfroEurasia between 4000 and 1000 B.C, the scope and degree of interdependence in the world system's economic interactions is sought in the evidence. (a) the scope and degree of interdependence in the world system's economic interaction is sought in the further evidence. (b) economists' seeking for further evidence about the scope and degree of interdependence in the world system's economic interactions. (c) economists seek further evidence about the scope and degree of interdependence in the world system's economic interactions (d) the scope and degree of interdependence in the world system's economic interactions is sought by the economist. (e) the world's economic system and the evidence about its scope and degree of interdependence are sought by the economists. (c) Dangling modifier. The given sentence is with dangling modifier error. The modifier phrase - 'by developing systematic, albeit crude, information on the timing of economic fluctuations in Afro-Eurasia between 4000 and 1000 B.C'- cannot logically modify the subject 'the scope and degree of interdependence'. (a) The modifier phrase is incorrectly modifying 'the scope and degree...' and so becomes dangling modifier. Moreover, the compound subject 'scope and degree' requires a plural verb 'are sought'. (b) The dangling modifier error persists, as the modifier phrase is modifying 'economists' seeking'. The sentence becomes a sentence fragment, because of the structure. (c) Correct, because the subject 'economists' is correctly modified by the participle phrase that is present at the beginning of the sentence. (d) The participle phrase wrongly modifies the subject 'the scope and degree of interdependence'. So, this option is incorrect. (e) The modifier phrase is incorrectly modifying the subject 'the world's economic system and the evidence...' and so makes the sentence incorrect. Solution. 28. The ancient Sumerians of Mesopotamia used sharpened reeds and pressed symbols into clay tablets in a script known as cuneiform to record information on taxes, harvests, prayers, laws, letters, and scientific observations. (a) The ancient Sumerians of Mesopotamia used sharpened reeds and pressed symbols into clay tablets in a script known as cuneiform to record (b) Having used sharpened reeds, the ancient Sumerians of Mesopotamia pressed symbols into clay tablets in a known script cuneiform to record (c) Using sharpened reeds, the ancient Sumerians of Mesopotamia pressed symbols into clay tablets in a script which is known to us as cuneiform, recording (d) The ancient Sumerians of Mesopotamia used sharpened reeds, pressed symbols into clay tablets in a script known as cuneiform and recorded (e) The ancient Sumerians of Mesopotamia, using sharpened reeds, pressed symbols into clay tablets in a script known as cuneiform to record. Solution. (e) Participle use and modification. The sentence is with verbs 'used' and 'pressed' connected by coordinating conjunction and this usage removes the causal relation between these two actions. Moreover, the parallel structure gives illogical sense. (a) The sentence because of parallel structure means that 'they sharpened reeds ... to record...' This is illogical. Moreover, the relation between the 'sharpening the reeds' and 'pressing symbols' is not established. (b) The use of perfect participle 'having used' implies that they 'had used' sharpened reeds 'before' they pressed symbols into clay tablets. The use of relative clause 'which is known to us as cuneiform' makes the sentence wordy. (c) This option is incorrect on two fronts. One is wordy nature because a relative clause is used instead of adjectival phrase after 'script'. Secondly, it is incorrect to use participle 'recording' to express purpose. We use to infinitive to express purpose. (d) This option is incorrect because, though it is parallel using all simple past verbs, it does not show the causal relationship between first action and second action, and does not show the purpose relationship between second and third actions. (e) Correct. It correctly establishes the relation between 'using sharpened reeds' and 'pressing symbols' by using participle phrase. It correctly uses infinitive 'to record' to express purpose. 29. Ultrasonic sound is claimed to be quite an environment-friendly solution for the control of specific algae forming bio-films in water storage reservoirs. A commercial producer of the apparatus that produces ultrasonic sound claims that, in the company's preliminary trials in 200 ponds, it was able to control the specific algal film in an environmentally friendly way. Which of the following is relevant to evaluate the claim of the producers of the ultrasonic sound producing apparatus? (a) The physical counting of total number of algal species found in the lakes before and after the use of the ultrasonic sound producing apparatus. (b) The extent of submerged filamentous algae found in the lake before and after the use of ultrasonic sound producing apparatus. (c) The comparison of feeding and breeding behavior of aquatic animals in the trial ponds before and after the use of apparatus. (d) A visual assessment of the percentage cover of floating mats of the specific algae and an assessment of the percentage cover of vegetation in the lake as a whole before and after the use of the apparatus. (e) The population changes of herbivore populations that feed on algae in the trial ponds during and after the use of ultrasound producing apparatus. (d) The question asks us to identify the information that is relevant to evaluate the claim of the producer of the ultrasonic apparatus. (a) The claim is about only specific algal species while this option talks about the 'total' number of algal species. Moreover, it is possible that though fewer number of species are found, more plants of those few algal species might be present and thus it cannot give us an idea of the efficacy of the apparatus. (b) This option is incorrect because the claim is about floating algae while this option is talking about submerged filamentous algae. Solution. (c) This option is incorrect because the information from this will prove whether the apparatus is environmentally friendly or not. It does not decide whether the apparatus is effective in killing the specific algae or not. (d) Correct because if we know this we can evaluate the efficacy of the apparatus. (e) This option indicates the decrease or increase of specific algal films because of the natural predation. This is not important to evaluate the efficacy of the apparatus. 30. Unlike some successful companies that capitalize on innovation, some companies are dominated by strong research traditions that disrupt efforts undertaken to build and sustain a diversified and innovative fundamental research program. (a) sustain (b) sustained by (c) to sustain (d) are sustained by (e) sustains (c) Parallel structure The underlined part contains a verb 'sustain' which can be parallel to different elements present in the earlier part of the sentence. We should identify the correct element to which the underlined word can be logically parallel and thus, identify the accuracy of the sentence. (a) The underlined part 'sustain' is parallel to 'disrupt' giving a sense that it is the 'strong research traditions' that 'sustain' a diversified and innovative fundamental research program. This is illogical and thus, the word 'sustain' becomes illogically parallel to the word 'disrupt'. (b) The phrase 'sustained by' is illogically parallel to 'dominated by', the sentence comes to mean that some companies with strong research traditions are sustained by 'a diversified and innovative research program'. If a company is with strong traditions of any sort, it is not likely to be sustained by 'innovative research program'. This is illogical. Thus, this option is incorrect. (c) Correct. In this option, the phrase 'to sustain' is parallel to 'to build', giving logical sense that it is the efforts undertaken that sustain innovative research program. This sense is both correct and logical. (d) This option is incorrect because of the same reason as is option B. (e) Option E is incorrect because the verb 'sustains' has no logical subject in any part of earlier sentence. Solution. 31. the establishment of girls’ schools during the late Quig period represented a major turning point in Chinese women's history, because the traditional, home-based education for them gradually evolved into a modern popular educational system. (a) because the traditional, home-based education for them gradually evolved into (b) since the traditional, home-based education of theirs gradually evolved into (c) as the traditional, home-based education for girls gradually evolved to (d) for the traditional, home based education for girls gradually evolved into (e) while the traditional, home-based education for girls has evolved to (d) Pronoun. The given sentence contains a pronoun 'them' which has no antecedent. Though the words 'girls' and 'women' are used in the sentence, they are used as adjectives in the possessive case, and thus, cannot function as antecedents. (a) The pronoun 'them' has no antecedent. (b) The possessive pronoun 'theirs' has no grammatical referent. (c) The use of the conjunction 'as' gives causal relation in stead of the needed time relation. Correct idiom requires 'evolved into'. (d) Correct. This option avoids the use of pronoun removing the pronoun antecedent problem. (e) The use of the conjunction 'while' is illogical because it gives a sense while the action was going on, the said period represented 'major turning points'. The temporal relation is not the point of interest. Furthermore, the option shifts the tense unnecessarily and incorrect preposition is used. Solution. 32. Government sponsored programs in developing countries attract a lot of criticism. So does the fertility control program in country X to contain the population explosion. Critics of the program point out that the results attained are not commensurate with the efforts and resources invested in the program during the last five years. All of the following are likely to be given by a government representative of the country X in support of the success of the said program EXCEPT. (a) The recent census result showing the total fertility in country X dropped from 5.6 to 4.5 per thousand women. (b) Records maintained by non-governmental organizations showing that there is a reduction in the median age of contraceptive acceptors. (c) The statement given by the chairman of National Family Planning Coordination Board saying that the program received highest grant ever given to single program in country X. (d) A demographic survey stating that there is a reduction in population under age five years. (e) A survey of both private and governmental hospitals showing fewer number of child delivery cases than were there before implementation of the program. Solution. (c) The question needs us to identify the supporting information that is likely to be given by a government representative, and the representative is likely to support the success of the governmental program. We should eliminate such options as the question is an 'except' question. (a) This option proves that the governmental program is a success. (b) This option suggests that couples are practicing birth control earlier in their marriages. This is an indication of success of the program. (c) Correct. This option talks about the extent of resources spent rather than about successful implementation of the program. This is not likely to be given by the government representative in support of the success of the program. Moreover, it is likely to be used by the critics of the program. (d) This option indicates that the reduced population under age five years might be because of the success of the program during the five year period of program implementation. (e) This option indicates that there is a reduction in child births and thus, this provides support to the governmental success in the implementation of the program. 33. Recently a new paradigm has emerged in the United States, one that calls for a more collaborative approach between industry and government, such as the use of environmental management systems of industry associated with governmental enforcement actions. (a) one that calls for a more collaborative approach between industry and government, such as (b) which calls for a more collaborative approach between industry and government, like (c) which call for a more collaborative approach between industry and government, as is (d) a paradigm that calls for a more collaborative approach between industry and government, as has (e) one that calls for a more collaborative approach between industry and government, like (a) Such as v/s like v/s as. Modification. The sentence uses an appositive acting as a modifier phrase. The sentence correctly uses 'such as' to introduce an example. The sentence is correct. (a) Correct. It correctly uses a pronoun 'one' to refer to paradigm. The sentence correctly uses 'such as' to introduce an example in the later part. (b) It uses a relative clause 'which...' is misplaced. Moreover, it incorrectly uses 'like' in the sentence. We require such as to introduce an example. (c) The relative clause is misplaced. Moreover, use of conjunction 'as' at the later part implies comparison rather than example. (d) The sentence structure implies that 'the use of environmental...has emerged'. It is illogical. Thus, this is incorrect. (e) It uses 'like' incorrectly to introduce an example while such as is needed. Solution. DIRECTIONS for Questions 34 to 36: Read the following passage and answer the questions that follows : Though it was universally accepted that people entered the Americas on a land bridge that existed linking Siberia and Alaska, there was much debate on when they crossed, whether they came at one time or in several waves and where they had come from. An initial consensus held that Paleo-Indians came to the New World about 14,000 years ago in one single migration, and that most Native Americans are descendents of these people, with the exception of Eskimo-Aleuts, who arrived much later. Archeological excavations in North America date the oldest human artifacts to between 11,000 and 14,000 years ago, whereas South American artifacts appear to be at least contemporaneous, if not older. Linguistic analyses suggest entry dates ranging between 22,000 and 35,000 years ago, whereas research on dental variation indicates an emergence of the ancestral Amerindian groups about 18,000 to 20,000 years ago. There is indeed little agreement and much confusion. Over the past ten years, new methodologies of molecular genetics have provided a number of important insights into the peopling of the New World. Molecular genetic studies of the variation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in Siberian and in Native American populations have further inferences to be made about the time of the colonizations, the number of migrations that reached the New World, and possible regions from which ancestral Native Americans might have originated. Most notable, the new mtDNA data suggest not only a very early movement of peoples, approximately 30,000 years ago, into the New World but also the genetic contributions of populations originating outside of Siberia, from other parts of Asia. Overall, the mtDNA research implies that the colonization of Siberia and the Americas was more complex than previously supposed- that there were, in fact, multiple expansions of ancient peoples that contributed to the genetic diversity in aboriginal Siberian and Native Indian populations. 34. Which of the following is least deviant from the implication of molecular genetic research findings regarding the time of colonization of the New World? (a) Geologists' study proving the past existence of land bridge between Alaska and Siberia. (b) Study of archeological excavations of artifacts from North America. (c) Research on dental variation of ancient peoples from New World. (d) Research on ancient languages of New World. (e) The initial consensus about the time of Paleo-Indians's migration. (d) Application. The question seeks for extent of deviation from the implications of molecular genetic research. Different studies mentioned in the first paragraph mention different estimations for the probable period while the molecular genetic research puts it at 30,000 years ago. We must identify which deviates most from this figure. (a) This option is incorrect because this talks about the method of migration rather than about the time of migration. (b) This option is incorrect because this dates the migration at 14,000 years ago while molecular research dates it at 30,000 years ago, and thus, the deviation is not least when compared to other studies. (c) This option is incorrect because it dates the migration between 18,000 and 20,000 years ago. (d) Correct. This option is the best answer because it almost coincides with the finding of genetic research as the former puts the migration between 22,000 and 35,000 and the latter puts it at 30,000 years ago. (e) This option is incorrect as the deviation is not least because it says that the migration occurred 14,000 years ago. Solution. 35. The conclusion about the multiple expansions of ancient peoples basing on genetic diversity assumes that (a) The genetic diversity of ancient Siberian is more than that of aboriginal counterparts. (b) The genetic constitution of aboriginal Siberian and that of Native Americans are same. (c) When people migrate in one group in one epoch, the genetic diversity is likely to be less in the descendent populations. (d) mtDNA studies will be reliable only when they are conducted on modern populations. (e) The migration took place at one time rather than in many waves. (c) Logic. The conclusion about genetic diversity says that multiple expansions contributed to genetic diversity. The assumption must be that people who migrated together will have less genetic diversity. This concept should be reflected in the correct option. Solution. (a) According to the information supplied in the passage, the genetic diversity was more in aboriginal Native Americans than that of Siberian races. Thus, this option is incorrect. (b) This option is wrong because it goes against information given about genetic diversity between the two groups in question. (c) Correct. If this statement is not true, they cannot conclude that they migrated at different times basing on the genetic diversity. Thus, this is a correct assumption. (d) This option is wrong because it undermines the validity of the mtDNA research basing on which the conclusion is drawn. (e) This option is wrong because it contradicts the conclusion. 36. Which of the following best describes the organization of the second paragraph? (a) A controversy is mentioned, different view points are stated and need for further research is suggested. (b) The utility of modern scientific research is mentioned and the implications of the research are used to arrive at a cogent conclusion about a debated point. (c) A research methodology of a particular academic discipline is mentioned and the merits and demerits of that discipline are listed. (d) A research methodology is mentioned and qualification for its utility are listed out. (e) New methodologies of molecular genetics are mentioned and the author's evaluation of those methodologies is given. (b) Organization. The question seeks for organization of the passage. The first paragraph presents many theories about the time and method of migration to New World. The second paragraph gives a conclusive information about that controversy. So, the correct option should reflect this idea. (a) This option is incorrect because though the passage deals with a controversy, different view points are not mentioned in this paragraph and no suggestion for further research is made. (b) Correct. This option correctly identifies the organization of the passage. (c) This option is incorrect because the merits and demerits of an academic discipline are not the point of interest in this paragraph. (d) This option is incorrect because, though the first sentence mentions research methodology, the latter part of the passage is not giving qualifications or conditions to that methodology. (e) This option is wrong because the author's evaluation of methodology is not given. Solution. 37. In the far north of Japan, thrust out into the North Pacific, is the remote island of Hokkaido, a land of towering volcanoes and streaming lakes, marsh valleys, and fairy tale forests. (a) In the far north of Japan, thrust out into the North Pacific, is the remote island of Hokkaido, a land of towering volcanoes and streaming lakes, marsh valleys, and fairy tale forests. (b) Thrust into the North Pacific in the far north of Japan, is the remote island of Hokkaido, which is a land of towering volcanoes and streaming lakes, marsh valleys, and fairy tale forests. (c) The remote island of Hokkaido, a land of towering volcanoes and streaming lakes, marsh valleys and fairy tale forests, is thrust out into the north Pacific in the far north of Japan. (d) The remote island of Hokkaido, a land of towering volcanoes and streaming lakes, marsh valleys and fairy tale forests, is thrust out, in the far of north of Japan, into the North Pacific. (e) In the far north of Japan, thrust out into the North Pacific, is the remote island of Hokkaido, which is a land of towering volcanoes and streaming lakes, and which is with marsh lakes and fairy tale forests. (a) Wordiness and modification. The given sentence is with 'fronting', a grammatical process which brings some middle element to the front of the sentence for emphasis. This process, when undertaken with negative words or place words, needs the inversion of subject and verb. This verb inversion is present in the given sentence. Moreover all the modifying parts are correctly positioned. Thus, the given sentence is correct as it is. (a) Correct. The sentence presents correct emphasis by fronting and correct modification by putting the words in logical order. The construction is concise and accurate. Thus, this option is correct. Solution. (b) The modifier phrase 'in the far north of Japan' is present in such a way that it seems to modify north Pacific. Moreover, the use of adjectival clause in the place of a noun phrase is wordy. (c) The modifier phrase 'in the far north of Japan' is misplaced. Moreover, the reordering of the words in normal word structure makes the sentence lose the emphasis correctly given in the original sentence. (d) The positioning of prepositional phrases is incorrect. Moreover, the emphasis, which is accurately presented in the original sentence, is lost. (e) Though it is grammatically correct, the introduction of adjectival clauses makes it wordy. 38. Even before it was finished, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, a master piece of medieval construction, began to topple, shaken by earth quakes and sinking slowly into the unstable soil. (a) Even before it was finished, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, a master piece of medieval construction, began to topple, shaken by earthquakes and sinking slowly into the unstable soil. (b) Even before it had been finished, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, which is a master piece of medieval construction, began to topple, shaken by earthquakes, and sunk slowly into the unstable soil. (c) Even before getting finished, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, a master piece of medieval construction, began to topple, which was shaken by earthquakes and which was sinking slowly into the unstable soil. (d) The Leaning Tower of Pisa, a master piece of medieval construction, even before it was finished, began to topple, shaken by earthquakes and sunk slowly into the unstable soil. (e) The Leaning Tower of Pisa, which is a master piece of medieval construction, even before it was finished, began to topple, shaken by earthquakes and sinking slowly into the unstable soil. (a) Tense and participle use. The sentence emphasizes the fact that the leaning tower of Pisa 'began to topple' because it was shaken by earthquakes and it was slowly sinking into the unstable soil. This causal relation is correctly expressed by two modifier phrases-'shaken by earth quakes' and 'sinking slowly into the unstable soil'. The emphasis of time is correctly given by putting the time clause 'even before it was finished' at the beginning of the sentence. the appositive is correctly and concisely placed after noun phrase 'the leaning tower of Pisa'. The sentence is correct as it is. (a) Correct. It uses the two modifier phrases correctly. Though they appear to be unparallel, both, functioning as adjectives, are parallel. Active participle and passive participle both are correctly and logically used. The appositive is correctly placed. (b) It uses past perfect incorrectly. The subordinate clause needs a simple present tense to refer to a past action, while the given structure uses past perfect incorrectly. Moreover, the use of passive participle 'sunk' in the later part gives an illogical sense that 'someone or something sank it slowly'. (c) By using 'getting' in the modifier phrase, the sentence changes the sense illogically. Both relative clauses present at the end of the sentence, though parallel to each other, are misplaced as they are not placed after the noun they modify. Further more, the use of past in these clauses wrongly implies that those forces are not working now. (d) The adverb phrase 'even before it was finished' is positioned in such a way that it may modify the earlier noun phrase or later verb phrase, resulting in squinting modifier error. It might imply that it became the master piece even before it 'was finished'. Moreover, the passive participle 'sunk' implies passive sense and is thus incorrect as discussed in the earlier option. (e) It does not correct the squinting modifier error. The use of adjectival clause makes it wordy. Solution. 39. The restructuring of Kumtor Gold Mines is fuelling a political controversy, for some members of the Kyrgyz parliament insist on the government's decision to reorganize the operations of the gold mines 'contradicts the state's interests' and that the deal should be scrutinized to ensure that the proceeds reaped by the government are not diverted for the personal benefit of top officials. (a) on the government's decision to reorganize the operations of the gold mines 'contradicts the state's interests' and that the deal should be (b) that the government's decision to reorganize the operations of the gold mines contradict the state's interests and that the deal be (c) that the government's decision to reorganize the operations of the gold mines 'contradicts the state's interests' and that the deal be (d) that the government's decision to reorganize the operations of the gold mines ' should not contradict the state's interests' and that the deal should be (e) on the government decision, reorganizing the operations of the gold mines and 'not contradicting the state's interests' and on the deal Solution. (c) Subjunctive mood, parallel structure, and idiom After 'insist on', we need to use a phrase, while the given sentence is using a clause. We need to use subjunctive mood with a clause when we 'demand or request or pray' for something. In the underlined part, first clause is not any of the above three and so subjunctive mood is not needed. The second clause is demanding for something and thus need subjunctive mood. Moreover, we need to use two that clauses to make the whole sentence parallel. 'Insist on + noun phrase' as well as 'insist that + a clause' is correct idiom. So, the given sentence is incorrect. (a) 'Insist on' is incorrectly followed by a clause. Besides this, the clause, 'that the deal should be scrutinized' must be written as 'that the deal be scrutinized...', as is required by subjunctive mood. So this is incorrect option. (b) 'That' clause after 'insist' is parallel with the other that clause present after 'and'. This, however, leads to illogical construction with a meaning that the Members of Parliament are demanding that the government's decision 'contradict' state's interests. It is illogical to do so. Thus the sentence is incorrect. (c) Correct. The sentence correctly uses a 'that' clause after insist with a verb in indicative mood and the second 'that' clause with subjunctive mood, for the first statement is an assertion and the second one is a demand. (d) The first clause (in the underlined part of sentence) can be justified but in the second clause 'should be' a demand and thus, the second clause should use a verb in subjunctive mood. (e) 'Reorganizing' in the sentence after 'government's decision' illogically modifies 'some members of the parliament'. The second part of the sentence is with faulty parallel structure. Thus, this option is incorrect. 40. Oil Retailer company executive: Fuel prices are driven by a range of factor beyond the control of fuel retailers. These factors include crude oil prices, supply and demand, foreign exchange rates, international prices, government policies, subsidies and domestic price cycles. The movement of oil prices is the result combined with market participants, both majors and independents. However, our company, in addition to providing competitive board prices, also offers a 4-cent per liter discount to customers who spend $30 or more at our outlets. In the argument given, the two boldfaced portions play which of the following roles? (a) The first boldfaced sentence brings out a problem faced in marketing of the product and second sentence tells a business strategy of a certain company to overcome the problem. (b) The fist boldfaced sentence is used to state reasons for the implied problem faced by customers in a certain business milieu and second sentence tells how a certain company tries to alleviate that problem. (c) The first boldfaced statement states an economic principle and the second boldfaced sentence gives an exception to the application of the economic principle in retail industry. (d) The first boldfaced statement gives a problem encountered by petrol retailers in general, while the second boldfaced statement gives measures undertaken by a certain company to overcome that problem. (e) The second boldfaced statement is an example of the various factors mentioned in the first boldfaced statement. (b) The question asks us to bring out the relation between highlighted sentences. The first sentence tells us that the oil price is decided by many factors, implying a problem faced by customers and the second sentence is telling how a specific company is trying to reduce the intensity of the problem for the sake of consumers. (a) First sentence is not a 'marketing' problem. It is price deciding problem. However, the second boldfaced sentence could have been a marketing strategy to increase sales. (b) Correct. The first boldfaced sentence gives the reason for the implied problem of enhanced fuel prices. The second sentence states how the retailer company is giving concession to reduce the Solution. severity of the problem. This option correctly identifies the purpose of the statement of concessions offered. (c) Though first boldfaced statement can be correctly considered an economic principle, the second boldfaced statement is not an exception given to that principle. So the option is incorrect. (d) While the first statement can be correctly considered the implied problem of increased petrol prices, it is not just to retailers. The second boldfaced statement is not a correcting measure taken by a certain company to overcome the problem. The giving of concession to customers increases the problem for retailers by straining the margins. (e) The second boldfaced statement is not an example of the various factors, which, as per the statement, decide the price of oil. 41. Questions surrounding the prospects of human embryo research as well as research spurred by the mapping of the human genome, are generating new laws based on consultation with national and international ethics committees, along with medical and research groups. (a) Questions surrounding the prospects of human embryo research as well as research spurred by the mapping of the human genome, (b) the questions surrounding the likely prospects of human embryo research and those spurring mapping of the human genome, (c) Questions that surround the prospects of human embryo research and that spurred by the mapping of the human genome, (d) Questions, surrounding the probable prospects of human research as well as one spurred by the mapping of the human genome, (e) Questions surrounding the prospects of human embryo research and research spurring mapping human genome, (a) Redundancy, pronoun and faulty parallelism. The sentence is with the subject 'questions', which are resulted by the 'prospects of embryo research' and by the prospects 'research spurred by mapping of the human genome' are generating new laws. This is idea is correctly and precisely expressed by the given sentence correctly. The use of 'as well as' clearly expresses the close relation clearly. (a) Correct. The sentence is parallel in all aspects. The questions generated by prospects of X as well as Y, are generating new laws based on consultation with national and international ethics committees etc. this option is correct. (b) The pronoun 'those' comes to mean questions because of the parallel structure. It is not 'questions that spurred by the mapping of human genome'. It is 'questions surrounding the prospects of research'. Moreover, the use of 'likely' with 'prospects' results in redundancy error. (c) The parallel structure with two 'that' clauses connects the second 'that' clause to questions giving the illogical sense of questions that were spurred by the mapping of human genome. Even if it were to be argued to be right, we need to use 'were spurred' or 'those spurred by the mapping...' to make it grammatically correct. (d) Even with the illogical structure argued about in options B and C, 'one', the pronoun does not agree with the antecedent 'questions'. Finally, 'probable prospects' is redundant expression. (e) The expression 'research spurring mapping human genome' is not the intended meaning. We need passive participle 'research spurred by the mapping of human genome'. Thus, this option is incorrect. Solution.