Verbal Diagnostic Test #1 by GMAT Club

Question

Verbal Diagnostic Test 
This diagnostic test was put together by dedicated members of the GMAT Club (Daagh mostly). This is our contribution to the next generation of GMAT Test takers – and in return we only ask for your feedback - let us know how we did and what we can do better. Please provide your feedback for improvement as well as any other suggestions!

The test consists of 4 parts. We will be publishing them one by one each week:   Part I - published 1/8/2014 - 15 questions 
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daagh · Answer

Diagnostic Test No 1. Total 15 Qs   Maximum Time 27 minutes  
 Legend: E=Easy; M=Medium difficulty and H= Hard

Q.No1: SC E Source; gmatclub

Among the various factors that foster innovative accomplishments are change for the better that signify disruption of the routine, deviation from the normal and redirection from the past  
(A). Among the various factors that foster innovative accomplishments are change for the better that signify disruption of the routine, deviation from the normal and redirection from the past 
(B). Among the various factors that foster innovative accomplishments are change for the better that signifies disruption of the routine, deviation from the normal and redirection from the past 
(C). Among the various factors that foster innovative accomplishments is change for the better that signifies disruption of the routine, deviation from the normal and redirection from the past 
(D). Among the various factors that foster innovative accomplishments is change for the better that signify disruption of the routine, deviation from the normal and redirection from the past 
(E)). Among the various factors that foster innovative accomplishments are changes for the better that signifies disruption of the routine, deviation from the normal and redirection from the past
OA and OE 
 OE 
A – S-V disagreement; ‘change’ is the singular subject; ‘is” must be the verb -- wrong; “Change that signify” is also S-V mismatch
B – – S-V disagreement; ‘change’ is the singular subject; ‘is” must be the verb -- wrong
C - Correct Choice:’ Change and is” - the correct S-V combination; ‘Change that signifies’ is the correct S-V match 
D- “change for the better that signify” incorrect S-V agreement 
E change and re –incorrect S-V agreement; “Changes that signifies” ----another S-V mismatch 
OA: C

Q. No 2 : CR E Source : gmatclub

Tests conducted by National Automobile Association of India, have revealed that, on average, the vacuum brakes fixed on Niño mini cars perform better than other brakes fixed in any other comparable cars. Thus, any consumer who is purchasing a mini-car based solely on the criteria of safety should purchase a Niño
 
Which one of the following statements, if true, most weakens the argument?

(A) Mini-cars are less safe than some other types of automobiles.
(B) Most consumers purchase cars based on multiple criteria in addition to safety.
(C) During the test, the brakes on some Santro mini cars outperformed those on some Nano cars 
(D) The brakes on Nano mini cars are simple to use and maintain.
(E) The Santro mini-cars achieved a better frontal crash-test rating than the Nano mini-cars. 
OA and OE 
 OE
A- Comparison is only between Nino and Sastro 
B- Factors other than safety are outside the scope 
C- Brakes on some mini cars are not fully in line with the focus of the topic; 
D. Simplicity and ease of operation are not in consideration here. 
E. Significantly weakens the argument; Nobody will call a car safe without a good frontal crash-test rating
OA: E

Q. No 3 : SC M Source : gmatclub

On Saturday, the Board of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), a revered pilgrim centre In India, decided to enhance the salaries of the chief priests under its purview up to Rs 55,000 per month and that of junior archakas to Rs 30,000, while the archakas were sought to withdraw the cases against the TTD.

(A). On Saturday, the Board of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) , a revered pilgrim centre In India, decided to enhance the salaries of the chief priests under its purview up to Rs 55,000 per month and that of junior archakas to Rs 30,000, while the archakas were sought to withdraw the cases against the TTD.
(B). On Saturday, the Board of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) , a revered pilgrim centre In India, decided to enhance the salaries of the chief priests under its purview up to Rs 55,000 per month and that of junior archakas to Rs 30,000 and they sought the archakas to withdraw the cases against the TTD.
(C). On Saturday, the Board of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), a revered pilgrim centre In India decided to enhance the salaries of the chief priests under its purview up to Rs 55,000 per month, and those of junior archakas to Rs 30,000, while seeking the archakas to withdraw the cases against the TTD.
(D). On Saturday, the Board of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) , a revered pilgrim centre In India, decided to enhance the salaries of the chief priests under its purview up to Rs 55,000 per month and that of junior archakas to Rs 30,000, whereas they sought the cases by the archakas against the TTD to be withdrawn. .
(E). On Saturday, the Board of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam(TTD) , a revered pilgrim centre In India, decided to enhance the salaries of the chief priests under its purview up to Rs 55,000 per month and that of junior archakas to Rs 30,000; at the same time, they asked the cases against the TTD to be withdrawn by the archakas.

OA and OE 
 OE 
A. “Salaries” is plural; “that” of is singular; a case of pronoun error
B. First part same error as in A; In addition, there is no proper referent for they; If it is the archakas who sought the withdrawal of the case, then the meaning is wrong;
C. Correct choice
D. First part same error as in A and in the latter part , the use of contrasting conjunction “whereas” is out of place 
E. The Board is singular and they is plural; a case of subject- pronoun number disagreement 
OA : C

Q. No 4 : SC M Source : gmatclub
 A cricketer trying to predict the outcome of the one day world cup match in 1996 between the experienced Pakistan and the upstart Bangladesh, probably  would have chosen the then invincible Pakistan by an odds of 10/1 and been quite wrong

A. have chosen the then invincible Pakistan by an odds of 10/1 and been quite wrong
B. have chosen that it would be the then invincible Pakistan by an odds of 10/1 and be quite wrong
C. choose the then invincible Pakistan by an odds of 10/1 and been quite wrong
D. choose the then invincible Pakistan by an odds of 10/1 and be quite wrong
E. choose in favor of the then invincible Pakistan by an odds of 10/1 and been quite wrong

OA and OE
 OE 
Let us see the intricacies of sentence building through this thread. “Would” is a common factor for both the verbs in the first part and the second part; So the subject and the verbs should fit in grammatically in both places; 
A. (Would)have chosen the then invincible Pakistan by an odds of 10/1 and (would) been quite wrong’ --- wrong wording
B. (would) have chosen that it would be the then invincible Pakistan by an odds of 10/1 and(would) be quite wrong--- correct choice with some room for assumption 
C. (would) choose the then invincible Pakistan by an odds of 10/1 and (would) been quite wrong; same as in A 
D. (would )choose the then invincible Pakistan by an odds of 10/1 and (would) be quite wrong –The categorical nature of “would choose” misses the speculative core of the topic. 
E. (would) choose in favor of the then invincible Pakistan by an odds of 10/1 and (would) been quite wrong -- same as in A;
 Now between B and D; When we say’ would choose’ the element of speculation is missing in D; To that extent meaning is a subtle casualty; B is the best choice using an element of assumption 
OA : B 
Q. No 5 : CR M Source : gmatclub 
 
Governments have the fundamental duty to respond to peoples demand for amending deficient public service by judiciously providing necessary remedies. However this results in use of additional regulation eventually leading to avoidable expenses. In spite of such strained finances, Government has no other go but to take up epidemics such as Dengue, in view of the public’s perception of very poor governance in these matters.

Which one of the following statements can be inferred from the passage?

(A) The quality of epidemic disease management will improve.
(B) The cost of handling health care on epidemics will increase.
(C) The government will resort of additional taxation to meet the increased costs of epidemic health care. 
(D) Only when the government fears mounted public outcry will the Government wake from slumber.（B）
(E) If government does not act on epidemic health cure, the costs will not escalate.
OA and OE
 OE 
(A) The quality of epidemic disease management will improve. -----No; improvement may not occur at all 
(B) The cost of handling health care on epidemics will increase. 
This is bound to happen and is easily inferable. 
(C) The government will resort of additional taxation to meet the increased costs of epidemic health care we can’t say this with certainty 
(D) Only when the government fears mounted public outcry will the Government wake from slumber. No such assumption can be expected from Governments except in election times 
(E) If government does not act on epidemic health cure, the costs will not escalate; ---- Governments are clever enough to create expenditure without any action. So this can’t be inferred. 
OA : B

Q. No 6: SC E Source : gmatclub

The later generation Roman kings, flamboyant sybarites, held parties in their courts, they sported  ethnic delicacies, choicest of cocktails, and randy performances by courtesans 
 (A) The later generation Roman kings, flamboyant sybarites, held parties in their courts, they sported
(B) Parties were held in the courts of the later generation Roman kings, flamboyant sybarites, which featured 
(C) The later generation Roman kings, flamboyant sybarites in their courts, held parties sporting
(D) The later generation Roman kings, flamboyant sybarites, held parties in their courts that sported
(E) In their courts, the later generation Roman kings, flamboyant sybarites, held parties that sported

OA and OE

OE

A: A run- on sentence
B. flamboyant sybarites, which featured --- Relative pronoun touch rule foul 
C; flamboyant sybarites in their courts—wrong diction: If they were sybarites only in their courts, what were they outside their courts? 
D: their courts that sported—courts do not sport delicacies 
E. held parties that sported --- correct modification and correct choice
OA : E

Q. No 7: CR M Source : gmatclub

Spotted deer are endowed with bright dots, and the most popular subspecies has the largest dots. The dots cannot act as camouflages for these open land grazers, due to their prominence. There is therefore some ecological reason for such bright spots. The dots must therefore be of importance to the species as the spots must be acting as some sort of signal to the deer
 
Which one of the following, if true, most strongly supports the conclusion regarding a signaling function?

(A) Exceptional size and vigor also mark the subspecies of deer characterized by the best-defined dots 
(B) Grazing animals with a coat of uniform color may be harder to spot than spotted deer in certain tall grasses. 
(C) A temporary change of color easily can be perceived by the other members of the species, marking a visual signal in the most prevalent species of deer. 
(D) Deers respond much faster to moving shapes that have dots than they do to moving shapes that are otherwise identical but without dots. D）
(E) Deers give several kinds of vocal signals than do similar species such as horses.
OA and OE

OE

A. No hint of signaling: wrong choice
B. No signals implied; Comparison is only between only spotted and uniform coating. 
C. No reference to spots 
D. Correct choice; dots act as signals warning the other members
E. Vocal signals is out of question 
OA: D

Q. No 8 : SC E Source : gmatclub

Like many others who acted as double agents, Mata Hari, a Dutch seductive dancer, treaded in dangerous waters;  accused of spying for Germany in the First World War, she was finally executed by a firing squad for treason in France

Like many others who acted as double agents, Mata Hari, a Dutch seductive dancer, treaded in dangerous waters;
Like many others acting as double agents and treading in dangerous waters, Mata Hari, a Dutch seductive dancer, was 
Like many others who acted as double agents, Mata Hari, a Dutch seductive dancer, treaded in dangerous waters was 
As with many others who acted as double agents, Mata Hari, a Dutch seductive dancer, treading in dangerous waters was 
As with many others who acted as double agents, Mata Hari, a Dutch seductive dancer, treaded in dangerous waters was

OA and OE

OE

A. The semi colon puts the structure in proper place; correct choice. 
B. ‘Acting and treading’ give a feeling that the events were ongoing. 
C. A run-on; no conjugation between ‘waters and was’
D. As with denotes as if Mata Hari was accused along with others 
E. Same error as C 
OA:A.

Q. No 9 : SC H Source : gmatclub
 
The idea that earth  was a ball of expanding mass never drew any takers until the well documented phenomenon of continental drifts transformed the indifference into one of interest, though the concept of drift itself was ignored until physicists produced compelling evidence to prove the occurrence of drift.

(A) was a ball of expanding mass never drew any takers until the well documented phenomenon of continental drifts transformed the indifference into one of interest , though the concept of drift itself was ignored until physicists produced compelling evidence to prove the occurrence of drift.

(B) is a ball of expanding mass had never drawn any takers until the well documented phenomenon of continental drifts transformed the indifference into one of interest, though the concept of drift itself was ignored until physicists produced compelling evidence to prove the occurrence of drift.

(C) was a ball of expanding mass did never draw any takers until the well documented phenomenon of continental drifts has transformed the indifference into one of interest, though the concept of drift itself has been ignored until physicists produced compelling evidence to prove the occurrence of drift.

(D) was a ball of expanding mass never drew any takers until the well documented phenomenon of continental drifts transformed this apathetic indifference into one of interest, though the concept of drift itself was ignored until physicists produced compelling evidence to prove the occurrence of drift.

(E) is a ball of expanding mass had never drawn any takers until the well documented phenomenon of continental drifts transformed the indifference into one of interest, though the concept of drift itself had been ignored until physicists produced compelling evidence to prove the occurrence of drift

OA and OE
 
 OE 
A: A universal factor needs a present tense ’is’ rather than past tense ‘was’ 
B. ‘drift itself was ignored until physicists produced compelling’ – when two events occurred, one earlier than the other, the earlier one requires past perfect 
C: was is wrong tense 
D: same as in C 
E; Proper usage of past perfect tenses; Correct choice
OA: E

Q. No 10 : CR H Source : gmatclub

When there is more rainfall than normal, the water levels of subtropical rivers overflow and water gathers high speed. . Because Pentaflora, an aquatic whose habitat in river water grows best in slow-moving water, the amount of Pentaflora per unit of water generally increases when there has been less rainfall and slow moving water. By contrast, however, following a period of high rainfall, Pentaflora levels are high even in speedy waters which have been dammed.

Which of the following, if true, does most to explain the contrast described above?

(A) Extreme speed, causes the populations of some of the feeders of Pentaflora tend to fall.
(B) The temperature of the more and more slowly moving water is more and more conducive for the growth of Pentaflora
(C) High Pentaflora populations lead to toxic levels of the river waters for some other fragile inhabitants that usually live in the local environment 
(D) High rainfall causes subtropical rivers to swell completely for short stints 
(E) water release by means of damming is helpful for the higher growth of Pentaflora than by not damming due to optimal speed

OA and OE 
 OE
A. The Paradox of why high rainfall causes higher Pentaflora is not explained 
B temperature is irrelevant to the topic
C.Toxicity is not discussed here
D. does not touch upon Pentafloara population 
E. Correct choice; damming leads to slow release of water, resulting in higher Pentaflora growth 
OA: E

Questions 11, 12, and 13 are based on the following passage

There is an endless, and perhaps worldwide, controversy as to what constitutes the "essentials" of education; and as to the steps to be taken in the teaching of these essentials. The safe plan for constructive workers appears to be to avoid personal educational philosophies and to read all (line 5) the essentials of education within the needs and processes of the immunity itself. Since we are using this social point of view in making curriculum suggestions, it seems desirable first to explain just what we mean. Some of the matters set down may appear so obvious as not to require expression. They need however to be presented again because of (10) the frequency with which they are lost sight of in actual school practice.

Children and youth are expected as they grow up to take on by easy stages the characteristics of adulthood. At the end of the process it is expected that they will be able to do the things that adults do; to think as they think; (15) to bear adult responsibilities; to be efficient in work; to be thoughtful public-spirited citizens; and the like.The individual who reaches this level of attainment is educated, even though he may never have attended school. The one who falls below this level is not truly educated, even though he may have had a surplus of (20) schooling

Q. No 11 : RC E Source : gmatclub

What is the primary purpose of the passage? 
A. To press that purpose of schooling is to turn into children and youth into robust adults; 
B. To confirm that a higher education is a must for getting a good education these days
C. To explore the basics of being educated and the means of achieving the same
 D To point out what is expected of the young ones as they grow –up 
E. To impress how even the unschooled can turn educated

OA and OE 
A: correct choice. Second Para confirms this
B. wrong choice: line 19 and 20 at the fag end of the passage is just mentioned here 
C. wrong: the purpose is to reach adulthood
D. Children left out wrong choice 
E. It is just a mention and rhetoric to the main point of attaining proper adulthood. 
OA: A 
Q. No 12 : RC M Source : gmatclub

12. If we have to read the mind of the author what is the basic implication of the passage
A. We seem to have lost sight of the purpose of education 
B. Education is expected to turn children and youth to grow into useful adults
C. Adulthood means not just physical adulthood but mental adulthood 
D. Educators are not practicing very obvious things 
E. For one to be educated class room learning is the best way
 OA and OE 
A; Purpose of education is not lost sight; it is a raging controversy
B. This is not an implication; it is plainly mentioned in the passage. 
C. No such differences are implied by the authors’ argument
D; This is the correct implication’ The last line in paragraph one confirms this 
E. The passage denies this in the last line
OA D:

Q. No 13 : RC H Source : gmatclub 
According to the author, what the children and youth are expected to do at the point to bear adult responsibilities of finishing learning EXCEPT?
A. To be responsible adults 
B. To join the multitude of grownups and work as they do 
C. Not to behave childishly 
D. To take up heavier burdens – 
E. To transform into adult ways through their thinking

OA and OE 
 A. Wrong; Line 16 mentions this 
B. Wrong: This is implied in-- they will be able to do the things that adults do— line No 14. 
C. Right Choice – Not mentioned in the passage. 
D. Wrong: see line 15 -To take up heavier burdens- to bear adult responsibilities - 
E. Wrong: - to be thoughtful public-spirited citizens; and the like -.This is mentioned in line No 15. 
OA : C

Q14 SC H Source : gmatclub

In a recently conducted study, Harvard Scientists have linked a molecule to PGC-1 alpha FNDC5, a protein that enhances the expression of brain-health, not only as promoting the development of new nerves and synapses in the hippocampus of the adult brain, but also preserving existing brain cells .

A. In a recently conducted study, Harvard Scientists have linked a molecule to PGC-1 alpha FNDC5, a protein that enhances the expression of brain-health, not only as promoting the development of new nerves and synapses in the hippocampus of the adult brain, but also preserving existing brain cells.
B. In a recently conducted study by Harvard Scientists, a molecule PGC-1 alpha FNDC5, a protein enhancing the expression of brain-health, not only promotes the development of new nerves and synapses in the hippocampus of the adult brain, but also preserves existing brain cells.
C In a recently conducted study by Harvard Scientists, the researchers have linked a molecule to PGC-1 alpha FNDC5, a protein that enhances the expression of brain-health, saying that it not only promotes the development of new nerves and synapses in the hippocampus of the adult brain, but also preserves existing brain cells.
D Linking a molecule PGC-1 alpha to FNDC5, a protein that enhances the expression of brain-health, Harvard Scientists claim that the factor not only promotes the development of new nerves and synapses in the hippocampus of the adult brain, but also preserves existing brain cells in a recently conducted study.
E In a recently conducted study by Harvard Scientists, which linked a molecule PGC-1 alpha to FNDC5, a protein enhancing the expression of brain-health, it not only promotes the development of new nerves and synapses in the hippocampus of the adult brain, but also preserves existing brain cells

OA and OE 
 OE
A. not only as promoting, but also preserving -- unparallel 
B. distorted meaning; It looks as if the molecules promotes something in a study 
C. Correct Choice 
D. “ preserves existing brain cells in a recently conducted study’ means that the preservation was done in a study and not outside
E. It is not cleat what is he referent for the pronoun ‘it’; It may refer to study or the molecule 
OA: C

Q. No 15 : CR M Source : gmatclub

Hiberian Opposition Party Spokesman : Our National Textile board is running at loss; The cost of maintaining a wide network of inspection offices and officials are disproportionate to the benefits accrued since hardly only 1% of the consignments are getting rejected overall. Hence, if we cut down the size of the official expenditure on maintenance of such inspection operations, it will go a long way in sustaining the operations, yet maintaining Hiberian quality of exports and reputation. .
 Hiberian PMO Spokesman: This is a fallacious approach. The mere message that somebody is overseeing the affairs deters many potential fraudsters from exporting unfit goods and earning bad reputation. 
The PMO Spokesman responds to the Opposition Party Spokesman by 
A) rebutting the argument of the spokesman of the opposition party while urging that the standards according to which the board inspects exported textiles should be raised
(B) Evidencing that the Opposition stand has significantly overestimated the cost of maintaining the board
(C) criticizing the Opposition Party’s stand introducing into the issue irrelevant and non- economic factors
(D) bringing out into open a factor which the Opposition totally failed to consider. 
 (E) resorting to Ad hominem, i.e. attack one’s character rather than the argument per se. 
OA and OE
 OE 
A: There is no mention of raising the standard. Wrong 
B.No evidences produced – wrong 
C. no introduction of irrelevant issues by the PMO 
D. This is the correct answer. The PMO points out deterrence factor to blunt opposition’s allegation. 
E. No personal names called: wrong choice.
OE: D

rango · Answer

Hi; Thanks bb for the test series. Are the problems are same as posted in GMAT Club ? :-D

Saabs · Answer

Very happy to see this post, it's good to have some new and 'fresh' exercises. I'll be looking forward to the other parts. Thank you.

kinjiGC · Answer

Very good questions. Got 8 of 15 in 30 mins.

Takes a ton for these questions. I have some doubts about the RC explanations and correct choices. The SC and CR questions were of great quality.

tabsang · Answer

Hi,

First up, kudos kudos kudos for putting up this doc. It's a good read.

PFB a few questions that have glitches (wording, grammar, answer choices ,etc.)
Q7 & Q10 (in the pdf) 
Q10 (online)

Cheers,
Taz

WoundedTiger · Answer

First of all.... :thanks

Finally, I took the Verbal Diagnostic Test 1 Got 8 correct out of 15 but took around 32 minutes. Would request for more clarity on correct answer choices in Q3 (What's wrong with A here) The wording in Q10 is not great. The Sentence structure " Because Pentaflora, Noun Modifier....The amount of Pentaflora" Without the Noun-Modifier, the sentence is not making sense. Overall good practice with decent mix. The RC language was moderate but still got 2 incorrect... :no

Again in Q11---> The purpose of the RC passage I thought C would be a better choice. Comments welcome by one and all.

catalysis · Answer

Thanks! When will the other parts be added? Are they in a separate thread?

Some possible modifications to the online diagnostic:

1. In Q3, is choice C missing a comma after "in India," ?
2. In Q5 and Q7, options include hints that the answer is B and D, respectively, because the letters are placed randomly in the answer options.

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