Verbal Question of the Day Chat Group

Is "number of people" plural or singular?

It depends on the article actually in front of it. A number of people believe (plural)

At the same time, if we say "the number of people at the bus stop is 5" Singular.

The = singular
A = plural

SC Questions March - 22 :

Q1. Despite having discussed the matter with all his teachers, Lewis is still unable to decide if he should pay more attention to understanding the concepts or to their application.


(A) Lewis is still unable to decide if he should pay more attention to understanding the concepts or to their application

(B) Lewis is still confused between paying more attention to understanding the concepts or to their application

(C) it is still difficult for Lewis decide if he should pay more attention to understanding the concepts or to their application

(D) Lewis is still not able to decide whether he should pay more attention to understanding the concepts or to their application

(E) there is still confusion in Lewis’ mind with regards to understanding the concepts or to their application

Q2. In the williamite era, the Irish catholic population were in revolution against the Roman Catholics longer than the non-Anglican Protestants.

A. were in revolution against the Roman Catholics longer than the non-Anglican Protestants
B. were in revolution against the Roman Catholics longer than the non-Anglican Protestants were
C. revolted against the Roman Catholics longer than the non-Anglican Protestants
D. revolted and were against the Roman Catholics longer than the non-Anglican Protestants were
E. revolted against the Roman Catholics longer than the non-Anglican Protestants did

CR Questions March - 22 :

Q1. In Tavernia, many road accidents result from driving on the wrong side of the road. Aiming for safer city roads, the city council has decided to impose heavy fines on such cases of wrongful driving, thereby aiming to reduce the number of fatalities caused by such cases. Though traffic department officials agree that the fines will reduce the related cases of traffic violation and possibly the number of fatalities resulting from them, they still think that the roads would not be much safer than they are now.

Which of the following statements best supports the officials’ stance regarding the effects of the proposed penalty?

A. Most accidents caused by driving on the wrong side of the road are caused by escaped convicts being chased by police.

B. A significant number of road fatalities are a result of the driver driving the vehicle on the wrong side of the road.

C. The traffic department plans to build safer pavements and better night lighting systems on all major roads, utilizing the revenue acquired through the proposed penalties.

D. Many accidents involving people driving on the wrong side of the road do not result in hospitalization or fatalities.

E. Few if any of the accidents that occur when people do not follow speed limits in school areas will be avoided by imposing the fines recommended by city council.

Q2. Last year, Energy Corp’s oil sales increased suddenly in the region of lower Ossamia. The Chief Financial Officer of the company explained this increase as the result of industrialization in the developing Ossamian nation of Kokua. He predicts that, consequently, trade made possible by industrialization will grow between Kokua and its Ossamian neighbors this year, leading to further increases in Energy Corp sales in the region.

Each of the following, if true, provides some support for the CFO’s prediction described above EXCEPT:

A. Although non-Ossamian countries have a military and trade presence in Ossamia, their oil sales last year in the region were not significantly above normal levels.

B. Mines accessing Kokua’s rich natural resources were put into operation for the first time last year.

C. Each of the Ossamian countries currently have few restrictions in place on the business that can be done with its neighboring countries.

D. One of Energy Corp’s primary competitors had a tanker accident early last year that caused environmental damage in Ossamia and damaged the company’s standing in the area.

E. One of Ossamia’s neighbors, a developing nation, has a growing population with a reasonable amount of disposable wealth.

SC Questions March - 23 :

Q1. The water strider, a species of semi-aquatic insects, can not only walk on the surface of water but also can generate enough upward thrust with its legs to launch itself off the surface, by achieving one of the most complex physical maneuvers – jumping on water.

(A) can not only walk on the surface of water but also can generate enough upward thrust with its legs to launch itself off the surface, by

(B) not only can walk on the surface of water but also can generate enough upward thrust with its legs to launch itself off the surface, thereby

(C) can walk not only on the surface of water but also off the surface, generating enough upward thrust with its legs to launch itself and

(D) not only can walk on the surface of water but also generate enough upward thrust with its legs to launch itself off the surface, thereby

(E) can not only walk on the surface of water, generating enough upward thrust with its legs to launch itself, but also walk off the surface, thereby

Q2. The company’s profits are expected to rise, and its new advertising campaign, along with the launch of several new products, are likely to be the cause.

A) The company’s profits are expected to rise, and its new advertising campaign, along with the launch of several new products, are likely to be the cause.
B) The company’s profits are expected to rise, and its new advertising campaign, along with the launch of several new products, is likely to be the cause.
C) The company’s profits is expected to rise, and its new advertising campaign, along with the launch of several new products, is likely to be the cause.
D) The company’s profits is expected to rise, and its new advertising campaign, along with the launch of several new products, are likely to be the cause.
E) The company’s profits are expected to rise, and its new advertising campaign and launch of several new products is likely to be the cause.

CR Questions March - 23 :

Q1. Private trust run schools used to charge high fees as they typically boasted better quality of teaching than the public schools. However, with advancements in technology and teacher training, technology driven teaching tools and quality teachers have become available to most public educational institutions and any additional teaching quality advantages over and above that available to all are rare. As a result, private trust run schools cannot claim better teaching quality and therefore should not be able to charge higher fees. Yet, a private trust run school increasingly continues to attract a significantly higher proportion of admission applications now than before.

Which of the following statements, if true, resolves the paradox presented in the passage?

A. In the past, students passing out from public schools have been known to become achievers in various fields.

B. Parents keep themselves updated about the changes being introduced in the education system of the country.

C. School applications have become an easier process with most schools now boasting of an efficient online application procedure.

D. The private trust schools being appropriately funded often boast of a higher number of seats than public schools.

E. While the quality of teachers and the breadth of teaching tools used are almost same at most public and private schools, most parents still believe that the quality of education imparted will be higher if they pay for the same.

Q2. Artists who have won prestigious awards usually receive much more glowing praise from critics than do artists who have not won any noteworthy awards. Since popularity tends to be short-lived and artists desire to make the most of their reputations, several artists produce as much work as they can in a short span of time. However, too much output may lead critics to believe that the artist has compromised on the quality of his or her work. Therefore, the best course of action for artists who have received prestigious awards and who want to continue to receive positive critical reviews is to ensure that they do not produce too much work in too short a period.

In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

A. The first is an observation that supports an intermediate conclusion made by the author; the second is that conclusion.

B. The first is an opinion that the argument challenges; the second is the position that the argument as a whole seeks to establish.

C. The first is an intermediate conclusion that supports the position taken by the argument; the second is that position.

D. The first is evidence that supports the intermediate conclusion drawn by the author; the second is the position taken by the argument.

E. The first is an intermediate conclusion that supports the main conclusion of the author; the second is another intermediate conclusion that supports the main position taken by the argument

SC Questions March - 24 :

Q1. Electronic devices like smart phones and notebooks, which were once considered to be items of luxury, have now become items one cannot do without.


(A) Electronic devices like smart phones and notebooks, which were once considered to be items of luxury, have now become

(B) Electronic devices such as smart phones and notebooks, which were once considered to be items of luxury, have now become

(C) Once considered items of luxury, such electronic devices as smart phones and notebooks have now become

(D) Such electronic devices like smart phones and notebooks, which were once considered as items of luxury, now becoming

(E) Electronic devices such as smart phones and notebooks, which were once considered to be items of luxury, becoming

Q2. Despite having discussed the matter with all his teachers, Lewis is still unable to decide if he should pay more attention to understanding the concepts or to their application.


(A) Lewis is still unable to decide if he should pay more attention to understanding the concepts or to their application

(B) Lewis is still confused between paying more attention to understanding the concepts or to their application

(C) it is still difficult for Lewis decide if he should pay more attention to understanding the concepts or to their application

(D) Lewis is still not able to decide whether he should pay more attention to understanding the concepts or to their application

(E) there is still confusion in Lewis’ mind with regards to understanding the concepts or to their application

CR Questions March - 24 :

Q1. An independent study comparing dispute resolution by the police forces in two countries, one in which the police officers are always armed and others in which police officers do not usually carry any fire-arms, found that the armed police force shot significantly more suspects than the unarmed one. The findings of the study clearly show that regular possession of a fire arm prompts police officers to disregard the use of less harmful alternatives such as tasers, CS spray etc.

Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the above argument?

(A) The unarmed police officers often undergo training programs related with sensitizing them towards people in general.

(B) In the cases considered, the overall level of danger involved to the unarmed police officers was relatively lower than the overall level of danger involved in cases in which the armed police officers used their fire-arms.

(C) In most of the cases studied, the use of the fire-arms was not initiated by the suspects being chased by the armed police.

(D) In many countries, the police officers work in teams of two and more often than not, one of the officers always carries a fire-arm.

(E) Studies show that in countries where the police forces are armed, the rate of death penalty is higher than in countries in which the police forces are unarmed

Q2. Director of TalMart: Our company provides a 90-day without-question return policy on all products sold. Each month on an average, our outlets receive requests for returns on almost 20% of the sales made. It is clear that because of the ‘without question’ clause, our customers have no incentive to make wiser selections. If customers made better selections to begin with, then we would not see most of these products being returned.

Which of the following is required for the argument to hold?

A. A significant number of customers these days are aware of the return or exchange policy of the stores they make purchases from.

B Not all customers return products even when they are happy with the quality.

C Most of the customers returning the products return them because they later realise that these products are too expensive for them

D. Many customers come to the store to exchange the products but end up returning them instead.

E. The inherent quality of the products, a factor that the customers cannot successfully gauge at the time of buying, is often a reason for the frequent rate of returns.

SC Questions March - 25 :

SC Questions March - 25 :

Q1. In the williamite era, the Irish catholic population were in revolution against the Roman Catholics longer than the non-Anglican Protestants.

A. were in revolution against the Roman Catholics longer than the non-Anglican Protestants
B. were in revolution against the Roman Catholics longer than the non-Anglican Protestants were
C. revolted against the Roman Catholics longer than the non-Anglican Protestants
D. revolted and were against the Roman Catholics longer than the non-Anglican Protestants were
E. revolted against the Roman Catholics longer than the non-Anglican Protestants did

Q2. Although acquired through more expensive special contracts, international T20 match players have the ability to score runs more rapidly than domestic cricketers do and hence are well worth the price.

A. Although acquired through more expensive special contracts, international T20 match players have the ability to score runs more rapidly than domestic cricketers do

B. Although acquired through more expensive special contracts, international T20 match players have the rapid ability to score more runs than domestic cricketers do

C. Acquired through more expensive special contracts, international T20 match players have the rapid ability to score more runs than domestic cricketers

D. International T20 match players, although acquired through more expensive special contracts, have the rapid ability to score more runs than domestic cricketers

E. Having the ability to score runs more rapidly than domestic cricketers, international T20 match players are acquired through more expensive special contracts

CR Questions March - 25 :

Q1. Last year, Energy Corp’s oil sales increased suddenly in the region of lower Ossamia. The Chief Financial Officer of the company explained this increase as the result of industrialization in the developing Ossamian nation of Kokua. He predicts that, consequently, trade made possible by industrialization will grow between Kokua and its Ossamian neighbors this year, leading to further increases in Energy Corp sales in the region.

Each of the following, if true, provides some support for the CFO’s prediction described above EXCEPT:

A. Although non-Ossamian countries have a military and trade presence in Ossamia, their oil sales last year in the region were not significantly above normal levels.

B. Mines accessing Kokua’s rich natural resources were put into operation for the first time last year.

C. Each of the Ossamian countries currently have few restrictions in place on the business that can be done with its neighboring countries.

D. One of Energy Corp’s primary competitors had a tanker accident early last year that caused environmental damage in Ossamia and damaged the company’s standing in the area.

E. One of Ossamia’s neighbors, a developing nation, has a growing population with a reasonable amount of disposable wealth.



Difficulty - hard

Q2. Rising academic and professional standards are not the primary cause of today’s higher admission standards at many graduate schools. Due to limited human and physical resources, the schools can only admit a fixed number of students each year. The increase in admission standards, which has resulted in lower acceptance rates, is primarily a result of the recent economic recession.

Which of the following, if true, would best support the argument above?

A. Many prospective students have been deterred from applying to graduate school because of decreasing acceptance rates.

B. Many professionals have lobbied for higher academic standards at graduate schools.

C. Many professionals with graduate degrees would not have been admitted to graduate programs had they faced current admission requirements.

D. Many first year graduate students cite layoffs and downsizing as the primary reason that they decided to return to school.

E. There are twice as many universities offering graduate programs today as twenty years ago.

SC Questions March - 26 :

Q1. It has been estimated that an increase in average regional temperature of even 0.5 degrees Fahrenheit could cost the southern United States more than $10 billion in lost agricultural income annually.


(A) an increase in average regional temperature of even 0.5 degrees Fahrenheit could cost the southern United States more than $10 billion in lost agricultural income annually

(B) every year, $10 billion in agricultural income could be the cost to the southern United States as a result of an increase in the average temperature of the region of even 0.5 degrees Fahrenheit

(C) the cost to the southern United States could be more than $10 billion in income from agriculture that results from a regional increase in average temperature of even 0.5 degrees Fahrenheit annually

(D) annual income losses in agriculture of more than $10 billion could be the cost from increasing average temperatures in the southern United States of even 0.5 degrees Fahrenheit

(E) annual income losses to the southern United States from the increase in average regional temperature of even 0.5 percent costing more than $10 billion in agricultural income each year

Q2. Before infusing stem cells into a patient, processing may be necessary; for example, if the donor and recipient have a major blood group incompatibility, red blood cells may be removed from the graft to prevent a transfusion reaction from occurring.

(A) have a major blood group incompatibility, red blood cells may be
(B) had a major blood group incompatibility, red blood cells will be
(C) have a major blood group incompatibility, red blood cells are
(D) will have a major blood group incompatibility, red blood cells will be
(E) have a major blood group incompatibility, red blood cells would be

CR Questions March - 26 :

Q1. Hoping to attract new customers, World Air airline is planning to offer its World Flights bonus plan for customers who fly more than six flights in any year. World Flights will entitle each customer who qualifies for one free domestic, round trip flight per year. More than 25% of World Air customers will qualify for this plan. Even with these free flights, World Air expects to increase profits substantially.

Which of the following, if true, would most seriously weaken the above argument?

A. World Air primarily flies domestically; they have only a limited number of international routes.

B. World Air currently flies with its aircraft less than 50% full.

C. The World Air unions recently agreed to new contracts, featuring a 5% across the board wage increase rather than the 10% the unions had wanted.

D. World Air is considering expanding its routes to South America.

E. The World Flights plan will require World Air to purchase a new computing system as well as lease several aircraft to cover the expected traffic caused by the free flights.

Q2. Despite the best efforts of journalists to be objective, it is inevitable that their own biases will enter their reporting, even if inadvertently. Therefore, it is imperative that a trained editor look over journalists’ work with an eye toward detecting and removing their biases, so as to make reporting as objective as possible.

Each of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends EXCEPT:

(A) Journalists do not eliminate all of the biases that enter their reporting.

(B) It is imperative that reporting be as objective as possible.

(C) Objectivity in reporting is undermined by the presence of journalists’ biases.

(D) Trained editors are able to detect at least some biases of journalists.

(E) Journalists’ reporting that is not objective is not taken seriously by trained editors.

SC Questions March - 27 :

Q1. Rivaling the pyramids of Egypt or even the ancient cities of the Maya as an achievement, the army of terra-cotta warriors created to protect Qin Shi Huang, China’s first emperor, in his afterlife is more than 2,000 years old and took 700,000 artisans more than 36 years to complete.


(A) the army of terra-cotta warriors created to protect Qin Shi Huang, China’s first emperor, in his afterlife is more than 2,000 years old and took 700,000 artisans more than 36 years to complete

(B) Qin Shi huang, China’s first emperor, was protected in his afterlife by an army of terracotta warriors that was created more than 2,000 years ago by 700,000 artisans who took more than 36 years to complete it

(C) it took 700,000 artisans more than 36 years to create an army of terra-cotta warriors more than 2,000 years ago that would protect Qin Shi Huang, China’s first emperor, in his afterlife

(D) more than 2,000 years ago, 700,000 artisans worked more than 36 years to create an army of terra-cotta warriors to protect Qin Shi Huang, China’s first emperor, in his afterlife

(E) more than 36 years were needed to complete the army of terra-cotta warriors that 700,000 artisans created 2,000 years ago to protect Qin Shi Huang, China’s first emperor, in his afterlife

Q2. The company’s decision to invest in new technology has paid off, with increased productivity and profits.

A) The company’s decision to invest in new technology has paid off, with increased productivity and profits.
B) The company’s decision to invest in new technology has paid off in terms of increased productivity and profits.
C) Increased productivity and profits have resulted from the company’s decision to invest in new technology.
D) As a result of the company’s decision to invest in new technology, productivity and profits have increased.
E) The company has increased productivity and profits as a result of its decision to invest in new technology.

I think that "decision" is an abstact noun

I request an explanation between A and B? I couldn’t find any difference between A and B, but chose B anyways.

In my view, "company’s" is the possessive form. Abstract nouns cannot be paired with possessive nouns, whereas concrete nouns can. Thus, the correct answer should not have "company’s decision".

Possessive form is alright in this sentence. Noun is "The decision". In choice B - in terms of - is not correct. It changes meaning and sound awkward. A is much better than B