GMAT - Sentence Correction

In the eighteenth century, the quality of bricks depended not only on the construction of a kiln, which was made by stacking bricks, constructing a tunnel for fires, and plastering the structure with mud, (but also on the selection of the clay that was used.) A) but also on the selection of the clay that was used B) but also by selecting the clay that was used C) but also with the selection of clay that was used D) and selecting the clay that was used E) and the selection of clay that was used

Answer: A - but also on the selection of the clay that was used This sentence is correct as written. The underlined portion of the sentence contains the second part of a list that is identified by the conjunction not only...but also, so check that each item in the list uses the same grammatical structure. Additionally, the underlined portion contains the second part of an idiom with the words but also, so check that the idiom is constructed correctly. The first item in the list in the non-underlined portion of the sentence is on the construction, which is parallel to the second item on the selection in the underlined portion, so there is no parallel construction error. The idiom phrase but also in the underlined portion is also correctly paired with not only in the non-underlined portion to correctly form the idiom not only...but also, so there is no idiom error. There appears to be no error in the original sentence, so keep choice A. Because there is no error in the original sentence, there are no obvious repeaters to look for, so evaluate the remaining answer choices individually, looking for reasons to eliminate each. Choice B replaces on the selection with the verb selecting, which is not parallel to the noun the construction, so eliminate choice B for a parallel construction error. Choice C incorrectly pairs the phrase not only on the construction with the phrase but also with the selection, so eliminate choice C for a parallel construction error. Choice D uses the verb selecting, which is not parallel to the noun the construction and incorrectly constructs the idiom as not only...and, so eliminate choice D for both a parallel construction error and an idiom error. Choice E incorrectly constructs the idiom as not only...and, so eliminate choice E for an idiom error. Alternatively, if it is difficult to spot which grammar rule the sentence is testing, another strategy is to try to identify an error from the answers by looking for either a 2/3 split or differences among the answers. Since three answer choices begin with the idiom phrase but also and the other two begin with the word and, this difference is an indication to look for idiom errors. Choice A: Correct. Choice B: No. The verb selecting is not parallel to the noun the construction. Parallel construction. Choice C: No. The phrase not only on the construction is not parallel to but also with the selection. Parallel construction. Choice D. No. The verb selecting is not parallel to the noun the construction, and the idiom not only...but also is incorrectly constructed as not only...and. Parallel construction; Idiom. Choice E. No. The idiom not only...but also is incorrectly constructed as not only...and. Idiom.

Pilots say that however much consumers may (detest it, the decision to build) additional passenger terminals was inevitable given the increasing number of flights arriving and departing through the existing terminals on any given day. A) may detest it, the decision to build B) may detest the idea, the decision of building C) may detest the decision building, D) detest the decision, to build E) might detest the decision, to build

Answer: A - may detest it, the decision to build The sentence is correct as written. The underlined portion of the sentence contains the pronoun it, so check for pronoun ambiguity or agreement errors. The underlined portion also contains the idiom decision...to so check for an idiom error. The singular pronoun it refers directly to the decision, which is a singular noun, so there is no pronoun agreement or ambiguity error. The idiom decision...to is constructed correctly, so there is no idiom error. There appears to be no error in the original sentence, so keep choice A. Because there is no error in the original sentence, there are no obvious repeaters to look for, so evaluate the remaining answer choices individually, looking for reasons to eliminate each. Choice B uses the idiom construction decision...of. Since the correct structure is decision...to, this is an idiom error. Eliminate choice B. Choice C creates a subject-verb agreement error in the non-underlined portion of the sentence since the plural subject additional passenger terminals does not agree with the singular verb was. Eliminate choice C. Choice D eliminates the pronoun it, which makes the subject of the main clause the infinitive form to build. This changes the meaning of the sentence, making the act to build additional passenger terminals the focus of the word inevitable, instead of the decision to build being the focus. Therefore, eliminate choice D. Choice E eliminates the pronoun it, which again makes the subject of the main clause the infinitive form to build. This changes the meaning of the sentence, making the act to build additional passenger terminals the focus of the word inevitable, instead of the decision to build being the focus. Eliminate choice E. Choice A: Correct. Choice B: No. The correct idiom is decision...to. Idiom. Choice C: No. The plural subject additional passenger terminals does not agree with the singular verb was. Subject-verb agreement. Choice D: No. The subject of the main clause is to build which suggests that to build...was inevitable, rather than the decision to build. Changes meaning. Choice E: No. The subject of the main clause is to build which suggests that to build...was inevitable, rather than the decision to build. Changes meaning.

Even after (scientists had realized that the trial of the new polymer was to be postponed,) hundreds of samples continued to be sent to laboratories throughout North America. A) scientists had realized that the trial of the new polymer was to be postponed B) scientists realized that the trial of the new polymer were to be postponed C) scientists were realizing that the trial of the new polymer needed postponing, D) scientists were to realize that the trial of the new polymer was to be postponed, E) scientists had realized that the trial of the new polymer were to be postponed,

Answer: A - scientists had realized that the trial of the new polymer was to be postponed This sentence is correct as written. The underlined portion of the sentence contains the past perfect tense verb had realized, so check that the tense aligns with any time clues in the sentence. Because the non-underlined portion of the sentence contains the simple past continued to be sent, which occurs after the realization had been completed, the past perfect tense is correct. There appears to be no error in the original sentence, so keep choice A. Because there is no error in the original sentence, there are no obvious repeaters to look for, so evaluate the remaining answer choices individually, looking for reasons to eliminate each. Choice B contains the plural verb were, which does not agree with the singular subject trial. This is a subject-verb agreement error. Eliminate choice B. Choice C contains the past progressive tense verb were realizing, which does not convey the difference between before and after. This is a verb tense error. Eliminate choice C. Choice D contains a partial form of the subjunctive mood were to realize, which incorrectly indicates a hypothetical or conditional situation. This is a verb tense error. Eliminate choice D. Choice E contains the plural verb were, which does not agree with the singular subject trial. This is a subject-verb agreement error. Eliminate choice E. Choice A: Correct. Choice B: No. The plural verb were does not agree with the singular subject trial. Subject-Verb agreement. Choice C: No. The past progressive tense verb were realizing does not convey the difference between before and after. Verb tense. Choice D: No. The subjunctive mood were to realize incorrectly indicates a hypothetical or conditional situation. Verb tense. Choice E: No. The plural verb were does not agree with the singular subject trial. Subject-Verb agreement.

A characteristic common to many master musicians is absolute pitch, (the ability to identify, without any visual cues, which note has been played.) A) the ability to identify, without any visual cues, which note has been played B) the ability to identify which note was without any visual cues, played C) identifying which note was played without any visual cues D) identifying, without any visual cues, which note has just been played E) permitting the musician to identify which note, without any visual cues, has been played

Answer: A - the ability to identify, without any visual cues, which note has been played This sentence is correct as written. The underlined portion of the sentence contains two modifying phrases, the ability to identify...which note has been played, and, inside that, without any visual cues, so check for misplaced modifiers. The first phrase defines absolute pitch, so is correctly placed. The second refers to identify and so is also correct. There appears to be no error in the original sentence, so keep choice A. Because there is no error in the original sentence, there are no obvious repeaters to look for, so evaluate the remaining answer choices individually looking for reasons to eliminate each. Choice B incorrectly moves without any visual cues to modify note. This is a misplaced modifier error. Eliminate choice B. Choice C moves without any visual cues to modify played, another misplaced modifier error. Eliminate choice C. Choice D incorrectly claims that absolute pitch, rather than a master musician, is identifying...which note has been played. This is another misplaced modifier error. Eliminate choice D. Choice E moves without any visual cues to modify note, another misplaced modifier error. Eliminate choice E. Choice A: Correct. Choice B: No. The modifying phrase without any visual cues incorrectly refers to note. Misplaced modifier. Choice C: No. The modifying phrase without any visual cues incorrectly refers to played. Misplaced modifier. Choice D: No. The modifying phrase identifying...which note has been played incorrectly refers to pitch. Misplaced modifier. Choice E: No. The modifying phrase without any visual cues incorrectly refers to note. Misplaced modifier=

A canine strain initially produced specifically for cattle herding, like its cousins Australian Cattle Dogs and Australian Shepherds, (the cross-bred Texas Heeler is now increasingly featured in competitions such as Dog Agility, which requires the same fast reaction times and intense collaboration between trainer and animal as does the breed's traditional work.) A) the cross-bred Texas Heeler is now increasingly featured in competitions such as Dog Agility, which requires the same fast reaction times and intense collaboration between trainer and animal as does the breeds traditional work B) and now increasingly featured in competitions such as Dog Agility, the cross-bred Texas Heeler requires the same fast reaction times and intense collaboration between trainer and animal as the breed's traditional work. C) the same fast reaction times and intense collaboration between trainer and animal are required as in the breed's traditional work, since the cross-bred Texas Heeler is now increasingly featured in competitions such as Dog Agility. D) competitions such as Dog Agility, which require the same fast reaction times and intense collaboration between trainer and animal as the breed's traditional work, increasingly feature the cross-bred Texas Heeler. E) the Texas Heeler is cross-bred and requires fast reaction times and intense collaboration between trainer and animal, not only in the breed's traditional work, but also in competitions such as Dog Agility, in which it is now increasingly featured

Answer: A - the cross-bred Texas Heeler is now increasingly featured in competitions such as Dog Agility, which requires the same fast reaction times and intense collaboration between trainer and animal as does the breeds traditional work This sentence is correct as written. Since the underlined portion of the sentence contains a modified noun and a separate modifier, check whether they agree with their corresponding modifier and noun respectively. The noun cross-bred Texas Heeler is clearly modified by the phrase in the non-underlined portion of the sentence A canine strain initially produced specifically for cattle herding. Additionally, the phrase which requires the same fast reaction times...work correctly describes the noun Dog Agility. There appears to be no error in the original sentence, so keep choice A. Because there is no error in the original sentence, there are no obvious repeaters to look for, so evaluate the remaining answer choices individually looking for reasons to eliminate each. In choice B, the phrase requires the same fast reaction times...work incorrectly modifies the noun cross-bred Texas Heeler. This is a misplaced modifier error, so eliminate choice B. Choice C commits a misplaced modifier error by altering the structure of the sentence so that the phrase in the non-underlined portion of the sentence A canine strain initially produced specifically for cattle herding incorrectly modifies the same fast reaction times. Eliminate choice C. Choice D makes a misplaced modifier error by altering the structure of the sentence so that the phrase in the non-underlined portion of the sentence A canine strain initially produced specifically for cattle herding incorrectly modifies competitions such as Dog Agility. Eliminate choice D. For choice E, the phrase requires the same fast reaction times...animal incorrectly modifies the noun Texas Heeler. This is a misplaced modifier error, so eliminate choice E. Choice A: Correct. Choice B: No. The phrase requires the same fast reaction times...work incorrectly modifies the noun cross-bred Texas Heeler. Misplaced modifier. Choice C: No. The phrase A canine strain initially produced specifically for cattle herding incorrectly modifies the same fast reaction times. Misplaced modifier. Choice D: No. The phrase A canine strain initially produced specifically for cattle herding incorrectly modifies competitions such as Dog Agility. Misplaced modifier. Choice E: No. The phrase requires the same fast reaction times...animal incorrectly modifies the noun Texas Heeler. Misplaced modifier.

The Kopsky Company specializes in both traditional window and door glazing systems, including (the installation of curtain walls, and more modern pressure plate attachments, Z-joint fixtures, and the manufacturing of gaskets for large machinery.) A) the installation of curtain walls, and more modern pressure plate attachments, Z-joint fixtures, and the manufacturing of gaskets for large machinery. B) installing curtain walls, as well as more modern pressure plate attachments, Z-joint fixtures, and the manufacturing of gaskets for large machinery. C) the installation of curtain walls, and more modern pressure plate attachments, Z-joint fixtures, and manufacturing gaskets for large machinery. D) installing curtain walls, and more modern pressure plate attachments, Z-joint fixtures, and manufacturing gaskets for large machinery. E) installing curtain walls, as well as more modern pressure plate attachments, Z-joint fixtures, and manufacturing gaskets for large machinery.

Answer: A - the installation of curtain walls, and more modern pressure plate attachments, Z-joint fixtures, and the manufacturing of gaskets for large machinery. This sentence is correct as written. The underlined portion of the sentence contains part of a list of items the Kopsky Company specializes in, so check that the items are parallel. The installation of curtain walls is parallel to the manufacturing of gaskets and are both parallel to the nouns traditional window and door glazing systems in the non-underlined portion of the sentence, so there is no parallel construction error. There appears to be no error in the original sentence, so keep choice A. Because there is no error in the original sentence, there are no obvious repeaters to look for, so evaluate the remaining answer choices individually, looking for reasons to eliminate each. Choice B uses the verb installing, which is not parallel to the manufacturing of gaskets, so eliminate choice B for a parallel construction error. Choice C uses the verb manufacturing, which is not parallel to the installation of curtain walls, so eliminate choice C for a parallel construction error. Choice D uses the verbs installing and manufacturing, which are not parallel to the nouns traditional window and door glazing systems, so eliminate choice D for a parallel construction error. Choice E also uses the verbs installing and manufacturing, which are not parallel to the nouns traditional window and door glazing systems, so eliminate choice E for a parallel construction error. Alternatively, if it is difficult to spot which grammar rule the sentence is testing, another strategy is to try to identify an error from the answers by looking for either a 2/3 split or differences among the answer choices. Since three answer choices begin with the verb installing and the others begin with the noun the installation, this difference is an indication to look for parallel construction errors. Choice A: Correct. Choice B: No. The verb installing is not parallel to the manufacturing. Parallel construction. Choice C: No. The verb manufacturing is not parallel to the installation. Parallel construction. Choice D: No. The verbs installing and manufacturing are not parallel to the nouns traditional window and door glazing systems. Parallel construction. Choice E: No. The verbs installing and manufacturing are not parallel to the nouns traditional window and door glazing systems. Parallel construction

As is supported by evidence recently presented in mathematical symposia, mathematicians are discovering more and more unsolved problems, nearly (twice as many as confounded) mathematicians of the 1950s. A) twice as many as confounded B) double the number of problems that confounded C) two times the problems as confounded the D) twice as many as the problems that confounded E) double the problems that confounded

Answer: A - twice as many as confounded This sentence is correct as written. The underlined portion of the sentence contains the comparative phrase twice as many as confounded, so check that the items being compared are similar. The non-underlined portion begins with the verb as is supported by evidence referring to the subject unsolved problems. That twice as many as these unsolved problems confounded mathematicians is an acceptable verb to compare with as supported by evidence, so there is no comparison error. There appears to be no error in the original sentence, so keep choice A. Because there is no error in the original sentence, there are no obvious repeaters to look for, so evaluate the remaining answer choices individually, looking for reasons to eliminate each. Choice B changes the item being compared from the verb as confounded to the noun number of problems which cannot be compared to as supported, so eliminate choice B for a comparison error. Choice C changes the adjective twice to two times the problems. This makes it unclear as to whether the unsolved problems are the same problems that confounded the mathematicians, this is a pronoun ambiguity error, so eliminate choice C. Choice D also changes the item being compared from the verb as confounded to the noun the problems which cannot be compared to as supported, so eliminate choice D for a comparison error. Choice E changes the item being compared from the verb as confounded to the noun the problems which also cannot be compared to as supported, so eliminate choice E for a comparison error. Choice A: Correct. Choice B: No. The noun number of problems is incorrectly compared to the verb as supported. Comparison. Choice C: No. The phrase two times the problems makes it unclear as to whether these problems are the same as the unsolved problems. Pronoun ambiguity. Choice D. No. The noun the problems is incorrectly compared to the verb as supported. Comparison. Choice E. No. The noun double the problems is incorrectly compared to the verb as supported. Comparison.

Over 75 percent of the people in Asia have access to "improved water sources," which are sources likely to provide safe drinking water, (whereas improved water sources are accessible to just over 50 percent of the people in Sub-Saharan Africa.) A) whereas improved water sources are accessible to just over 50 percent of the people in Sub-Saharan Africa B) compared to Sub-Saharan Africa, which is just over 50 percent C) while in Sub-Saharan Africa it is just over 50 percent d) whereas just over 50 percent of the people have access to improved water sources in Sub-Saharan Africa Your Answer E) compared with the access to improved water sources in Sub-Saharan Africa, where it is just over 50 percent

Answer: A - whereas improved water sources are accessible to just over 50 percent of the people in Sub-Saharan Africa This sentence is correct as written. The underlined portion of the sentence contains the word whereas, so look for comparison errors. The sentence compares the percentage of people in Asia with the percentage of people in Sub-Saharan Africa that have access to improved water sources. There appears to be no error in the original sentence, so keep choice A. Because there is no error in the original sentence, there are no obvious repeaters to look for, so evaluate the remaining answer choices individually looking for reasons to eliminate each. Choice B incorrectly compares the percentage of people in Asia with the region of Sub-Saharan Africa. Eliminate choice B. Choice C compares the percentage of people in Asia with the pronoun it, which is an ambiguous pronoun as it is unclear what it is referring to, so eliminate choice C. Choice D refers to the percentage of the people. In this case the people acts as a pronoun which refers back to the people of Asia, which implies that some of the people of Asia have access to improved water sources in Sub-Saharan Africa. Eliminate choice D as a misplaced modifier. Choice E compares the percentage of people in Asia with the pronoun it, which is an ambiguous pronoun, as it is unclear what it is referring to. Eliminate choice E. Choice A: Correct. Choice B: No. The percentage of people in Asia is incorrectly compared to Sub-Saharan Africa. Comparison. Choice C: No. The pronoun it is ambiguous. Pronoun ambiguity. Choice D: No. The people refers to people in Asia rather than people in Sub-Saharan Africa. Misplaced modifier. Choice E: No. The pronoun it is ambiguous. Pronoun ambiguity.

(Believed to have originated from local hospitals, oceangoing garbage scows dump medical refuse that) may provide an explanation for the existence of unacceptable levels of pollution at several local beaches. A) Believed to have originated from local hospitals, oceangoing garbage scows dump medical refuse that B) Oceangoing garbage scows dump medical refuse that is believed to have originated from local hospitals, and this C) Oceangoing garbage scows dump medical refuse, believed to have originated from local hospitals, that D) Originated, it is believed, from local hospitals, an oceangoing garbage scow dumps medical refuse and E) Originating, it is believed, from local hospitals, oceangoing garbage scows dump medical refuse and

Answer: B - Oceangoing garbage scows dump medical refuse that is believed to have originated from local hospitals, and this The underlined portion of the sentence contains the introductory modifying phrase believed to have originated from local hospitals, so check for misplaced modifiers. The closest noun is scows, so the sentence would indicate that scows...originated from local hospitals. This is a misplaced modifier error. Eliminate choice A and look for obvious repeaters. Since no other answers repeat the same modifying phrase, there are no obvious repeaters. Now evaluate the remaining answer choices individually looking for reasons to eliminate each. Choice B fixes the error in the original sentence by eliminating the modifying phrase and introduces no new errors. Keep choice B. Choice C contains the pronoun that. It is unclear whether the pronoun that refers to scows dump medical refuse or to medical refuse itself. This is a pronoun ambiguity error. Eliminate choice C. Choice D rearranges the sentence structure but still commits a misplaced modifier error. In this answer choice, originating incorrectly refers to oceangoing garbage scows. This is a misplaced modifier error, so eliminate choice D. Choice E rearranges the sentence structure but still commits a misplaced modifier error. In this answer choice, originating incorrectly refers to oceangoing garbage scows. This is a misplaced modifier error, so eliminate choice E. Choice A: No. Believed to have originated from local hospitals incorrectly modifies scows. Misplaced modifier. Choice B: Correct. Choice C: No. It's unclear what the pronoun that refers to. Pronoun ambiguity. Choice D: No. Originating...from local hospitals incorrectly modifies scows. Misplaced modifier. Choice E: No. Originating...from local hospitals incorrectly modifies scows. Misplaced modifier.

(Of the thirteen samples of skin cells, only two, having intact cell walls,) could be used by the team of researchers for an analysis of the effects of various chemicals on healthy skin. A) Of the thirteen samples of skin cells, only two, having intact cell walls, B) Of the thirteen samples of skin cells, only two, which had intact cell walls, C) Only two of the thirteen samples of skin cells, with cell walls that were intact D) Only two of the thirteen samples of skin cells, which has intact cell walls E) Only two of the thirteen samples of skin cells, being that their cell walls are intact

Answer: B - Of the thirteen samples of skin cells, only two, which had intact cell walls, The underlined portion of the sentence contains the present tense verb having, so check that this verb matches the construction and intended meaning of the other verbs in the sentence. The verb having is not parallel to the past tense verb used in the non-underlined portion of the sentence, so eliminate choice A for a parallel construction error. Because no answer choice is constructed in the same way, there are no obvious repeaters. Now, evaluate the remaining answer choices individually, looking for reasons to eliminate each. Choice B fixes the original parallel construction error by using the past tense verb had, which is parallel to the past tense verb used, and introduces no new errors, so keep choice B. Choice C moves the modifying phrase only two before the phrase of the thirteen samples of skin cells, which makes it unclear whether the two or the thirteen samples had cell walls that were intact, so eliminate choice C for a misplaced modifier error. Choice D also moves the modifying phrase only two before the phrase of the thirteen samples of skin cells, which makes it unclear whether the two or the thirteen samples had cell walls that were intact, and uses the present tense verb has, which is not parallel to the past tense verb used. Eliminate choice D for misplaced modifier and parallel construction errors. Choice E moves the modifying phrase only two before the phrase of the thirteen samples of skin cells, which makes it unclear whether the two or the thirteen samples had cell walls that were intact, and uses the present tense verb being that is not parallel to the past tense verb used. Eliminate choice E for misplaced modifier and parallel construction errors. Alternatively, if it is difficult to spot which grammar rule the sentence is testing, another strategy is to try to identify an error from the answer by looking for either a 2/3 split or differences among the answers. Since three answer choices begin with the introductory phrase only two of the thirteen samples of skin cells and the others begin with the phrase of the thirteen samples of skin cells, this difference is an indication to look for a misplaced modifier error. Choice A: No. The verb having is not parallel to the verb used. Parallel construction. Choice B: Correct. Choice C: No. The placement of the phrase only two of the thirteen samples of skin cells makes it unclear whether the two or the thirteen samples had cell walls that were intact. Misplaced modifier. Choice D: No. The verb has is not parallel to the verb used and the placement of the phrase only two of the thirteen samples of skin cells makes it unclear whether the two or the thirteen samples had cell walls that were intact. Parallel construction; Misplaced modifier. Choice E: No. The verb being is not parallel to the verb used and the placement of the phrase only two of the thirteen samples of skin cells makes it unclear whether the two or the thirteen samples had cell walls that were intact. Parallel construction; Misplaced modifier.

Like Jasper Johns, Larry Cornell, and other modern artists did, Robert Rauschenberg disdained the use of realistic figures in his paintings and sought instead a reduction of the classical tenets of form and structure. A) Like Jasper Johns, Larry Cornell, and other modern artists did, Robert Rauschenberg disdained B) Like Jasper Johns, Larry Cornell, and other modern artists, so too did Robert Rauschenberg disdain C) As did Jasper Johns, Larry Cornell, and other modern artists, Robert Rauschenberg's disdain for D) As Jasper Johns, Larry Cornell, and other modern artists did, Robert Rauschenberg disdained E) Just as Jasper Johns, Larry Cornell, and other modern artists, Robert Rauschenberg disdained

Answer: D - As Jasper Johns, Larry Cornell, and other modern artists did, Robert Rauschenberg disdained The underlined portion of the sentence contains the comparison word like so look for comparison errors. The action Jasper Johns, Larry Cornell, and other modern artists did is compared to the action Robert Rauschenberg disdained, which is a correct comparison. However, the comparison word like is used to compare nouns. Because the two items being compared are verbs, the word like is the incorrect idiom for this sentence. Eliminate choice A and look for any obvious repeaters. Choice B also uses the word like. However, this choice changes the construction of the sentence, so it is not an obvious repeater. There are no obvious repeaters, so evaluate the remaining answer choices individually, looking for reasons to eliminate each. Choice B compares the nouns Jasper Johns, Larry Cornell, and other modern artists to the action of Robert Rauschenberg disdain. This is an incorrect comparison, so eliminate choice B. Choice C incorrectly compares the nouns Jasper Johns, Larry Cornell, and other modern artists to the action of Robert Rauschenberg's disdain for, so eliminate choice C. Choice D compares the action Jasper Johns, Larry Cornell, and other modern artists did to the action Robert Rauschenberg disdained and fixes the original idiom error by using the comparison word as, which is used to compare verbs. Choice D also introduces no new errors, so keep choice D. Choice E compares the nouns Jasper Johns, Larry Cornell, and other modern artists to the action of Robert Rauschenberg disdained, which is an incorrect comparison, so eliminate choice E. Choice A: No. The comparison word like is incorrectly used to compare verbs. Idiom. Choice B: No. The nouns Jasper Johns, Larry Cornell, and other modern artists are incorrectly compared to Robert Rauschenberg disdain. Comparison. Choice C: No. The nouns Jasper Johns, Larry Cornell, and other modern artists are incorrectly compared to Robert Rauschenberg disdain for. Comparison. Choice D: Correct. Choice E: No. The nouns Jasper Johns, Larry Cornell, and other modern artists are incorrectly compared to the action of Robert Rauschenberg disdained. Comparison.

(Unlike physicians of the early twentieth century, many physicians now believe that fevers that range from 100° to 102° are not dangerous manifestations of disease organisms and are) actually beneficial in ridding the body of viral infections. A) many physicians now believe that fevers that range from 100° to 102° are not dangerous manifestations of disease organisms and are B) many physicians now believe that fevers ranging from 100° to 102° are not dangerous manifestations of disease organisms but are C) it is currently believed by many physicians that fevers ranging from 100° to 102° are not dangerous manifestations of disease and are D) fevers ranging from 100° to 102° are believed by many physicians not to be dangerous manifestations of disease organisms but to be E) many physicians currently believe that fevers that range from 100° to 102° are not the dangerous ones of diseased organisms, but are

Answer: B - many physicians now believe that fevers ranging from 100° to 102° are not dangerous manifestations of disease organisms but are The underlined portion of the sentence contains part of an idiom beginning with the word not, so check for an idiom error. The phrase are not dangerous is incorrectly paired with and are actually beneficial, while the correct idiom structure is not dangerous...but. This is an idiom error, so eliminate choice A and look for obvious repeaters. Choice C is an obvious repeater of the idiom error because it also incorrectly pairs are not dangerous with and are, so eliminate choice C for an idiom error. Now, evaluate the remaining answer choices individually, looking for reasons to eliminate each. Choice B fixes the original idiom error by using the correct structure are not dangerous...but are and introduces no new errors, so keep choice B. Choice D fixes the original idiom error by using the correct structure not dangerous...but. However, it introduces a comparison error because the noun fevers cannot be unlike physicians, so eliminate choice D. Choice E uses the incorrect pronoun ones, which can ambiguously refer to physicians or fevers, so eliminate choice E for a pronoun ambiguity error. Choice A: No. This choice uses the structure are not...and are instead of the correct idiom structure are not...but are. Idiom. Choice B: Correct. Choice C: No. This choice uses the structure are not...and are instead of the correct idiom structure are not...but are. Idiom. Choice D: No. The noun fevers cannot be compared to physicians. Comparison. Choice E: No. The pronoun ones can refer to either physicians or fevers. Pronoun ambiguity.

Those who advocate restricting the use of the microwave around children due to potentially dangerous radiation may find it hard to convert busy working parents since (meals cooked in a conventional oven can take ten times as long as preparing microwaved meals.) A) meals cooked in a conventional oven can take ten times as long as preparing microwaved meals B) meals cooked in a conventional oven can take ten times as long to prepare as meals cooked in a microwave do C) preparing meals cooked in a conventional oven takes ten times as long as microwaved meals do D) preparing meals cooked in a conventional oven takes ten times as long as it does for microwaved meals E) to prepare meals cooked in a conventional oven can take ten times as long as for microwaved meals

Answer: B - meals cooked in a conventional oven can take ten times as long to prepare as meals cooked in a microwave do The underlined portion of the sentence contains the comparison phrase as long as, so check to make sure similar ideas are being compared. The sentence compares how long meals cooked in a conventional oven can take to preparing microwaved meals. Since the sentence compares the noun meals to the verb preparing, this is a comparison error. Eliminate choice A and look for any obvious repeaters. Because all of the answer choices change the structure, there are no obvious repeaters. Evaluate the remaining answer choices individually, looking for reasons to eliminate each. Choice B fixes the error by correctly comparing how long meals cooked in a conventional oven can take...to prepare to meals cooked in a microwave do [take to prepare]. Because choice B introduces no new errors, keep choice B. Choice C incorrectly compares preparing meals cooked in a conventional oven to microwaved meals, so eliminate choice C. Choice D incorrectly compares preparing meals cooked in a conventional oven to it does for microwaved meals, so eliminate choice D. Choice E incorrectly compares to prepare meals to for microwaved meals, so eliminate choice E. Choice A: No. The comparison incorrectly compares meals with preparing. Comparison. Choice B: Correct. Choice C: No. The comparison incorrectly compares preparing with microwaved meals. Comparison. Choice D: No. The comparison incorrectly compares preparing meals to it does for microwaved meals. Comparison. Choice E: No. The comparison incorrectly compares to prepare meals to for microwaved meals. Comparison.

The Kenyan government, working closely with conservation groups, has proposed a plan that would require developers who own land within elephant habitats (follow strict rules limiting new developments so as to protect the elephant population.) A) follow strict rules limiting new developments so as to protect B) to follow rules strictly limiting new development in order to protect C) follow strict rules which would be limiting new development, thereby protecting D) to follow strict rules limiting new development for the protection of E) for the following strict rules which limit new development for the protection of

Answer: B - to follow rules strictly limiting new development in order to protect A. No. Idiom ("require...to...in order to"). B. Yes. Idiom ("require...to...in order to"). C. No. Idiom ("require...to...in order to"). D. No. Meaning. The plan is to limit development in order to protect the elephant. Here it seems as if the development we're limiting is "development for the protection of the elephant." E. No. Idiom ("require...to...in order to").

(Believed once to be essential in preventing crop destruction, apple growers have decreased their use of certain pesticides that were identified by the FDA) as potentially carcinogenic or otherwise toxic to humans. A) Believed once to be essential in preventing crop destruction, apple growers have decreased their use of certain pesticides that were identified by the FDA B) Apple growers have decreased their use of certain pesticides that once were believed to be essential in the prevention of crop destruction, and they were identified by the FDA C) Apple growers have decreased their use of certain pesticides once believed to be essential in the prevention of crop destruction, because the FDA has identified those poisons D) Essential, it was once believed, in preventing crop destruction, apple growers have decreased their use of certain pesticides identified by the FDA E) Essential, it was once believed, in the prevention of crop destruction, the use of certain pesticides has been decreased by apple growers that have been identified by the FDA

Answer: C - Apple growers have decreased their use of certain pesticides once believed to be essential in the prevention of crop destruction, because the FDA has identified those poisons The underlined portion of the sentence contains the participial phrase believed once to be...destruction, so check for modification errors. The participial phrase incorrectly modifies apple growers, so the sentence contains a misplaced modifier error. Eliminate choice A and look for any obvious repeaters. Choice D is an obvious repeater because the participial phrase still modifies apple growers. Eliminate choice D. Now, evaluate the remaining answer choices individually, looking for a reason to eliminate each. Choice B corrects the original modification error by placing that once were...destruction directly after certain pesticides, but introduces a pronoun ambiguity error by adding the plural pronoun they without a clear referent. In this case, they could refer to pesticides or to apple growers, so eliminate choice B. Choice C corrects the original modifier error by placing once believed...destruction directly after certain pesticides, and introduces no new errors. Keep choice C. Choice E corrects the original modifier error by placing the use of certain pesticides directly after the participial phrase, but introduces a new modification error. The participial phrase that have been identified by the FDA incorrectly modifies apple growers, so eliminate choice E. Choice A: No. The introductory participial phrase incorrectly modifies apple growers. Misplaced modifier. Choice B: No. The plural pronoun they has no clear referent. Pronoun ambiguity. Choice C: Correct. Choice D: No. The introductory participial phrase incorrectly modifies apple growers. Misplaced modifier. Choice E: No. The participial phrase that have been identified by the FDA incorrectly modifies apple growers. Misplaced modifier.

(Like the training of stained glass workers, whose apprenticeships take years to complete,) other artisans learning to perfect their craft must make a major commitment of their time. A) Like the training of stained glass workers, whose apprenticeships take years to complete B) While the training of stained glass workers, an apprenticeship that takes years of preparation C) Like stained glass workers, whose apprenticeships take years to complete D) Similar to stained glass workers, preparing for years in an apprenticeship E) Like that of stained glass workers, whose apprenticeship takes years

Answer: C - Like stained glass workers, whose apprenticeships take years to complete The underlined portion of the sentence contains the comparative preposition like, so check for comparison errors. As written, the sentence compares training with other artisans, which is a comparison error as these are not similar items. Eliminate choice A and look for obvious repeaters. Choice B is an obvious repeater because it also compares training with other artisans, so eliminate choice B. Now, evaluate the remaining answer choices individually looking for reasons to eliminate each. Choice C corrects the comparison error by comparing stained glass workers with other artisans, and introduces no new errors. Keep choice C. Choice D corrects the comparison error by comparing stained glass workers with other artisans, but introduces a new error by changing apprenticeships to apprenticeship. The singular noun apprenticeship is not parallel with the plural noun workers. Eliminate choice D. Choice E compares that, grammatically referring to the [artisans] of stained glass workers, with other artisans. These are not similar items, so eliminate choice E. Choice A: No. Training is incorrectly compared to other artisans. Comparison. Choice B: No. Training is incorrectly compared to other artisans. Comparison. Choice C: Correct. Choice D: No. Apprenticeship is not parallel with workers. Parallel construction. Choice E: No. That is incorrectly compared to other artisans. Comparison.

The fact that it has bright colors, tag lines that are catchy and money-saving coupons means that the two-page advertising spread is sure to be a big hit with consumers reading this Sunday's paper. A) The fact that it has bright colors, tag lines that are catchy and money-saving coupons means that the two-page advertising spread B) The facts of it having bright colors, fancy tag lines, and money-saving coupons make the two-page advertising spread C) Replete with bright colors, fancy tag lines, and money-saving coupons, the two-page advertising spread D) Upon noticing the bright colors, fancy tag lines, and money-saving coupons, the two-page advertising spread E) The facts of it having bright colors, fancy tag lines, and money-saving coupons make the two-page advertising spread

Answer: C - Replete with bright colors, fancy tag lines, and money-saving coupons, the two-page advertising spread The underlined portion of the sentence contains a list, so check that the elements of the list are in parallel form. The elements of the list are bright colors, tag lines that are catchy, and money-saving coupons. Since bright colors and money-saving coupons are constructed as adjective noun, but tag lines that are catchy is constructed as noun followed by that are then adjective, this is a parallel construction error. Eliminate choice A and look for any obvious repeaters. There are no obvious repeaters, so evaluate the remaining answer choices individually, looking for reasons to eliminate each. Choice B changes the structure of the sentence so that the verb is in the non-underlined portion of the sentence no longer has a subject since advertising spread is now the object of the verb make with the resulting construction [T]he facts...make the two-page advertising spread is sure to be a big hit...paper. So, eliminate choice B for a fragment error. Choice C fixes the original parallel construction error by using the adjective noun construction for all three items in the list bright colors, fancy tag lines, and money-saving coupons and introduces no new errors, so keep choice C. Choice D creates a modifier error, since upon noticing...coupons incorrectly modifies the two-page advertising spread. This suggests that the advertising spread is doing the noticing instead of the consumers, so eliminate choice D. Choice E changes the structure of the sentence so that the verb is in the non-underlined portion of the sentence no longer has a subject since advertising spread is now the object of the verb make with the resulting construction [T]he facts...make the two-page advertising spread is sure to be a big hit...paper. So, eliminate choice E for a fragment error. Choice A: No. Tag lines that are catchy is not parallel to bright colors and money-saving coupons. Parallel construction. Choice B: No. The construction [T]he facts...make the two-page advertising spread results in the fragment is sure to be a big hit...paper. Fragment. Choice C: Correct. Choice D: No. Upon noticing incorrectly modifies the advertising spread. Misplaced modifier. Choice E: No. The construction [T]he facts...make the two-page advertising spread results in the fragment is sure to be a big hit...paper. Fragment.

(Significantly less popular after its public issuance and commercial adoption compared with) the design process which culled opinions from a broad segment of the U.S. population, the Sacagawea dollar coin nevertheless enjoys broad acceptance in Ecuador, which uses U.S. currency. A) Significantly less popular after its public issuance and commercial adoption compared with B) Though it was significantly less popular after public issuance and commercial adoption compared to C) Significantly less popular after its public issuance and commercial adoption than during D) Although it proved significantly less popular after its public issuance and commercial adoption than E) Significantly less popular after public issuance and commercial adoption when compared to

Answer: C - Significantly less popular after its public issuance and commercial adoption than during

The space shuttle has complicated stabilizing systems that undergo extensive tests and repairs during layovers "between launching" from Cape Canaveral due to the tremendous pressure and strain inflicted on it during its lengthy missions. A) between launching B) of launching C) between its launches D) of its launches E) as it launches

Answer: C - between its launches The underlined portion of the sentence contains the present participle verb launching so check to make sure this is the correct verb tense. According to the non-underlined portion of the sentence, which contains the verb has, the present participle is the incorrect verb tense for the sentence. Eliminate choice A and look for obvious repeaters. While choice B contains the word launching, the answer choice changes the structure of the underlined portion, so it is not an obvious repeater. There are no obvious repeaters, so evaluate the remaining choices individually, looking for reasons to eliminate each answer. Choice B introduces a modifier error. The prepositional phrase of launching functions as an adjective, modifying the noun layovers. Eliminate choice B. Choice C corrects the idiom error in the original sentence by replacing the participle launching with the plural noun launches, stating that layovers occur in the time between launches of the shuttle. Keep choice C. Choice D introduces a modifier error. The prepositional phrase of its launches functions as an adjective, modifying the noun layovers. Choice D suggests, not that the space shuttle has layovers, but that its launches from Cape Canaveral have layovers. Eliminate choice D. Choice E uses the phrase as it launches, which functions as an adverb modifying the verb undergo by specifying the time during which the stabilizing systems undergo extensive tests and repairs. Choice E suggests that the shuttle undergoes extensive tests and repairs both during layovers and as it launches. Eliminate choice E. Alternatively, if the grammar rule this sentence is testing is difficult to spot, another strategy is to identify an error from the answer choices by looking for either a 2/3 split or differences among the answers. Two of the answer choices end with the participle launching, and three of the answer choices end with the noun launches. This difference is an indication to look for modifier errors. Choice A: No. The present participle launching is the incorrect tense for this sentence. Verb tense. Choice B: No. The prepositional phrase of launching incorrectly modifies layovers. Misplaced modifier. Choice C: Correct. Choice D: No. The prepositional phrase of its launching incorrectly modifies layovers. Misplaced modifier. Choice E: No. The phrase as it launches incorrectly modifies undergo. Misplaced modifier.

The politician's speech on the need to cut the budget deficit by raising taxes mentioned few specific and many misleading and ambiguous suggestions for new taxes. A) mentioned few specific and many misleading and ambiguous suggestions for new taxes B) mentioned few specifics but numerously misleading and ambiguous suggestions for new taxes C) included few specific suggestions and many misleading and ambiguous proposals for new taxes Correct Answer D) included few specific suggestions for new taxes, and numerous misleading and ambiguous ones E) neglected to suggest new taxes in any specific form but mentioned numerous misleading and ambiguous suggestions

Answer: C - included few specific suggestions and many misleading and ambiguous proposals for new taxes The underlined portion of the sentence contains the simple past tense verb mentioned, so look for a verb tense error. Nothing in the sentence suggests that the simple past tense is used in error, so the sentence contains no verb tense error. However, the sentence states that the speech...mentioned...suggestions, and suggestions are not mentioned, they are suggested. The original sentence contains an idiom error, so eliminate choice A and look for obvious repeaters. Choice B also employs the phrase mentioned...suggestions, so eliminate choice B. Now, evaluate the remaining choices individually looking for reasons to eliminate each answer. Choice C corrects the idiom error in the original sentence by replacing the verb mentioned with the verb included and by replacing the noun suggestions with the noun proposals. Keep choice C. Choice D corrects the idiom error, but creates a pronoun error by introducing the pronoun ones, the referent of which is ambiguous. Eliminate choice D. Choice E repeats the original error and utilizes the phrase mentioned...suggestions, so eliminate choice E. Choice A: No. Suggestions are suggested, not mentioned. Idiom. Choice B: No. Suggestions are suggested, not mentioned. Idiom. Choice C: Correct. Choice D: No. The referent of the pronoun ones is ambiguous. Pronoun ambiguity. Choice E: No. Suggestions are suggested, not mentioned. Idiom.

The members of the newest wave of world-class chefs have created a cuisine characterized not only by excellence but also by eclecticism: the traditional techniques of French cuisine form a foundation (to which is added Latin American, Asian, and African elements.) A) to which is added Latin American, Asian, and African elements B) added to which is Latin American, Asian, and African elements C) to which Latin American, Asian and African elements are added D) with Latin American, Asian, and African elements being added to it E) and, in addition, Latin American, Asian, and African elements are added

Answer: C - to which Latin American, Asian and African elements are added Since the underlined portion of the sentence contains a verb, check whether the verb is consistent with the rest of the sentence. The singular verb "is does not agree with the plural subject "elements". This is a subject-verb agreement error, so eliminate choice A and look for any obvious repeaters. Choice B is an obvious repeater because it also uses the singular verb is, so eliminate choice B. Now evaluate the remaining answer choices individually, looking for reasons to eliminate each. Choice C corrects the subject-verb agreement error by using the plural verb are, and introduces no new errors, so keep choice C. Choice D uses the construction being added to it. The singular pronoun it is ambiguous because it could refer to cuisine or foundation, so eliminate choice D for a pronoun ambiguity error. Choice E uses the phrase and, in addition, which communicates the same idea twice, so eliminate choice E for a redundancy error. Choice A: No. The singular verb is does not agree with the plural subject elements. Subject-verb agreement. Choice B: No. The singular verb is does not agree with the plural subject elements. Subject-verb agreement. Choice C: Correct Choice D: No. The singular pronoun it could refer to cuisine or foundation. Pronoun ambiguity. Choice E: No. The phrase and, in addition is redundant. Redundancy.

Different from owners of German shepherds, some town ordinances do not require confinement or being leashed for owners controlling collies or sheep dogs. A) Different from owners of German shepherds, some town ordinances do not require confinement or being leashed for owners controlling B) Unlike owners of German shepherds that are required by some town ordinances to be confined or leashed, there are none for owners control C) Though some town ordinances require owners of German shepherds to keep their dogs confined or on leashes, no such regulations have been required of owners to control D) Though some town ordinances require owners of German shepherds to keep their dogs confined or leashed, few such regulations exist requiring owners to control E) Though there were confinement or leash regulations required by some town ordinances of owners of German shepherds, there are none for the controlling of

Answer: D - Though some town ordinances require owners of German shepherds to keep their dogs confined or leashed, few such regulations exist requiring owners to control The underlined portion of the sentence contains the words different from, so check for comparisons. The underlined portion of the sentence also contains an introductory modifying phrase, so check to make sure the correct nouns are being modified. The comparison is between the noun owners and the noun ordinances, comparing people to rules. This is a comparison error. The phrase different from owners of German shepherds, currently modifies town ordinances. This is a misplaced modifier error. Eliminate choice A and look for obvious repeaters. The answer choices all require some evaluation to determine their errors, so, there are no obvious repeaters. Now evaluate the remaining answer choices individually, looking for reasons to eliminate each. Choice B compares owners to the clause there are none. These are not similar items, so this is a comparison error. Eliminate choice B. Choice C eliminates the direct comparison by changing the structure of the sentence to not compare two items. This choice also eliminates the modifier error by not including any modifying phrases. However, the choice creates a parallelism error as the verb require is not parallel to the verb phrase have been required. Eliminate choice C. Choice D eliminates the direct comparison by comparing ordinances to regulations, does not commit a misplaced modifier error, and introduces no new error. Keep choice D. Choice E eliminates the direct comparison entirely, but uses the phrase of owners of German shepherds to incorrectly modify ordinances, implying that the ordinances belong to these owners. Eliminate choice E. Choice A: No. The owners are incorrect compared with ordinances. Comparison. Choice B: No. The owners are incorrect compared with there are none. Comparison. Choice C: No. Require and have been required are not parallel. Parallel construction. Choice D: Correct. Choice E. No. Of owners of German shepherds incorrectly modifies ordinances. Misplaced modifier.

The relationship between the yucca plant and the yucca moth shows that the mutual dependence of plants and insects sometimes (has an evolution that is quite elaborate and improbable and) such relationships ensure the survival of both species. A) has an evolution that is quite elaborate and improbable and B) has quite an elaborate and improbable evolution and C) quite elaborately, and improbably, evolves, so D) evolves quite elaborately and improbably and that E) evolves quite elaborately, quite improbably, and

Answer: D - evolves quite elaborately and improbably and that The underlined portion of the sentence contains the conjunction and which connects two phrases, so check that the phrases are parallel. The first phrase is that the mutual dependence...has an evolution, and the second phrase is such relationships ensure the survival. Because the second phrase is missing the conjunction that, this is a parallel construction error. Eliminate choice A and look for any obvious repeaters. None of the answer choices repeat the same structure, so there are no obvious repeaters. Now, evaluate the remaining answer choices individually, looking for reasons to eliminate each. Choice B does not fix the original parallel construction error as the underlined portion of the sentence contains the word that, so eliminate choice B. Choice C replaces the conjunction and with so which does not fix the parallel construction error and the resulting phrase, so such relationships ensure the survival of both species, changes the meaning of the sentence. Eliminate choice C. Choice D fixes the original parallel construction error by adding the conjunction that, so the phrase that the mutual dependence...evolves is parallel to the phrase that such relationships ensure, and introduces no new errors, so keep choice D. Choice E does not fix the original parallel construction error as the underlined portion of the sentence contains the word that, so eliminate choice E. Choice A: No. The phrase such relationships ensure the survival is not parallel to that the mutual dependence...has an evolution. Parallel construction. Choice B: No. The phrase such relationships ensure the survival is not parallel to that the mutual dependence...has... an... evolution. Parallel construction. Choice C: No. The phrase such relationships ensure the survival is not parallel to that the mutual dependence...evolves. Parallel construction. Choice D: Correct. Choice E: No. The phrase such relationships ensure the survival is not parallel to that the mutual dependence...evolves. Parallel construction

Proponents of Esperanto argue that a universal language would have two main benefits: (it would not only lead to the increasing of world trade, it would also help to foster) understanding and tolerance throughout the world. A) it would not only lead to the increasing of world trade, it would also help to foster understanding and tolerance B) it would not only lead to increased world trade, but understanding and tolerance would also be fostered C) not only would it lead to increased world trade as it also helps to foster understanding and tolerance D) not only would it lead to increased world trade, but it would also foster understanding and tolerance E) not only would world trade be increased, but it would foster understanding and tolerance

Answer: D - not only would it lead to increased world trade, but it would also foster understanding and tolerance The underlined portion of the sentence contains the beginning of an idiom, not only, so check for idiom errors. Since the next clause incorrectly utilizes only also, rather than the correct form of the idiom, not only...but also, this is an idiom error. Eliminate choice A and look for obvious repeaters. Since no other answer repeats the same phrasing, there are no obvious repeaters. Now evaluate the remaining answer choices individually looking for reasons to eliminate each. Choice B completes the idiom with not only...but. However, the correct idiom requires but also, so this choice repeats the idiom error. Eliminate choice B. Choice C repeats the idiom error by incorrectly following not only with as it also, rather than the correct not only...but also. Eliminate choice C. Choice D fixes the original error, following not only with but also, and introduces no new errors. Keep choice D. Choice E repeats the idiom error by incorrectly following not only with but alone, rather than the correct not only...but also. Eliminate choice E. Alternatively, if it is difficult to spot the grammar rule the sentence is testing, another strategy is to identify an error from the answers by looking for either a 2/3 split or differences among the answers. Because three of the answer choices use the phrase not only would and two of them use the phrase it would not only, this difference is an indication to look for idiom errors. Choice A: No. The idiomatic construction not only is incorrectly followed by also alone, rather than the correct form, not only...but also. Idiom. Choice B: No. The idiomatic construction not only is incorrectly followed by but alone, rather than the correct form, not only...but also. Idiom. Choice C: No. The idiomatic construction not only is incorrectly followed by as it also, rather than the correct form, not only...but also. Idiom. Choice D: Correct. Choice E: No. The idiomatic construction not only is incorrectly followed by but alone, rather than the correct form, not only...but also. Idiom.

Winners of the crafts prize, (three who) are ceramists, will display their work to the general public in a forum that will include demonstrations of crafting techniques. A) three who B) three of which C) three that D) three of whom E) three which

Answer: D - three of whom Since the underlined portion of the sentence contains the phrase three who, check whether this phrase is used correctly. In this case, the phrase three who is idiomatically incorrect because the preposition of is required to create the correct idiomatic structure, three of whom. This is an idiom error, so eliminate choice A and look for any obvious repeaters. Choices C and E are obvious repeaters because they also omit the preposition of, so eliminate choices C and E. Now, evaluate the remaining answer choices individually, looking for reasons to eliminate each. Choice B uses the construction of which. The use of the pronoun which is incorrect since who or whom is correct to refer to winners, so eliminate choice B. Choice D uses the correct idiom construction of whom and introduces no new errors, so keep choice D. Choice A: No. The idiom of whom is incorrectly written as who. Idiom. Choice B: No. This choice incorrectly uses the pronoun which to refer to people. Pronoun Agreement. Choice C: No. The idiom of whom is incorrectly written as that. Idiom. Choice D: Correct Choice E: No. The idiom of whom is incorrectly written as which. Idiom.

To formulate an all-purpose dietary supplement that could satisfy an average adult's requirement for vitamins, minerals, and fiber would (be both nearly impossible and would fail to sell because) consumers can more cheaply combine already available products to meet their specific needs. A) be both nearly impossible and would fail to sell because B) be both nearly impossible as well as a failure to sell since C) both be nearly impossible and a failure to sell since D) be nearly impossible as well as a failure to sell because E) be nearly impossible and would fail to sell because

Answer: E - be nearly impossible and would fail to sell because The underlined portion of the sentence contains a list of characteristics a dietary supplement...would be, so check that these items are parallel in construction. The noun impossible is not parallel to the verb fail, so eliminate choice A for a parallel construction error and look for obvious repeaters. Since none of the other answer choices are constructed the same way, there are no obvious repeaters. Now, evaluate the remaining answer choices individually looking for reasons to eliminate each. Choice B fixes the parallel construction error by replacing the verb fail with the noun failure but introduces an idiom error with the construction both...as well as. Since the correct idiomatic construction is both...and, eliminate choice B for an idiom error. Choice C addresses the parallel construction error by replacing the noun nearly impossible with the verb be nearly impossible but also changes the verb fail to the noun a failure, which is not parallel to be nearly impossible, so eliminate choice C for a parallel construction error. Choice D also changes the noun nearly impossible to the verb be nearly impossible and changes the verb fail to the noun a failure to perpetuate the parallel construction error, so eliminate choice D for a parallel construction error. Choice E fixes the original parallel construction error by replacing the noun impossible with the verb be...impossible, which is parallel to the verb would fail, and introduces no new errors, so keep choice E. Alternatively, if it is difficult to spot which grammar rule the sentence is testing, another strategy is to try to identify an error from the answers by looking for either a 2/3 split or differences among the answers. Since three answer choices use the word because at the end of the underlined portion and the others use the word since, this difference is an indication to look for an idiom error. Choice A: No. The noun impossible is not parallel to the verb fail. Parallel construction. Choice B: No. The construction both...as well as is incorrect. Idiom. Choice C: No. The verb be...impossible is not parallel to the noun a failure. Parallel construction. Choice D: No. The verb be...impossible is not parallel to the noun a failure. Parallel construction. Choice E: Correct.

Because of his reckless actions and disdain for authority, John Wilmot Rochester lost the favor of Charles II, (insisting that Lord Rochester) should behave more in keeping with the protocol of the time. A) insisting that Lord Rochester should B) insisting that Lord Rochester C) and he insisted Lord Rochester to D) who insisted that Lord Rochester E) who insisted Lord Rochester to

Answer: D - who insisted that Lord Rochester The underlined portion of the sentence contains the verb insisting, so check to make sure that this verb matches its intended subject. As constructed, the sentence is unclear as to who is insisting. Eliminate choice A for a subject-verb agreement error and look for obvious repeaters. Choice B is an obvious repeater of the subject-verb agreement error because it also uses the verb insisting without identifying a clear subject, so eliminate choice B. Now, evaluate the remaining answer choices individually looking for reasons to eliminate each. Choice C addresses the original unclear subject-verb agreement error by including the pronoun he but is still incorrectly ambiguous as he could refer to John Wilmot Rochester or Charles II. Eliminate choice C for a pronoun ambiguity error. Choice D fixes the subject-verb ambiguity error by identifying who insisted and introduces no new errors, so keep choice D. Choice E uses the incorrect idiom structure insisted...to when the correct idiomatic structure is insisted that, so eliminate choice E for an idiom error. Choice A: No. The verb insisting does not have a clear subject. Subject-Verb agreement. Choice B: No. The verb insisting does not have a clear subject. Subject-Verb agreement. Choice C: No. The pronoun he can incorrectly refer to either John Wilmot Rochester or Charles II. Pronoun ambiguity. Choice D: Correct. Choice E: No. The idiom insisted... to is incorrect. The proper idiom construction is insisted that. Idiom.

(Large corporations are prevented from conspiracy on restraining trade by antitrust laws that were passed at the turn of the century, but they) needed the further support of Supreme Court decisions to be wholly effective. A) Large corporations are prevented from conspiracy on restraining trade by antitrust laws that were passed at the turn of the century, but they B) Large corporations, prevented from conspiring to restrain trade by antitrust laws passed at the turn of the century, but the laws C) Conspiracy to restrain trade by large corporations was prevented by antitrust laws passed at the turn of the century, but they have D) Antitrust laws which were passed at the turn of the century, prevented large corporations from conspiring on restraining trade, but such laws have E) Antitrust laws were passed at the turn of the century to prevent large corporations from conspiring to restrain trade, but such laws have

Answer: E - Antitrust laws were passed at the turn of the century to prevent large corporations from conspiring to restrain trade, but such laws have The underlined portion of the sentence contains the plural pronoun they, so check for pronoun agreement and ambiguity errors. The underlined portion also contains the expression conspiracy on restraining trade, so check for an idiom error. The plural pronoun they could refer to either of the plural nouns, corporations or laws. This is a pronoun ambiguity error. Also, the construction conspiracy on restraining trade is incorrect, since the correct idiomatic structure is conspiring to restrain. Eliminate choice A for both the pronoun ambiguity and idiom errors and look for obvious repeaters. Because no other answer choice is constructed the same way, there are no obvious repeaters. Now, evaluate the remaining answer choices individually, looking for reasons to eliminate each. Choice B uses the phrase, prevented from...of the century, to modify corporations. The result is that corporations has no verb, so eliminate choice B for a sentence fragment error. Choice C creates a pronoun ambiguity error by using the plural pronoun they, which could refer to either of the plural nouns corporations or laws. Eliminate choice C. Choice D uses the unidiomatic expression conspiring on instead of the correct construction conspiring to, so eliminate choice D for an idiom error. Choice E fixes the original pronoun ambiguity and idiom errors by replacing the pronoun they with the unambiguous such laws and by using the correct form of the idiom, conspiring to. This choice introduces no new errors, so keep choice E. Choice A: No. The pronoun they could refer to either of the plural nouns, corporations or laws, and the phrase conspiracy on restraining trade is not the correct idiom structure. Pronoun ambiguity; Idiom. Choice B: No. The subject corporations has no verb. Fragment. Choice C: No. The plural pronoun they could refer to either of the plural nouns, corporations or laws. Pronoun ambiguity. Choice D: No. The construction conspiring on is not the correct idiom structure. Idiom. Choice E: Correct.

(Factories in southern states like Georgia and Mississippi employed more than 300,000 workers in the late nineteenth century, but they) were driven out of business by increasing federal taxes as well as a labor supply that migrated north in the hope of finding better wages. A) Factories in southern states like Georgia and Mississippi employed more than 300,000 workers in the late nineteenth century, but they B) More than 300,000 workers had been employed by factories in southern states such as Georgia and Mississippi in the late nineteenth century, but they C) In the late nineteenth century, more than 300,000 workers were employed by factories in southern states such as Georgia and Mississippi, but they D) More than 300,000 workers had been employed by factories in southern states like Georgia and Mississippi in the late nineteenth century, but these factories E) Factories in southern states such as Georgia and Mississippi employed more than 300,000 workers in the late nineteenth century, but these factories

Answer: E - Factories in southern states such as Georgia and Mississippi employed more than 300,000 workers in the late nineteenth century, but these factories Since the underlined portion of the sentence contains the pronoun they, check that it agrees unambiguously with its referent. The plural pronoun they could refer to factories, states, or workers. This is a pronoun ambiguity error, so eliminate choice A and look for any obvious repeaters. Choices B and C are obvious repeaters because they both contain the plural pronoun they, so eliminate choices B and C. Now, evaluate the remaining answer choices individually, looking for reasons to eliminate each. Choice D fixes the original pronoun ambiguity error by replacing the pronoun they with the phrase these factories, but the use of the word like suggests that the factories were located in states similar to Georgia and Mississippi, not states actually including Georgia and Mississippi. This is an idiom error, since such as is the correct idiom to mean for example. Also, this choice changes the subject of the sentence from factories to more than 300,000 workers, thus changing the meaning of the sentence. Eliminate choice D. Choice E fixes the original pronoun ambiguity error by replacing the pronoun they with the phrase these factories, and introduces no new errors, so keep choice E. Alternatively, if it is difficult to spot the grammar rule the sentence is testing, another strategy is to identify an error from the answers by looking for either a 2/3 split or differences among the answers. Because three of the answer choices end with but they and two answer choices end with but these factories, this difference is an indication to look for pronoun ambiguity errors. Choice A: No. The plural pronoun they could refer to factories, states, or workers. Pronoun ambiguity. Choice B: No. The plural pronoun they could refer to factories, states, or workers. Pronoun ambiguity. Choice C: No. The plural pronoun they could refer to factories, states, or workers. Pronoun ambiguity. Choice D: No. Like is incorrectly used instead of such as. Idiom. Choice E: Correct.

Markets are often advocated as the most efficient avenue to human happiness, since markets allow producers and consumers to meet (a seeming limitless number of needs and desires, each arising from) a specific individual. A) a seeming limitless number of needs and desires, each arising from B) a seeming limitless number of needs and desires, each arising out of C) a seeming limitless number of needs and desires, all arising from D) a seemingly limitless number of needs and desires, all of them arising out of E) a seemingly limitless number of needs and desires, each arising from

Answer: E - a seemingly limitless number of needs and desires, each arising from Since the underlined portion of the sentence contains consecutive adjectives, check whether each adjective is used correctly. In the phrase a seeming limitless number, the adjective limitless is used correctly since it modifies the noun number, but since the adjective seeming modifies the adjective limitless, the correct construction is the adverb form seemingly (since an adverb, not another adjective, correctly modifies an adjective). This is an idiom error, so eliminate choice A and look for any obvious repeaters. Choices B and C are obvious repeaters since they also use the phrase seeming limitless, so eliminate choices B and C. Now evaluate the remaining answer choices individually, looking for reasons to eliminate each. Choice D fixes the idiom error by correctly using the adverb seemingly to modify the adjective limitless, but incorrectly uses the plural pronoun all to refer to the singular noun number, and uses the construction arising out of, an incorrect form of the idiom arising from, so eliminate choice D. Choice E fixes the idiom error by correctly using the adverb seemingly to modify the adjective limitless, and introduces no new errors, so keep choice E. Alternatively, if it is difficult to spot the grammar rule the sentence is testing, another strategy is to identify an error from the answers by looking for either a 2/3 split or differences among the answers. Because three of the answer choices use the phrase seeming limitless and two answer choices use the phrase seemingly limitless, this difference is an indication to look for idiom errors. Choice A: No. Seemingly limitless is incorrectly written as seeming limitless. Idiom. Choice B: No. Seemingly limitless is incorrectly written as seeming limitless. Idiom. Choice C: No. Seeminglylimitless is incorrectly written as seeming limitless. Idiom. Choice D: No. The plural pronoun all incorrectly refers to the singular noun number. Pronoun agreement. Choice E: Correct

A large rise in the number of housing starts in the coming year should boost revenues from new construction by several billion dollars, (making the construction industry's economic health much more robust than five years ago.) A) making the construction industry's economic health much more robust than five years ago B) and make the construction industry's economic health much more robust than five years ago C) making the construction industry's economic health much more robust than it was five years ago D) to make the construction industry's economic health much more robust than five years ago E) in making the construction industry's economic health much more robust than it was five years ago

Answer: E - making the construction industry's economic health much more robust than it was five years ago The underlined portion of the sentence contains the comparative phrase much more so check for comparison errors. The first item in the comparison is the construction industry's economic health which cannot be compared to five years ago. Eliminate choice A and look for obvious repeaters. Choices B and D each repeat the original error by incorrectly comparing economic health to five years ago, so eliminate choices B and D. Now, evaluate the remaining answer choices individually, looking for reasons to eliminate each. Choice C fixes the original error by comparing economic health to the pronoun it, which clearly refers to economic health and introduces no new errors, so keep choice C. Choice E fixes the original error by comparing economic health to the pronoun it. However, this choice introduces a modifier error, as the phrase in making incorrectly modifies boost revenues...by several billion dollars. Eliminate choice E. Choice A: No. Economic health is incorrectly compared to five years ago. Comparison. Choice B: No. Economic health is incorrectly compared to five years ago. Comparison. Choice C: Correct. Choice D: No. Economic health is incorrectly compared to five years ago. Comparison. Choice E: No. In making incorrectly modifies boost revenues...by several billion dollars. Misplaced modifier.

In the admissions process, universities have begun to focus more and more on recommendations from teachers and personal statements from students, (in part that their student body should acquire diversity) and partly because recommendations provide more personal appraisals of students' abilities. A) in part that their student body should acquire diversity B) in part for the acquisition of diversity in their student body C) partly because of their student body acquiring diversity D) partly because diversity should be acquired by their student body E) partly to acquire diversity in their student body

Answer: E - partly to acquire diversity in their student body The underlined portion of the sentence contains part of a list, so look for parallel construction errors. The sentence mentions two reasons universities have begun to focus...more on recommendations...and personal statements. The first reason, that their student body should acquire diversity, is introduced by the phrase in part. The second reason, recommendations provide more personal appraisals, is introduced by the word partly. In addition, the first reason is constructed using the subjunctive phrase that their student body should, while the second reason is constructed using the indicative phrase recommendations provide. The words used to introduce the reasons are not parallel, and the reasons themselves are expressed in different moods, so eliminate choice A and look for obvious repeaters. Choice B also employs the phrase in part, so eliminate choice B. Now, evaluate the remaining choices individually, looking for reasons to eliminate each answer. Choice C corrects the parallel construction error in the original sentence by using the word partly to introduce each reason. However, choice C commits a modifier error. While the original sentence suggests that increased focus...on recommendations...and personal statements should cause the student body to acquire diversity, choice C suggests that acquiring diversity should cause an increased focus...on recommendations...and personal statements. The word acquiring is incorrectly modified by student body. Eliminate choice C. Choice D corrects the error in the original sentence by using partly to introduce each reason. However, choice D commits a modifier error. The word acquired is incorrectly modified by diversity. Eliminate choice D. Choice E corrects the error in the original sentence and introduces no new errors, so keep choice E. Alternatively, if it is difficult to spot the grammar rule this sentence is testing, another strategy is to identify an error from the answer choices by looking for either a 2/3 split or differences among the answers. Three of the answers begin with the word partly and two begin with the phrase in part. This difference is an indication to look for parallelism errors. Choice A: No. The first reason is introduced by the phrase in part, and the second reason is introduced by the word partly. Parallel construction. Choice B: No. The first reason is introduced by the phrase in part, and the second reason is introduced by the word partly. Parallel construction. Choice C: No. The word acquiring is incorrectly modified by student body. Misplaced modifier. Choice D: No. The word acquired is incorrectly modified by diversity. Misplaced modifier. Choice E: Correct.

Employing the finest and most up-to-date training techniques, Mike Powell was able to jump farther (when compared to the distance achieved by Bob Beamon) in the 1968 Olympics. A) when compared to the distance achieved by Bob Beamon B) as compared to the distance achieved by Bob Beamon C) by comparison with Bob Beamon's distance D) than Bob Beamon's distance E) than Bob Beamon did

Answer: E - than Bob Beamon did Since the underlined portion of the sentence completes the idiom that begins in the non-underlined portion of the sentence with the word farther, check whether the idiom is constructed correctly. This sentence uses the construction farther when compared, an incorrect form of the idiom farther than. This is an idiom error, so eliminate choice A and look for any obvious repeaters. There are no obvious repeaters, so evaluate the remaining answer choices individually looking for reasons to eliminate each. Choice B uses the construction farther as compared, an incorrect construction of the idiom farther than, so eliminate choice B. Choice C uses the construction farther by comparison, an incorrect construction of the idiom farther than, so eliminate choice C. Choice D fixes the idiom error by using the correct idiomatic construction farther than, but it incorrectly compares Mike Powell to distance, so eliminate choice D for a comparison error. Choice E fixes the idiom error by using the correct idiomatic construction farther than and introduces no new errors, so keep choice E. Choice A: No. Farther when is an incorrect form of the idiom farther than. Idiom. Choice B: No. Farther as is an incorrect form of the idiom farther than. Idiom. Choice C: No. Farther by is an incorrect form of the idiom farther than. Idiom. Choice D: No. Mike Powell is incorrectly compared to distance. Comparison. Choice E: Correct.

General contracting firms are investigating changes in construction techniques that would permit contractors to reduce the time required to complete construction of a building, (decrease the amount of raw material needed during construction, and to avoid changes that require contractors that revise blueprints) and redraft working plans. A) decrease the amount of raw material needed during construction, and to avoid changes that require contractors that revise blueprints B) decrease the amount of raw material needed during construction, and avoiding changes that require contractors revising blueprints C) to decrease the amount of raw material needed during construction, and avoiding changes that require contractors to revise blueprints C) to decrease the amount of raw material needed during construction, avoiding changes that require contractors that revise blueprints D) to decrease the amount of raw material needed during construction, and to avoid changes that require contractors to revise blueprints

Answer: E - to decrease the amount of raw material needed during construction, and to avoid changes that require contractors to revise blueprints Correct Answer The underlined portion of the sentence contains part of a list, so check that all items in the list are parallel. The list begins with the infinitive to reduce in the non-underlined portion. The list continues with the verb decrease and the infinitive to avoid. The preposition to appears before the first and third verbs in the list, but not the second, so this is a parallel construction error. Eliminate choice A and look for any obvious repeaters. Because there are no obvious repeaters, evaluate the remaining answer choices individually, looking for reasons to eliminate each. Choice B contains the list to reduce, decrease, and avoiding. Because these verb forms are not parallel, this is a parallel construction error. Eliminate choice B. Choice C contains the list to reduce, to decrease, and avoiding. Because these verb forms are not parallel, this is a parallel construction error. Eliminate choice C. Choice D contains the list to reduce, to decrease, and avoiding. Because these verb forms are not parallel, this is a parallel construction error. Eliminate choice D. Choice E fixes the original parallel construction error by changing the list to the parallel verbs to reduce, to decrease, and to avoid. Choice E introduces no new errors, so keep choice E. Alternatively, if it is difficult to spot which grammar rule the sentence is testing, another strategy is to try to identify an error from the answers by looking for either a 2/3 split or differences among the answers. Since three answer choices use the infinitive to decrease and the others use only the verb decrease, this difference is an indication to look for parallel construction errors. Choice A: No. The verb forms to reduce, decrease, and to avoid are not parallel. Parallel construction. Choice B: No. The verb forms to reduce, decrease, and avoiding are not parallel. Parallel construction. Choice C: No. The verb forms to reduce, to decrease, and avoiding are not parallel. Parallel construction. Choice D: No. The verb forms to reduce, to decrease, and avoiding are not parallel. Parallel construction. Choice E: Correct.

Despite exhortations from Republicans and conservative Democrats that he use savings from budget cuts to shrink the federal deficit, President Clinton initially favored (the use of the first windfall from cutting the federal budget for investing) in infrastructure development. A) the use of the first windfall from cutting the federal budget for investing B) the use of the first windfall from cuts to the federal budget for investing C) that they use the first windfall from federal budget cuts for the investment D) using the first windfall from cuts of the federal budget for the investing E) using the first windfall from federal budget cuts for investment

Answer: E - using the first windfall from federal budget cuts for investment The underlined portion of the sentence contains the idiom for investing, so check for the correct idiom construction. The idiom for investing is incorrect, as the correct idiom structure is for investment. Eliminate choice A and look for obvious repeaters. Choices B and D are both obvious repeaters as they both use some form of the construction for investing so eliminate choices B and D. Now, evaluate the remaining answer choices individually, looking for reasons to eliminate each. Choice C corrects the original idiom error by using the correct idiom construction for...investment. However, this choice introduces a pronoun ambiguity error with the use of the plural pronoun they which could refer to any of the plural nouns Republicans, conservative Democrats, or some combination of those groups and President Clinton. Eliminate choice C. Choice E corrects the original idiom error by using the correct idiom construction for...investment and introduces no new errors, so keep choice E. Choice A: No. The construction for investing is an incorrect idiom. Idiom. Choice B: No. The construction for investing is an incorrect idiom. Idiom. Choice C: No. The plural pronoun they could refer to Republicans, conservative Democrats, or some combination of those groups and President Clinton. Pronoun ambiguity. Choice D: No. The construction for investing is an incorrect idiom. Idiom. Choice E: Correct.

The usual response of people who become ill after drinking alcohol is to drink again, sometimes the same liquor, (ignoring the likelihood that the toxins that caused it could happen again.) A) ignoring the likelihood that the toxins that caused it could happen again B) ignoring the likelihood that the toxins causing it could precipitate a similar physiological response C) ignoring that the toxins that caused the illness might also precipitate another one D) without anticipating that the toxins causing the illness could happen again E) without anticipating that the same toxins that caused the illness might precipitate another such physiological response

Answer: E - without anticipating that the same toxins that caused the illness might precipitate another such physiological response Because the underlined portion of the sentence contains a pronoun, check to see that it agrees with its referent and is not ambiguous. The pronoun it could refer to usual response, ill, liquor, or toxins. This is a pronoun ambiguity error, so eliminate choice A and look for any obvious repeaters. Choice B also uses the pronoun it with no clear referent, so eliminate choice B. Now evaluate the remaining answer choices individually, looking for reasons to eliminate each. Choice C uses the pronoun one, which could refer to toxins or illness. Since one has no clear referent, this is a pronoun ambiguity error, so eliminate choice C. Choice D fixes the original pronoun ambiguity error by eliminating the use of a pronoun. However, this choice places the phrase could happen again to modify toxins. This is a misplaced modifier error as it is not the toxins that could happen again, so eliminate choice D. Choice E addresses the pronoun error from the original sentence by removing the pronoun, and introduces no new errors, so keep choice E. Choice A: No. The pronoun it has no clear referent. Pronoun ambiguity. Choice B: No. The pronoun it has no clear referent. Pronoun ambiguity. Choice C: No. The pronoun one has no clear referent. Pronoun ambiguity. Choice D: No. The phrase could happen again incorrectly modifies toxins. Misplaced Modifier. Choice E: Correct.

Those who are concerned about the environment (question if the timber industry, interested in cost-efficiency, might not be initiating) a program that increased productivity but polluted nearby rivers and streams. A) question if the timber industry, interested in cost-efficiency, might not be initiating B) question if the timber industry, interested in cost-efficiency, had not initiated C) question whether the timber industry, interested in cost-efficiency, might not initiate D) wonder as to whether the timber industry, interested in cost-efficiency, were to initiate E) wonder whether the timber industry, with its interest in cost efficiency, initiated

Answer: E - wonder whether the timber industry, with its interest in cost efficiency, initiated The underlined portion of the sentence employs the subjunctive verb phrase might not be initiating, so look for verb tense errors. The phrase might not be initiating refers to a pair of possible alternatives. The timber industry might or might not be initiating a program, but if it is, the present participle initiating indicates that the program is being initiated in the present. The verbs that follow the underlined portion of the sentence are in the simple past tense (increased and polluted). Thus, the sentence makes a verb tense error by suggesting the possibility that the timber industry is initiating a program that has effects in the past. Moreover, the conjunction if should only be used to introduce a conditional clause, so its use in this sentence is not idiomatic. Eliminate choice A and look for obvious repeaters. Choice B uses the conjunction if, so eliminate choice B. Now, evaluate the remaining choices individually, looking for reasons to eliminate each. Choice C corrects the idiom error in the original sentence by replacing if with the conjunction whether, which matches the doubt about possible alternatives that is suggested by the use of the subjunctive tense. However, choice C introduces a verb tense error. The verb phrase might not initiate indicates that the program has not yet been initiated. Thus, the this answer choice suggests that a program that might be initiated in the future will have effects in the past. Eliminate choice C. Choice D introduces a similar verb tense error by using the subjunctive were to initiate, suggesting that a program that might be initiated in the future will have effects in the past. In addition, the phrase wonder as to whether is not idiomatic. Eliminate choice D. Choice E uses the idiomatic phrase wonder whether, and the tense of the verb initiated matches the tense of the verbs that follow it (increased and polluted). This choice also introduces no new errors, so keep choice E. Alternatively, if it is difficult to spot the grammar rules this sentence is testing, another strategy is to identify an error from the answer choices by looking for either a 2/3 split or differences among the answers. Three of the answer choices employ the conjunction whether and two employ the conjunction if. This difference is an indication to look for idiom errors. Choice A: No. The tense of the verb phrase might not be initiating does not match the tense of the verbs increased and polluted, and the phrase question if is not idiomatic. Verb tense; Idiom. Choice B: No. The phrase question if is not idiomatic. Idiom. Choice C: No. The tense of the verb phrase might not initiate does not match the tense of the verbs increased and polluted. Verb tense. Choice D: No. The tense of the verb phrase were to initiate does not match the tense of the verbs increased and polluted, and the phrase wonder as to whether is not idiomatic. Verb tense; Idiom. Choice E: Correct.

DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) is one of the first research groups to consider the human mind (to be nothing more than parts and energy, a thermodynamic system, and to attempt to recreate it) in order to design computers that think. A) to be nothing more than parts and energy, a thermodynamic system, and to attempt to recreate it B) should be nothing more than parts and energy, a thermodynamic system, and attempt to recreate that system C) as being nothing more than parts and energy, a thermodynamic system, and attempting to recreate that system D) as if it was nothing more than parts and energy, a thermodynamic system, and attempt to recreate that system E) nothing more than parts and energy, a thermodynamic system, and to attempt to recreate that system

Answer: E- nothing more than parts and energy, a thermodynamic system, and to attempt to recreate that system The underlined portion of the sentence contains part of a list, so look for parallelism errors. The underlined portion also contains the pronoun it, so check for agreement and ambiguity. The sentence may seem as though the list contains three items, but the appositive phrase a thermodynamic system provides non-essential information and the sentence can be read without it. Doing so reveals a list of verbs that are in parallel (to consider, to attempt), so there is no parallelism error. However, the pronoun it could refer to the human mind or a thermodynamic system. This is a pronoun ambiguity error, so eliminate choice A and look for obvious repeaters. None of the other answer choices end with the word it, so there are no obvious repeaters. Now, evaluate the remaining choices individually, looking for reasons to eliminate each answer. Choice B fixes the original pronoun ambiguity error by eliminating the word it. However, this choice introduces a parallelism error, as the verb forms are no longer parallel (to consider, attempt). Eliminate choice B. Choice C also introduces a parallelism error, as the verb forms are no longer parallel (to consider, attempting). Eliminate choice C. Choice D introduces another parallelism error, as the verb forms are no longer parallel (to consider, attempt). Eliminate choice D. Choice E corrects the pronoun ambiguity error by removing the word it, and introduces no new errors, so keep choice E. Choice A: No. It is unclear whether the pronoun it refers to a human mind or a thermodynamic system. Pronoun ambiguity. Choice B: No. The verbs to consider and attempt are not parallel. Parallel construction. Choice C: No. The verbs to consider and attempting are not parallel. Parallel construction. Choice D: No. The verbs to consider and attempt are not parallel. Parallel construction. Choice E: Correct.

Many corporations are scaling back their operations and focusing on their core businesses (so as not to be hindered by over-diversification) in the world marketplace. A) so as not to be hindered by over-diversification B) so that over-diversification would not hinder them C) so that they will not have so much diversification to hinder them D) and thereby not to be hindered by over-diversification E) and there is not so much diversification to hinder them

Answer_ A) so as not to be hindered by over-diversification This sentence is correct as written. The underlined portion of the sentence contains the idiom, so as...to, so check to see if that idiom is correct. There appears to be no error in the original sentence, so keep choice A. Because there is no error in the original sentence, there are no obvious repeaters to look for, so evaluate the remaining answer choices individually looking for reasons to eliminate each. Choice B contains a pronoun, them, which might refer to corporations, operations, or businesses, so this is a pronoun ambiguity error. Eliminate choice B. Choice C contains two pronouns, they and them, which again might refer to corporations, operations, or businesses, so this is another pronoun ambiguity error. Eliminate choice C. Choice D restructures the sentence to create an additional list. Are scaling and to be hindered are not parallel, so eliminate choice D. Choice E contains the pronoun them, which might refer to corporations, operations, or businesses, so this is a pronoun ambiguity error. Eliminate choice E. Alternatively, if it is difficult to spot the grammar rule the sentence is testing, another strategy is to identify an error from the answers by looking for either a 2/3 split or differences among the answers. Because three of the answer choices use the preposition so and two of them use the conjunction and, this difference is an indication to look for parallel construction errors. Choice A: Correct. Choice B: No. The pronoun them is ambiguous. Pronoun ambiguity. Choice C: No. The pronouns they and them are ambiguous. Pronoun ambiguity. Choice D: No. The verb forms are scaling and to be hindered are not parallel. Parallel construction. Choice E: No. The pronoun them is ambiguous. Pronoun ambiguity.

Regular grooming and defleaing is necessary for short-haired cats (the same as) long-haired cats, because careful hygiene has more to do with the condition of a cat's skin than with the length of its hair. A) the same as B) as well as Correct Answer C) as for D) the same as if they were E) as it is for

Because the underlined portion of the sentence contains the words the same as, check to see if these words are used correctly. The correct words to apply grooming and defleaing to both short-haired cats and long-haired cats are not the same as, but as well as. This is an idiom error, so eliminate choice A and look for any obvious repeaters. Choice D also contains the words the same as, so eliminate choice D. Now evaluate the remaining answer choices individually, looking for reasons to eliminate each. Choice B replaces the same as with the correct idiom as well as, and introduces no new errors, so keep choice B. Choice C uses the words as for instead of the correct idiom as well as, so eliminate choice C. Choice E contains the words as it is for instead of the correct idiom as well as, so eliminate choice E. Choice A: No. The construction the same as is an incorrect comparison idiom. Idiom. Choice B: Correct. Choice C: No. The construction as for is an incorrect comparison idiom. Idiom. Choice D: No. The construction the same as is an incorrect comparison idiom. Idiom. Choice E: No. The construction as...for is an incorrect comparison idiom. Idiom.

(Unlike the United Kingdom, where the party that wins a majority of seats in Parliament chooses the head of the government, the chief executive in the United States) is chosen in an election separate from that which determines the majority party in the legislative branch. A) Unlike the United Kingdom, where the party that wins a majority of seats in Parliament chooses the head of the government, the chief executive in the United States B) Unlike the United Kingdom party that wins a majority of seats in Parliament and chooses the head of the government, the chief executive in the United States C) Unlike that of the United Kingdom, where the party that wins a majority of seats in Parliament chooses the head of the government, the United States has a chief executive that D) In comparison with the United Kingdom, where the party that wins a majority of seats in Parliament chooses the head of the government, the chief executive in the United States E) In the United Kingdom, the party that wins a majority of seats in Parliament chooses the head of the government, but in the United States the chief executive

Since the underlined portion of the sentence contains the comparison word unlike, check whether the items compared are alike. In this case, United Kingdom is incorrectly compared to chief executive. This is a comparison error, so eliminate choice A and look for any obvious repeaters. Choice D is an obvious repeater because it also compares United Kingdom and chief executive, so eliminate choice D. Now evaluate the remaining answer choices individually, looking for reasons to eliminate each. Choice B incorrectly compares United Kingdom party with chief executive, so eliminate choice B. Choice C incorrectly compares that of the United Kingdom with the United States, and it is unclear what the pronoun that refers to, so eliminate choice C. Choice E eliminates the comparison error in the original sentence by rewriting the sentence to parallel in the United Kingdom to in the United States, and introduces no new errors, so keep choice E. Choice A: No. United Kingdom is incorrectly compared to chief executive. Comparison. Choice B: No. United Kingdom Party is incorrectly compared to chief executive. Comparison. Choice C: No. That of the United Kingdom is incorrectly compared to United States. Comparison. Choice D: No. United Kingdom is incorrectly compared to chief executive. Comparison. Choice E: Correct

The term "genre novel" is loosely defined, promoted by those critics who do not consider novels that rely on romantic relationships, crime drama, or (use fantastic elements to be mainstream literature and thus exclude these) from consideration when awarding literary prizes. A) use fantastic elements to be mainstream literature and thus exclude these B) fantastic elements mainstream literature and thus exclude these use fantastic elements as mainstream literature and thus exclude these works D) fantastic elements as if they were mainstream literature and thus exclude these E) fantastic elements mainstream literature and thus exclude these works

The non-underlined portion of the sentence contains the conjunction or, so check that the items in the list are parallel. The end of the underlined portion has the pronoun these, so find its antecedent. The list consists of romantic relationships, crime drama, and use fantastic elements. The last item contains a verb and is therefore not the same form as the rest of the list. This is a parallel construction error. The pronoun these could refer to novels or to the items of the list, so there is a pronoun ambiguity error too. Eliminate choice A and look for obvious repeaters. Answer choice C is an obvious repeater because it also contains the word use, so eliminate choice C. Answer choices B and D are obvious repeaters because they also contain the word these, so eliminate choices B and D. Answer choice E is the only remaining choice. Evaluate the remaining answer choice individually, looking for reasons to eliminate it. Choice E fixes the parallel construction error by eliminating the word use, fixes the pronoun ambiguity error by adding the clarifying noun works, and doesn't introduce any new errors. Keep choice E. Alternatively, if it is difficult to spot the grammar rule the sentence is testing, another strategy is to identify an error from the answers by looking for either a 2/3 split or differences among the answers. Because two of the answer choices use the verb use and three answer choices drop the verb use and begin with fantastic elements, this difference is an indication to look for parallel construction errors. In addition because three of the answer choices end with the phrase thus exclude these and two of the answer choices end with the phrase thus exclude these works, this is an indication to look for pronoun errors. Choice A: No. Use fantastic elements is not parallel with romantic relationships and crime drama, and the antecedent of these is ambiguous. Parallel construction; Pronoun ambiguity. Choice B: No. The antecedent of these is ambiguous. Pronoun ambiguity. Choice C: No. Use fantastic elements is not parallel with romantic relationships and crime drama. Parallel construction. Choice D: No. The antecedent of these is ambiguous. Pronoun ambiguity. Choice E: Correct.