GMAT Sample Questions

GMAT Verbal Section : GMAT Sample Sentence Correction Questions

Directions: This GMAT sample sentence correction question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

This GMAT smple sentence correction question tests correctness and effectiveness of expression. In choosing your answer, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is, pay attention to grammar, choice of words, and sentence construction. Choose the answer that produces the most effective sentence; this answer should be clear and exact, without awkwardness, ambiguity, redundancy, or grammatical error.

1. Researchers at Cornell University have demonstrated that homing pigeons can sense changes in the earth's magnetic field, see light waves that people cannot see, detect low-frequency sounds from miles away, sense changes in air pressure, and can identify familiar odors.
   1. sense changes in air pressure, and can identify familiar odors
   2. can sense changes in air pressure, and can identify familiar odors
   3. sense changes in air pressure, and identify familiar odors
   4. air pressure changes can be sensed, and familiar odors identified
   5. air pressure changes are sensed, and familiar odors identified

   Answer : C

2. In ancient times, Nubia was the principal corridor where there were cultural influences transmitted between Black Africa and the Mediterranean basin.
   1. where there were cultural influences transmitted
   2. through which cultural influences were transmitted
   3. where there was a transmission of cultural influences
   4. for the transmitting of cultural influences
   5. which was transmitting cultural influences

   Answer : B

3. It is a special feature of cell aggregation in the developing nervous system that in most regions of the brain the cells not only adhere to one another and also adopt some preferential orientation.
   1. to one another and also adopt
   2. one to the other, and also they adopt
   3. one to the other, but also adopting
   4. to one another but also adopt
   5. to each other, also adopting

   Answer : D

4. Among the reasons for the decline of New England agriculture in the last three decades were the high cost of land, the pressure of housing and commercial development, and basing a marketing and distribution system on importing produce from Florida and California.
   1. basing a marketing and distribution system on importing produce from Florida and California
   2. basing a marketing and distribution system on the imported produce of Florida and California
   3. basing a system of marketing and distribution on the import of produce from Florida and California
   4. a marketing and distribution system based on importing produce from Florida and California
   5. a marketing and distribution system importing produce from Florida and California as its base

   Answer : D

5. Like Byron at Missolonghi, Jack London was slowly killed by the mistakes of the medical men who treated him.
   1. Like Byron
   2. Like Byron's death
   3. Just as Byron died
   4. Similar to Byron
   5. As did Byron

   Answer : A