<table><tr><td valign="top" rowspan="2"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0743250990/gmatclub0c-20?dev-t=D12SE2OB5WPKEB%26camp=2025%26link_code=sp1"><img src="https://images.amazon.com/images/P/0743250990.01.MZZZZZZZ.jpg" align="right" border="0" alt="Click to buy from Amazon: Kaplan GMAT Verbal Workbook, Second Edition"/></a></td><td rowspan="2"> </td><td valign="top" class="gcNormal">:: <a class="gclink_undecorated" href='https://www.gmatclub.com/content/resources/reviews/index.php?changeCategory()&browse()'>reviews home</a> » <a class="gclink_undecorated" href='https://www.gmatclub.com/content/resources/reviews/index.php?changeCategory(%2Fbooks)&browse()'>Books</a> » <a class="gclink_undecorated" href='https://www.gmatclub.com/content/resources/reviews/index.php?changeCategory(%2Fbooks%2Fbestbooks)&browse()'>Top Picks</a><br/><br/><b>Kaplan GMAT Verbal Workbook, Second Edition</b><br/><i>Kaplan; </i><br/>Price: $12.60; Used: $10.78<br/><br/><a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0743250990/gmatclub0c-20?dev-t=D12SE2OB5WPKEB%26camp=2025%26link_code=sp1"><img border="0" src="https://www.gmatclub.com/design/templates/gcCatalog/books/buy.gif" alt="buy from amazon"/></a></td></tr><tr><td class="gcNormal"><br/><br/>I would give 4.5 out of 5
Not 5 because it could use a few more reading passages for additional practice. The book is very good. Even though it has a few questions from the Kaplan CD (not more than 5), it makes a good practice. Here are the main strengths:
1. Good strategy Guide and source of questions; it is very well written and pleasant to read
2. Reading and Critical Reasoning are explained in more depth than in the Kaplan GMAT Guide with CD. I would recommend to get this book in addition to the Kaplan's Guide if you are having troubles with verbal (who doesn't you may ask). I improved RC only after i got this book.
3. However, probably the most helpful part of this book is the Idiom section. It is indispensable for International Students; I think this is the only guide that has so many USEFUL idioms, about 70 with explanations and examples. It is not crammed with all sorts of useless expressions as many idiom dictionaries are and it is not limited to top 5 either. I like the ballance.
The book does not come with any software but has many questions and one verbal section of a practice test. And, yes, the questions are hard. It is Kaplan
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