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56 Cards in this Set

  • Front
  • Back
Identify the error:
The development of a new drug for the treatment of a variety of nervous system disorders indicate that the university’s
research funding is producing real results.
This question is about subject-verb agreement. The verb
“indicate” disagrees with the singular subject “development.”
Note that this subject is separated from its verb by four
consecutive prepositional phrases. This is a good example of why it is very important to match up every subject-verb pair rather than
to play it by ear! 3.
Correct: The development of a new drug for the treatment of a
variety of nervous system disorders indicates that the university’s
research funding is producing real results.
Identify the error:
I sent a card thanking my eighth grade English teacher for teaching me about grammar and inspiration as a writer.
This question is about parallelism. Elements in a list must be parallel. “Teaching” and “inspiration” are not parallel. The lack of parallelism in this sentence not only sounds bad, it also creates an unintended meaning that the teacher taught the speaker about his or her inspiration, an unlikely occurrence.
Correct: I sent a card thanking my eighth grade English
teacher for teaching me about grammar and inspiring me as a
writer. 6.
Identify the errors:
If I was the owner of our building, I would demand, under threat of eviction, that you should cease playing your djembe at all hours.
This question is about the subjunctive mood. “If…was” is never correct (“If…would” is also incorrect). You must use the hypothetical subjunctive mood: “If…were.” The command subjunctive is more commonly tested on the GMAT and is found in the second part of the
sentence: “I would demand that you should cease.” “Demand that you should” is incorrect on the GMAT. With “bossy verbs,” use the bare
form of the verb (the infinitive form of the verb without the “to”). Correct: If I were the owner of our building, I would demand, underthreat of eviction, that you cease playing your djembe at all hours.18.
Identify the errors:
The committee told each of the disqualified candidates that their official policies prevented them from hiring them.
This question is about pronouns. “Committee” is singular; therefore, “their” and “them” do not match in number. “Each of the disqualified candidates” is also singular (“each” is singular, and “of the disqualified candidates” is simply a prepositional phrase);
therefore, the second “them” does not match in number.
Additionally, the use of “them” and “them” so close together is
ambiguous. One correction: The committee told each of the disqualified candidates that its official policies prevented it from hiring him or her. 19.
Identify the error:
The nation’s president would rather misappropriate foreign aid than actually attempting to help those in need.
This question is about parallelism. Elements in the
construction “rather X than Y” must be parallel. Correct: The nation’s president would rather misappropriate foreign aid than actually attempt to help those in need. 20.
Identify the errors:
Each of the athletes in the parade are carrying their nation’s flag.
This sentence has a subject-verb error and a pronoun error.
Although the sentence appears to be about athletes, the subject is actually the pronoun “each,” which is singular.
Therefore the verb “are” and the pronoun “their” do not match.
One correction: Each of the athletes in the parade is carrying his or her nation’s flag. 22.
Identify the error:
Superintendent Jackson’s administration is beginning to reform the school system, hiring new administrators, an increase in security, and overhauling the curriculum.
This problem is about parallelism. The administration is doing three things – hiring, increasing, and overhauling – all under the umbrella of “is beginning to reform the school
system.” To fix the sentence, we must make each item in the list match.
Correct: Superintendent Jackson’s administration is beginning to reform the school system, hiring new administrators, increasing security, and overhauling the
curriculum. 26.
Identify the errors:
The iconoclastic fitness guru preaches three main principles: eat five apples per day, exercising before a two‐hour brunch, and that you must burn calories by re-enacting action movies in your living room.
This question is about parallelism. Elements in a list must be parallel.
One correction: The iconoclastic fitness guru preaches three main
principles: eating five apples per day, exercising before a two-hour brunch, and burning calories by re-enacting action movies in your living room.
OR: The iconoclastic fitness guru preaches three main principles: eat five apples per day, exercise before a two-hour brunch, and burn calories by re-enacting action movies in your living room. 28.
Identify the errors:
Between my two brothers, Salvatore is the most intelligent. Between my three sisters, Julia is the most clever.
“Between” is for comparing two things; “among” is for three
or more. “More” is for comparing two things; “most” is for three or more.
Correct: Between my two brothers, Salvatore is the more
intelligent. Among my three sisters, Julia is the most clever. 9.
Identify the errors:
If my mother did not attend the London School of Economics, she might not meet my father, and I might not have been here now.
This question is about verb tense, specifically within “If…Then”constructions. The speaker’s mother’s nonattendance at the London
School of Economics is a past hypothetical; it needs to occur before the past tense in the “then” clause and thus must be in past perfect tense. The present tense is inadequate in “might not meet”; certainly the
speaker’s parents know one another, making the meeting an action that started in the past and continues into the present time. This requires a
present perfect construction. “Have been here now” is complex for no good reason; the simple present tense is correct.
One correction: If my mother had not attended the London School of Economics, she might not have met my father, and I might not be here
now. 12.
Identify the errors:
She requires that all of her children are to churn butter; resulting from this daily chore,
the children have formidable biceps.
This question is about verb mood and idioms. “Requires that… are” is incorrect. This clause is in the subjunctive mood, which uses the infinitive form of the verb without the “to” –in this case, simply “churn.” “Resulting from” in the second
clause is also incorrect – the correct idiom is “as a result of.”
One correction:. She requires that all of her children churn
butter; as a result of this daily chore, the children have
formidable biceps. 17.
Mr. Kozlowski is no less talented a dancer as Justin Timberlake; however, unlike with Timberlake, Mr. Kozlowski lacks a certain celebrity quality.
This question is about idioms and comparisons. “No less
talented as” is incorrect. It must be phrased “no less talented than.” “Unlike with” is incorrect – the comparison of nouns must only use the word “unlike.”
Correct:. Mr. Kozlowski is no less talented a dancer than
Justin Timberlake; however, unlike Timberlake, Mr. Kozlowski lacks a certain celebrity quality. 31.
Identify the errors:
My mother considers my vegetarianism as an insult to her cooking – it seems like she is obsessed with convincing me to try the rack
of lamb.
This question is about idioms. “Consider X as Y” is incorrect
(the “as” is unnecessary). It should be “consider X Y.”
“Seems like” followed by a clause is incorrect. “Seems that” or “seems as if” are both correct replacements.
Correct:. My mother considers my vegetarianism an insult to
her cooking - it seems as if she is obsessed with convincing me to try the rack of lamb.41.
Identify the errors:
A number of my old classmates is coming to the reunion, but the number of impediments to my traveling to Arkansas next week are
quite large.
This question is about subject-verb agreement. “A number
of” is an idiomatic expression that takes a plural verb. “The
number” is singular.
Correct: A number of my old classmates are coming to the
reunion, but the number of impediments to my traveling to
Arkansas next week is quite large. 44
Identify the error:
You can either increase your output or you can seek work elsewhere.
This question is about parallelism. Elements in an
“either…or” construction must be parallel. The first “you” occurs prior to and is not part of the “either…or” construction. This “you” already applies to both elements in the construction, making the second “you” incorrect.
One correction: You can either increase your output or seek
work elsewhere. 49.
Identify the error:
Coming in at a scant 150 words, the Gettysburg Address was written by Abraham Lincoln on the train to Gettysburg; this fact was discovered by me while doing research for my book report.
This question is about the passive voice. The passive voice is used twice here: “the Gettysburg Address was written by Abraham
Lincoln” and “This fact was discovered by me.” The use of the passive voice in the first sentence is required because the modifier “Coming in at a scant 150 words” modifies the Gettysburg Address, not Lincoln. The second use of the passive voice, however, is awkward and unnecessary.
Correct: Coming in at a scant 150 words, the Gettysburg Address was written by Abraham Lincoln on the train to Gettysburg; I discovered this fact while doing research for my book report. 54.
Identify the errors:
Having considered the new District Attorney as the city’s “white knight,” citizens of Newtown were dismayed by the ever‐increasing numbers of violent crimes.
This question is about idioms. “Considered as” is incorrect.
“Number of” is preferred to “numbers of.”
One Correction: Having considered the new District
Attorney the city’s “white knight,” citizens of Newtown were dismayed by the ever-increasing number of violent crimes. 2.
Identify the errors:
I was at the circus for only half an hour when the assailant struck; ever since the stabbing, I am terribly afraid of clowns.
This question is about verb tense. In the part of the sentence before the semicolon, two things happen in the past, in a specific timeline: I was at the circus, and the assailant struck. Being at the circus is in “the past of the past,” necessitating the past perfect. “I
am terribly afraid” does not correctly express that the fear began in the past and continues into the present; the present perfect is called for here.
Correct: I had been at the circus for only half an hour when the assailant struck; since the stabbing, I have been terribly afraid of clowns. 4.
Identify the errors:
He donated a kidney so his wife could live; for making the incision, the doctors shaved
his stomach.
This question is about idioms. The first sentence is missing
the word “that” (the idiom “so that” indicates purpose). “For
making” is incorrect when “in order to make” is the intended
meaning.
One correction: He donated a kidney so that his wife could
live; in order to make the incision, the doctors shaved his stomach. 5.
Identify the error:
The term “red panda” is misleading; it is not a true panda, but rather an unrelated rodent.
The pronoun “it” certainly matches “the term” in number.
Unfortunately, however, “it” is meant to refer to the actual red
panda, not to the term “red panda.” The sentence is illogical.
Correct: The term “red panda” is misleading; the red panda is
not a true panda, but rather an unrelated rodent.
Remember the “Deadly Five” pronouns: it, its, they, them, and their. Each time you see one of these pronouns on the GMAT, verify that the pronoun
has an antecedent that appears in the sentence, matches in number, and is
unambiguous and logical.
Identify the errors:
My husband, along with my sons, regret to inform you that neither of my sons are planning to attend your son’s bar mitzvah.
This question is about subject-verb agreement. The verb “regret” does not match the subject “My husband.” The phrase “along with my sons” is not part of this subject. (The fact that this phrase is in commas is also a clue that it is not part of the main subject. A good rule of thumb is “There are no substitutes for AND in making a compound plural subject.”) Also, the verb “are” does not match the singular subject “neither” (note that “of
my sons” is a mere prepositional phrase).
Correct: My husband, along with my sons, regrets to inform you that neither of my sons is planning to attend your son’s bar mitzvah.
Identify the error:
Wearing the latest in streamlined, high‐tech swimwear, eight records were broken in speed swimming.
This question is about modifiers. Who was “wearing the latest in streamlined,
high-tech swimwear”? These people, presumably swimmers, are never mentioned. This creates a dangling modifier, and also implies nonsensically
that the records themselves were wearing high-tech swimwear. Make sure that
your modifier modifies something that is actually mentioned in the sentence
(in noun form). Additionally, the use of the passive voice (“were broken”) is inferior to the
active voice.
Correct: Wearing the latest in streamlined, high-tech swimwear, the team broke eight records in speed swimming. 10.
Identify the error:
The murder was an expressing of
longstanding tensions.
This question is about parallelism. Concrete nouns (murder) and simple gerunds (expressing) cannot be made parallel.
Correct: The murder was an expression of longstanding
tensions. Note that if the verb “to express” did not have a noun form (“expression”) we
could use a complex gerund, such as “the expressing of…” But, because the word “expression” exists, it is preferred to a complex gerund. 11.
Identify the error:
After the president of the college worried publicly about the sharp drop in the value of
its endowment, the head of faculty suggested that they initiate a fundraising campaign
immediately.
This question is about pronouns. The first pronoun “its” is a possessive pronoun that refers back to the college. However, the “they” in the
second sentence lacks an antecedent. There is no plural subject that appears earlier in the sentence. If we replace “they” with “it”, it is unclear whether the pronoun “it” refers to the college or to the faculty,
which is a collective noun.
Correct: After the university’s administrators worried publicly about the sharp drop in the value of its endowment, the head of faculty suggested
that the college initiate a fundraising campaign immediately. Remember the “Deadly Five” pronouns: it, its, they, them, and their.
Identify the errors:
As being the world’s top collector of empty vitamin
bottles, Mrs. Simpson has ten times as many bottles in her robust and famous collection than does Mr. Flanders, a mere hobbyist.
This question is about idioms. “As being” should simply be
“as.” The second idiom being tested is “as … as”; the current sentence incorrectly uses “as … than.”
Correct: As the world’s top collector of empty vitamin
bottles, Mrs. Simpson has ten times as many bottles in her
robust and famous collection as does Mr. Flanders, a mere
hobbyist. 14.
Identify the error:
Ritika was late to pick up her cat from the vet after abandoning her broken‐down car on the side of the road, a 1989 Peugeot.
This question is about modifiers. The misplaced modifier “a 1989 Peugeot” should be modifying the car, but is actually modifying the road.
One correction: Ritika was late to pick up her cat from the
vet after abandoning her broken-down car, a 1989 Peugeot, on the side of the road. (Alternately, “abandoning her broken-down 1989 Peugeot” would be even more concise). 15.
Identify the error:
Calvin Coolidge, as well as Herbert Hoover, are good examples of presidents who held to the principles of laissez‐faire economics.
This question is about subject-verb agreement. The subject of this sentence is “Calvin Coolidge.” The phrase “as well as Herbert Hoover” is not part of the subject. The fact that this phrase is in commas is also a clue that it is not part of the main subject. A good rule of thumb here is “There are no substitutes for AND in making a compound plural subject.”
Correct: Calvin Coolidge, as well as Herbert Hoover, is a good example of a president who held to the principles of laissez-faire economics. OR: Calvin Coolidge and Herbert Hoover are good examples of
presidents who held to the principles of laissez-faire economics. 16.
Identify the errors:
My child has better hygiene than those of my sister; neither of her boys ever seem to wash
their hands.
This question is about subject-verb agreement and pronouns.
The pronoun “those” seems to be referring back to “child.”
Since “child” is singular, this is incorrect. Additionally, since
“neither” is singular (“of her boys” is merely a prepositional
phrase), the verb “seem” and the pronoun “their” are both
incorrect.
Correct: My child has better hygiene than my sister’s children; neither of her boys ever seems to wash his hands. 25.
Identify the error:
The resort was advertised as a place where singles can meet one another and that offers
an Olympic‐sized swimming pool.
This question is about parallelism. Parallel clauses involving relative pronouns should start with the same relative pronoun (“where” and “that” do not match.)
One correction: The resort was advertised as a place where
singles can meet one another and where guests can swim in
an Olympic-sized swimming pool. 27.
Identify the errors:
The iconoclastic fitness guru preaches three main principles: eat five apples per day, exercising before a two‐hour brunch, and that you must burn calories by re‐enacting action movies in your living room.
This question is about parallelism. Elements in a list must be parallel.
One correction: The iconoclastic fitness guru preaches three main principles: eating five apples per day, exercising before a two-hour brunch, and burning calories by re-enacting action movies in your living room.
OR: The iconoclastic fitness guru preaches three main principles: eat five apples per day, exercise before a two-hour brunch, and burn calories by re-enacting action movies in your living room. 27.
Identify the errors:
Being a pacifist, I was not only upset she was being so militaristic, but, that she was
torturing the captives.
This question is about idioms. First, the word “being” is
usually suspect on the GMAT. The first “being” is definitely
suspect; it can easily be replaced with “as” (or simply
removed). The second “being,” which is before an adjective,
is okay – “being militaristic” is a correct use of “being.” The
second idiom tested in this sentence is “not only X but also Y.” In this sentence, we have only “not only X but Y.”
One correction: As a pacifist, I was upset not only that she
was being so militaristic but also that she was torturing the
captives. 29.
Identify the errors:
The Philippines are such an enticing locale to my wife’s family that my father‐in‐law has decided to relocate their business to Manila.
This question is about subject-verb agreement and pronouns. The Philippines, like all countries, is singular. “Family,” a collective noun, is also singular. (Note: many collective nouns are considered plural in British English, so if you are more familiar with British than American English, you will have to adjust to this change for purposes of the GMAT.)
One correction: The Philippines is such an enticing locale to my wife’s family that my father-in-law has decided to relocate the family business
to Manila. (Note: “relocate its business” is also an option, but “the family business” is very precise and clear.) 30.
Identify the error:
Although her shyness was keeping Sofia from asking Walter to dance, after consuming an energy‐drink cocktail, she was able to do it.
This question is about pronouns. Be very suspicious of pronouns that appear late in a sentence. They often don’t
have a clear antecedent. “Do it” may only be used in a case
in which “it” actually refers to a noun, such as in the case
“Here is your assignment; I suggest that you do it.”
One correction: Although her shyness was keeping Sofia
from asking Walter to dance, after consuming an energy-drink cocktail, she was able to ask him. (Note: “…able to do so” would also be an option here.) 32.
Identify the errors:
Because Agent M was believed by Agent Q to be trustworthy is the reason Agent Q allowed Agent M the conducting of the top secret
mission alone.
This question is about idioms and verb voice. “Because” and
“the reason” serve the same purpose here; to use both is
redundant and thus incorrect. “M was believed by Q” is
passive voice and therefore suspect; use the active voice
instead. “Allowed Agent M the conducting of” is unidiomatic.
One correction: Because Agent Q believed that Agent M
was trustworthy, Agent Q allowed Agent M to conduct the top secret mission alone. 34.
Identify the errors:
I intend not only to win but also break the world record; my opponent is neither a threat
to me nor, quite frankly, intimidating to anyone.
This question is about parallelism. Elements in a “not
only…but also” construction, as well as elements in a “neither…nor” construction, must be parallel.
Correct: I intend not only to win but also to break the world
record; my opponent is neither threatening to me nor, quite
frankly, intimidating to anyone. 36.
Identify the errors:
Timmy only expresses affection for his dog,
Lassie; as a result, Lassie only eats top‐shelf
dog food.
This question is about idioms. “Only” should be placed just
before the word or words it is meant to modify. The first sentence seems to be saying that the only thing Timmy ever
does is express his affection for Lassie. Similarly, the second sentence seems to be saying that Lassie never does anything other than eat top-shelf dog food.
Correct:. Timmy expresses affection only for his dog, Lassie; as a result, Lassie eats only top-shelf dog food. 51.
Identify the error:
The ubiquity of the personal music player since the start of the millennium provides users with a distraction on long commutes and can now hold thousands of songs.
This question is about subject-verb agreement. The subject
“ubiquity” and the verb “provides” are both singular, so the pair matches in number. However, a subject-verb pair must also be logical. It is the personal music player, not the ubiquity, that “provides users with a distraction on long commutes and can now
hold thousands of songs.”
One correction: The personal music player, ubiquitous since the start of the millennium, provides users with a distraction on long commutes and can now hold thousands of songs. 52.
Identify the errors:
My boss is likely that she will take over the eastern division, even though she did not ask
for that division, rather the northern division.
This question is about idioms. A person cannot be “likely
that”, only “likely to” (although “likely that” can precede a
clause, such as in “It is likely that it will rain”). Also, the
correct construction is “not X but Y” or “not X but rather
Y,” where X and Y must take the same form.
Correct:. My boss is likely to take over the eastern division,
even though she did not ask for that division, but rather
asked for the northern division. 53.
Identify the errors:
Among the dog’s offenses are a refusal to eat anything but expensive rib eye steak and a
penchant for attacking postal workers, neighbors and relatives, including my nephew
and grandmother.
This question is about parallelism. The original sentence is correct as written.
There are actually three lists within this sentence, which could be outlined as follows:
This Dog’s Offenses:
I. A refusal to eat
II. A penchant for attacking
a. Postal workers
c. Neighbors
b. Relatives
1. Nephew
2. Grandmother
No Correction. 55.
Identify the errors:
In spite of Charlie’s protest, his friends—including his closest companion Rafael—insisted that Charlie consider outside aid to help Charlie deal with his eating disorder.
This question is about pronouns. It may seem awkward to keep repeating
“Charlie” throughout the sentence, rather than using pronouns to refer to him. However, the first instance of “Charlie” is in a possessive phrase, so it cannot act as an antecedent. Also, we cannot change “to help Charlie” to “to help him” because it would be unclear whether “him” referred to
Charlie or Rafael. The use of “his” in the phrase “his friends” is okay,
because only possessive pronouns can refer to nouns that are part of a possessive clause. The original sentence is correct!
No Correction. 56.
Identify the errors:
Us attending the conference is dependent on our pilot receiving clearance to take off.
This question is about participles and verb tense. In this sentence, “attending” and “receiving” are participles, and take possessive nouns and pronouns, not direct objects.
Correct: Our attending the conference is dependent on our pilot’s receiving clearance to take off. 46.
Identify the error:
Alexander the Great remarked that conquering foreign states couldn’t compare to the vanquishing of his enemies at home.
This question is about parallelism. Two items being
compared to one another must be parallel. “Conquering,” a
simple gerund, cannot be made parallel to “the vanquishing of,” a complex gerund.
One correction: Alexander the Great remarked that conquering foreign states couldn’t compare to vanquishing his enemies at home. 45.
Identify the errors:
The highly‐advanced robot is proficient both in Japanese and English – and there is an
expectation by us that the new model should be produced only in limited quantities for
maintaining the product’s cachet.
This question is about idioms. In the construction “both X and
Y,” X and Y need to take the same form (in this sentence, the word “in” is in the wrong place, thereby making X and Y
unparallel.) “Expectation by” is incorrect, and the word “should” is also incorrect. We must use “expect that” and “will.” “For maintaining” is incorrect here; “in order to maintain” is the intended meaning.
Correct:. The highly-advanced robot is proficient in both Japanese and English – and we expect that the new model will be produced only in limited quantities in order to maintain the product’s cachet. 43.
Identify the errors:
Joe, who hasn’t showered in days, smells bad—however, John, who is suffering from
nasal congestion, smells so badly that Joe’s odor doesn’t bother him at all.
This question is about adjectives and adverbs, and it’s a little bit of a trick – however strange it may sound, this sentence is perfectly correct. Joe, who hasn’t showered, smells bad. We are modifying a noun (Joe), so we want an adjective. John, who is stuffed up, smells badly. We are modifying a verb (smells), so we want an adverb. Both uses are correct, although they have very different meanings!
No correction. 42.
Identify the error:
Sandeep was told by his parents that if he helped his brother Rajeev get an “A” in
trigonometry, they would take him to the batting cage.
This question is about pronouns. Although it seems apparent that a trip to the batting cages will be Sandeep’s reward for a
job well done, the “him” in the second part of the sentence
could be referring to his brother Rajeev. With no clear antecedent, the pronoun is ambiguous, and therefore
incorrectly used.
Correct: Sandeep was told by his parents that if he helped his brother Rajeev get an “A” in trigonometry, they would take
Sandeep to the batting cage. 40.
Identify the errors:
Maribel proved herself deserving of the MVP award in girls’ basketball, scored a record number of goals, became the first female
player at the school to slam dunk in a championship game, and inspired her teammates immeasurably.
This question is about parallelism. Elements in a list must be parallel. However, here we have a case of superficial parallelism. How many things did Maribel do? She did three things (scored, became, and inspired) all under the umbrella of proving herself. Only the last three must be parallel to one another, because they are subordinates to the main
verb, “proved,” and since they all describe “proved,” an “–ing” ending is appropriate.
Correct: Maribel proved herself deserving of the MVP award in girls’ basketball, scoring a record number of goals, becoming the first female
player at the school to slam dunk in a championship game, and inspiring her teammates immeasurably. 39.
Identify the errors:
Despite having studied French for ten years, yet I cannot manage to conjugate French
verbs in any tense but the present; my most recent report card indicates me as an underachiever.
This question is about idioms. The words “despite” and “yet”
are redundant and therefore cannot be used. “Indicate as” is also incorrect. We must use “indicate that.”
Correct: Despite having studied French for ten years, I cannot
manage to conjugate French verbs in any tense but the present; my most recent report card indicates that I am an
underachiever. (Note that “yet” has been eliminated). 47.
Identify the errors:
Once you show her the ropes, Josephina’s natural skill as a salesperson will allow her to
run the store by herself in no time.
This question is about modifiers and pronouns. “Once you show her the ropes” is clearly about Josephina. However, “Josephina” (the noun) never appears in the sentence. “Josephina’s” is a possessive noun modifying “skill.” Thus, the modifier and the pronouns “her” and “herself” are wrong.
One correction: Once you show Josephina the ropes, her
natural skill as a salesperson will allow her to run the store by herself in no time. 48.
Identify the error:
Mr. Vega’s mother noticed that a button was falling off his coat and that his clothes were in
a general state of disrepair, so he was advised by her to fix the coat.
This question is about pronouns and verb voice. Mr. Vega appears as a part of
a possessive phrase, so we cannot refer to him with the pronoun “him.” Additionally, when possible you should keep verb voice consistent. The sentence begins in the active voice “Mr. Vega’s mother noticed”, and then
switches to the passive voice “he was advised by her” for no reason. Active voice is preferred.
One correction: Mr. Vega’s mother noticed that a button was falling off his coat and that his clothing was in a general state of disrepair, so she advised Mr. Vega to fix the coat. Note that “his coat” and “his clothing” are acceptable, because they use possessive
pronouns. 50.
Identify the errors:
Joanne has the ability of walking on her hands, also her twin sister Kimberly has the
ability to balance on a tightrope; I, however, try to hide my ability for juggling, lest others force me to demonstrate.
This question is about idioms. “Ability of” and “ability for”
are both wrong. “Ability to” is correct, but “can” is more
concise and should be used where possible. Additionally, two independent clauses cannot be joined with “also.”
One correction: Joanne can walk on her hands, and her twin sister Kimberly can balance on a tightrope; I, however, try to hide my ability to juggle, lest others force me to demonstrate. 21.
Identify the errors:
The test was easy enough that I mastered it after a simple brain transplant. The transplant, however, was expensive to such a degree that I had to take out a second
mortgage.
This is a question about idioms. “Easy enough that” is
incorrect. “Enough” must be followed by an infinitive or the
preposition “for.” Additionally, “expensive to such a degree
as to” is incorrect and extremely wordy. It must be
structured “so expensive that…”
Correct:.The test was easy enough for me to master after a simple brain transplant. The transplant, however, was so
expensive that I had to take out a second mortgage. 23.
Identify the error:
The princess entered the spectacular arranged ballroom as a well‐practiced band
paid her a musical tribute.
This question is about adverbs (found under “Modifiers” in your SC Strategy Guide). An adverb is needed to modify an adjective. That is, if the ballroom were both spectacular and arranged, we would say “the spectacular, arranged ballroom” – but that doesn’t make any sense. The word “spectacular” modifies the way the ballroom was “arranged” and should therefore be changed to “spectacularly.” On the other hand, “well-practiced band” is correct, by the same logic; the adverb “well” modifies the adjective “practiced.”
Correct: The princess entered the spectacularly arranged ballroom as a well-practiced band paid her a musical tribute. 24.
Identify the errors:
Mastering Sanskrit is an often‐frustrating journey where a student that is too impatient
is likely to become discouraged.
This question is about modifiers, specifically those beginning with the relative pronoun “where.” “Where” may only be used to describe actual places. A “journey,” whether metaphorical or literal, is not a place. Furthermore, people may not be modified with “that” or “which”; only “who” is correct.
One correction: Mastering Sanskrit is an often-frustrating
journey during which a student who is too impatient is likely
to become discouraged. 33.
Identify the errors:
Since 1973, the record was broken eight times due to technology that advanced even
more rapidly than commentators have
predicted.
This question is about verb tense. Using “since” necessitates the present perfect (“has been broken”) to indicate an action that continues to occur over time. Similarly, since records are still being broken, technology is likely still advancing (thus we must use “has advanced”).
Because the commentators’ predictions occurred before the records were broken and are no longer in effect, the present perfect (“have predicted”) is incorrect – past perfect or simple past must be used.
One correction: Since 1973, the record has been broken eight times due to technology that has advanced even more rapidly than commentators had predicted (or simply “predicted”). 35.
Identify the error:
On the commission is an expert in neuroscience and three members of a team
that developed a promising new therapy for Parkinson’s.
This question is about subject-verb agreement. Note that this
sentence has an inverted order: the verb “is” comes before the compound plural subject, “an expert in neuroscience and three
members of a team.” Ignore the prepositional phrases and flip the sentence (subject before verb) to spot the error: “An expert … and three members … is on the commission.”
Correct: On the commission are an expert in neuroscience and three members of a team that developed a promising new therapy for Parkinson’s. 37.
Identify the errors:
Peter thinks he can swim fast like Michael Phelps does; he has also claimed to be an
unrecognized world champion of sports like sprinting and boxing.
This question is about idioms and comparisons. “Like”
compares nouns; “as” compares verbs or clauses. The “like” in the second sentence means “similar to but not including”—clearly the speaker means to include sprinting and boxing in the list of sports that Peter believes he has mastered.
Correct: Peter thinks he can swim as fast as Michael Phelps does; he has also claimed to be an unrecognized world champion of such sports as sprinting and boxing. 38.