SENTENCE CORRECTION

SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

The verb in a sentence must agree with its subject.

(i) They both should be either singular or plural.
Example
A boy is reading a novel (sing.). 
The boys are reading a novel (plural)

(ii)In case, the subject is a collective noun, then the verb will take a singular
form.
Example:
The class is making a noise.
Note:There are four collective nouns viz.- cattle, poultry, police and gentry;
with these nouns, we use a plural verb. There are exceptions to the rule.

(iii)In case, the subjects are connected by AND; they require a plural verb.
Example:
Gold and Silver are precious metals.
If the subjects are connected by OR, the verb used will be singular
Example:
The dog or the pup is sick.
In case there are two different subjects; the verb is put matching the closure
subject.
Example:
Sachin or I am going for a party.
Sachin or Rahul is going for the party.

(iv)All the sentences that begin with EACH, EVERYONE and ANYONE will
have a singular verb.
Example:
Every one of the boys loves to ride.
Anyone has a pen, please.

(v) I, ME: While deciding between the nominative form (i.e. I ) and the
objective form (i.e., me); earlier the nominative form was preferred.
Example: 
Atul and I are going for a walk.
But lately its use is considered formal and over correct .We usually use the
objective form, i.e. there is no difference between you and me. 
Example: 
Please, let Jack and me go to the theatre.
But whenever a comparison is made with THAN or AS; the objective form is
used.
Example: 
He is taller than I am.
He writes as fast I am.
I swim better than him.
I am as tall as her.

(vi) In the constructions of NEITHER-NOR and EITHER-OR; if both the

subjects are singular , the verb will also be singular example Either the mother
or the daughter has cooked the meal.
But when one of the subjects are joined by OR or NOR is plural, the verb must
be plural and the subject should be placed near the verb.
Example: 
Neither the teacher nor the students were present.
PARALLELISM

While forming a sentence, the structure of the sentence should be kept parallel.
If an infinitive is used, then all the phrases should have an infinitive. If a verb is
used after it, then we use the objective cases.
Example: 
She likes to cook, dance and play. 
Similar rule is used for a gerund.
Example: 
She likes cooking, dancing and playing.
TAUTOLOGICAL ERROR

Sometimes also referred a ‘redundancy’, this is the error of writing the same
thing twice. 
Example:
He returned back from Delhi.
I hardly have any money to give you. 
The correct constructions should be;
He came back from Delhi. 
I have no money to give you.
MISPLACED MODIFIER

A common blunder is to leave a participle dangling without a subject.

Example:
Sitting on the g ate, a scorpion stung him.
Here, ‘sitting’ cannot be used for scorpion as it is grammatically incorrect.. The
correct should be:-
Sitting on the gate, he was stung by a scorpion or
While he was sitting on the gate, a scorpion stung him.
Example:
He visited the place where Napoleon died during his holidays.
It seems as the participle ‘during his holidays’ is used for Napoleon while it is
meant for the person visiting .So the correct sentence should be:-
During his holidays, he visited the place where Napoleon died. This way, it is
correctly understood.
USE OF FEW AND LESS

Few is used before countable nouns while ‘less’ is used before uncountable
nouns. 
Example:
There a few children in the class today.
There is less juice left in the jar.
Few and A few have different meanings
Few is equivalent to something negligible, hardly any while. A few  is
equivalent  to some 
Example:
Few persons can keep a secret.
A few persons are convinced about the new manager.
Similarly ‘little’ and ‘a little’ are used for quantity in the same manner. There is
little hope of his recovery (almost nil). A little tact would have saved the
situation (some tact).
COMPARISONS
The comparisons made should be between two similar things. If we say:- The
population of London is greater than any other city in India. We are comparing:-
(a) The population of London
(b) Any other city in India.
While comparison had to be made between the populations of both. So, the
correct expression should be:-
The population of London is greater than that of any other city in India.
(a) When comparative degree is used with than, make sure that we exclude the
thing compared from the rest of class of things by using the
Example:
He is stronger than any man living.(incorrect).
He is stronger than any other man living.(correct).
Similarly, Solomon was wiser than all other men.
In superlative degree, we must include the thing compared.
Solomon was the wisest of all men.
He is the strongest of all men.
LAY AND LIE

We need to distinguish between these two words as they are used very
differently.
(a) Lay, laid, laid 
‘Lay the table’ ordered the mistress
He laid the guitar by his side.
The hen had laid an egg.
(b) Lie, Lay, Lain
Let me lie down here.
He lay under the Banyan tree.
He had lain in the sun for three hours yesterday.
TRUST YOUR EARS

If you become stuck, 'say' the choices in your head and then select the passage
that sounds best to your ears. Most test takers, particularly native English
speakers, have internalized many more grammar rules than they can explicitly
identify.
KNOW THE TIME
Use time cues (ex. before, during, as, in 1960) to eliminate options that
contain verb tense errors. Remember, events that occur during the same time
period must be in the same tense!
RUN THE NUMBERS

If a sentence is about some sort of numerical quantity (ex. the percentage of

homeowners in Minneapolis or the number of women studying French) check
for idiomatic errors. Remember: "fewer" describes a countable quantity, like
people; "less" describes an uncountable quantity, like sugar. Also check
for redundancy (ex. "went up by a 20% increase").

1. The people of the ancient Assyrian Empire were renowned warriors,

although they also crafted some of the best-preserved ancient art.
A. were renowned warriors, although they also crafted
B. had been renowned warriors, although they also crafted
C. were renowned warriors, and also crafted
D. was renowned warriors, although they also crafted
E. were renowned warriors, but also crafting
Answer – (A)
Solution:
The subject (people, which is plural) must agree with the verb (were, which is
plural).
The two verbs (were and crafted) should be in the same tense since both
happened at the same time in the past.
A.This correct sentence is written such that the subject and verb agree
B.had been renowned is improperly constructed in the past perfect tense,
implying that the Assyrian Empire stopped being known for renown warriors
before its people crafted well-preserved art
C.The comma improperly splits the sentence, creating a comma splice
D.The subject (people, which is plural) does not agree with the verb (was,
which is singular)
E.The use of the participle crafting is improper and should be replaced by a
verb
2. The administration discussed whether the number of students studying
 European languages was likely to decline when the senior lecturer
retired.
A. whether the number of students studying European languages was
likely
B. whether the number of students studying European languages
were likely 
C. if the students studying European languages were likely 
D. if the number of European language students were likely 
E. whether the number of students studying European languages was
liable
Answer – (A)
Solution:
"Whether" is correct because the question concerns a choice not a condition.
With the expression "the number of" a singular verb is needed and hence "was"
is correct. "Liable" is used in expressions such as "liable to prosecution" and not
for expressions of possibility.
3. With the advent of YouTube, Facebook, and Flickr, many savvy
political consultants undertook revolutionary micro-targeting and get-
out-the-vote techniques that enabled political candidates with cash-
strapped budgets to be able to reach numerous likely voters and succeed
in raising large numbers of money from enthusiastic and committed
supporters in a short period of time.
A. cash-strapped budgets to be able to reach numerous likely voters
and succeed in raising large numbers of money
B. cash-strapped budgets to reach numerous likely voters and be
successful in raising large amounts of money
C. cash-strapped budgets to reach numerous likely voters, succeeding
in raising large amounts of money
D. cash-strapped budgets to reach numerous likely voters and
succeed in raising large amounts of money
E. cash-strapped budgets to be able to reach numerous likely voters
and succeed in raising large amounts of money
Answer – (D)
Solution:
(1) The sentence must be constructed such that corresponding consequences of
an action are parallel. Specifically, the sentence should read enabled political
candidates with cash-strapped budgets to x and y where x and y are parallel.
(2) The phrase to be able to z is redundant and should be replaced by to z
(3) The phrase numbers of money should be amounts of money since number is
only used when the object in question can be counted and money cannot be
counted (i.e., you do not say 1 money, 2 money, 3 money). Note: By
comparison, dollars can be counted (i.e., you would say 1 dollar, 2 dollars, 3
dollars) and as a result, we would say: the number of dollars.
A. the phrase to be able to reach is redundant and can be shortened as
follows: to reach; large numbers of money is not grammatically correct
since money itself cannot be counted and, as a result, amount should be
used instead
B. the phrase to reach...and be successful is not parallel
C. this sentence is set up such that succeeding modifies reaching voters
instead of being a separate action on its own
D. the phrase is parallel (i.e., to reach...[to] succeed); to be able to reach is
replaced by the shorter to reach
E. the phrase to be able to reach is redundant and should be replaced by to
reach
4.Among the litany of threats that many Israelis face, the potential for a
nuclear-armed Iran is perhaps the more scary as this scenario could engulf
the region in a violent war. This would likely result in historically unseen
amounts of destruction, even for a region whose history is marred by
perennial violence.
A perhaps the more
.
B. perhaps the most
C possibly, perhaps the most
.
D possibly the greatest
.
E. possibly the great
Answer – (B)
Solution:
The superlative form most scary must be used instead of the comparative
form more scary since the author is indicating that among all the threats, a
specific threat is the most scary.
A. more must be replaced by most as the superlative form (most) must be
used since the author is not comparing threats but stating that a single threat
is the scariest
B. The superlative form is correctly used
C. Although the superlative form is correctly used, this choice makes the
sentence unduly long; the phrase possibly, perhaps is awkward and not
idiomatically correct
D. While a superlative is used, the sentence is exceedingly awkward as the
phrasepossibly the greatest scary is not idiomatic
E. The superlative form is not used; the phrase possibly the great scary as
this scenariois awkward and not idiomatic
5. It is highly desirable that you furnish evidence of your expenses before
you submit your final accounts.
A. It is highly desirable that you furnish evidence of your expenses 
B. It is highly desirable that you should furnish evidence of your
expenses
C. It is highly to be desired that you furnish evidences of your
expenses 
D. You must furnish evidence of your expenses 
E. You should have to supply evidence of your expenses
Answer – (A)
Solution:
No error.
6. Despite being thousands of years old, the writing of Augustine of Hippo
has inspired and captivated countless individuals, fundamentally because
they convey the moving inner-journey of man searching for the divine in
a lucid and compelling fashion.
A.because they convey the moving inner-journey
B.due to the fact that it conveys the moving inner-
journey
C.because of their conveying the moving inner-
journey
 D.because it conveys the moving inner-journey
E.for the reason that it conveys the moving inner-
journey
  Answer – (D)
Solution:
The subject of the sentence (the writing, which is
singular) does not agree with the pronoun (they,
which is plural and needs to be replaced by the
singular it).
It is important to avoid wordy or unduly long
phrases such as due to the fact that or for the reason
that and instead use a shorter word like because.
A. The subject of the sentence (the writing, which is
singular) does not agree with the pronoun (they,
which is plural)
B. due to the fact that is wordy and can be replaced
by because
C. the pronoun their, which is plural, does not agree
with the subject the writing, which is singular; the
phrase is awkward and long
D. the subject of the sentence (the writing) agrees
with the pronoun (it); because is concise
E. the phrase for the reason that is wordy and can be
replaced by the single wordbecause

7. On Discovery channel last night they showed an informative program

about new innovations in medical imaging, which you would have found
interesting.
A. they showed an informative program about new innovations in
medical imaging, which you would have found interesting. 
B. they showed an informative program about innovations in medical
imaging, which you would have found interesting. 
C. they showed an informative program about innovations in medical
imaging, that you would have found interesting. 
 D. there was an informative program about new innovations in medical
imaging, that you would have found interesting. 
E. there was an informative program about innovations in medical
imaging, a program you would have found interesting.

  Answer – (E)
Solution:
They is incorrect when talking of the television channel. New is
redundant. And whichmust have a clear antecedent. Only answer E
corrects all these problems.
8. During the worst years of the Great Depression, America faced
tremendous challenges as unemployment topped 25%. Many historians
credit the New Deal and the World War II industrial complex for
propelling America out of the depression and into a then-unparalleled
time of economic prosperity.
A. for propelling
B. with having propelled
C. as propelling
D. to propelling
E. with propelling
  Answer – (E)
Solution:
The current sentence uses the incorrect idiom to credit x ... for y.
The correct idiom is to credit x ... with y
A. to credit x ... for y is not the correct idiom
B. having propelled is not the proper verb tense and should be
replaced with propelling
C. to credit x ... as y is not the correct idiom
D. to credit x ... to y is not the correct idiom
E. to credit x ... with y is the correct idiom; propelling instead
of having propelled is also correct
9. According to a recent study, financial problems, together with their
serious ramifications, ranks as one of the high causes of marital stress in
 America.
A. ranks as one of the high causes of marital stress in America
B. rank as one of the leading causes of marital stress in America
C. rank as one of the most high causes of marital stress in America
D. ranks as one of the leading causes of marital stress in America
E. rank as one of the most leading causes of marital strife in America
  Answer – (B)
Solution:
There are two main problems with the original sentence.
(1) The subject of this sentence (financial problems) is plural and
does not agree with the verb (ranks), which is singular. Do not be
thrown off by the appositive between the subject and verb that is
designed to confuse you.
(2) The phrase rank as one of the high causes is not idiomatically
correct. Instead, itemsrank as one of the leading causes.
A. The subject (which is plural) and verb (which is singular) do not
agree; ranks as one of the high causes is awkward and unidiomatic
B. This sentence correctly uses a plural verb with its plural subject;
the concise and idiomatically correct phrase rank as one of the
leading causes is used
C. The phrase rank as one of the most high causes is awkward,
unidiomatic, and redundant (the words most and high convey the
same idea)
D. The subject (which is plural) and verb (which is singular) do not
agree
E. The phrase rank as one of the most leading causes is awkward,
unidiomatic, and redundant (the words most and leading convey the
same idea)
10. The mole is a nocturnal insectivorous mammal regarded as pests by
gardeners because of their burrowing activity spoiling lawns and
gardens.
A. regarded as pests by gardeners because of their burrowing activity
spoiling 
 B. regarded to be pests by gardeners because of their burrowing
activity's spoiling 
C. regarded as a pest by gardeners because of burrowing activity
spoiling 
D. considered as a pest by gardeners because of its burrowing activity
spoiling 
E. regarded as a pest by gardeners because its burrowing activity spoils
lawns and gardens.
  Answer – (E)
Solution:
The mole is singular and hence we need its not their.
After considered we do not need as.
11. After the Detroit Lions' abysmal 0 win and 16 loss season in 2008, the
owner of the team fired the head coach. In the days that followed this
decision, one professional sporting analyst said: "the prospects of the
Lions becoming a competitive franchise depends on if the team can
procure a talented and disciplined coach."
A. depends on if
B. depend on whether
C. depends on whether
D. depend on if
E. depend whether
  Answer – (B)
Solution:
There are two main problems with this sentence.
(1)The subject (prospects, which is plural) does not agree with the
verb (depends, which is singular and should be replaced by the
plural verb depend).
(2)The idiom depend on whether is correct not depend on if
A. the verb depends (singular) should be replaced by the
verb depend (plural) as a plural subject (prospects) requires a plural
verb; the phrase depends on if is not idiomatically correct
B. the subject prospects (plural) agrees with the
 verb depend (plural); depend on whether is idiomatically correct
C. the verb depends (singular) should be replaced by the
verb depend (plural) as a plural subject (prospects) requires a plural
verb
D. depend on if is not idiomatically correct
E. the phrase the prospects ... depend whether the team can
procure is awkward and the correct idiom depend on whether should
be used
12. In the engineering sector at the moment there are no jobs for those
without experience, which makes it difficult for we recent graduates to
get started on our careers.
A. at the moment there are no jobs for those without experience, which
makes it difficult for we 
B. at the moment there are no jobs for those without experience, which
makes it difficult for us 
C. there are no jobs at the moment for those without experience, a fact
that makes it difficult for us 
D. there are no jobs at the moment for those without experience, which
makes it difficult for us 
E. there are no jobs at the moment for those without experience, a fact
which makes it difficult for we
  Answer – (C)
Solution:
The object us is required after the preposition for. Which requires a
clear antecedent. Only C corrects both problems.
13. After meeting together near Mediolanurn in 313, Roman Emperors
Constantine Augustus and Licinius Augustus issued The Edict of
Milan in the hopes to ending years of internal religious strife and the
persecution of minorities. The Edict expanded religious toleration and
ordered the return of property confiscated from Christians, even if it had
been subsequently resold.
A. in the hopes to ending
B. in the hope to ending
C. with the hope to ending
 D. with the hope of ending
E. in the hope to end
  Answer – (D)
Solution:
This question tests the correct use of two idioms.
(1) to issue x with y; The original sentence incorrectly writes issued
x in y (i.e., issued The Edict of Milan in the hopes to ending).
(2) with the hope of y; The original sentence incorrectly writes in the
hopes toy (i.e., in the hopes to ending).
A. issued The Edict of Milan in is not a proper idiom; in the hopes
to is not a proper idiom
B. issued The Edict of Milan in is not a proper idiom; in the hope
to is not a proper idiom
C. with the hope to is not a proper idiom
D. issued The Edict of Milan with is a proper idiom; with the hope
of ending is a proper idiom
E. issued The Edict of Milan in is not a proper idiom; in the hope
to is not a proper idiom
14. After working for two hours, the essay started to take shape, and he
began to hopethat he might finish before the deadline.
A. After working for two hours, the essay started to take shape, and he
began to hope
B. When the essay started to take shape after he had worked on it for
two hours, he began to hope 
C. When the essay started to take shape after he had worked on it for
two hours, he begun to hope 
D. When the essay started to take shape after working on it for two
hours, he began to hope 
E. After working for two hours, the student's essay started to take
shape, and he began to hope
  Answer – (B)
Solution:
Answers A and E start with a dangling modifier. Answer C
uses begun instead of beganand D is unclear because we do not
 know who is working.
15. After years of working on Wall Street, an apartment in lower Manhattan
still felt like his home for famed investment banker John E. Callan, even
though he also owned a house in Rye and in East Hampton.
A. an apartment in lower Manhattan still felt like his home for famed
investment banker John E. Callan, even though he also owned a
house in Rye and in East Hampton
B. famed investment banker John E. Callan still considered his lower
Manhattan apartment home, even though he also owned a house in
Rye and in East Hampton
C. an apartment in lower Manhattan still felt like home for famed
investment banker John E. Callan, even though he also owned a
house in Rye and in East Hampton
D. John E. Callan, a famed investment banker, still considered his
lower Manhattan apartment home, even though he too owned a
house in Rye and in East Hampton
E. famed investment banker John E. Callan still considered his lower
Manhattan apartment home, even despite his owning of a house in
Rye and in East Hampton
  Answer – (B)
Solution:
A modifying phrase needs to be placed by the word it modifies.
However, as the sentence is originally written, after years of
working on Wall Street illogically modifies an apartment. It was not
the apartment that worked for years on Wall Street but famed
investment banker John E. Callan who worked for years on Wall
Street. The sentence can be corrected in two ways:

(1) After years of working on Wall Street, famed investment banker

John E. Callan

(2) OR: After years of working on Wall Street, John E. Callan

A .an apartment in lower Manhattan is illogically modified by the
phrase after years of working on Wall Street
B. famed investment banker John E. Callan is logically modified by
the phrase after years of working on Wall Street
C. an apartment in lower Manhattan is illogically modified by the
 phrase after years of working on Wall Street
D. the phrase he too is not grammatically correct since it implies that
there is another person who also owned a house in Rye and in East
Hampton; the word too should be removed
E. the phrase even despite his owning of is not idiomatically correct
and should be replaced by even though he also owned
16. The population of tigers in the National Park is increasing steadily, and
this is a source of encouragement to those who have worked so hard to
fund the conservation effort.
A. steadily, and this 
B. steadily: which 
C. steadily; this trend
D. steadily, this increase
E. steady, and this
  Answer – (C)
Solution:
Both which and this should refer to a specific noun. Since the first
part of the sentence does not provide a suitable noun, we must
introduce a word such asincrease or trend. D is incorrect as it uses a
comma to link two sentences.
17. Environmentalists associated with the United Nations Environment
Programme predict that if the current trends associated with global
warming continue, thousands of acres of pristine land is in danger to
undergo potentially irrevocable changes that could alter the planet's
ecosystem forever.
A. is in danger to undergo
B. are in danger of undergoing
C. is in danger of undergoing
D. are in danger to undergo
E. are in danger for undergoing
  Answer – (B)
Solution:
 There are two main problems with the original sentence.
(1) The subject (thousands of acres, which is plural) does not agree
with the verb (is, which is singular and should be replaced with the
plural are). Some students argue thatland is singular, even if it is
thousands of acres. While land is singular, the phrase of pristine
land is not the subject, but rather a prepositional phrase that
describes the subject thousands of acres, which is plural.
(2) in danger to is not idiomatically correct and should instead be in
danger of
A. The subject (thousands of acres, which is plural) does not agree
with the verb (is, which is singular); in danger to is not idiomatically
correct
B. The subject (thousands of acres, which is plural) agrees with the
verb (are, which is plural); in danger of is idiomatically correct
C. The subject (thousands of acres, which is plural) does not agree
with the verb (is, which is singular)
D. in danger to is not idiomatically correct
E. in danger for is not idiomatically correct
18. The young man was surprised to find that his experience as a tutor had
been used as the basis for the protagonist in a short story written by a
former girlfriend.
A. that his experience as a tutor had been used as the basis for the
protagonist in
B. his experience as a tutor having been used as the protagonist in
C. his experience as a tutor had been used as the basis for the
protagonist's in 
D. his experience as a tutor being used as the basis for the protagonist
of 
E. that his experience as a tutor had been used as the basis for events in
the life of the protagonist in
  Answer – (E)
Solution:
The tutor was the basis for the protagonist, or the tutor's experience
was the basis for the experience of the protagonist. Only E makes
this relation clear.
19. World War II, which resulted in the death of over 70 million individuals,
proved to be the deadliest conflict in human history, claiming nearly
twice as many lives than would be killed in World War I.
A. lives than would be killed in World War I
B. lives as would World War I
C. lives than those who were killed in World War I
D. lives than World War I
E. lives as World War I
  Answer – (E)
Solution:
There are two main problems with the original sentence.
(1) The original sentence contains an improper idiom. The idiom as
many x than is not idiomatically correct and should be replaced by
the idiomatically correct phrase as many x as.
(2) would be killed in World War I is illogical as it is in the future
tense, implying that World War I occurred after World War II. The
phrase could be made significantly more concise using as many
lives as World War I. The words would be killed in or were killed
inare not necessary and should be omitted.
A. The idiom as many ... than is incorrect; the use of the future tense
causes the sentence to illogically imply that World War I occurred
after World War II
B. The use of the future tense causes the sentence to illogically
imply that World War I occurred after World War II
C. The idiom as many ... than is incorrect; those who were killed
in is awkward and unnecessary
D. The idiom as many ... than is incorrect
E. The correct idiom is used (as many ... as); the sentence correctly
implies that World War II occurred after World War I; the
unnecessary phrase were killed in is omitted
20. In the fine print at the end of the document lies the clauses that make us
liable for any expenses that result from civil unrest.
A. lies the clauses that make us liable for any expenses that 
 B. lies the clauses that make us liable for any expenses which 
C. lies the clause that make us liable for any expenses that 
D. lie the clauses that makes us liable for any expenses which 
E. lie the clauses that make us liable for any expenses that
  Answer – (E)
Solution:
The subject the clauses requires a plural verb; change lies to lie.
Similarly, make is required to agree with clauses.
21. Warning that terrorists remain determined to strike the country, senior
government officials urged citizens to remain vigilant and report
suspicious behavior, taking actions necessary to speed up the recovery
from an economic catastrophe should terrorists succeed in launching an
attack.
A. to remain vigilant and report suspicious behavior, taking actions
necessary to speed up the recovery from an economic catastrophe
B. to remain vigilant, reporting suspicious behavior and take actions to
speed up the recovery from an economic catastrophe
C. to be remaining vigilant, reporting suspicious behavior, and taking
actions necessary to speed up the recovery from an economic
catastrophe
D. to remain vigilant, report suspicious behavior, and take actions to
speed up the recovery from an economic catastrophe
E. to be more vigilant in reporting suspicious behavior and taking
actions necessary to speed up the recovery from an economic
catastrophe
  Answer – (D)
Solution:
There are two main problems with the original sentence:
(1) The government authorities urged citizens to do three things:
remain vigilant, report suspicious behavior, and take actions to
speed up the recovery from an economic catastrophe. Consequently,
these three requests from the government need to be parallel. In this
case, each command should be in the infinitive form (e.g., to
remain, to report, andto take). The original sentence wrongly
constructs the phrase taking actions necessary to speed up the
 recovery from an economic catastrophe such that it modifies the two
previous actions. Instead, this phrase should reflect the fact
that taking actions... is a third action that the government is urging
citizens to take. In short, the three actions that the government is
urging are not parallel and they should be.
(2) taking actions necessary... illogically modifies the command to
remain vigilant and report suspicious behavior because these two
actions would not speed up the recovery from an economic
catastrophe. In other words, it does not make sense that remaining
vigilant and reporting suspicious behavior (two actions that would
occur before an attack) would be modified such that these are
actions that speed up the recovery from an attack.
A. The three actions that the government urged are not parallel
(i.e., to remain is not parallel with taking); the word necessary is not
needed
B. The three actions that the government urged are not parallel
(i.e., to remain is not parallel with reporting and take)
C. The three actions that the government urged are not parallel
(i.e., to remain is not parallel with reporting and taking); the
word necessary is not needed
D. The sentence is correctly constructed as the three actions that the
government urged are parallel; the un-needed word necessary is
omitted
E. The meaning of the original sentence is distorted as this sentence
indicates that the government asked citizens to be more vigilant in
reporting suspicious behavior (a single command) while the original
sentence separated the command to remain vigilant and the
command to report suspicious behavior; the three actions that the
government urged are not parallel
22. If the gardener would sow the seeds in the greenhouse rather than the
garden, he might get a better display of flowers.
A. If the gardener would sow the seeds in the greenhouse rather than
the garden 
B. If the gardener sowed the seeds in the greenhouse rather than the
garden 
C. If the gardener would sow the seeds in the greenhouse rather than in
the garden 
 D. If the gardener were to sow the seeds in the greenhouse rather than
in the garden 
E. If the gardener would sow the seeds in the greenhouse instead of the
garden
  Answer – (D)
Solution:
The conditional clause (the "if" clause) does not require would. Also
we should write "inthe garden" to be parallel to "in the greenhouse".
23. After a storied investment bank recently fired its CEO and hired an
outspoken and flamboyant replacement, members of the news media
centered their stories on the replacement's claims that, based upon his
past work at a private equity firm, he can return the investment bank to
profitability.
A. that, based upon his past work at a private equity firm, he can return
the investment bank to profitability
B. of the ability, based upon his past work at a private equity firm, of
returning the investment bank to profitability
C. of being able to return, based upon his past work at a private equity
firm, the investment
D. to be, based upon his past work at a private equity firm, able to
return the investment bank to profitability
E. that, based upon his past work at a private equity firm, he is capable
of returning the investment bank back to profitability
  Answer – (A)
Solution:
The verb claims should be followed by one of two patterns:
(1) that followed by a subordinate clause (2) claims followed by an
infinitive (set apart by commas).
A. claims is correctly followed by that and a subordinate clause set
apart by commas
B. the phrase claims of the ability, ..., of returning is neither
grammatical nor idiomatic
C. the phrase claims of being able to return, ..., the investment is
neither grammatical nor idiomatic
D. the phrase to be...able to return should not be split up as it creates
 an awkward construction; to be able to return can be made concise
by removing to be able
E. the phrase returning the investment bank back is redundant as the
words returningand back convey the same idea; the phrase he is
capable of can be shortened to the phrase he can
24. Unlike the team of lawyers working for the petitioner, whose argument
rested on a questionable interpretation of a bill that only recently passed
Congress, the government's argument centered on what many legal
experts consider a main-stream interpretation of the Bill of Rights.
A. the team of lawyers working for the petitioner, whose argument
rested on a questionable interpretation of a bill that only recently
passed Congress
B. the argument from the petitioner, which rested on a questionable
interpretation of a bill that only recently passed Congress
C. the petitioner's argument, which rested on a questionable
interpretation of a bill that only recently passed Congress
D. the petitioner's argument, whose case rested on a questionable
interpretation of a bill that recently only passed Congress
E. the petitioner's argument, which rested on a questionable
interpretation of a bill that recently only passed Congress
  Answer – (C)
Solution:
There are two main issues being tested in this sentence.
(1) When using like or unlike, you must compare like parts (e.g.,
compare arguments with arguments). The original sentence
improperly compares the team of lawyers with the government's
argument.
(2) The expression, which modifies the term that is immediately
before it. For example, the phrase the argument from the petitioner,
which rested on a questionable interpretation of a bill that only
recently passed Congress is incorrect since it was not the petitioner
that rested on a questionable interpretation, but rather the argument
that rested on a questionable interpretation.
A. the sentence illogically and improperly compares unlike parts
(i.e., it compares the team of lawyers with the government's
argument)
B. the phrase the argument from the petitioner, which rested on a
 questionable interpretation of a bill that only recently passed
Congress is incorrect since it was not the petitioner that rested on a
questionable interpretation, but rather the argument that rested on a
questionable interpretation
C. the sentence properly compares like parts (i.e., it compares the
petitioner's argument with the government's argument); , which
rested on... properly and logically modifies the phrase it follows
D. the phrase whose case rested on is illogical since whose (which
should modify a person) is actually modifying an argument
E. the original sentence, which reads a bill that only recently passed
Congress, is perniciously changed to a new sentence, which reads a
bill that recently only passed Congress; the difference in meaning
between a bill that recently only passed Congress (meaning it did
not become law) and a bill that only recently passed
Congress (meaning it passed Congress a short time ago) is
significant
25. The temperature dropped suddenly last night, which will mean that the
shoots emerging from the soil will be killed by the frost.
A. which will mean that the shoots emerging from the soil will be
killed by the frost.
B. which will mean that the frost will kill the shoots emerging from the
soil.
C. and this will mean that the shoots emerging from the soil will be
killed by the frost.
D. and the resulting frost will kill the shoots that are emerging from the
soil. 
E. and as a result, the shoots will be killed by the frost, emerging from
the soil.
  Answer – (D)
Solution:
The word which does not have an antecedent noun, and so the
construction is incorrect in A and B. Similarly, in C this does not
have a noun to which it refers. D is the best choice. In E the
phrase emerging from the soil is dangling.
26. Being abandoned by our friends is the cause of great sorrow for us.
A. Being abandoned by our friends is the cause of great sorrow for us. 
 B. Our being abandoned by our friends is the cause of great sorrow. 
C. Being abandoned by our friends, we feel great sorrow. 
D. Abandoned by our friends, sorrow is the result. 
E. We feel great sorrow when our friends abandon us.
  Answer – (E)
Solution:
The constructions using being are awkward and wordy. Answer D is
an example of a dangling modifier. Only Answer E is clear, and in
the active voice throughout.
27. Some officials both at the Treasury Department and the Securities and
Exchange Commission recently said in off-the-record conversations that
it may be a good idea to require that all large and highly leveraged banks
should decrease their debt and should increase their asset base.
A. to require that all large and highly leveraged banks should decrease
their debt and should increase their asset base
B. requiring that all large and highly leveraged banks decrease their
debt and increase their asset base
C. to require of all large and highly leveraged banks the decreasing of
debt and an increase in their asset base
D. requiring that all large and highly leveraged banks to decrease their
debt and to increase their asset base
E. to require all large and highly leveraged banks to decrease their debt
and increase their asset base
  Answer – (E)
Solution:
There are two main issues in this question.
(1) There are two actions that are being suggested and these should
be parallel: (a) to decrease their debt (b) to increase their asset base.
(2) The use of the word should is redundant since the sentence (with
the words require that) already carries the implication that banks
need to take certain action.
A. the word should is redundant since the verb to require and the
context of the sentence indicate that the suggested actions should be
taken
 B. the phrase it may be a good idea requiring that... is not correct as
a verb (i.e., to require) is needed
C. the phrase the decreasing of debt and an increase is not parallel
D. the infinitive form of the verb to decrease cannot be used
after requiring that all large and highly leveraged banks as it is
awkward and not idiomatic
E. the phrase banks ... to decrease ... [to] increase is parallel since
both verbs are used in the infinitive form (the second to is implied);
the unnecessary word should is omitted
28. Despite the influx of international aid to a particularly war-torn region of
East Africa during the waning months of 2006, in early 2007, many
indigenous people unable to find food left their home to travel west
where other tribal groups historically experienced less
difficulties producing food, water, and land.
A. their home to travel west where other tribal groups historically
experienced less difficulties
B. home to travel west where other tribal groups historically
experienced fewer difficulties
C. their home to travel west where other tribal groups historically
experienced fewer difficulties
D. home to travel west in search of other tribal groups who historically
had experienced fewer difficulties
E. home to travel west where other tribal groups historically had
experienced fewer difficulties
  Answer – (E)
Solution:
There are three main issues being tested in this question.
(1) The phrase their home is redundant as the word their could be
eliminated
(2) The phrase other tribal groups historically experienced (with its
verb in the simple past tense) must be replaced with a phrase that
uses the past perfect tense (i.e., historically had experienced). The
past perfect tense must be used since we are dealing with two
actions in the past where one action came before another (i.e., the
historic ability to find food predated the decision to move). The
word historically makes it clear that the ability to find food referred
 to the period of time before the individuals decided to move in 2007.
(3) The word less cannot be used with difficulties since difficulties
can be counted and the proper word for countable items is fewer
A. the word their is redundant; the word less should be replaced by
the word fewer; the simple past tense (experienced) should be
replaced by the past perfect tense (had experienced)
B. the simple past tense (experienced) should be replaced by the past
perfect tense (had experienced)
C. the word their is redundant; the simple past tense (experienced)
should be replaced by the past perfect tense (had experienced)
D. many indigenous people...left home not in search of other tribal
groups (as this option incorrectly states), but for land where other
tribal groups historically had experienced fewer difficulties finding
food
E. the unnecessary word their is properly eliminated; the past
perfect tense is correctly used; the word fewer is used with countable
items
29. A ground-breaking report written by a major group of scientists has
indicated that much of the previously untraceable pollutants in stream
water known to kill fish and harm humans comes from polluted rain
water and irresponsible chemical dumping by large corporations.
A. much of the previously untraceable pollutants in stream water
known to kill fish and harm humans comes from
B. much of the previously untraceable pollutants in stream water
known to kill fish and harm humans come from
C. many of the previously untraceable pollutants in stream water
known to kill fish and harm humans comes from
D. much of the previously untraceable pollutants in stream water
known to kill fish and harming humans come from
E. many of the previously untraceable pollutants in stream water
known to kill fish and harm humans come from
Hide Ans

  Answer – (E)
Solution:
There are two major issues with the sentence as it was originally
 written:
(1) This sentence improperly uses much to describe a countable
quantity (i.e., pollutants) when many should be used instead. In
proper English, much is used for uncountable quantities (e.g., much
of the water) while many is used for countable quantities (e.g., many
apples, many gifts).
(2) The subject of the sentence (untraceable pollutants, which is
plural) does not agree with the verb of the sentence (comes, which is
singular).
A. Much is wrongly used to describe a countable quantity
when many should be used instead; the subject (pollutants) does not
agree with the verb (comes)
B. Much is wrongly used to describe a countable quantity
when many should be used instead
C. the subject (pollutants) does not agree with the verb (comes)
D. Much is wrongly used to describe a countable quantity
when many should be used instead; the phrase to kill fish and
harming humans is not parallel (i.e., to kill is not parallel
with harming, which should be harm)
E. Many is correctly used with a countable quantity; the subject and
verb are both plural
30. Bombast is when high sounding words for effect, not suitability, are
used.
A. is when high sounding words for effect, not suitability, are used. 
B. is the use of high-sounding words for effect rather than for
suitability. 
C. is where high-sounding words are used for effect not suitability. 
D. is the using of high-sounding words for effect only. 
E. is when you use high-sounding words for effect rather than for
suitability.
  Answer – (B)
Solution:
The construction "Bombast is where/when" is incorrect. "Bombast is
the using of" is also faulty.
31. During the summer of 2008, an unemployed investment banker with
over 25 years of experience named Joshua Persky made news by
walking the streets of New York City's financial district in a suit with a
sandwich board advertising his services. Many social commentators
disagreed on the implications of this, either seeing Joshua's efforts as a
desperate and unprofessional manner to seek a job or they viewed
Joshua's strategy as a savvy means to attract attention to an overly
qualified individual.
A. either seeing Joshua's efforts as a desperate and unprofessional
manner to seek a job or they viewed Joshua's strategy as a savvy
means to attract attention to an overly qualified individual.
B. either seeing Joshua's efforts as a desperate and unprofessional
manner to seek a job or viewing Joshua's strategy as a savvy means
to attract attention to an overly qualified individual.
C. seeing either Joshua's efforts as a desperate and unprofessional
manner to seek a job or viewing Joshua's strategy as a savvy means
to attract attention to an overly qualified individual.
D. either seeing Joshua's efforts as a desperate and as an unprofessional
manner to seek a job or viewing Joshua's strategy as a savvy means
to attract attention to an overly qualified individual.
E. seeing either Joshua's efforts as a desperate and unprofessional
manner to seek a job or they viewed Joshua's strategy as a savvy
means to attract attention to an overly qualified individual.
  Answer – (B)
Solution:
This question tests the idiom: either X or Y where both X and Y are
parallel.
In the original sentence, the construction is not idiomatic: either
seeing...or they viewedshould be replaced by: either seeing...or
viewing
A. the phrase either seeing...or they viewed does not following the
proper idiom the author attempts to use: either X or Y where both X
and Y are parallel
B. the phrase either seeing Joshua's efforts as...or viewing Joshua's
strategy... is parallel
C. the phrase seeing either ... or viewing does not follow the idiom
the author attempts to use: either X or Y where both X and Y are
parallel
 D. the second as an in the phrase seeing Joshua’s efforts as a
desperate and as an unprofessional manner is unnecessary, wordy,
and disruptive to the flow of the sentence
E. the phrase seeing either ... or they viewed does not follow the
idiom the author attempts to use: either X or Y where both X and Y
are parallel
32. Among the many reasons for his defeat in the election was his arrogant
assumption that his constituents were incapable of understanding
economic conditions, and his unwarranted attack on his chief opponent.
A. was his arrogant assumption that his constituents were incapable of
understanding economic conditions 
B. were his arrogant assumption that his constituents were incapable of
understanding economic conditions 
C.  were his arrogant assumptions that his constituents were incapable
of understanding economical conditions 
D. were his arrogant assumption that his constituents would be
incapable of understanding economics 
E. was the arrogant assumption that his constituents was incapable of
understanding economic conditions
  Answer – (B)
Solution:
The two reasons were his "arrogant assumption" and his
"unwarranted attack". Since these two items constitute a compound
subject, the verb should be plural (were, notwas). In C the
word economical is incorrect.
33. Pollution and degradation of the environment is, according to the
commission's report, a matter of universal concern.
A. is, according to the commission's report, a matter of universal
concern. 
B. is, according to the report by the commission, a matter of universal
concern.
C. is, according to the report of the commission, matters of universal
concern. 
D. are, according to the commission's report, universally a matter of
concern.
 E.  are, according to the commission's report, a matter of universal
concern.
  Answer – (E)
Solution:
"Pollution and degradation" form a compound subject which needs
a plural verb: are is correct.
34. The first United States Solicitor General, Benjamin H. Bristow, born in
1832 and served in the Grant administration from 1874 to 1876. Earlier
in his life, Bristow had served as a lieutenant colonel in the 25th
Kentucky Infantry.
A. born in 1832 and served in the Grant administration from 1874 to
1876. Earlier in his life, Bristow had served as a lieutenant colonel
in the 25th Kentucky Infantry
B. was born in 1832 and had served in the Grant administration from
1874 to 1876. Earlier in his life, Bristow served as a lieutenant
colonel
C. born in 1832 and appointee in the Grant administration from 1874 to
1875. Earlier in his life, Bristow served as a lieutenant colonel in the
25th Kentucky Infantry
D. was born in 1832 and served in the Grant administration from 1874
to 1876. Earlier in his life, Bristow had served as a lieutenant
colonel in the 25th Kentucky Infantry
E. was born in 1832 and served in the Grant administration from 1874
to 1876. Earlier in his life, Bristow served as a lieutenant colonel in
the 25th Kentucky Infantry
  Answer – (E)
Solution:
There are two main problems with this sentence.
(1) The subject (the first United States Solicitor General) does not
have a verb.
(2) The past perfect tense had served is wrong as the phrase earlier
in his life makes it clear that his service as a lieutenant occurred
before his service as solicitor general. Consequently, the past perfect
tense is not needed to differentiate the timing of the two events in
the past.
A. the subject (the first United States Solicitor General) does not
 have a verb
B. the past perfect tense had served is wrong as it conveys the idea
that his service in the Grant administration occurred before he was
born
C. the subject (the first United States Solicitor General) does not
have a verb
D. the past perfect tense had served is wrong as the phrase earlier in
his life makes it clear that his service as a lieutenant occurred before
his service as solicitor general
E. the past perfect tense is not used; the subject (the first United
States Solicitor General) has a verb
35. After arduous months of fighting, the sight of the white flag being raised
generated as much relief on the victor's side than it did on the
vanquished.
A. as much relief on the victor's side than it did on the vanquished. 
B. as much relief among the victors as among the vanquished. 
C. as much relief on the victor's side as it did on the vanquished's. 
D. relief both on the victor's side as well as on the vanquished's. 
E. relief both for the victor and the vanquished side.
  Answer – (B)
Solution:
B has parallel construction and yet is concise.
36. As tensions rose in the days leading up to the President’s re-election bid,
one hostile commentator who decried the President’s controversial war
policies exclaimed: "If I was the President, I would be ashamed of
myself and also resign immediately." Ironically, this actually
emboldened the President’s allies.
A. If I was the President, I would be ashamed of myself and also resign
immediately
B. If I were the President, I would be ashamed of myself and resign
immediately
C. If I was the President, I would be ashamed of myself and resign
immediately
 D. If I were the President, I would be ashamed of myself and also
would resign immediately
E. If I was the President, I would be ashamed of myself and would
resign immediately
  Answer – (B)
Solution:
There are two issues in this question.
(1) Since the phrase in quotes is not actually true but is instead
expressing a wish or desire for the future, the subjunctive mood
should be used. Consequently, if I were should replace if I was
(2) The word also is unnecessary as it is redundant and impairs
parallelism: I would be ashamed...and also [I would] resign should
be replaced by I would be ashamed...and [I would] resign
A. the phrase is not in the subjunctive mood as it should be; the
word also should be removed
B. the phrase is in the subjunctive mood as it should be; the
word also has been removed
C. the phrase is not in the subjunctive mood as it should be
D. the word also should be removed; the second would is not
necessary as it is implied and understood from the first would since
what follows the first would is a list
E. the phrase is not in the subjunctive mood as it should be; the
second would is not necessary as it is implied and understood from
the first would since what follows the first would is a list
37. Work that is not finished is not work at all, it is merely a botch, a failure.
A. all, it is merely a botch, a failure.
B. all, it is a botch merely, and a failure. 
C. all; it is merely a botch, a failure. 
D. all; the work merely is a botch and a failure. 
E. all; the work being merely a botch, a failure.
  Answer – (C)
Solution:
A semicolon is need to link two sentences. Of the choices with the
 semicolon, C is short and clear (and correct), D has merely in the
wrong place, and E does not have a complete sentence after the
semicolon.
38. In 1997, a 9-0 ruling from the Supreme Court in Reno v. American Civil
Liberties Unionsurprised some observers as it struck down provisions of
the Communications DecencyAct; the court ruled that the law violated
the freedom of speech provisions of the First Amendment.
A. Act; the court ruled that
B. Act, which ruled that
C. Act, with a ruling that
D. Act; they ruled that
E. Act and they ruled
  Answer – (A)
Solution:
Use a semicolon between closely related independent clauses that
are not conjoined with a coordinating conjunction.
In this sentence, it is easiest to convey the two related ideas as
separate and independent clauses.
A. The semicolon separates the separate but related ideas, avoiding
ambiguous, incorrect, or misleading modification
B. the presence of which ... immediately following Act is illogical
and distorts the meaning of the sentence to give the false impression
that the Act ruled when in fact the Supreme Court ruled
C. with a ruling that is wordy and is not a proper modifying phrase
(Act, ruling thatwould be a proper modifying phrase)
D. they illogically refers back to some observers and conveys the
false impression that the observers made the ruling as opposed
to the Supreme Court
E. they illogically refers back to some observers and conveys the
false impression that the observers made the ruling as opposed
to the Supreme Court
39. The prosecutor’s argument, which hinged on a little known provision in
a 1972 law, differed considerably from the plaintiff, who contended that
a landmark 1999 Supreme Court decision supported his argument.
 A. the plaintiff
B. that of the plaintiff
C. those from the plaintiff
D. that espoused by the plaintiff
E. that from the plaintiff
  Answer – (B)
Solution:
When making a comparison, you must compare like parts (i.e.,
compare an argument to an argument). You cannot compare unlike
parts (i.e., an argument with a person). To correct the issue, we must
compare the prosecutor’s argument with the plaintiff's argument
(i.e., with that of the plaintiff).
A. the sentence illogically compares unlike parts (i.e.,
the prosecutor’s argument andthe plaintiff)
B. the sentence logically compares the prosecutor’s
argument with that of the plaintiff(i.e., with the argument of the
plaintiff)
C. the plural those improperly refers to a singular argument when
the singular thatshould be used instead
D. the phrase that espoused by the plaintiff is unduly wordy
E. the word from improperly makes the sentence not parallel
(i.e., the argument of the prosecutor is not parallel with the
argument from the plaintiff)
40. The flood of home foreclosures that followed the large economic
recession in 2008 caused housing prices to drop precipitously, which
lead to the writing down of mortgage backed securities, and, to fears of a
Great Depression-like downward spiral.
A. which lead to the writing down of mortgage backed securities, and,
to fears of a Great Depression-like downward spiral
B. which led to the write downs of mortgage backed securities and
fears of a Great Depression-like downward spiral
C. which lead to the write down of mortgage backed securities and the
fears of a Great Depression-like downward spiral
D. leading to write downs of mortgage backed securities and fears of a
 Great Depression-like downward spiral
E. leading to write downs of mortgage backed securities and, fears of a
Great Depression-like downward spiral
  Answer – (D)
Solution:
The main issue in this sentence deals with ensuring a concise
parallelism in listing the two results of the economic problems.
(1) The economic trouble led to two actions, which should be
parallel: (a) write downs of mortgage backed securities (b) fears of a
Great Depression-like spiral.
A. the phrase the writing down of..., and, to fears of... is not parallel
B. the phrase the write downs of... and fears of is not parallel as the
first the should be removed
C. although this phrase is technically parallel, the inclusion
of the before each result makes the sentence awkward and not
concise
D. the phrase write downs of... and fears of... is both concise and
parallel
E. the phrase write downs of... and, fears of... is not parallel
41. AMD employees used their creativity, intellect, and ingenuity to develop
faster processors than those offered by many competitors, to enable them
to gain substantial market share from rival firm Intel.
A. to enable them to gain substantial market share from rival firm Intel
B. enabling AMD to gain substantial market share with rival firm Intel
C. enabling them to gain substantial market share from rival firm Intel
D. to enable AMD to gain substantial market share with rival firm Intel
E. enabling AMD to gain substantial market share from rival firm Intel
  Answer – (E)
Solution:
There are two main problems with the original sentence.
(1) the infinitive form to enable needs to be replaced by a phrase
that modifies to develop faster. The correct modifying phrase cannot
be in the infinitive form and should instead be a participle: enabling
 (2) it is not grammatically correct to compare AMD employees
(i.e., them) to the firm Intel as you cannot compare unlike parts.
Instead, you must compare like parts: a firm (i.e., AMD) to a firm
(i.e., Intel).
The correct choice should include to gain substantial market share
from and not market share with, which changes the meaning of the
sentence.
A. to enable improperly modifies the phrase it follows and should be
replaced by the participle form enabling; Illogically compares
employees (i.e., them, referring to AMD employees) to a firm
(i.e., Intel)
B. the word with instead of from in the phrase to gain substantial
market share with rival firm Intel entirely changes the meaning of
the sentence and is wrong
C. Illogically compares employees (i.e., them, referring to AMD
employees) to a firm (i.e., Intel)
D. to enable improperly modifies the phrase it follows and should be
replaced by the participle form enabling
E. correctly used the participle form instead of the infinitive to
modify the preceding phrase; compares a firm (i.e., AMD) to a firm
(i.e., Intel); correctly uses the phrasemarket share from rival firm
42. More and more holidaymakers are choosing to fly to remote islands in
search of the perfect beach; seeking sand, sun and palm trees, rather than
centers of entertainment.
A. seeking sand, sun and palm trees, rather than centers of
entertainment. 
B. seeking sad, sun, palm trees and not entertainment.
C. with sand, sun, palm trees and no entertainment.
D. they seek sand, sun and palm trees, rather than entertainment
centers.
E. they seek sand, sun and palm trees, rather than centers of
entertainment.
  Answer – (E)
Solution:
The correct answer joins two sentences with a semi-colon. A and B
 use a semi-colon incorrectly. D needs a semi-colon. C is not parallel.
43. In 2006, contrary to the arguments of the Justice Department, the U.S.
Supreme Court ruled in Hamdan v. Rumsfeld that the military
commissions established by the Federal government in March 2002 are
not legal, as they are violating "both the Uniform Code of Military
Justice and the four Geneva Conventions signed in 1949."
A. legal, as they are violating
B. legal; a violation of
C. legal, but rather violate
D. legal, but rather they constitute a violation of
E. legal, rather they violate
  Answer – (C)
Solution:
The correct idiom is: not x, but rather y

The correct sentence structure is: the military commissions ... are

not legal, but rather violate
A. the phrase the military commissions ... are not legal, as they are
violating is not the proper idiom
B. a violation of ... lacks a subject; the use of the semi-colon
abruptly cuts off the previous sentence
C. the correct idiom (not x, but rather y) is used
D. the phrase the military commissions ... are not legal, but rather
they is not the proper idiom; the phrase they constitute a violation
of is not concise
E. the phrase the military commissions ... are not legal, rather they
violate is not the proper idiom
44. As the Federal government's deficit grows, analysts project that the extra
cost to the Treasury Department in higher interest rates is well over 50
basis points per year.
A. the extra cost to the Treasury Department in higher interest rates is
well over 50 basis points per year
B. the extra cost to the Treasury Department, incurred in higher interest
rates, is going to be well over an extra 50 basis points per year
 C. the Treasury Department will face higher interest rates, well over an
extra 50 basis points per year
D. higher interest rates will cost the Treasury Department well over an
extra 50 basis points per year
E. well over an extra 50 basis points per year will be the cost that is
going to be borne by the Treasury Department
  Answer – (D)
Solution:
There are three issues in this sentence.
(1) The sentence is not concise.
(2) The sentence unnecessarily uses passive voice and should use
active voice.
(3) The sentence unnecessarily inserts space between the subject and
verb, which makes understanding the sentence more difficult.
A. the sentence could be made more direct by saying X will cost
Treasury Y instead of saying the extra cost to Treasury in X is Y
B. the phrase is going to be well over is wordy as going and to
be convey the same idea
C. the phrase well over an extra 50 basis points per year awkwardly
modifies the higher interest rates and breaks the flow of the sentence
D. the sentence is concise and uses active voice
E. the sentence unnecessarily uses passive voice
45. I would like to thank whoever it was that wrote that piece of music: it
has given me so much pleasure.
A. I would like to thank whoever it was that wrote that piece of music:
B. I would like to thank whomever it was that has written that piece of
music:
C. I would like to thank whomever it might be that wrote that piece of
music:
D. Whoever it was that wrote that piece of music, I would like to thank
because 
E. I would like to thank whoever it was that wrote that piece of music:
  Answer – (A)
 Solution:
No error.
46. In a helpful book on the indexing and searching of text-based electronic
files, a well-respected computer scientist differentiated latent semantic
indexing, which is a technique designed to analyze relationships among
the words within documents, with vector space models, which
can search efficiently using augmented inverted indices.
A. latent semantic indexing, which is a technique designed to analyze
relationships among the words within documents, with vector space
models, which can
B. between latent semantic indexing, which is a technique designed to
analyze the relationships among words within documents, with
vector space models, which can
C. among latent semantic indexing, which is a technique designed to
analyze the relationships among words within documents, and
vector space models, which can
D. latent semantic indexing, which is a technique designed to analyze
the relationships among words within documents, and vector space
models, which can
E. between latent semantic indexing, which is a technique designed to
analyze relationships among the words within documents, and
vector space models, which can
  Answer – (E)
Solution:
There are two issues being tested in this question.
(1) The phrasing used in the original question (differentiated x with
y) is not idiomatically correct and should be replaced by the correct
idiom (differentiated between x and y)
(2) In order to ensure clarity and improve flow, the sentence should
be constructed so that the format is consistent:
differentiated between X, {description of X}, and Y, {description of
Y}
A. the phrase differentiated latent semantic indexing...with vector
space models is not idiomatically correct (i.e., the correct idiom
is: differentiated between x and y)
B. the phrase differentiated between latent semantic indexing...with
vector space models is not idiomatically correct (i.e., the correct
 idiom is: differentiated between x and y)
C. the phrase differentiated among implies that more than two
objects are being compared, which is not true is this case;
so, differentiated among is improperly used
D. the phrase differentiated latent semantic indexing...and vector
space models is not idiomatically correct (i.e., the correct idiom
is: differentiated between x and y)
E. the phrase differentiated between latent semantic indexing...and
vector space models is idiomatically correct as it follows the
idiom differentiated between x and y
47. Under the provisions of the United States Constitution and the laws of
the United States, the Federal government cannot detain an American
citizen indefinitely without cause and is required either to bring charges
against the individual being held, in which case he is entitled to a
lawyer, or that the government must release him.
A. that the government must release him
B. release him
C. to proceed in releasing him
D. the government must release him
E. they must release him
  Answer – (B)
Solution:
This sentence turns on an idiom: either to x or [to] y where both x
and y must be parallel.
The sentence should be: the Federal government...required either to
bring...or [to] release
Unfortunately, the current sentence incorrectly reads: the Federal
government...required either to bring...or that the government must
release. This is not parallel and is wrong.
The correct sentence structure is: the Federal government is
required either to bring charges against the individual being held,
in which case he is entitled to a lawyer, or release him. Do not be
thrown off by in which case he is entitled to a lawyer, which was
inserted simply to make spotting the idiom and parallelism more
difficult. The phrase in which case he is entitled to a lawyer is
merely an elucidation of the preceding idea and is not another item
 that itself must be parallel.
A. the sentence is not idiomatically correct (i.e., the phrase the
Federal government...is required either to bring...or that the
government must release is not idiomatically correct)
B. the sentence correctly uses the idiom either to x or [to] y
C. although the sentence follows the correct idiom either to
bring...or to proceed, the phrase to proceed in releasing is not
concise and can be replaced by [to] release
D. the sentence is not idiomatically correct (i.e., the phrase the
Federal government...is required either to bring...or the government
must release is not idiomatically correct)
E. the sentence is not idiomatically correct (i.e., the phrase the
Federal government...is required either to bring...or they must
release is not idiomatically correct); they, which is a plural pronoun,
does not agree with the subject the Federal government, which is
singular
48. Many United States Congressmen recently voted to give the National
Security Agency new powers enabling them to eavesdrop on telephone
calls without a court warrant and pass along evidence from the calls to
other government agencies.
A. enabling them to eavesdrop on telephone calls without a court
warrant and pass along evidence from the calls
B. enabling it to eavesdrop on telephone calls without a court warrant
and pass along evidence from the calls on which it eavesdropped
C. enabling it to eavesdrop on telephone calls without a court warrant
and pass along evidence from those calls
D. enabling them to eavesdrop on telephone calls without a court
warrant and be passing along evidence from those calls
E. enabling it to eavesdrop on telephone calls without a court warrant
and be passing along evidence from those calls
  Answer – (C)
Solution:
There are three problems with the sentence:
(1) The pronoun them (which is a plural pronoun) improperly refers
back to the National Security Agency (which is a singular noun). As
the sentence is currently constructed, one could construe the
 meaning as United States Congressmen were allowed to eavesdrop
when the intention is that the Congressmen authorized the National
Security Agency to eavesdrop.
(2) It is imperative that the two powers that the Congressmen
granted the National Security Agency appear in parallel: to
eavesdrop ... and [to] pass along.
(3) evidence from the calls is somewhat imprecise and can be
improved by saying evidence from those calls, which more
explicitly refers back to the calls on which the National Security
Agency eavesdropped.
A. The pronoun them (which is a plural pronoun) improperly refers
back to the National Security Agency (which is a singular noun)
B. The phrase the calls on which it eavesdropped is precise, but it is
too wordy and could be replaced by those calls
C. The singular pronoun it properly refers back to the singular
noun National Security Agency; those calls is concise; to
eavesdrop and [to] pass along are parallel
D. The pronoun them (which is a plural pronoun) improperly refers
back to the National Security Agency (which is a singular noun); the
two powers that the Congressmen granted the National Security
Agency are not parallel (i.e., to eavesdrop ... andpassing along); to
be is wordy and unnecessary
E. The two powers that the Congressmen granted the National
Security Agency are not parallel (i.e., to eavesdrop ... and passing
along); to be is wordy and unnecessary
49. After Exeter Recycling reported dismal earnings for the fifth straight
quarter, its Chairman announced that the Board of Directors planned to
fire the current executive managers, seen by many as unresponsive and
incompetent, and in replacing them, choose younger and more nimble
managers.
A. and in replacing them, choose younger
B. to be replacing it with younger
C. and replace it with younger
D. to replace them with younger
E. and replace them with younger
   Answer – (E)
Solution:
There are two main issues being tested in this problem.
(1) The subject (executive managers, which is plural) must be
referred to with a plural pronoun (them not it)
(2) The Board of Directors planned to do two things: to fire the
current executive managers and [to] replace them. These two plans
must be parallel.
The resulting sentence is: the Board of Directors planned to fire the
current executive managers...and [to] replace where the [to] is
understood since replace is in the infinitive form.
A. the phrase the Board of Directors planned to fire...and in
replacing is not parallel
B. the singular pronoun it cannot refer to a plural subject (i.e., the
current executive managers); the phrase to be replacing is not
concise and should be replaced by to replace
C. the singular pronoun it cannot refer to a plural subject the current
executive managers
D. the phrase the Board of Directors planned to fire...to
replace lacks the word and, which is needed to clearly delineate
between the two actions or plans that the Board announced
E. the phrase the Board of Directors planned to fire...and replace is
parallel; the plural pronoun them correctly references a plural noun
(i.e., current executive managers)
50. One of the most important choices facing the new administration at this
moment is if they should continue to advance contractionary fiscal
policy.
A. this moment is if they should continue to advance contractionary
fiscal policy
B. this present moment is whether it should continue to advance
contractionary fiscal policy
C. this moment is whether it should continue to advance contractionary
fiscal policy
D. this moment is whether they should continue to advance
contractionary fiscal policy
E. this present moment is whether it should continue the advancement
 of contractionary fiscal policy
30. Trying to keep her balance on the icy surface, the last competitor's ski-
tip caught the pole and somersaulted into the soft snow.
A. the last competitor's ski-tip caught the pole and somersaulted into
the soft snow.
B. the ski-tip of the last competitor caught the pole and somersaulted in
the soft snow.
C. the last competitor caught the pole with the tip of her ski, and
somersaulted into the soft snow.
D. the last competitor caught the pole with her ski-tip, which made her
somersault into the soft snow. 
E. the last competitor somersaulted into the soft snow when the tip of
her ski was caught by the pole.
  Answer – (C)
Solution:
After the comma we need the name of the person. In answer D, the
use of which is incorrect. Answer E unnecessarily uses a passive
construction.