Wednesday, February 28, 2007

SC's Question number - 945, 946

945). Without hearing a word of what is being said or shouted, an experienced trader on the floor of the stock exchange can listen to the hum of voices around them and tell what is happening.

(A) Without hearing a word of what is being said or shouted, an experienced trader

(B) Without hearing a word of what is being said or shouted, experienced traders

(C) Even though the person has not heard a word of what is being said or shouted, an experienced trader

(D) Even when the person has not heard a word that is being said or shouted, experienced traders

(E) In spite of not hearing a word of what is being said or shouted, an experienced trader

946). Wynton and Branford Marsalis, brothers who have fused the complex rhythms of contemporary jazz with the rollicking musical legacy of their hometown, are fitting symbols of the New Orleans jazz revival.

(A) Wynton and Branford Marsalis, brothers who have fused the complex rhythms of contemporary jazz with the rollicking musical legacy of their hometown, are fitting symbols of the New Orleans jazz revival.

(B) Wynton and Branford Marsalis are brothers, have fused the complex rhythms of contemporary jazz with the rollicking musical legacy of their hometown, and are fitting symbols of the New Orleans jazz revival.

(C) The Marsalis brothers, Wynton and Branford, have fused the complex rhythms of contemporary jazz with the rollicking musical legacy of their hometown, which is a fitting symbol of the New Orleans jazz revival.

(D) Fusing the rhythms of contemporary jazz, which are complex, with the rollicking musical legacy of their hometown, Wynton and Branford Marsalis are a fitting symbol of the New Orleans jazz revival.

(E) A fitting symbol of the New Orleans jazz revival are brothers Wynton and Branford Marsalis, who fuse the complex rhythms of contemporary jazz with the rollicking musical legacy of their hometown.

Answers --

945). OA - B

A, C, E - incorrect - need plural antecedent for they.

D - incorrect - the person...experienced traders

946). A is the best answer.

B - incorrect - awkward

C - incorrect - wrongly suggests that hometown is a fitting symbol of the New Orleans jazz revival.

D - incorrect - omission of brothers

E - incorrect - subject verb agreement -- A fitting symbol....are brothers....

SC's Question number - 947, 948

947). Young female ballet dancers and gymnasts sometimes fail to maintain good eating habits caused by the desire to be as thin as possible.

(A) Young female ballet dancers and gymnasts sometimes fail to maintain good eating habits caused by the desire to be as thin as possible.

(B) Good eating habits sometimes fail to be maintained by young female ballet dancers and gymnasts caused by desiring to be as thin as possible.

(C) Because they desire to be as thin as possible, good eating habits are sometimes not maintained by young female ballet dancers and gymnasts.

(D) Because they desire to be as thin as possible, young female ballet dancers and gymnasts sometimes fail to maintain good eating habits.

(E) Young female ballet dancers and gymnasts sometimes fail to maintain good eating habits because they desire to be as thin as possible


948). A discussion of our nation's foreign policy must begin with the fact of there being an independent Western Europe which now thinks of itself in trans-nationalist terms.

(A) A discussion of our nation's foreign policy must begin with the fact of there being

(B) Beginning any discussion of our nation's foreign policy must be the fact of there being

(C) Any discussion of our nation's foreign policy must begin with the fact that there is

(D) Any discussion of our nation's foreign policy must begin by acknowledging the existence of

(E) To begin discussing our nation's foreign policy there must be an acknowledgment of the fact that


Answers --

947). OA - D

A - incorrect - illogically suggests - the desire to be as thin as possible causes a failure to maintain good eating habits

A, B - incorrect - passive

C - incorrect - illogically suggests that good eating habits are the one to desire.

E - incorrect - they ambiguous - refers to eating habits or ballet dancers ?.

NOTE : Because.... is right - clearly acting as a subordinate clause to an independent clause.



948). OA - D - most concise and clear.

A, B - incorrect - use of being

C - incorrect - wordy - with the fact that there is
http://gmat-grammar.blogspot.com/2006/06/few-quick-tips.html

E - incorrect - wordy

Sunday, February 25, 2007

SC's Question number - 949, 950

949). Already discussed on the link below - Question number 80.

http://gmatsentencecorrection.blogspot.com/2006/10/gmat-sentence-correction-79-80.html

950). A private house in New York City is a building owned by an individual or individuals having less than eight units and no commercial space .


(A) a building owned by an individual or individuals having less than eight units and no commercial space

(B) one that an individual or individuals own with fewer than eight units and no commercial space

(C) a building with fewer than eight units, no commercial space, and is owned by an individual or individuals

(D) one that has fewer than eight units, no commercial space and it is owned by an individual or individuals

(E) one that has fewer than eight units, is owned by an individual or individuals, and has no commercial space


Answers --

950). E is the best choice - maintains parallelism.


A, B - incorrect - misplaced modifier - units and space incorrectly modifying individuals.

C - incorrect - violating parallelism - missing the verb - has no commercial space

D - incorrect - redundant - use of it not required as subject one is already present.

SC's Question number - 951, 952

951). A substance from the licorice plant, 50 times sweeter than sucrose, was recently discovered, is not only a natural sweetener but also prevents tooth decay.

(A) A substance from the licorice plant, 50 times sweeter than sucrose, was recently discovered

(B) A substance, which was recently discovered, from the licorice plant, 50 times sweeter than sucrose,

(C) A substance from the licorice plant, which was recently discovered to be 50 times sweeter than sucrose,

(D) A substance from the licorice plant, 50 times sweeter than sucrose , which was recently discovered,

(E) A recently discovered substance, 50 times sweeter than sucrose from the licorice plant,


952). After more than four decades of research and development, a new type of jet engine is being tested that could eventually propel aircraft anywhere in the world within two hours or help boost cargoes into space at significantly lower costs than current methods permit.

(A) tested that could eventually propel aircraft anywhere in the world within two or help

(B) tested that could eventually have the capability of propelling aircraft anywhere in the world within two hours or to help

(C) tested, eventually able to propel aircraft anywhere in the world within two hours, or helping

(D) tested, and it eventually could propel aircraft anywhere in the world within two hours, or helping

(E) tested, and it could eventually have the capability to propel aircraft anywhere in the world within two hours or help



Answers --

951). OA given is B. However I do not agree with it.


I pick up C as the best choice - Which in C refers to substance. In general, relative pronouns usually refer to the immediately preceding words. However exceptions are always there. In my opinion such a question will not appear on GMAT.
Excellent discussion on the usage of relative pronoun on GMAT club by Paul

A - incorrect - run on sentence


B - incorrect - "50 times sweeter than sucrose" seems to be modifying Licorice plant and not the substance -"how can a plant be 50 times sweeter than sucrose?".

Also it is wrong to have any kind of parenthetical element right before a prepositional phrase

D - incorrect - which is ambiguous

E - incorrect - suggests wrongly that it was not sucrose which was brought from Licorice Plant.


952). OA - A.

B - incorrect - violating parallelism - propelling...help

C, D - incorrect - violating parallelism - propel ... helping

E - incorrect - "have the capability to" and "could/can" are redundant. (OG 10th sc no. 87)

SC's Question number - 953, 954

953). Although no proof yet exists of electromagnetic fields generated by household appliances posing any health threat , mounting scientific evidence has convinced many experts that there is cause for concern.

(A) of electromagnetic fields generated by household appliances posing any health threat

(B) of electromagnetic fields generated by household appliances that pose any threat to health

(C) that electromagnetic fields generated by household appliances pose any threat to health

(D) that poses any threat to health from electromagnetic fields generated by household appliances

(E) for any health threat posed by electromagnetic fields generated by household appliances

954). Art historians are using a process known as infrared scanning in analyzing the Mona Lisa to determine if it has been altered since completion and if Leonardo da Vinci first sketched the figure in black, as done by many artists of the time.

(A) if it has been altered since completion and if Leonardo da Vinci first sketched the figure in black, as done

(B) if it had been altered since completion and if Leonardo da Vinci first sketched the figure in black, a practice employed

(C) whether it has been altered since completion and whether Leonardo da Vinci first sketched the figure in black, a practice employed

(D) whether it was altered since completion and whether Leonardo da Vinci first sketched the figure in black, as was done

(E) whether it had been altered since completion and whether Leonardo da Vinci first sketched the figure in black, a practice done



Answers --

953). OA - C
C can be reconstructed as follows : Although no proof that electromagnetic fields generated by household appliances pose any threat to health yet exists, mounting scientifc evidence has convinced many experts that there is cause for concern.

Restrictive Clause : that electromagnetic fields generated by household appliances pose any threat to health (modifying proof)

A, B - incorrect - "proof of electromagnetic fields" - wrong.

D - incorrect - Proof poses any threat -- wrong

E - incorrect - Passive

954). OA - C - since ---- implies from past till present (now) - so, "has been" is correct

A, B - incorrect - use of "if" - (on GMAT generally whether is preferred over if)

D - incorrect - wrong tense was - must be present tense.

E - incorrect - past perfect (wrong tense) -- illogically suggests alteration was done before the completion of painting

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

SC's Question number - 955, 956

955). Asset allocators create portfolios, often in the form of mutual funds, with the intention to turn in good results in both "bull" and "bear" markets.

(A) with the intention

(B) the intention of which is

(C) intended

(D) and intending

(E) so intended as


956). Baker was perhaps not the most gifted soloist in the orchestra, but the conductor felt what was lacking in his technical skill was more than made up by the passion with which he played the music.

(A) what was lacking in his technical skill was more than made up by

(B) what he lacked in technical skill was more than made up by

(C) whatever was lacking in his technical skill was more than made up by

(D) whatever he lacked in technical skill was more than made up for by

(E) whatever he lacked in technical skill he more than made up by


Answers --

955). C is the best choice. - Asset allocators create portfolios, often in the form of mutual funds, intended to turn in good results in both "bull" and "bear" markets.

A - incorrect - portfolios cannot have any intention.

B - incorrect - to be successful is not the intention of mutual funds

D - incorrect - Asset allocators create portfolios, often in the form of mutual funds, and intending to turn in good results in both "bull" and "bear" markets.

E - incorrect - unidiomatic

956). The answer given in 1000 SC's is wrong i.e B. The correct answer is D.
The phrasal verb - to make up for means to compensate for.

SC's Question number - 957, 958

957). By law, a qualified physician can only prescribe medicine, protecting the public.

(A) By law, a qualified physician can only prescribe medicine, protecting the public.

(B) By law, only a qualified physician can prescribe medicine, protecting the public.

(C) By law, only a qualified physician can prescribe medicine which protects the public.

(D) In order to protect the public, by law a qualified physician only can prescribe medicine.

(E) In order to protect the public, by law only a qualified physician can prescribe medicine.

958). Cartographers have long struggled with the problem of having the spherical Earth to draw on a flat sheet of paper .

(A) having the spherical Earth to draw on a flat sheet of paper

(B) having a flat sheet of paper on which to draw the spherical Earth

(C) how can one draw the spherical Earth on a flat sheet of paper

(D) how they could use a flat sheet of paper to draw the spherical Earth

(E) how to draw the spherical Earth on a flat sheet of paper



Answers --

957). OA - E

A, B, C - incorrect - awkward - law protect people ..not by law protect people

A, D - incorrect - wrongly says that a qualified physician can only prescribe medicine, and not do anything else

C - incorrect - wrongly says that medicines are protecting the public

958). E is the best choice -- ....the problem with how to do s-thing.... -- idiomatic

A, B - incorrect - having => possessive - the spherical earth cannot be possessed.

C - incorrect - use of one incorrect

D - incorrect - distorts the meaning - illogically suggests you use paper to draw the spherical earth.

SC's Question number - 959, 960

959). Child care already a solid part of the employee benefits package at many companies, more businesses are focusing on a newer family benefit known as elder care, servicing for older dependents.

(A) Child care

(B) With child care

(C) Child care as

(D) Being the Child care was

(E) With child care's being

960). Constance Horner, chief of the United States government's personnel agency, has recommended that the use of any dangerous or illegal drug in the five years prior to application for a job be grounds for not hiring an applicant.

(A) the use of any dangerous or illegal drug in the five years prior to application for a job be grounds for not hiring an applicant

(B) any dangerous or illegal drug, if used in the five years prior to applying for a job, should be grounds for not hiring an applicant

(C) an applicant's use of any dangerous or illegal drug in the five years prior to application for a job be grounds not to hire them

(D) an applicant's use of any dangerous or illegal drug in the five years prior to applying for a job are grounds that they not be hired

(E) for five years prior to applying for a job, an applicant's use of any dangerous or illegal drug be grounds for not hiring them



Answers --

959). B is the best choice.

A - incorrect - Child care already a solid part of the employee benefits package at many companies -> acts as an appositive for more companies ..hence wrongly suggests child care = more companies.

D, E - incorrect - use of being

C - incorrect - run on sentence

960). A is the best choice.

C, D, E - incorrect - applicant (singular).....them(plural)

B - incorrect - sunjunctive so should must be avoided.

Link below deals with subjunctive verbs.
http://gmat-grammar.blogspot.com/2006_06_01_gmat-grammar_archive.html

Friday, February 16, 2007

SC's Question number - 961, 962

961). Consumer confidence levels, which many economists consider an early indication of the economy's direction, sagged as the stock market tumbled, but not dramatically enough for giving a clear picture of new spending patterns.
(A) tumbled, but not dramatically enough for giving


(B) tumbled, but not dramatically enough to give

(C) tumbled, and not so dramatically as to have given

(D) has tumbled, and not dramatically enough to give

(E) has tumbled, but not so dramatically as to give

962). Contrary to the scholarly wisdom of the 1950's and early 1960's that predicted the processes of modernization and rationalization would gradually undermine it, ethnicity is a worldwide phenomenon of increasing importance.

(A) would gradually undermine it

(B) to be a gradual undermining of it

(C) would be a gradual undermining of ethnicity

(D) to gradually undermine ethnicity

(E) gradually undermining it



Answers --

961). OA - B

A - incorrect - unidiomatic - for giving

C, D - incorrect - use of and wrong , we need but to show contrast.

D, E - incorrect - use of present perfect tense is wrong here - We need simple past tense here

962). OA - A -- Predicted (future event here is predicted in the past) -- We require would in this sentence - would is the past tense of will.
"it" refers to ethnicity here.In this particular case the relative pronoun is inversed.

B, D, E - incorrect - use of will incorrect.

C - incorrect - wordy. Also a pronoun should precede the noun ethinicity.

Thursday, February 15, 2007

SC's Question number - 963, 964

963). For people who have never worked for a living, any job may instill a valuable sense of self-worth and open doors to better jobs in the future.

(A) may instill a valuable sense of self-worth and open doors to better jobs in the future

(B) might instill for them a valuable sense of self- worth and to open doors to better jobs in the future

(C) may, in them, instill a valuable sense of self-worth, opening their doors to better jobs in the future

(D) opening the door later for a better job and giving them a valuable sense of self-worth now

(E) may open the door for a better job later and giving them a valuable sense now of their self-worth

964). In a leveraged buyout, investors borrow huge sums of money to buy companies, hoping to pay off the debt by using the company's earnings and to profit richly by the later resale of the companies or their divisions.

(A) by using the company's earnings and to profit


(B) by using the companies' earnings and by profiting

(C) using the companies' earnings and profiting

(D) with the company's earnings, profiting

(E) with the companies' earnings and to profit


Answers --

963). OA - A


B - incorrect - unidiomatic - instill for

C - incorrect - use of they, them makes this choice awkward

D - incorrect - changes the meaning

E - incorrect - violating parallelism - may open ... giving

964). OA - E

B, C, D - incorrect - violating parallelism - Need to profit to maintain the parallel structure.

A - incorrect - uses company's (singular)

SC's Question number - 965, 966

965). In many upper-class Egyptian homes, French was spoken within the family, just as it had once been among the Russian aristocracy.

(A) just as it had once been among the Russian aristocracy

(B) just like it once been among the Russian aristocracy

(C) just as Russian aristocracy had once done

(D) similar to what the Russian aristocracy had once done

(E) like what had once been done by the Russian aristocracy


966). In repousse, a method of sculpture, workers lay copper sheets over wooden molds, and then, using a variety of exotic hammers, carefully pounding the metal into shape.

(A) In repousse, a method of sculpture, workers lay copper sheets over wooden molds, and then, using a variety of exotic hammers, carefully pounding the metal into shape.

(B) Repousse is method of sculpture in which workers lay copper sheets over wooden molds and then, using a variety of exotic hammers, carefully pound the metal into shape.

(C) Repousse workers, who do a method of sculpture by laying copper sheets over wooden molds, use a variety of exotic hammers, and then pounding the metal into shape.

(D) Workers who lay copper sheets over wooden molds use a variety of exotic hammers and carefully pound the metal into shape in order to do repousse, a method of sculpture.

(E) Laying copper sheets over wooden molds, and using a variety of exotic hammers in order to pound the metal into shape, repousse is a method of sculpture done by workers


Answers --

965). A is the best choice.

B, E - incorrect - actions are similar hence the use of like is wrong

C, D - incorrect - violating parallelism - first part of the sentence is in passive, so second half should also be in passive voice.

In many upper-class Egyptian homes, French was spoken within the family, just as it(French) had once been (spoken)among the Russian aristocracy

966). B is the best choice - correctly emphasises on Repousse and maintains parallelism pound ...lay

A - incorrect - violating parallelism - pounding is not parallel to lay. Further use of in is incorrect in In repousse

C, D - incorrect - awkward, change the meaning.

E - incorrect - dangling modifier error - who is laying and using - not stated.

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

SC's Question number - 967, 968

967). In the late nineteenth century Annie Besant was widely regarded as one of the greatest living public orators, second only to Gladstone in a culture where oratory was the dominant public medium.

(A) as one of the greatest living public orators, second only

(B) to be one of the greatest living public orators, secondary only

(C) that she was one of the greatest living public orators, secondary only

(D) as being one of the greater living public orators she was only second

(E) to be greater than most other living public orators, and she was second only


968). Interest rates on mortgages have declined steadily during the first six months of this year but virtually remained unchanged during the next three months.

(A) have declined steadily during the first six months of this year but virtually remained unchanged

(B) declined steadily during the first six months of this year but virtually remain unchanged

(C) steadily declined during the first six months of this year but remain virtually unchanged

(D) declined steadily during the first six months of this but have remained virtually unchanging'

(E) declined steadily during the first six months of this year but have remained virtually unchanged


Answers --

967). A is the best choice. - regard as - correct idiom

B, C, E - incorrect - unidiomatic

D - incorrect - passive .. use of being

968). E is the best choice.

A, B - incorrect - misplaced word modifier - virtually incorrectly modifying remain instead of unchanged.

C - incorrect - violating verb tense - going from simple past to present tense.

D - incorrect - unchanging is wrong.

SC's Question number - 969, 970

969). Leaching, the recovery of copper from the drainage water of mines, as a method of the extraction of minerals, it was well established as early as the eighteenth century, but until about 25 years ago miners did not realize that bacteria taken an active part in the process.

(A) as a method of the extraction of minerals, it was well established

(B) as a method of the extraction of minerals well established

(C) was a well-established method of mineral extraction

(D) was a well-established method of extracting mineral that was

(E) had been a method of mineral extraction, well established

970). Lincoln, discovering in young manhood the secret that the Yankee peddler has learned before him, knew how to use a good story to generate good will.

(A) Lincoln, discovering in young manhood the secret that the Yankee peddler has learned before him, knew

(B) Discovering in young manhood the secret that the Yankee peddler has learned before him, Lincoln knew

(C) Lincoln, discovering the secret that the Yankee peddler had learned in young manhood before him, knew

(D) In young manhood Lincoln discovered the secret that the Yankee peddler had learned before him:

(E) Lincoln, discovered in young manhood the secret that the Yankee peddler had learned before him, knew



Answers --

969). OA - C - has correct verb-tense agreement. Correctly makes "well-established" the adjective of the proper noun "method"

A, B - incorrect - missing verb - verb is necessary here to make first half of the sentence a clause.

D - incorrect -"that was as early as" - wrongly suggests that the mineral was as early as 18 century

E - incorrect - misplaced modifier - is it the "mineral extraction" or the "method" which is "well-established"? Further wrongly suggests that leaching is no longer a method of mineral extraction

970). D is the best among all wrong choices

A, B, C - incorrect - the learning happened before the discovery so past perfect is needed.
C - incorrect - misplaced modifier - "in young manhood before him" wrongly suggests that there were other manhoods before him

E - incorrect - wrongly suggests that Lincoln was discovered.

NOTE : A present participle is best used to denote an action that is ongoing

SC's Question number - 971, 972

971). Many economists predict that the next recession, when it comes, will be caused by Federal Reserve action taken to prevent an inflationary upsurge that would result if the economy were to expand at an annual rate of three percent or more.

(A) taken to prevent an inflationary upsurge that would result

(B) they took for preventing an inflationary upsurge that would result

(C) taken to prevent an inflationary upsurge resulting

(D) they took to prevent an inflationary upsurge resulting

(E) taken for preventing an inflationary upsurge that will result

972). Many environmentalists believe that the widespread planting of trees, along with the conservation of existing forests, would be one of the surest, easiest, and least expensive ways to begin to halt or even to reverse the buildup of carbon dioxide in the air.

(A) one of the surest, easiest, and least expensive ways to begin to halt or even to reverse

(B) one of the most sure, easy, and least expensive ways to begin a halt or even reverse

(C) one of the surest, easiest, and least expensive ways that would begin halting or even reversing

(D) a most sure, easy, and inexpensive way beginning the halting and even reversing of

(E) the most sure, easiest, and inexpensive way that would begin halting or even reversing



Answers --

971). OA - A - Conditional - X would result...... if Y were to happen......Subjunctive were ... so would is correct

B, D - incorrect - they - incorrectly refers to Federal reserve and not to the action.

C - incorrect - resulting wrong

E - incorrect - unidiomatic - taken for --- instead of will would is required.


972). OA - A - some of the surest, easiest least expensive ways to begin to halt

B, E - incorrect - modifier error - "most" modifying sure, easiest, least

C - incorrect - unidiomatic - ways that - must be ways to

D - incorrect - We need definite article the instead of
a

Monday, February 05, 2007

SC's Question number - 973, 974

973). No matter how patiently they explain their reasons for confiscating certain items, travelers often treat customs inspectors like wanton poachers rather than government employees .

(A) travelers often treat customs inspectors like wanton poachers rather than government employees

(B) travelers often treat customs inspectors as wanton poachers instead of government employees

(C) travelers often treat customs inspectors as if they were not government employees but wanton poachers

(D) customs inspectors are often treated by travelers as if they were wanton poachers rather than government employees

(E) customs inspectors are often treated not like government employees but wanton poachers by travelers

974). One noted economist has made a comparison of the Federal Reserve and an automobile as racing through a tunnel, bouncing first off one wall, then the other: the car may get where it is going, but people may be hurt in the process.

(A) made a comparison of the Federal Reserve and an automobile as racing through a tunnel, bouncing

(B) made a comparison between the Federal Reserve and an automobile racing through a tunnel, bouncing

(C) compared the federal Reserve with an automobile as racing through a tunnel and which bounced

(D) compared the Federal Reserve to an automobile racing through a tunnel, bouncing

(E) compared the Federal Reserve with an automobile that races through a tunnel and it bounces


Answers --

973). Best answer - D


A, B, C - incorrect - Dangling modifiers. -- Link below explains the dangling modifier concept.
http://gmat-grammar.blogspot.com/2006_05_01_gmat-grammar_archive.html

E - incorrect - violating parallelism - "not... but..." parallelism rule. "not like government employees,"........."but like wanton poachers."
Also treat like - unidiomatic

NOTE - Pronouns refer not necessarily to the nearest eligible noun at times....there are many such examples in OG ---
Quasars are so distant that their light has taken billions of years to reach the Earth; consequently, we see them as they were during the formation of the universe.The pronouns "them" and "they" refer to "quasars," and not to the nearest eligible noun "years."

In D "they" clearly refers to "customs inspectors." The 1st "they" refers to "customs inspectors," which is the subject of the sentence.


974). D is the best choice.

"compared to" is used to compare to unlike things to emphasize their similarity.

The economist compared India's economy to a high-speed train. India's economy and the train are two different entities

A, C - incorrect - " compare as " is unidiomatic.

B - incorrect -"compare between X and Y" is unidomatic.
E - incorrect - referent of it not clear

SC's Question number - 975, 976

975). Puritan fanatics brought to civil and military affairs a coolness of judgment and mutability of purpose that some writers have though inconsistent with their religious zeal, but which was in fact a natural outgrowth of it.

(A) but which was in fact a natural outgrowth of it

(B) but which were in fact a natural outgrowth of it

(C) but which were in fact natural outgrowths of it

(D) but it was in fact a natural outgrowth of them

(E) which was in fact a natural outgrowth of it

976). Seeking to spur science education, elementary and secondary schools will receive $25 million over the next ten years from the National Science Foundation to promote science.

(A) elementary and secondary schools will receive $25 million over the next ten years from the National Science Foundation to promote science

(B) $25 million will be spent by the National Science Foundation over the next ten years to promote science in elementary and secondary schools

(C) over the next ten years $25 million will be spent on elementary and secondary schools by the National Science Foundation for promoting science

(D) the National Science Foundation is to spend $25 million over the next ten years for promoting science in elementary and secondary schools

(E) the National Science Foundation will spend $25 million over the next ten years to promote science in elementary and secondary schools


Answers --

975). Best choice is C -- OA - C - Puritan fanatics brought to civil and military affairs a coolness of judgment and mutability of purpose that some writers have though inconsistent with their religious zeal, but which were in fact natural outgrowths of it .

A, D, E - incorrect - was is wrong -- a coolness of judgment and mutability of purpose - need plural verb were

B - incorrect - outgrowth is incorrect - Coolness of judgement and mutability of purpose are OUTGROWTHS of their religious zeal.

976). E is the best choice.

A,B, C - incorrect - modifier error - ''National Science Foundation' should modify the clause " Seeking to spur science education". Hence must be placed close to it.

D - incorrect - is to spend is unidiomatic

SC's Question number - 977, 978

977). Some archaeologists claim that the tablets found at Ebla could force a revision of current theories on the origins of Judaism and Christianity, alter many scriptural interpretations, make all current Bible translations obsolete, and scholars may be required to credit the Old Testament with greater historical accuracy.

(A) scholars may be required to credit the Old Testament with greater historical accuracy

(B) crediting the Old Testament with greater historical accuracy may be required of scholars

(C) require that scholars are to credit the Old Testament with greater historical accuracy

(D) crediting the Old Testament with greater historical accuracy may be a scholarly requirement

(E) require scholars to credit the Old Testament with greater historical accuracy

978). Tektites, which may have been propelled to Earth from lunar volcanoes, are much like the volcanic glass obsidian, but their chemical composition is different than any terrestrial lava; they contain far less water than obsidian does and none of its characteristic microcrystals.

(A) is different than any terrestrial lava; they contain

(B) is different than any terrestrial lava's, containing

(C) is different from that of any terrestrial lava; they contain

(D) differs from any terrestrial lava in containing

(E) differs from that of any terrestrial lava's, containing



Answers --

977). Best answer is E

A,B, D - incorrect - violating parallelism

C - incorrect - violating parallelism by inserting unnecessary that

978). C is the best choice.

A, B - incorrect - different than - unidiomatic

E - incorrect - uses repeated possession" that of .....lava's"

either use the "possesive form" or use the construction "that of", but not both.

D - incorrect comparison - compares the lava with
the chemical composition of Tektites

SC's Question number - 979, 980

979). The failing of the book lies not in a lack of attention to scientific detail but in the depiction of scenes of life and death in the marine world with emotional overtones that reduce the credibility of the work.

(A) the depiction of scenes of life and death in the marine world with emotional overtones that

(B) fact that it depicts marine world scenes of life and death as having emotional overtones that

(C) depiction of scenes of life and death in the marine world, whose emotional overtones

(D) depiction of marine world scenes of life and death, which have emotional overtones and thus

(E) fact that if depicts scenes of life and death in the marine world, whose emotional overtones

980). The Immigration Service now has the discretionary power to keep families united even though all their members do not meet the five-year residency requirement.

(A) all their members do not meet the five-year residency requirement

(B) not all their members meet the five-year residency requirement

(C) all their members have not met the requirement for a five-year residency

(D) not all their members have resided for five years, a requirement

(E) all their members have not resided for five years, as required


Answers --

979). A is the best choice

B, E - incorrect - fact is incorrect as this is only an opinion.

D - incorrect - wrongly suggests that life and death have overtones

C - incorrect - unidiomatic - "depict X with Y" - correct idiom

"depict X with Y" - is used to show more of the way in which the depiction is made

980). B is the best choice.

D, E - incorrect - the "five-year residency requirement" as an adjective does not need an "s" at the end of "five-year".

"s" right in case "five years" was the subject or object of the sentence.

A - incorrect - "X can have discretionary power even though not all members meet some conditions" - instead of not all should be some

C - incorrect - wrong tense - simple present tense is right

SC's Question number - 981, 982

981). The Lake Manyara Park in Tanzania affords the visitor with unequaled opportunities to photograph lions playing in trees without the aid of telephoto lenses.

(A) The Lake Manyara Park in Tanzania affords the visitor with unequaled opportunities to photograph lions playing in trees without the aid of telephoto lenses.

(B) The Lake Manyara Park in Tanzania permits the visitor unequaled opportunities to photograph lions playing in trees without the aid of telephoto lenses.

(C) The Lake Manyara Park in Tanzania gives the visitor the unequalled opportunity to photograph lions playing in trees without telephoto lenses.

(D) The visitor to the Lake Manyara Park in Tanzania has the unequaled opportunity to photograph lions playing in trees without the aid of telephoto lenses.

(E) Even without the aid of telephoto lenses, the visitor to Tanzania's Lake Manyara Park has an unequaled opportunity to photograph lions playing in trees.


982). The rise in the price of crabmeat and an increase in demand has convinced some Floridians they should try to harvest and sell a species of large crab that lives deep in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

(A) has convinced some Floridians they should try to harvest and sell a species of large crab

(B) has convinced some Floridians to try harvesting and selling a large crab species

(C) has convinced some Floridians that they should try the harvest and sale of a large crab species

(D) have convinced some Floridians to try to harvest and sell a species of large crab

(E) have convinced some Floridians to try and harvest and sell a large crab species


Answers --

981). Best choice is E

A, B, C, D - incorrect - modifier error - wrongly suggests -- lions playing in trees without the aid of telephoto lenses.

982). Best choice is D

A, B, C - incorrect - should be have not has -The rise in the price of crabmeat and an increase demand ...have

E - incorrect - awkward construction -- "have convinced some Floridians to try and harvest and sell a large crab species"

Thursday, February 01, 2007

SC's Question number - 983, 984

983). The skill and the precision of the Anasazi, ancient inhabitants of the Southwest, in measuring the movements of the Sun and Moon is evidenced not only at Chaco Canyon but at a number of other sites.

(A) in measuring the movements of the Sun and Moon is evidenced not only at

(B) in measuring the movements of the Sun and Moon are evidenced not only at

(C) in measuring the movements of the Sun and Moon is evidenced at not only

(D) to measure the movements of the Sun and Moon is evidenced at not only

(E) to measure the movements of the Sun and Moon are evidenced not only at

984). There is ample evidence, derived from the lore of traditional folk medicine, that naturally occurring antibiotics are usually able to be modified to make them a more effective drug.

(A) are usually able to be modified to make them a more effective drug

(B) are usually able to be modified to make them more effective drugs

(C) are usually able to be modified, which makes them more effective drug

(D) can usually be modified to make them a more effective drug

(E) can usually be modified to make them more effective drugs


Answers --

983). B is the best choice.

A, C, D - incorrect - Plural subject so we need are not is


E - incorrect - Idiom: skill in doing something.
His skill in teaching is better than His skill to teach

984). E is the best choice.

A, B, C - incorrect - "able to be" - On GMAT if active voice is correct, it is preferred over passive voice

D - incorrect - violates parallelism - must be ......antibiotics .... drugs

SC's Question number - 985, 986

985). Those who have visited the Grand Canyon have typically seen layers of sediment in the gaping canyon, with different colors that mark the passage of time like the rings in a tree trunk.

(A) seen layers of sediment in the gaping canyon, with different colors that mark

(B) see layers of sediment in the gaping canyon, whose different colors mark

(C) been seeing layers of sediment in the gaping canyon, whose different colors are markers of

(D) been able to see layers of sediment in the gaping canyon, with different colors marking

(E) seen layers of sediment in the gaping canyon, marking by different colors

986). Turkey's economy has grown prodigiously over the past ten years, averaging an annual increase each year that is about eight percent—one of the highest growth rates in the world.

(A) averaging an annual increase each year that is about eight percent

(B) with an annual average each year which is about eight percent

(C) eight percent is what it averages out to each year

(D) with an average annual increase of about eight percent

(E) the average of the annual increase each year is about eight percent


Answers --

985). OA - A, the answer given in 1000SC's collection is wrong.

B, C - incorrect - no clear antecedent for pronoun whose

D - incorrect - wordy - been able to see

E - incorrect - unclear subject for marking - layers or the Canyon that is marking the passage of time?

986). OA - D

A, B, E - incorrect - redundancy error - average annual increase and each year

C - incorrect - awkward construction

SC's Question number - 987, 988

987). With cloning technology, scientists are approaching what has long been the ultimate goal of modern husbandry: achieving a consistency of quality and production in farm animals as once thought to be limited to manufactured goods.

(A) achieving a consistency of quality and production in farm animals as once thought to be

(B) achieving farm animals with a consistency of quality and production as were once thought of as

(C) achieving in farm animals a consistency of quality and production that was once thought to be

(D) achievement of farm animals whose consistency of quality and production are the same as what were once thought to he

(E) achievement of farm animals at a consistency of quality and production once thought of as


988). Tom Bradley was mayor of Los Angeles from 1973 to 1993, an era when the city had transformed from a collection of suburban neighborhoods to the second-largest city in the United States.


(A) an era when the city had transformed

(B) an era during which the city was transformed

(C) an era that transformed it

(D) during which era the city transformed

(E) during which the city was transformed


Answers --

987). C is the best choice.

A - incorrect - is unclear -- "consistency of quality" and "production in farm animals" or consistency of "quality and production", in farm animals.

A, B - incorrect - Actions are not being compared so use of AS is wrong in A

D, E - incorrect - "achievement of farm animals" - making no sense.

B, D - incorrect - using plural verb for Consistency - were

988) . B is the best choice - (Appositive) -- Emphasis is on the ERA, when Y was Mayor.

A - incorrect - Cannot be past and past-perfect at the same time - "the city has transformed"

C - incorrect - use of it - ambiguous

D, E - incorrect - use of "during" is wrong in D and E because there is no antecedent for "during which" .

We need 'an era' as an appositive otherwise the clauses at the end would modify the year instead of the
period

SC's Question number - 989, 990

989). The results of the company's cost-cutting measures are evident in its profits, which increased five percent during the first three months of this year after it fell over the last two years.

(A) which increased five percent during the first three months of this year after it fell

(B) which had increased five percent during the first three months of this year after it had fallen

(C) which have increased five percent during the first three months of this year after falling

(D) with a five percent increase during the first three months of this year after falling

(E) with a five percent increase during the first three months of this year after having fallen

990). Part of the proposed increase in state education spending is due to higher enrollment, since the number of students in public schools have grown steadily since the mid-1980's and, at nearly 47 million, are at a record high.


(A) enrollment, since the number of students in public schools have grown steadily since the mid-1980's and, at nearly 47 million, are at

(B) enrollment, with a number of students in public schools growing steadily since the mid-1980's and, at nearly 47 million, reaching

(C) enrollment: since students in public schools have grown steadily in number since the mid-1980's and, at nearly 47 million, have reached

(D) enrollment: the number of student in public schools has grown steadily since the mid-1980's and, at nearly 47 million, has reached

(E) enrollment: students in public schools have grown steadily in number, since the mid-1980's and, at nearly 47 million, are at

Answers:

989). OA - C

A, B - incorrect - wrong tense. Present perfect tense is required here.

D, E - incorrect - non essential modifier which is needed to modify profits

990). OA - D

A - incorrect - subject verb agreement - ...the number(singular)...have(plural)..

B - incorrect - awkward, violating paarllelism

A, C - incorrect - use of since is wrong.

C, E - incorrect - suggests that students have reached a record high..it is the number of students that has reached a record high


SC's Question number - 991, 992

991). Vivien Thomas, who had no formal medical training, in struggling against overwhelming odds, he became a cardiac surgeon and eventually to receive an honorary doctorate from Johns Hopkins University.

A) who had no formal medical training, in struggling against overwhelming odds, he became

B) having had no formal medical training, in struggling against overwhelming odds to become

C) who, having no formal medical training, he struggled against overwhelming odds in becoming

D) who, having had no formal medical training and struggled against overwhelming odds, became

E) who had no formal medical training, struggled against overwhelming odds to become

992). The yield of natural gas from Norway's Troil gas field is expected to increase annually until the year 2005 and then to stabilize at six billion cubic feet a day, which will allow such an extraction rate at least for 50 years' production.

A) 2005 and then to stabilize at six billion cubic feet a day, which will allow such an extraction rate at least for

B) 2005 and then to stabilize at six billion cubic feet a day, an extraction rate that will allow at least

C) 2005 and then stabilizing at six billion cubic feet a day, with such an extraction rate at the least allowing

D) 2005, then stabilizing at six billion cubic feet a day, allowing such an extraction rate for at least

E) 2005, then stabilizing at six billion cubic feet a day, which will allow such an extraction rate for at least


Answers --

991). E is the best choice - maintains parallelism.

992). B is the best choice

A - incorrect - use of which - ambiguous

C,D,E - incorrect - violating parallelism - to increase .... to stabilize