Verbal Question of the Day Chat Group

E
Fixes parallism and pronoun ambiguity

CR Questions July - 12 :

Q1. Railroad spokesperson: Of course it is a difficult task to maintain quality of service at the same time that the amount of subsidy the taxpayers give the railroad network is reduced. Over recent years, however, the number of passengers has increased in spite of subsidy reductions. This fact leads to the conclusion that our quality of service has been satisfactory.

The spokesperson’s argument is based on which one of the following assumptions?

(A) Taxpayers do not wish to have their taxes raised to subsidize the railroads.

(B) Some people refuse to travel by train if they are dissatisfied with the quality of service.

(C) The quality of service on the trains must have improved in spite of subsidy reductions.

(D) It is impossible to reduce subsidies to the railroad network without some effect on the quality of service.

(E) The increase in the number of passengers will increase revenue sufficiently to offset the subsidy reductions.




Difficulty - Hard

Q2. Customer reviews are becoming a fixture on retail and consumer brand websites, with over 70% of retailers planning to feature them by the end of the year. The accelerated adoption of customer reviews indicates a more enlightened approach to handling negative comments, that is, the acknowledgment that occasional negative reviews do not hurt sales.

Under which of the following conditions is the above strategy likely to backfire?


(A) The quality of the product in question is so poor that a customer is not likely to buy it in the first place.

(B) There are frequent negative reviews for a product.

(C) The 20% of the retailers who do not launch this feature decide to offer huge discounts on their products.

(D) The customers of a product never come to know about the existence of this feature on the product website.

(E) It costs retailers a considerable sum of money to implement this feature on their respective websites.



Difficulty - Hard

Ans is a for q1?

Can we also get the ans for these questions?

B for what?

Sc Q1 -A
Q2- D
CR Q1-B
Q2-B
Is this corect

E seems correct.

A - (1) Pronoun issue - The subordinate clause is in passive voice to make it difficult for us to recognize that "they" can refer to both depressed property values and investors. Even though "they" is near to investors in passive voice we may think it has a proper antecedent because it is logical for they to refer to values but that is incorrect.
(2) Active voice issue - Make the sentense in active voice "While some large investors can get hurt by depressed property values, they are potentially devastating for homeowners..." and we can see that they (subject of main clause) is not parallel to large investors in terms of difference/contrast. We want to contrast homeowners to investors, not investors to depressed values, depressed values are common to both (it is the cause).
(3) Meaning issue - "While" is used to contrast ideas in this sentence so subordinate clause must have the same certainty or uncertainty as main clause. Can conveys possibility while are conveys certainty. Structure x, Meaning x. Can eliminate A.

B - (1) Pronoun issue - they reasoning same as above, their - ambiguity as it could refer to investors or homeowners, (2) Active voice issue - same reasoning as in A.

C - (1) Pronoun issue - their ambiguity, (2) Active voice issue - same reasoning as A - Some large investors are getting compared to "for" homeowners.

D - (1) Pronoun issue, (2) Active voice issue - same reasoning as in C, (3) No main clause - While makes the first clause a subordinate clause and the part "it is potentially devastating in.." is not even a complete sentence therefore no main clause. Starting from that is a subordinate clause too.

E - (1) Active voice - When the first sentence is written in active voice, we can clealy see "it"’s antecedent is "depressed values". While some large investors can get hurt by depressed property values, it can potentially devastate homeowners..."
(2) Pronoun - whose modifies homeowners correctly because it is placed near to the modified noun. Structure ✓, Meaning ✓.

Therefore, option E is the correct answer.

Oops, sorry. Wrong answer E and wrong reasoning for A. Please ignore 🙏.

D seems correct.

A - (1) Modifier - Asia, finally receiving ...and financing..." correctly placed, (2) Idiom issue - not only...but also structure not there. Emphasis on 2 different events not felt with the current not only...he also. It seems like one continuing thought not two. Can eliminate A.

B - (1) Idiom issue - not only...also. Same reasoning as above, (2) Second clause -"also pressing ....voyages" is neither a present participle phrase nor a clause (no finite verb) therefore use of comma is incorrect. Can eliminate B.

C - (1) Idiom - Not only...but provides the required emphasis on 2 events so correct, (2) Subordinating conjuction or Parallelism issue - Use of and in "..., and finally receiving.." is incorrect as (a) FANBOY because it is not connecting two ICs, (b) parallelism is not followed - can’t find what is parallel to receiving. Can eliminate C.

D - (1) Idiom - Not only...but is correct, (2) Modifier - Present participle phrase at the end can modify the preceeding clause. Structure ✓ Meaning ✓

E - (1) No finite verb - There is not even 1 IC therefore cannot be a correct answer.

Conclusion: People use rail because they are not unhappy with the service.

A - Does not affect the conclusion.
B - Many people will refuse to use rail if they are unhappy with the service - important assumption for the conclusion.
C - Attacks the premise (a fact = that it is difficult to maintain quality without subsidies) so not a correct choice
D - Does not affect conclusion
E - Does not support current increase, talks about future increase.

Therefore, option B is the correct answer.

Conclusion: Many retailers are showing customer reviews on their website. Assumption is they will mostly be positive so a few negative won’t affect their brand.

A - If someone doesn’t buy then there will be no review. Does not affect the conclusion.
B - Attacks the implicit assumption.
C - Does not talk about the retailers who are putting reviews - irrelevant
D - Does not affect conclusion
E - Does not affect conclusion

Therefore, option B is the correct answer.

SC Questions July - 13 :

Q1. Recent studies suggest that an intake of vitamin E in excess of that found naturally in a balanced diet may actually increase the risk of developing certain illnesses, despite the claims of thousands of people who swear by it as a dietary supplement.

(A) Recent studies suggest that an intake of vitamin E in excess of that found naturally in a balanced diet may actually increase the risk of developing certain illnesses

(B) Recent studies suggest that taking vitamin E in excess of that found naturally in a balanced diet actually increases the risk of developing certain illnesses

(C) Certain illnesses may be at a higher risk of development if vitamin E is taken in excess of a balanced diet, according to recent studies

(D) According to recent studies, the intake of vitamin E, if in excess of that found naturally in a balanced diet, may actually increase developing certain illnesses

(E) Vitamin E, recent studies suggest, if in excess of that found naturally in a balanced diet, may actually increase the development risk of certain illnesses



Difficulty - Hard

Q2. The number of gray whales spotted migrating south off the Southern California coast was 364 in December, prompting questions whether the annual population of the endangered species possibly doubled that of the 20,000 estimate of the previous year.

A) whether the annual population of the endangered species possibly doubled that of

B) whether the annual population of the endangered species was possibly double

C) of the annual population of the endangered species, that it possibly doubled

D) of the annual population of the endangered species possibly doubling that of

E) of the annual population of the endangered species, that it would possibly double that of



Difficulty - Hard

CR Questions July - 13 :

Q1. To reduce waste of raw materials, the government of Sperland is considering requiring household appliances to be broken down for salvage when discarded. To cover the cost of salvage, the government is planning to charge a fee, which would be imposed when the appliance is first sold. Imposing the fee at the time of salvage would reduce waste more effectively, however, because consumers tend to keep old appliances longer if they are faced with a fee for discarding them.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?


(A) Increasing the cost of disposing of an appliance properly increases the incentive to dispose of it improperly.

(B) The fee provides manufacturers with no incentive to produce appliances that are more durable.

(C) For people who have bought new appliances recently, the salvage fee would not need to be paid for a number of years.

(D) People who sell their used, working appliances to others would not need to pay the salvage fee.

(E) Many nonfunctioning appliances that are currently discarded could be repaired at relatively little expense.



Difficulty - Hard

Q2. Many consumers are concerned about the ecological effects of wasteful packaging. This concern probably explains why stores have been quick to stock new cleaning products that have been produced in a concentrated form. The concentrated form is packaged in smaller containers that use less plastic and require less transportation space.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously undermines the explanation offered above?

(A) Few consumers believe that containers of concentrated cleaning products are merely small packages of regular cleaning products.

(B) The containers in which concentrated cleaning products are packaged are no harder to recycle than those in which regular cleaning products are packaged.

(C) Those concentrated cleaning products that are intended to be used diluted have clear instructions for dilution printed on their labels.

(D) The smaller containers of concentrated cleaning products enable supermarkets and drugstores to increase their revenues from a given shelf space.

(E) Consumer pressure has led to the elimination of wasteful cardboard packaging that was used for compact discs.



Difficulty - Hard

Main idea: Govt. wants to reduce waste and they have decided to charge a fee at the time of purchase thinking it is the best way. But Author thinks charging fee at the time of salvage would be more effective in reducing waster because this will incentivize consumers to repair and use the appliance for longer than discard it prematurely. We are asked to weaken Author’s argument.

A - If a higher fee is charged at the time of salvage (say 10% of cost) - in cases where the equipment is beyond repaid then some or many consumers will find ways to discard it illegally than pay the cost to salvage. - This weakens the author’s conclusion clearly.

B - If lower quality products are manufactured then it will increase waste but this option does not impair end consumer’s behaviour and does not weaken author’s conclusion. It weakens govt’s conclusion. Incorrect.

C - Does not weaken author’s conclusion. Incorrect.

D - This is inferred from the question. Not affecting the conclusion. Incorrect.

E - This option supports the author’s conclusion, not weakens it. Incorrect.

Therefore, option A is correct.

Main idea: Stores have choosen to stock the new products that are smaller in size fairly quickly. They have choosen small products quickly because customers want eco friendly products.
Pre-thinking: Normally, stores are careful In choosing new products from less known brands as they may not sell fast.

A - This supports the idea that stores chose it thinking of customers not because of their own benefit. Incorrect.

B - There is no difference in recycling small vs large products. Does not affect the conclusion. Incorrect.

C - Irrelevant information. Does not affect the conclusion. Incorrect

D - This options tell us that the stores accepted new products quickly because it benefits them more than it does consumers. Correct.

E - Example of a similar event. This supports the conclusion not weaken it. Incorrect.

Therefore, option D is correct.

SC Questions July - 14 :

Q1. Federal government provided major share of funding for the natural museum filled with local relics, when it might have been expected for it to be provided by the district authorities.

A. it might have been expected for it to be provided by the district authorities.

B. it might have been expected to be provided by the district authorities.

C. it might have been expected that it should be provided by the district authorities.

D. it’s funding might have been expected to be provided for by the district authorities.

E. there might have been an expectation that it would be provided by the district authorities.



Difficulty - Hard

Q2. After Janet lay down, having finished a hard day’s work, sleep descended on her like a soft blanket.


A. having finished a hard day’s work, sleep descended on her

B. having finished a hard day’s work, she felt sleep descend on her

C. sleep descended on her having finished a hard day’s work

D. having finished a hard day’s work, sleep had descended on her

E. having completed a hard day’s work, sleeping descended on her



Difficulty - Hard

CR Questions July - 14 :

Q1. Ramirez: The film industry claims that pirated DVDs, which are usually cheaper than legitimate DVDs and become available well before a film’s official DVD release date, adversely affect its bottom line. But the industry should note what the spread of piracy indicates: consumers want lower prices and faster DVD releases. Lowering prices of DVDs and releasing them sooner would mitigate piracy’s negative effect on film industry profits.

The argument above relies on which of the following assumptions?

A. Releasing legitimate DVDs earlier would not cause any reduction in the revenue the film industry receives from the films’ theatrical release.

B. Some people who would otherwise purchase pirated DVDs would be willing to purchase legitimate DVDs if they were less expensive and released earlier than they are now.

C. The film industry will in the future be able to produce DVDs more cheaply than is currently the case.

D. Some current sellers of pirated DVDs would likely discontinue their businesses if legitimate DVDs were released faster and priced lower.

E. Current purchasers of pirated DVDs are aware that those DVDs are not authorized by the film industry.



Difficulty - Hard

Q2. Mr. Ice sells ice cream for $1 each. Mr. Freeze sells a different ice cream for $3 each. On one Sunday, at the end of the day’s business, Mr Ice had sold three times as many ice creams as Mr Freeze. Interestingly, they had both also made the same amount of profit for that day.

Which of the following can be inferred from the above statements?


(A) The total cost incurred by Mr Freeze for that day was three times that incurred by Mr Ice.

(B) Mr Ice’s ice cream is more popular than Mr. Freeze’s ice cream.

(C) The total cost incurred by Mr Ice for that day was three times that incurred by Mr. Freeze.

(D) Mr Freeze’s ice cream sells in smaller numbers because of its higher selling price.

(E) Both Mr Ice and Mr Freeze incurred the same costs for that day



Difficulty - Hard

SC Questions July - 15 :

Q1. In 49 BCE, Gaius Julius Caesar, one of the most powerful generals in the Republic, shocked his supporters, enemies, and rivals by crossing the Rubicon river into Italy, leading towards Rome the nearly 4,000 soldiers who were regarded as his most loyal troops.

A) leading towards Rome the nearly 4,000 soldiers who were regarded as

B) leading towards Rome nearly the 4,000 soldiers regarded

C) and led towards Rome nearly 4,000 soldiers, who were regarded

D) and led towards Rome nearly 4,000 soldiers who were regarded as

E) and he led towards Rome the more than 4,000 soldiers who were regarded



Difficulty - Hard

Q2. The teacher sympathized with the students who were forced to attend classes on Sundays, stating that if he was in charge, he would declare every Saturday and Sunday as holidays.

(A) if he was in charge, he would declare every Saturday and Sunday as holidays

(B) if he were in charge, he would declare every Saturday and Sunday as holidays

(C) he would declare every Saturday and Sunday as holidays if he was in charge

(D) if he were in charge, he would declare every Saturday and Sunday holidays

(E) every Saturday and Sunday would be holidays if he was in charge



Difficulty - Hard

Key decision makers:

Parallelism or Present Participle Phrase
(1) JC shocked others...and led his team..
vs
(2) JC shocked others....,leading him team..
Because both the events are happening simultaneously, use of present participle phrase is correct.

So, option C, D and E are out.

A - leading ....soldiers who were regarded as - comparison of soliders to most loyal - this structure is appropriate.

B - leading....soldiers regarded his most loyal troops - in this structure regarded modifies soldiers, wronly placed modifier. Meaning also gets affected. Incorrect.

Therefore, option A is the answer.

Key decision maker:

Tense - In case of a hypothetical statement, we use subjunctive mood i.e. were....would/could. Hence, option A, C, & E are incorrect.

B - Every Saturday & Sunday as holidays - can also be read as "Every day as holiday" - As is used for comparison of two noun, Sunday >> holidays.

D - Every Saturday & Sunday holidays - also read as "Every day a holiday" or "Two days holidays" - when read like this it becomes clear that saying "I declare these two days a holiday" is more direct and effective than saying "I declare these two days as holiday". This structure is preferred over B. (Example to also keep in mind: Monday is a holiday vs Monday is as good as Holiday).

Therefore, option D is the answer.