Advanced SC - which one is correct?

Question 1

A) Certain pesticides can become ineffective if used repeatedly in the same place；one reason is suggested by the finding that there are much larger populations of pesticide-degrading microbes in soils with a relatively long history of pesticide use than in soils that are free of such chemicals.

B) The finding of much larger populations of pesticide-degrading microbes in soils with a relatively long history of pesticide use than in those that are free of such chemicals suggests one reason certain pesticides can become ineffective if used repeatedly in the same place.

Answer 1

A is the correct answer.

Finding of vs Finding that!

Example1: “the finding of much larger populations of pesticide-degrading microbes”

We are not talking about the “finding of microbes” – that would refer to the act of seeing the microbes themselves

Example2: The “reason” that we’re interested in is the finding that there are larger populations of microbes in some soils than in others.

There is a study that. There is evidence that.

Question 2

A) Substitute X for Y

or

B) Substitute X in place of Y?

Answer 2

Some governments merely substitute living allowances for the paychecks of their employees who have been assigned to the United Nations.

Question 3

A) Access to water was less limited
B) There were less limitations on water access

Answer 3

A.

Less cannot be used with limitations.

Question 4

A) However much United States voters may agree that there is waste in government and that the government as a whole spends beyond its means

B) Although United States voters agree there is waste in government and that the government as a whole spends beyond its means

Answer 4

A.
Pay attention to the non underlined section. There is a THAT after AND!

Question 5

A) It has been decided by Jason that he will not attend college next fall.
B) Jason has decided next fall not to attend college.

Answer 5

A.

B is illogical! He either already decided, in the past, or he will decide next fall

Question 6

A) much of the currently uncontrolled dioxins to which North Americans are exposed comes
B) many of the currently uncontrolled dioxins to which North Americans are exposed come

Answer 6

Many goes with dioxins.

Question 7

A) Compounds also found in beta carotene, vitamin E, and vitamin C, and they inhibit the formation of plaque along the body’s blood vessels.

B) Compounds that are also found in beta carotene, vitamin E, and vitamin C and that inhibit the formation of plaque along the body’s blood vessels.

Answer 7

B.

No need to start a new clause.

Question 8

A) We had an arrangement WHERE he cooked and I cleaned
B) We had an arrangement IN WHICH he cooked and I cleaned

Answer 8

The pronoun where can be used to modify a noun place, such as area, site, country, or Nevada. Where cannot modify a “metaphorical” place, such as condition, situation, case, circumstances, or arrangement. In these cases, use in which rather than where.

The pronoun when can be used to modify a noun event or time, such as period, age, 1987, or decade. In these circumstances, you can also use in which instead of when

Question 9

In preparation for the prediction of a major earthquake that will hit the state, a satellite-based computer network is being built by the California Office of Emergency Services for identifying earthquake damage and to pinpoint the most affected areas within two hours of the event.

Question 10

Locate AND inside and outside the underlined portion:

Answer 10

In preparation for the prediction of a major earthquake that will hit the state, a satellite-based computer network is being built by the California Office of Emergency Services for identifying earthquake damage and to pinpoint the most affected areas within two hours of the event.

However much United States voters may agree that there is waste in government and that the government as a whole spends beyond its means, it is difficult to find broad support for a movement toward a minimal state.

Question 11

A) Canadian scientists have calculated that every nine years a human being should be struck by a meteorite.

B) Canadian scientists have calculated that every nine years a human being will be struck by a meteorite.

Answer 11

B

Should is for recommendation!

Question 12

A) One legacy of Madison Avenue’s recent campaign to appeal to people fifty years old and over is realizing that as people age, their concerns change as well.

B) One legacy of Madison Avenue’s recent campaign to appeal to people fifty years old and over is the realization that as people age, their concerns change as well.

Answer 12

B is the correct answer.

Realizing vs Relization.

A concrete verb noun, when available, is preferred to a gerund.

Question 13

A) The new house’s front door is secured by an electronic lock; a feature that not only allows residents to lock and unlock the door without physical keys, but also may prevent them from entering the house during a power outage.

B) The new house’s front door is secured by an electronic lock; this feature not only allows residents without physical keys to lock or unlock the door, but also prevents them from entering the house during a power outage.

Answer 13

B

In A you have a that clause — a relative clause – after semicolon. What you have is a phrase not a clause.

This feature is OK. It’s ok for this to be followed by a noun. However, this without a noun is a red flag!

Question 14

A) Scientist have found evidence that Joe won the competition.

B) Scientists have found evidence of Joe winning the competition.

Answer 14

A

Question 15

A) Even though as yet few signs of higher energy prices are driving up the cost of other goods so far.

B) Despite the dearth of signs thus far that increasing energy prices are driving up the cost of other goods.

Answer 15

B.

A is saying Even though so far few sign of X are driving up the cost. Signs do not drive up the cost.

Question 16

What is wrong with this sentence?

In a blow to those who still were harboring the illusion that E-mail exchanges are private, a watchdog group recently uncovered a trick enabling an interloper to rig an E-mail message so that this person is privy to any comments that a recipient would add as the message is forwarded to others or sent back and forth.

Answer 16

In a blow to those who still were harboring the illusion that E-mail exchanges are private, a watchdog group recently uncovered a trick enabling an interloper to rig an E-mail message so that this person is privy to any comments that a recipient would add as the message is forwarded to others or sent back and forth. [is should be was] would indicates past.

Question 17

A) A recent study of ancient clay deposits has provided new evidence supporting the theory that global forest fires ignited by a meteorite impact contributed to the extinction of the dinosaurs and many other creatures some 65 million years ago.

B) A recent study of ancient clay deposits has provided new evidence supporting the theory in support of the theory that global forest fires were ignited by a meteorite impact and that contributed to the extinction of the dinosaurs and many other creatures some 65 million years ago.

Answer 17

A

“dont be overly obsessed with and + that”

Question 18

A) I went to the gym and I lifted weights.
B) I went to the gym, and I lifted weights.

Answer 18

B.

Linking two independent without a comma and just a conjunction is a MAJOR issue on the GMAT

Question 19

A) According to a recent poll, owning and living in a freestanding house on its own land is still a goal of a majority of young adults, like that of earlier generations

B) According to a recent poll, owning and living in a freestanding house on its own land is still a goal of a majority of young adults, as it was of earlier generations.

Answer 19

B.

Goals stayed the same. We are not comparing goals.

Doing X is still a goal of group Y, as doing X was a goal of group Y in the past.

Question 20

A) In 1923, the Supreme Court declared unconstitutional a minimum wage for women and children in the District of Columbia, ruling that it was a form of price-fixing and, as such, an abridgment of the right of contract.

B) In 1923, a minimum wage for women and children in the District of Columbia was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, ruling that it was a form of price-fixing and, as such, an abridgment of the right of contract.

Answer 20

A.

Be very careful of ing followed by a passive voice. That is the reason B is wrong.

Question 21

A)

B)

Answer 21

I agree with eddy8700… parallelism is an issue in choice D because “not only” is followed by a subject and a verb (subject: “thieves”, verb: “are”); therefore, “but also” would also need to be followed by a subject and a verb. In choice D, “but also” is followed only by the verb “pilfer”, but no subject. Consider the following example: “Not only do you play tennis, but also coach rugby.” This is incorrect for the same reason. Instead, you could use “Not only do you play tennis, but you also coach rugby.” or “You not only play tennis but also coach rugby.”

Question 22

A) As criminal activity on the Internet becomes more and more sophisticated, not only are thieves able to divert cash from company bank accounts, they can also pilfer valuable information such as business development strategies, new product specifications, and contract bidding plans, and sell the data to competitors.

B) As criminal activity on the Internet becomes more and more sophisticated, not only are thieves able to divert cash from company bank accounts, but also pilfer valuable information such as business development strategies, new product specifications, and contract bidding plans to sell the data to competitors.

Answer 22

A

Parallelism is an issue in choice B because “not only” is followed by a subject and a verb (subject: “thieves”, verb: “are”); therefore, “but also” would also need to be followed by a subject and a verb. In choice D, “but also” is followed only by the verb “pilfer”, but no subject. Consider the following example: “Not only do you play tennis, but also coach rugby.” This is incorrect for the same reason. Instead, you could use “Not only do you play tennis, but you also coach rugby.” or “You not only play tennis but also coach rugby.”

Question 23

Identify the parallel structure:

Seldom more than 40 feet wide or 12 feet deep but running 363 miles, the Eerie canal X.

Answer 23

(Seldom more than 40 feet wide or 12 feet deep) modifying => Eerie Canal.

(Running 363 miles also modifying Eerie Canal) also modifying Eerie Canal.

Thus, we have a parallel structure.

Question 24

Find the flaw:

Because there is no linguistic census in France, unlike Britain.

Answer 24

We are comparing in France vs a noun Britain. You can say unlike France, Britain does X, but you cannot say “unlike in X”, Y.

Question 25

Identify the phrase:

1. There is no linguistic census in France, as there is in Britain, a fact that makes it difficult to estimate the number of speakers of Brento, a Celtic language.
2. The boxer bled profusely, his eyes swollen by successive blows from the opponent.
3. Scientists have recently discovered a new planet, a discovery that will have significant implications.

Answer 25

A fact that makes it difficult to estimate the number of speakers of Brento, a Celtic language.

So be careful to no think we have a run-on or a fragment here. This is an “abstract appositive phrase”

Abstract appositives and absolute phrases are similar, in that both are made up of a noun + modifiers.

More examples:

I went to the restaurant with Alexa, an outing that was far more fun than staying at work.
An abolute phrase does not name what was stated by preceding clause. It adds entirely new information.

The boxer bled profusely, his eyes swollen by successive blows from the opponent.

Question 26

A) Out of America’s fascination with all things antique has grown a market for bygone styles of furniture and fixtures that is bringing back the chaise lounge, the overstuffed sofa, and the claw-footed bathtub.

B) Out of America’s fascination with all antique things has grown a market for bygone styles of furniture and fixtures that bring back the chaise lounge, the overstuffed sofa, and the claw-footed bathtub.

Answer 26

A.

Recognize long prep phrases. That in “market for bygone styles of furniture and fixtures that” goes all the way back to market.

Fascination is singular so has is good.

Question 27

In the vast majority of cases, GMAC abides by the following rule:
When one clause is compared to another, the main verb may be omitted in the second clause if the two clauses are in the SAME TENSE and the implied comparison is clear.

Answer 27

OA: Wild animals have less total fat than livestock fed on grain.
Implied comparison:
Wild animals have less total fat than livestock fed on grain [have total fat].
Here, both clauses are in the same tense, and the implied comparison is clear.

If the two clauses are in different tenses, the second clause will generally supply its own verb.

OA: Demographers would have to know a great deal more than they do now.
Implied comparison:
Demographers would have to know a great deal more than they know now.
Here, the two clauses are in different tenses, so the second clause supplies its own verb (do).

As with virtually every rule, there is an exception.

Forms of to be include the following:
infinitive = to be
simple past singular = was
simple past plural = were

Notice what the two OAs below have in common:

OA: Its numbers are now five times greater than [its numbers were]* *when the use of DDT was sharply restricted.
OA: Heating-oil prices are expected to be higher this year than [heating-oil prices were]* *last [year].

Question 28

What’s wrong with the sentence below:

A) World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have, according to some critics, struggled continually in trying to meet their major shareholders’ expectations—a group comprising many of the world’s rich nations—and neglecting their intended beneficiaries in the developing world.

Answer 28

No logical parallelism.

Question 29

A) World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have, according to some critics, c_ontinually struggled to meet their major shareholders’ expectations—a group comprising many of the world’s rich nations—but neglected that_ of their intended beneficiaries in the developing world.

Answer 29

That cannot refer to expectations. Since expectations is plural!

Question 30

In 1713, Alexander Pope began his translation of the Illiad, a work that took him seven years to complete and that literary critic Samuel Johnson, Pope’s contemporary, pronounced the greatest translation in any language.

In 1713, Alexander Pope began translating the Illiad, a work that took seven years until completion and that literary critic Samuel Johnson, Pope’s contemporary, pronounced it as the greatest translation in any language.

Answer 30

Answer is A.

In B: There’s no reason for the “it” there. If you aren’t totally convinced, try completely stripping out the modifiers for a moment, and replace “it” with “the work”: “… a work that Samuel Johnson pronounced the work as the greatest translation…” Fail.

In B: we are breaking ing contemporaneous rule:

The beginning of the underlined portion now uses the phrase “translating the Illiad”, instead of “his translation of the Illiad.” Neither of those things are inherently wrong by themselves, but the phrase is followed by a description: “a work that took seven years…” The sentence is trying to say that Alexander Pope took seven years to write the translation, but (D) is literally suggesting that the Illiad itself is “a work” that took Pope seven years to complete. And that’s nonsense: the Illiad itself wasn’t “a work” completed by Pope; the Illiad was written by Homer, and the translation is Pope’s actual “work.”

Question 31

A) Ryunosuke Akutagawa‘s knowledge of the literatures of Europe, China, and Japan was instrumental in his development as a writer, as it informed his literary style as much as the content of his fiction.

B) Ryunosuke Akutagawa‘s knowledge of the literatures of Europe, China, and Japan was instrumental in his development as a writer, informing both his literary style and the content of his fiction.

Answer 31

B.

Question 32

A) Along the major rivers that traverse the deserts of northeast Africa, the Middle East, and northwest India, the combination of a reliable supply of water and good growing conditions encouraged farming traditions that have, in places, endured for at least 6,000 years.

B) Along the major rivers that traverse the deserts of northeast Africa, the Middle East, and northwest India, the combination of a reliable supply of water and of good growing conditions have encouraged farming traditions that, in places, endured for at least 6,000 years.

C) Along the major rivers that traverse the deserts of northeast Africa, the Middle East, and northwest India, the combination of a reliable supply of water and of good growing conditions both encouraged farming traditions that have, in places, endured for at least 6,000 years.

Answer 32

A.

Both and Combination is redundant.

In B we have a verb tense issue “endure for X” is wrong. “Have endured for X”

Question 33

A) The spraying of pesticides can be carefully planned, but accidents, weather conditions that cannot be foreseen, and pilot errors often cause much larger deposits of spray than anticipated.

B) The spraying of pesticides can be carefully planned, but accidents, weather conditions that are not foreseeable, and pilot errors often cause much larger deposits of spray than anticipated.

Answer 33

A.

Question 34

A) Once numbering in the millions worldwide, wolves have declined to an estimate of 200,000 in 57 countries, with approximately 11,000 of them to be found in the lower 48 United States and Alaska.

B) Once numbering in the millions worldwide, wolves have declined to an estimated 200,000 in 57 countries, some 11,000 of them to be found in the lower 48 United States and Alaska.

Answer 34

B.

Figure out what the noun is. The act of declining should point to a noun here!

Wolves don’t decline to an estimate, they decline to a number. In A) estimate is the noun. in B) 200, 000 is the noun.

Question 35

A) Declining values for farm equipment and land, which farmers use as collateral to borrow against to get through the harvest season, are going to force many lenders to tighten or deny credit this spring.

B) Declining values for farm equipment and land, the collateral against which farmers borrow to get through the harvest season, are going to force many lenders to tighten or deny credit this spring.

Answer 35

B.

Notice “declining values” is plural!

Question 36

A) A baby emerges from the darkness of the womb with a rudimentary sense of vision that would be rated about 20/500; an adult with such vision would be deemed legally blind.

B) A baby emerges from the darkness of the womb with a rudimentary sense of vision that would be rated about 20/500, or legally blind as an adult.

Answer 36

A.

a rudimentary sense of vision that would be… legally blind as an adult.” The vision wouldn’t be legally blind; the baby would

Question 37

A) While depressed property values can hurt some large investors, they are potentially devastating for homeowners, whose equity - in many cases representing a life’s savings - can plunge or even disappear.

B) While depressed property values can hurt some large investors, for homeowners they are potentially devastating, because their equity - in many cases representing a life’s savings - can plunge or even disappear.

Answer 37

A.

Question 38

A) Inuits of the Bering Sea were in isolation from contact with Europeans longer than were Aleuts or Inuits of the North Pacific and northern Alaska.

B) Inuits of the Bering Sea were isolated from contact with Europeans longer than were Aleuts or Inuits of the North Pacific and northern Alaska.

Answer 38

“Isolated from” is a correct idiom, but “in isolation from” is not.

Question 39

A) The nephew of Pliny the Elder wrote the only eyewitness account of the great eruption of Vesuvius in two letters to the historian Tacitus.

B) In two letters to the historian Tacitus, the nephew of Pliny the Elder wrote the only eyewitness account of the great eruption of Vesuvius.

Answer 39

There isn’t any big problem that jumps out right away. If I really want to be a bit nit-picky, I would say that ‘in two letters…’ seems to modify ‘great eruption of Vesuvius’. Looks like the great eruption happened in these two letters

B.

The phrase “in two letters…” can describe one of three things:

(1) where Pliny’s nephew wrote something
(2) the location of the account
(3) where Vesuvius is located

(1) is the meaning that we want - that Pliny wrote, in two letters, the only eyewitness account.
(2) is, according to the GMAT, the problem - we are saying that Pliny’s account is the only eyewitness account in these two letters, but there might be other eyewitness accounts out there in someone else’s letters!
(3) is eliminated by meaning, as per the earlier example: Mount Vesuvius cannot be located within a letter.

Now I think it’s arguable that you could eliminate (2) based on meaning as well, but the GMAT clearly disagrees. However, since there’s another answer choice that completely eliminates the ambiguity by using a comma, we should probaby pick that choice. That choice is (E).

Question 40

A) Long overshadowed by the Maya and Aztec civilizations, the legacy of the more ancient Olmec culture to the Mesoamerican societies that succeeded them is what historians are now exploring

B) Long overshadowed by the Maya and Aztec civilizations, the more ancient Olmec culture is now being explored by historians for its legacy to succeeding Mesoamerican societies

Answer 40

B.

Question 41

A) Fossils of the arm of a sloth found in Puerto Rico in 1991, and dated at 34 million years old, made it the earliest known mammal of the Greater Antilles islands.

B) Fossils of the arm of a sloth, found in Puerto Rico in 1991, have been dated at 34 million years old, making the sloth the earliest known mammal on the Greater Antilles islands.

Answer 41

B.

A is implying it was found and dated at the same time. Weird parallelism.

Also is saying the fossils made the sloth the earliest mammal of the greater of the island? How? Not even on the island. of the island.

Also what is comma and doing here? Comma and is either for oxford comma (i.e., a list with more than two items) or an independent clause (s + v)