All questions of Mock Test: Reading Comprehension for GMAT Exam

In order to determine the main function of the first paragraph, it is helpful to analyze how this paragraph contributes to the entire article. The conclusion and main idea of the passage is that the Dr. Seuss books “revolutionized the children’s book industry”; i.e., they were a significant force of change. The first paragraph sets the stage for that conclusion by establishing the status quo of the early 1950s prior to that change. Be careful: an answer that is merely mentioned in the first paragraph, but does not describe the overall purpose of the paragraph does not qualify as its “main” or primary function. 
(A) The paragraph only describes Fletch’s criticism of the reading primers. It does not describe Fletch’s approach to writing children’s books.
(B) While the paragraph quotes Fletch’s strongly worded description of the “Dick and Jane” primers, this description is not the main or primary function of the paragraph; the description serves to support the more general criticism of the unsatisfactory state of children’s reading education in the early 1950s.
(C) While Fletch’s displeasure with the availability of first- and second-grade level books is mentioned, the paragraph does not directly advocate an increase in children’s books in bookstores. (D) CORRECT. The paragraph starts off by describing the preferred method of teaching reading in the 1950s, and then continues with some strong criticism of this method and the lack of available books in bookstores. By doing so, the author implies that the status quo was not satisfactory and sets the stage for the subsequent events which “revolutionized” the children's book industry. 
(E) While most of the paragraph describes Fletch’s point of view regarding the existing primers and lack of appropriate books in bookstores, the main purpose of the paragraph is not to praise Fletch; his opinions are used to support the overall premise that the status quo at the time was non-satisfactory. 

The eighteenth century is mentioned in the second paragraph, primarily to discuss the fact that “white servant women continued to bear children by African American fathers through the late seventeenth century and well into the eighteenth century.” What this paragraph suggests about African American slaves at that time will be the correct answer. 
(A) The passage discusses the births and family histories of free African Americans, not whether they were permitted to own land. (B) The passage discusses the births and family histories of free African Americans, not what trades they were or were not allowed to practice.
(C) In the first paragraph, the passage states that in the 1600s, “some of these first African slaves became free, either through escape or through emancipation.” The passage did not discuss how slaves could become free in the late 1700s, or whether they could buy their freedom from their owners. In fact, the last sentence in the second paragraph states that “slaves could not be freed without legislative approval,” so even if slaves could buy freedom, additional legislative approval would have been required. 
(D) CORRECT. The end of the second paragraph states that "it is likely that the majority of the remaining families descended from white women since they first appear in court records in the mid-eighteenth century, when slaves could not be freed without legislative approval, and there is no record of legislative approval for their emancipations." This implies that the African American men were not free when they fathered children with these white women.
(E) The statement that there were no African American slaves in colonial New York or New Jersey is too extreme; it cannot be supported by the passage. In the third paragraph, the passage discusses free African Americans in New York and New Jersey, but we cannot say with certainty that there were no enslaved African Americans in these states in the late 1700s. 

The correct answer to an inference question on the GMAT must be supported by evidence from the text without need for external information.
(A) The passage states that twenty of the fifty species of frogs and toads known to once inhabit a 30-square-kilometer area near Monteverde have disappeared. Nothing is implied about the areas of Costa Rica farther from Monteverde.
(B) CORRECT. The passage suggests that amphibians are able to offer humans early notification of the deterioration of the environment because of the amphibians’ permeable skin. Thus, permeable skin must be a characteristic that humans do not possess.  
(C) No causal relationship between the build-up of pollutants in the atmosphere and a decrease in atmospheric ozone is suggested in the passage.
(D) The author states that humans would be wise to heed the warning offered by the decline of amphibious populations, but nothing suggests that humans normally do not take signals of environmental deterioration seriously.
(E) The passage does not compare Costa Rica’s environmental problems to those of other countries. 

This question is really just a disguised inference question. The correct answer to an inference question must be directly supported by evidence from the text. 
(A) CORRECT. The first sentence of the passage states that the beauty of Costa Rica’s golden toad was one factor that generated interest from a public normally unconcerned with amphibians. Thus, many amphibians must not be considered beautiful.
(B) The passage indicates that habitat preservation in isolation - no matter the size of the habitat - was not enough to save the golden toad. Instead, scientists theorize that broader ecological issues are harming the world’s amphibious populations
(C) The second paragraph tells us that amphibian populations have been declining around the world. 
(D) This is a misinterpretation of the analogy used in the second paragraph. The author is implying that amphibians may provide humans an early warning for detrimental changes to the environment, just as canaries provide humans an indication of detrimental conditions in coal mines.
(E) The final sentence of the passage indicates that humans would be wise to recognize the potential environmental deterioration signified by declining amphibious population, but it is too extreme to infer that no humans consider this decline a threat to humans. In fact, the author of the passage seems to consider it a threat!

This is a general question that asks about the tone of the passage. In order to answer this question, it is useful to briefly examine and summarize the respective paragraphs.  
Paragraph 1: LCDs have become the dominant display technology in the past decade.
Paragraph 2: LCDs function by channeling electricity to untwist crystals to block light in order to form colors.
Paragraph 3: LCDs present advantages relative to other display technologies, particularly for certain uses.  
The correct answer will effectively identify the tone adopted in these paragraphs.
(A) It is too strong to categorize the author's tone as "advocacy," as the first two paragraphs are purely explanatory. The third paragraph, though listing advantages of LCD displays, does not advocate their use.
(B) Although the first paragraph does mention the time frame and context of the development of LCD displays, neither the second nor third paragraph could be classified as part of a historical discussion, and no contrast is drawn. Thus, it would be inaccurate to characterize the tone of the passage as that of a historical discussion.  
(C) CORRECT. The passage objectively explains the background, functioning, and advantages of LCD displays. 
(D) The passage does not indicate any questioning, skepticism, or exploration in its text, and is more technical than intellectual in tone.
(E) Although one could argue that the passage implicitly approves of the development of this new technology, the passage does not advocate for a particular point of view, and there is no evidence of any qualification in its explanation of the functioning and advantages of LCD displays. 

This is a general question. In order to determine with which statement the author would be most likely to agree, we must determine the author’s main point in writing the passage. A breakdown of the purpose of each paragraph will help. The first paragraph highlights two differing views concerning the roots of jazz music, the second paragraph discusses the diverse origins of jazz, and the third paragraph states the author’s view concerning the origins of jazz: namely, that jazz is truly American because it is rooted in the confluence of West African and European music. More generally, the author believes “that the essence of America lies in the plurality of its roots,” or that to be American is to have a diverse background.
(A) The author believes that jazz should be called an American art form, but not because it was first played in America.  Furthermore, the author believes that because of its origins in Europe and West Africa, not despite these origins. The author believes “that the essence of America lies in the plurality of its roots.” Therefore, it is likely that the author would believe the same about American football, that it is American because of its origins, not despite these origins.
(B) The author believes that jazz should be called an American art form because of its origins in Europe and West Africa. The author believes “that the essence of America lies in the plurality of its roots.” Therefore, it is likely that the author would believe the same about American football, that it is American because of its origins.  Thus, this choice is backward. (C) We have no information about the beliefs of sports scholars.
(D) CORRECT. The author believes “that the essence of America lies in the plurality of its roots.” Therefore, it is likely that the author would believe that the diverse origins of American football make it essentially American.
(E) Because the author believes “that the essence of America lies in the plurality of its roots,” and because American football has diverse origins, the author would be likely to believe that American football should be called an American sport. Thus, this choice is backward. 

To answer this question, we must determine why the author currently DOES believe jazz is an American art form. We can find the criterion the author uses in the third paragraph: “…the essence of America lies in the plurality of its roots. To deny the rich and complex history of jazz, and the true origins of the art form, is in effect denying the very aspects of the art form that make it undeniably American.” So, the author believes the “plurality of roots” makes jazz undeniably American. The author would probably be less inclined to label jazz an American art form if jazz did NOT come from a diverse set of musical and cultural traditions. (A) This does not speak to the roots of jazz music.
(B) This statement, if true, would indicate that jazz music was derived from the confluence of four different musical styles, or a “plurality of roots.” Therefore, the author would still be likely to label jazz an American art form.
(C) CORRECT. This statement would indicate that jazz in fact did not come from a diverse set of musical traditions. The lack of “plurality” would most likely make the author less inclined to label jazz an American art form.
(D) If this statement were true, jazz would still have been derived from a “plurality of roots,” regardless of what these roots were.
(E) This statement would only further illustrate that jazz has a rich and complex history, formed from the confluence of many different musical styles and traditions. 

On questions asking about the main idea of the passage, be sure to refer to the opening paragraph, which usually discusses the main theme of the passage. Also, when selecting your answer, avoid extreme answer choices that describe only a part of the passage or mention information that is beyond the scope of the text. 
(A) This answer choice is directly contradicted by the text. The passage provides an argument for a wider use of the detection mechanisms of insects rather than dogs.
(B) While possible disadvantages involved in using detection mechanisms of dogs are mentioned in the second paragraph, their discussion appears only in one paragraph and thus does not reflect the main idea of the passage.
(C) CORRECT. This answer choice accurately describes the main idea of the passage. Note that this idea permeates the entire passage and conveys the main intention of the author. Also, note that this theme is mimicked in the opening paragraph of the passage: “… recent evidence suggests that insects, rather than mammals, may be used more effectively in this capacity.”
(D) While the second paragraph of the passage is devoted to the discussion of the biological process used by insects to detect odors, this theme is discussed only in one paragraph and fails to reflect the content of the entire passage.
(E) First, the passage mentions only one method (rather than multiple methods): the technique developed by Dietrich Schneider. Secondly, this method is mentioned only in the concluding paragraph of the passage and does not reflect the main theme of the entire text.  

This question asks us to infer something about the “additional responsibilities” described in the third paragraph of the passage. The only information we are given about these “additional responsibilities” is that they are awarded to women who have performed well in a Human Resources capacity, and that they lie outside of the Human Resources department itself. The correct answer choice will be closely tied to one or both of these facts. 
(A) CORRECT. The passage explains, in paragraph two, that women have been strongly associated with the traits and characteristics valued in a Human Resources capacity.  If the "additional responsibilities" are in "other departments," then those responsibilities are likely to be in areas that are less traditionally associated with women than is HR. 
(B) We know only that the departmental responsibilities are not in the Human Resources area; we do not know that the women are taking over, or even merely expanding their responsibilities into, departments that "used to" be run by a man.
(C) The passage indicates that the “additional responsibilities” are given as a reward for strong performance; they may or may not be similar to those that these women have already performed. Indeed, they could very well be new types of responsibilities that are meant to stretch and challenge these executives.
(D) The activity of speaking at industry conferences is explicitly described later in the paragraph as an additional way that women have gained authority and influence.  The wording ("Also...") indicates a new thought compared to the “additional responsibilities” of the previous sentence, rather than an example of those responsibilities.
(E) The passage describes the increasing emphasis on the importance of Human Resources activities to many organizations. The new responsibilities in other departments may or may not be more important, particularly as they are in addition to these women’s prior responsibilities. For example, a successful Human Resources executive could be given the additional responsibility of producing marketing materials for the Company, which may or may not be more crucial to the Company’s success than her earlier responsibilities. 

In the second paragraph, “scatting” is described as “a technique used by jazz vocalists to mimic the sounds of instruments.” 
(A) CORRECT. A vocalist attempting to vocalize the tone and melodic line just played by a trumpet is an example of a singer mimicking “the sounds of instruments.”
(B) This does not describe “a technique used by jazz vocalists to mimic the sounds of instruments.” 
(C) This is an example of an instrumentalist attempting to imitate the sounds of a vocalist. Scatting is the exact opposite: a vocalist attempting to imitate the sounds of an instrument. 
(D) This does not describe “a technique used by jazz vocalists to mimic the sounds of instruments.”
(E) This does not describe “a technique used by jazz vocalists to mimic the sounds of instruments.” 

The theme of the passage is that the glories of war were emphasized in films made during the conflict but questioned in those made years afterward. In the second paragraph, All Quiet on the Western Front is cited as an example from the latter category. Therefore, its portrayal of combat would have the least in common with a film made during a conflict.
(A) In the last paragraph, Jarhead is listed as a film that was made years after the conflict it portrayed and had an ambivalent attitude to its topic. Thus, it can be inferred that it would resemble All Quiet on the Western Front. Remember that any information gleaned from seeing the film is outside knowledge. If this information cannot be deduced from the passage, it cannot be used to answer a question.
(B) In the third paragraph, Apocalypse Now is listed as a film that was made years after the conflict it portrayed and had an ambivalent attitude to its topic. Thus, it can be inferred that it would resemble All Quiet on the Western Front.
(C) In the second paragraph, The Bridge on the River Kwai is described as a film that was made years after the conflict it portrayed and showed the moral confusion of war. Thus, it can be inferred that it would resemble All Quiet on the Western Front.
(D) In the third paragraph, Platoon is described as a film that was made years after the conflict it portrayed and had an ambivalent attitude to its topic. Thus, it can be inferred that it would resemble All Quiet on the Western Front. 
(E) CORRECT. In both the second and third paragraphs, Guadalcanal Diary is mentioned as a film made in wartime. In the second paragraph, it is listed as an example of a film that portrayed the “’the ultimate sacrifice’ as a noble and undoubted good.” In contrast, the first paragraph states that “All Quiet on the Western Front put forth an anti-war message by displaying the horrors of combat.” Thus, Guadalcanal Diary must be the portrayal of combat that least resembles that in All Quiet on the Western Front.  

In the second paragraph, the author mentions “the more subtle effects of human activity on the world's ecosystems,” and then lists three of these effects: the build-up of pollutants, the decrease in atmospheric ozone, and changing weather patterns due to global warming, all of which, scientists hypothesize, “are beginning to take their toll.” The key to answering this question correctly is to recognize, in context, what these effects have in common.
(A) Nowhere does the passage suggest or imply that these changes are not easily recognized by sophisticated testing equipment.  
(B) CORRECT. All of these effects happen on a global scale, so their immediate consequences on specific ecosystems are difficult to recognize. Furthermore, the passage states these effects are “beginning to take their toll,” indicating that the effects happen over time.
(C) Scientists hypothesize that these effects do affect amphibians, but nothing in the passage indicates that only small animal species such as amphibians are affected. In fact, the final sentence of the passage indicates that humans too might be affected by these environmental changes.
(D) The passage states that scientists hypothesize about the consequences of these subtle effects; this indicates that scientists do in fact discuss these effects
(E) The passage indicates that the consequences of these effects are global, causing disruptions in amphibious populations “the world over.” 

The second paragraph of the passage describes pay-per-click search engines as an example of the trend towards "campaigns that can target specific consumer groups and quantify the return on marketing investments." The correct answer will stick very closely to the text that describes pay-per-click search engines.
(A) The passage states that upon clicking an ad, a consumer “is directed to the company’s website.” This does not mean, however, that the consumer will necessarily purchase something on the company’s website. While some consumers may translate into paying customers, nothing in the passage suggests that this is the case for “most” consumers. 
(B) CORRECT. Ads that attract minimal interest will lead to minimal consumer clicks. Since “a company is charged only when a consumer clicks on the ad,” it follows that this company will incur relatively little cost for these few clicks.
(C) Since consumers do not actually see the websites of companies until after they have clicked on an ad, the relative merits of a company's website have no bearing on an individual’s interest in a particular ad.
(D) The passage provides no information about how a company’s brand impacts the benefit it receives from pay-per-click ads.
(E) While the passage states that companies “can track a consumer’s online behavior” using web-analytic technology, this technology is not a prerequisite for companies to advertise on pay-per-click search engines. The word “always” renders this choice incorrect. 

In the second paragraph, The Bridge on the River Kwai is mentioned as a post-WWII example of the continuing pattern of war movies becoming more ambivalent years after the conflict. The phrases “once again” and “for example” highlight this. In the third paragraph, the movie is again mentioned as an example of a more complex view of war. Thus, the correct answer must follow from these points.
(A) This is incorrect; the author does not discuss the quality of the movie or the merit of any awards. 
(B) The passage does not compare the intelligence or crafting of these, or any, films; it merely discusses their tone and approach to the depiction of war.  A movie could present a glorified depiction of war and also be very intelligent and well-crafted.
(C) This is incorrect. The passage indicates that there were movies with ambivalent perspectives produced after the first war, citing All Quiet on the Western Front as an example. Furthermore, the phrase “once again” indicates that it was not the first to have such a tone. 
(D) CORRECT. The third paragraph states that Guadalcanal Diary was much closer in tone to The Green Berets and contrasts those two to The Bridge on the River Kwai. This contrast is in terms of the greater ambivalence and moral confusion shown in The Bridge on the River Kwai.
(E) The passage does not mention the financial success, or lack thereof, of any of the movies it discusses. 

We are asked to find a stated reason for the initial interest of the Netherlands in the Banda Islands. The correct answer will have been explicitly mentioned in the passage, though perhaps in different words from those in the answer choice. 
(A) The passage does not mention increased competition with Britain as a reason for the initial interest of the Netherlands in the Bandas
(B) The passage does not state that the Dutch were disappointed with the economic development of New Amsterdam. Instead, it simply states that the Netherlands was more interested in the Bandas.
(C) The passage does not mention any frustration with Venetian spice merchants.
(D) The passage does not mention any attempts to cultivate nutmeg outside the Banda Islands. 
(E) CORRECT. The Netherlands attacked the Bandas in order to control trade in nutmeg, a valuable commodity at that time. It hoped to establish a monopoly in the spice, thus restricting access to it. 

The replica plating method is discussed in the third paragraph. The first two sentences describe the process, while the third sentence explains what was learned by using this method. The correct inference about the effectiveness of the replica plating method will be a virtual rephrasing of the facts presented in the third paragraph.  
(A) We cannot infer that the replica plating method allows researchers to determine the relative sizes of different populations of bacteria. The population sizes of various bacteria populations were never discussed.
(B) CORRECT. The last sentence of the passage states that “the locations of the mutant strains of bacteria on the replica plates were identical to the locations of the mutant strains on the original agar plate,” citing this as proof that “the mutants were in fact genetically present or preadapted.” In other words, the mutant strains did not develop after transfer from the original agar plate.
(C) The only type of bacteria mentioned in the passage was bacteria typhosum, so we cannot infer that the replica plating method eliminates the possibility that the agar culture was contaminated by a different type of bacteria.
(D) The role of tryptophan is discussed in the first and second paragraphs. This answer choice goes too far by asserting that “no tryptophan was present in the original agar culture.” We do not have enough information to make that inference.
(E) According to the first paragraph, “the necessary metabolites for bacterial reproduction” are defined as the substances “necessary for their (bacteria’s) regular function.” In the case of bacteria typhosum, that substance is tryptophan. We do not have enough information to infer that the replica plating method establishes that the original agar culture contained tryptophan. If fact, the presence of mutant strains of bacteria on the replica plates would contradict this statement rather than support it.  

"Except" questions require us to test the five answer choices to determine the "odd one out." It is beneficial to use the True / False technique: label each answer choice with a T or an F and look for the odd one out (which, in this case, we should expect to be an F).
(A) CORRECT. False. The second sentence of the second paragraph says of the chemicals that "Both are discharged in high quantities only during waking states." Later sentences tell us that the chemical levels drop during non-REM sleep, not that they disappear completely. 
(B) True. The first sentence of the third paragraph says that "at doses higher than 20 micrograms, [LSD] can have a hallucinogenic effect." This is equivalent to the statement that the dosage will cause hallucinations in some people (otherwise, we could not say that it "can have" a hallucinogenic effect).
(C) True. Sentence four in paragraph two tells us that REM (rapid eye movement sleep) "is associated with dreaming."
(D) True. The third sentence of paragraph three says that the neurons containing norepinephrine "greatly accelerate activity" when LSD is in someone's system. Sentence one of paragraph two tells us that "neurons release norepinephrine" - so if this neuronal activity is increased, then the rate at which norepinephrine is released must also increase. 
(E) True. The last sentence of the second paragraph says that Jacobs hypothesized that "the absence of serotonin was necessary to allow dreaming to occur." 

The first paragraph of the passage presents two conclusions drawn from the ballcatching experiment:
(1) "the brain contains an internal model of gravity that is both powerful and persistent and
(2) "the brain can adapt" to environments where gravity is less pronounced than it is on earth. The second paragraph describes the experiment in-depth and demonstrates how scientists arrived at the first conclusion. The third paragraph demonstrates how scientists came to the second conclusion. The fourth and final paragraph identifies some practical benefits that the experiment might have. The correct answer choice must relate to most of the four paragraphs and, since this is a long passage, it must be closely tied to the all-important first paragraph.
(A) CORRECT. This choice directly relates to the first paragraph, which presents the experiment's conclusions, and to the second and third paragraphs, which describe the experiment in-depth.
(B) The practical applications of the experiment are described only in the fourth paragraph of the passage. This does not represent the primary purpose of the passage.
(C) The passage does not mention any misunderstanding about how the brain functions. Instead, it presents new insight about the brain's internal workings.
(D) While gravity is mentioned in the passage, there is no description of how gravity works. Moreover, the passage is focused on responses to different gravitational forces, not on gravity itself.
(E) The passage describes only one experiment in space; as such, it never alludes to space experiments in general. Additionally, while the passage implies that the ballcatching experiment was beneficial, it never explicitly outlines the benefits of conducting experiments in space. 

While it is helpful to know that the dictionary definition of the adjective “prophylactic” is “acting to defend against or prevent something, especially disease; protective,” this knowledge is not necessary; the intended meaning of the phrase “prophylactic measure” can be inferred from the context of the passage. The beginning of the first sentence of the third paragraph specifically points out that the antibiotics are used “not as a cure for ongoing maladies” and the last sentence of the paragraph describes such use as “non-therapeutic.” In addition, the phrase “to compensate for … unsanitary conditions” implies that the antibiotics were used to counteract an environment replete with bacteria. Hence, it is reasonable to infer that the antibiotics were applied as a preventive measure to protect the animals from catching an infectious disease in such an environment.
(A) The passage specifically points out that the antibiotics are not used “as a cure for ongoing maladies” and describes such use as “non-therapeutic.”
(B) The passage is not concerned with genetic diseases.
(C) CORRECT. Since the use of antibiotics in the farm industry is specifically described to be “non-therapeutic,” it cannot be used as a curative measure and, therefore, is most likely used as a pre-emptive measure in order to prevent or protect the animals from developing infectious diseases.
(D) The passage states that the antibiotics are administered to the animals in their feed. Hence, it is clearly not used as a surface disinfectant.
(E) The antibiotics are orally administered to the animals in their feed. There is nothing in the passage to suggest that a “physical barrier” is involved in any way.

The question asks us to identify an assumption that the author makes about biographies. The best approach to this question is simply to evaluate the choices one-by-one. Since an assumption is an unstated piece of evidence that is necessary to complete the logic of an argument, we are looking for an answer choice that completes the logic of the passage.
(A) While the author mentions in the second paragraph that “biographers tend to be attracted to subjects who display particular personality traits,” informing readers of these traits is never implied to be the “main” purpose of biographies.
(B) In the first paragraph, the author writes that “serious biographers seek and welcome the unfamiliar.” The author states in the second paragraph that “the biographer must like the subject not as a person, but as a subject.” Thus, the author probably disagrees with this answer choice. (C) The author concludes in the third paragraph that when choosing a subject, “the biographer’s main question should be, ‘Can an effective book be made out of this person’s life?’” The author most likely believes the opposite of this answer choice: that compelling biographies can be written about ordinary citizens.
(D) CORRECT. In the second paragraph, the author discusses the elements of a good biography, stating that “a biographer’s knowledge and ability also determine the choice” of subject. If the author did not assume that the biographer's credibility with readers is a factor in the critical success of a biography, then this part of the second paragraph would be meaningless.
(E) In the second paragraph, the author discusses the practical considerations a biographer faces when selecting a subject, though such considerations are never presented as “most” important. In addition, the author goes on to add in the third paragraph that when choosing a subject, “the biographer’s main question should be, ‘Can an effective book be made out of this person’s life?’” An adequate answer to this suggested question goes beyond practical considerations.  

When answering inference questions, make sure to look for an answer that can be inferred strictly based on the information given in the passage and without making any additional assumptions. Typically, the correct answer will be closely connected to the actual text and directly supported by one or two sentences. 
(A) This statement is directly contradicted by the text of the passage. In the concluding paragraph, the author states that “the detection mechanisms of insects are likely to be applied in practice in the near future,” thus suggesting that they have not been applied in practice to date. (B) The passage provides no information about the time when dogs were first used in the detection of smuggling.
(C) While the last sentence of the second paragraph mentions that signals sent by insects’ receptors allow for “easy detection by researchers,” the passage provides no information about the ease or difficulty of such detection in mammals.
(D) CORRECT. The second sentence of the concluding paragraph states that the technique developed by Dietrich Schneider in the 1950s “became the first method that enabled researchers to record the activity in insect olfactory nerves and identify the compounds that trigger a behavioral response.” Since this technique became the first method, we can infer that no reliable methods had existed prior to the development of this technique, i.e. in the first half of the twentieth century or earlier. 
(E) The passage provides no information regarding the distinctions between flying and crawling insects. 

This is a detail question. On questions of this type, use detail words, such as “an odorant binding protein” to locate the answer in the text. Those words are found in the sentence in the second paragraph that describes the role of this protein: “This protein carries the hydrophobic ligand through the lymph fluid found inside the cell and attaches it to a receptor on the dendritic projections of a sensory nerve cell.”
(A) This answer choice describes the role played by a receptor on the dendritic projections of a sensory nerve cell rather than that played by the odorant binding protein.  
(B) CORRECT. The third sentence in the second paragraph states that “This protein carries the hydrophobic ligand through the lymph fluid found inside the cell and attaches it to a receptor on the dendritic projections of a sensory nerve cell.”
(C) This answer choice describes the role of played by the odorant molecule rather than that played by the odorant binding protein.
(D) This answer choice provides information about the odorant binding protein that is not mentioned in the passage.
(E) While the passage mentions finger-like protuberances in the third paragraph, nothing in the text suggests that it is the odorant binding protein that transmits odors via these protuberances. 

The first paragraph describes the Javan rhino and indicates how little is known about it. This should be reflected in the answer. It is the second paragraph that relates the effects of human activity on the rhinos and their chances for survival.
(A) This choice is too broad, as the paragraph focuses on the Javan rhino and only mentions its differences from some other rhinos to distinguish the species from others.  
(B) This answer choice describes the topic of the second paragraph, not the first.
(C) CORRECT. The first paragraph provides the known facts about the Javan rhino and indicates that much remains unknown.
(D) The steps taken to save the Javan rhino are only mentioned in the second paragraph; they do not appear in the first paragraph.
(E) The first paragraph only indicates the respective number of rhinos in Indonesia and Vietnam in passing, and does not mention the differences between the two groups. The fact that the two have evolved into separate sub-species is mentioned only in the second paragraph.

We are asked to determine the role that the second paragraph plays in the passage as a whole. In the first paragraph, the author introduces his main point -- that commonplace items sometimes play surprising roles in world development -- and begins a discussion about nutmeg. However, this discussion is incomplete at the end of the first paragraph. It is not until the second paragraph that we learn how nutmeg affected world development.
(A) CORRECT. The second paragraph offers specific information -- namely, the role that nutmeg played in the history of New York -- to support the claim that commonplace items play surprising roles in world history.
(B) The second paragraph does not summarize the evidence.
(C) The second paragraph does not present the author's main point - that commonplace items sometimes play surprising roles in world development. Also, the author's main point does not explain the importance of nutmeg as discussed in the second paragraph; rather, the importance of nutmeg is used as an example to illustrate the author's main point.
(D) The second paragraph demonstrates the relative importance of nutmeg in an event of historical significance, but it does not demonstrate the importance of historical change itself.
(E) The second paragraph does not discuss the outcomes, necessary or otherwise, of the author's claims. Instead, it offers evidence to support those claims. 

When answering questions about the overall tone of the passage or attitude of the author, make sure to avoid extreme answer choices. Also, pay close attention to the qualifying words such as “moderately,” “mildly” or “slightly.” These words tone down the following adjective, thus making it more likely to be the correct answer.
(A) CORRECT. The whole passage provides an argument for the increased use of insects’ detection mechanisms. For example, in the second sentence of the first paragraph, the author states that “… insects, rather than mammals, may be used more effectively in this capacity.” Also, the author concludes the passage by saying that “… the detection mechanisms of insects are likely to be applied in practice in the near future.” These statements and the overall tone of the passage suggest that the author is generally optimistic about the use of the detection mechanisms of insects.  
(B) Since the whole passage makes an argument for a wider use of the biological detection systems of insects and discusses their advantages over mammals, the attitude of the author towards them is positive rather than completely neutral.
(C) Throughout the entire passage, the author discusses the advantages of insects’ detection systems and expresses optimism about their potential use in practice. For example, in the second sentence of the first paragraph, the author states that “… insects, rather than mammals, may be used more effectively in this capacity.” Therefore, the attitude of the author cannot be described as highly doubtful.
(D) This answer is likely to be incorrect for the vast majority of GMAT passages. By definition, if the author writes a passage on a certain subject, she is unlikely to be uninterested in the subject area.
 (E) Throughout the entire passage, the author discusses the advantages of insects’ detection systems and expresses optimism about their potential use in practice. For example, the author concludes the passage by saying that “… the detection mechanisms of insects are likely to be applied in practice in the near future.” Therefore, the attitude of the author cannot be described as mildly pessimistic. 

1. 
This question is an example of a GMAT “application” question. An application question is a specialized case of an inference question that asks you to discern the relationship between situations or ideas presented by the author and other situations or ideas that are outside the scope of the passage; in this case, the question asks you to recognize an idea that the author would be likely to agree or disagree with based on the statements made in the passage. Unlike questions that test your ability to grasp specific portions of the passage, an application question usually requires you to grasp or infer the essential idea behind the author’s point of view, then apply this idea to something outside the scope of the passage. (Note: Application questions are usually among the more difficult GMAT reading comprehension questions.). The key to answering this question is recognizing that the author believes the “non-therapeutic” use of antibiotics is a major factor contributing to the spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria, that he does not consider this to be a responsible use of antibiotics, and that he takes a stand strongly opposing the practice. 
(A) The passage does not make any statements regarding the practice of hospitals hiring infectious diseases specialists so this answer choice is not relevant to the passage. If anything, since the author is concerned with the spread of anti-resistant bacteria, he would probably support this practice more than oppose it.
(B) The degree of reimbursement for newer antibiotics does not address the topic of the spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria and its causes. Hence, this answer is not relevant.
(C) There is nothing in the passage that directly links the amount of contributions made by the farming industry to Congress with anything that promotes the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The argument that such contributions might be linked to the level of government-imposed sanitary standards which might in turn be linked to the level of “preventive” use of antibiotics requires too many assumptions to make this the best answer. 
(D) CORRECT. Since antibiotics have no medically curative effect on patients with viral diseases, doctors prescribing such to a patient with a viral illness are administering the drugs in a “non-therapeutic” manner. The author specifically points out that the “non-therapeutic” or non-curative use of antibiotics creates conditions favorable for antibiotic-resistant bacteria to develop and implies that such use is not a "responsible" one. Therefore, this is a practice to which the author would very likely be opposed. (Note: Many doctors prescribe antibiotics to patients with viral diseases simply because they are asked to or expected to (do something) by the patient.)
(E) Since the author is generally concerned with bacterial infection and responsible use of antibiotics, this is a practice with which he or she would probably agree.

This is a specific question. We should be able to find evidence in the passage to support the truth of four of the answer choices. The “odd man out” will be the correct answer. 
(A) The second paragraph states “the jazz first played in New Orleans in the early 1900s…” 
(B) The third paragraph states “proponents of the argument that jazz is purely American often point to its genesis in New Orleans …” (C) The second paragraph states “jazz ensembles were built predominantly on European instruments, such as the trumpet, trombone, saxophone, and piano.” The trumpet, trombone, and saxophone are horns, and the piano is a stringed instrument.
(D) The second paragraph states that there is an “emphasis on improvisation in jazz music.” 
(E) CORRECT. The passage clearly indicates that some musicologists believe jazz is “the only purely American form of music” while others “argue that jazz is rooted in a history similar to that of America itself, a history of confluence.” The point of disagreement is not whether jazz should be called American, but rather whether jazz should be called “purely” American. The author’s viewpoint is a good example. The author believes jazz comes from a complex convergence of traditions and cultures (not “purely” American). However, the author still believes jazz should be called an American art form: “to deny the rich and complex history of jazz, and the true origins of the art form, is in effect denying the very aspects of the art form that make it undeniably American.”  

The first paragraph introduces two sides of an issue, the second paragraph provides information relevant to the issue, but in a completely objective (or unbiased) manner, and the third paragraph concludes the passage by presenting the author’s take on the issue. 
(A) While the second paragraph presents background information relevant to the issue, it does so in an objective (or unbiased) way, not subjectively. The third paragraph does not “summarize points made earlier in the passage.”
(B) CORRECT. This answer choice correctly describes the structure of the passage.  The first paragraph introduces two differing viewpoints on an issue, the second paragraph objectively presents relevant information, and the third paragraph describes the author’s opinion on the issue.
(C) The second paragraph does not “give a comprehensive history of the debate.” This paragraph gives a brief history of jazz music, but not a history of the debate over the origins of jazz music. Also, “comprehensive” implies a complete and thorough history, an inaccurate description given the brief nature of this passage.
(D) We do not know that the information presented in the second paragraph is “newly discovered information.” Further, the third paragraph does not summarize points made earlier in the passage.
(E) While the first paragraph does present differing viewpoints, it does not necessarily introduce a “controversy.” “Controversy” implies a heated disagreement over an issue; this is a bit too strong given the tone of the passage. Further, even if it were a controversy, the last paragraph doesn’t “settle” anything; it merely gives the author’s opinion on the issue. 

We are asked to find the purpose of the passage. The first paragraph of the passage introduces a theory that seeks to show a link between dreams and hallucinations based upon two chemicals. The second paragraph elaborates on the role of the two chemicals in dreams and the third paragraph does the same for hallucinations. The third paragraph also concludes by noting that the theory remains unproven and would benefit from further testing.
(A) While the passage does outline a theory it does not suggest options for further research; it merely notes that further research would be beneficial.
(B) The author does not act as an advocate, or try to convince the audience of the need for additional research; instead, the author merely notes that further research would be beneficial. 
(C) CORRECT. A "theoretical construct" is equivalent to a theory; the author does introduce a theory that is "inconclusive," or not sufficiently proven.
(D) While the first sentence does imply that research associated with the brain is complex, the rest of the passage does not focus on this topic or attempt to demonstrate the specific complexities involved.
(E) While the passage does articulate a hypothesis, it only presents current research; it does not "lay out the case for proving it." In fact, the last sentence says the hypothesis is "inconclusive."

This is a general question. In order to determine with which statement the author would be most likely to agree, we must determine the author’s main point in writing the passage. A breakdown of the purpose of each paragraph will help. The first paragraph highlights two differing views concerning the roots of jazz music, the second paragraph discusses the diverse origins of jazz, and the third paragraph states the author’s view concerning the origins of jazz: namely, that jazz is truly American because it is rooted in the confluence of West African and European music. More generally, the author believes “that the essence of America lies in the plurality of its roots,” or that to be American is to have a diverse background.
(A) The author believes that jazz should be called an American art form, but not because it was first played in America.  Furthermore, the author believes that because of its origins in Europe and West Africa, not despite these origins. The author believes “that the essence of America lies in the plurality of its roots.” Therefore, it is likely that the author would believe the same about American football, that it is American because of its origins, not despite these origins.
(B) The author believes that jazz should be called an American art form because of its origins in Europe and West Africa. The author believes “that the essence of America lies in the plurality of its roots.” Therefore, it is likely that the author would believe the same about American football, that it is American because of its origins.  Thus, this choice is backward. (C) We have no information about the beliefs of sports scholars.
(D) CORRECT. The author believes “that the essence of America lies in the plurality of its roots.” Therefore, it is likely that the author would believe that the diverse origins of American football make it essentially American.
(E) Because the author believes “that the essence of America lies in the plurality of its roots,” and because American football has diverse origins, the author would be likely to believe that American football should be called an American sport. Thus, this choice is backward.

The previous measure to protect the desert tortoise mentioned in the passage is the designation of the species as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act. The author certainly agrees that the desert tortoise is a threatened species: the second and third paragraphs discuss several problems faced by the species. However, the author believes that the previous efforts have “been insufficient to reverse the species’ decline” (last line of the first paragraph) and that “even with current protections…the desert tortoise faces a tough recovery, so additional measures must be taken” (first line of the last paragraph).
(A) The author is not skeptical of the previous efforts; rather the author agrees with them but feels that they have not gone far enough.
(B) The author feels that the previous efforts to protect the desert tortoise have been insufficient, so while the author may have regard for those efforts, “complete satisfaction” is too strongly worded.
(C) The author does not imply opposition to the previous efforts to protect the desert tortoise; the author agrees with those efforts, but feels that they have been insufficient. 
(D) CORRECT. The author does approve of the designation of the desert tortoise as a threatened species, but qualifies that approval with the assertion that “additional measures must be taken.” 
(E) The author is not disdainful of the previous efforts to protect the desert tortoise; the author supports those efforts, but feels that they have been insufficient. 

The question asks for the purpose of the passage. The passage focuses on an experiment designed to challenge an existing theory about bacteria. The correct answer must take the entirety of the passage into account without misrepresenting its focus.  
(A) The “innovative technique” is the replica plating method discussed in the third paragraph. This technique was used to support the scientific hypothesis of Fildes and Whitaker. Thus, the passage did not need to “defend [Fildes and Whitaker’s] scientific hypothesis from attack by [the] innovative technique.” In addition, the passage did not even defend the theory that Fildes and Whitaker were challenging.
(B) The first sentence of the passage makes it clear that the focus will be to “challenge the theory that strains of bacteria can be “trained” to mutate,” not to describe a process by which such training was accomplished.
(C) CORRECT. The second and third paragraphs discuss the experiments performed by Fildes and Whitaker that were designed to test the established theory, mentioned in the first paragraph, that “strains of bacteria can be “trained” to mutate.” This answer choice summarizes the entire passage.
(D) Fildes and Whitaker argue against a theory, not an established protocol. There is no mention in the passage that a particular protocol is outdated.
(E) The passage does not state that either Fildes and Whitaker’s theory, or the theory they were challenging was questionable. The passage describes, but does not “challenge,” several scientific techniques. 

The passage describes certain explicit features of the brain's built-in understanding of gravity. The correct answer choice must be directly provable using the specific language contained in the passage.
(A) The brain's built in-understanding of gravity is, according to the passage, "hardwired from an earth-centric perspective," not a space-centric one.
(B) CORRECT. One of the major outcomes of the experiment described in the passage is that "the brain can adapt to environments in which the force of downward acceleration is less pronounced than it is on earth."
(C) According to the passage, the neuroscientists concluded that "the brain contains an internal model of gravity that is both powerful and persistent." To describe the brain's understanding of gravity as "fleeting" directly contradicts the word "persistent."  
(D) According to the passage, the neuroscientists concluded that "the brain contains an internal model of gravity that is both powerful and persistent." To describe the brain's understanding of gravity as "weak" directly contradicts the word "powerful."
(E) The passage never describes the brain's built-in understanding of gravity as "evolving." While scientists' understanding of the brain's hard-wiring may evolve, there is nothing in the passage that suggests that the hard-wiring itself is evolving. 

We are asked to determine which one of the five choices is NOT true of Toxoplasma, according to the passage. In other words, four of the five choices are stated in the passage and one choice is not. The choice that is not stated is the correct answer.
(A) The passage explicitly states that Toxoplasma can contaminate soil and water.
(B) The passage explicitly states that Toxoplasma enters the human body through contaminated food. 
(C) The passage explicitly states that Toxoplasma alters the behavior of human dendritic cells.
(D) CORRECT. The word "incapable" in this answer choice is too strong; the passage does not state that the human body cannot detect Toxoplasma. Rather, it merely indicates that Toxoplasma does not trigger the body's immune system in the same way as other parasites. We have no information about the human body's ability to detect free-floating Toxoplasma cells.
(E) The passage explicitly states that Toxoplasma can breed in a host cat only. 

The answer to a question that asks about "primary purpose" must take the entirety of the passage into account. Since the author never states an opinion about the subject of the passage, the primary purpose of the passage cannot be characterized by any verb that requires an opinion.
(A) This choice begins with "criticize", which requires an opinion.
(B)This choice begins with "challenge", which requires an opinion.
(C) CORRECT. The passage was concerned with describing how leveraged buyouts are used and how their status changed over time. This is reflected in this choice.
(D) This choice begins with "explain", which is neutral. However, the passage as a whole was not concerned with the "popularity of leveraged buyouts during a certain period."
(E) This choice begins with "argue," which requires an opinion.  

The question asks for information specifically stated in the passage although in slightly different language. Paragraph two describes two methods by which bacteria can develop antibiotic resistance.
(A) The passage does not mention the effects of radiation on bacteria.
(B) The passage states that natural mutations can become dominant via natural selection. However, genetic engineering is not a “natural” process by which mutation occurs.
(C) While this may be true, the over-prescribing of antibiotics in hospitals is not a practice mentioned in the passage. Remember: the correct answer must be based “according to the passage….”
(D) CORRECT. In paragraph two, the passage specifically states that “bacteria share with each other genetic material called resistance plasmids … [which] … can reproduce and become dominant via natural selection.”
(E) The loss of potency and effectiveness of antibiotics over time is described as an effect of antibiotic resistance, not a cause or a method by which it is developed. 

The question asks us to identify the author's reason for believing that German reunification could succeed. According to the last sentence of the passage, "[reunification] would have been preposterous had not West Germany possessed the resources to accomplish the task." In other words, West Germany was prosperous enough to afford this major undertaking. (A) The correct principal reason for success does not include attributes of East Germany
(B) The correct principal reason for success does not include attributes of East Germany.
(C) Although this point is made in the passage, it is not the reason given for reunification's success. (D) This is not the reason given in the last sentence for reunification's success.
(E) CORRECT.  This choice reflects the information we were looking for: the country was "materially stable," or prosperous enough, to succeed.