ON THI GMAT - TONG HOP LOI SC THEO RON

Records from ancient Athens indicate each year young Athenian women had collaborated to weave a new woolen robe for dressing  A + B: “based on” để modify “women” là không phù hợp.. A t

39 According to scholars, the earliest writing was probably not a direct rendering of speech, but was more likely to begin as a separate and distinct symbolic system of communication, and only later merged with spoken language (comparison problem)

(A) was more likely to begin as

(B) more than likely began as

(C) more than likely beginning from

(D) it was more than likely begun from

(E) it was more likely that it began

Trong câu này, chủ ngữ ở phần sau của câu đã bị mất đi:

the earliest writing was probably not a direct rendering of speech, but more than likely the earliest writing began as… and merged

Vì phần sau có “and merged”  phải là began trong phần gạch chân  A + C + D out!

E: it ambiguous  B

40 In 1995 Richard Stallman, a well-known critic of the patent system, testified in Patent Office

hearings that, to test the system, a colleague of his had managed to win a patent for one of Kirchhoff’s laws, an observation about electric current first made in 1845 and now included in virtually every textbook of elementary physics.

(A) laws, an observation about electric current first made in 1845 and

(B) laws, which was an observation about electric current first made in 1845 and it is

(C) laws, namely, it was an observation about electric current first made in 1845 and

(D) laws, an observation about electric current first made in 1845, it is

(E) laws that was an observation about electric current, first made in 1845, and is

 APPOSITVE MODIFIER  A

B: and it is…  run on sentence (no comma presented) + “was” should be “were”

C: namely? Also, a run on sentence

D: run on sentence

E: sounds like current was made in 1845; “that” refers to “laws”  “was” is wrong

42 The Supreme Court has ruled that public universities can collect student activity fees even with students’ objections to particular activities, so long as the groups they give money to will

be chosen without regard to their views.

(A) with students’ objections to particular activities, so long as the groups they give money to will be

(B) if they have objections to particular activities and the groups that are given the money are (C) if they object to particular activities, but the groups that the money is given to have to be (D) from students who object to particular activities, so long as the groups given money are (E) though students have an objection to particular activities, but the groups that are given the money be

https://e-gmat.com/articles/?p=1207

A: they – their must share 1 antecedent  illogical meaning

B+C: fees have objections? – ridiculous; C: to at the end of the modifier – really? Crazy

4 Prep exam 1: The positive integer k has exactly two positive prime factors, 3 and 7 If k has

a total of 6 positive factors, including 1 and k, what is the value of K?

(1) 120 students eat in the cafeteria

(2) 40 of the students like lima beans

 Each statement is sufficient

Preparation exam 1: Based on records from ancient Athens, each year young Athenian women collaborated to weave a new woolen robe that they used to dress a statue of the goddess Athena and that this robe depicted scenes of a battle between Zeus, Athena's father, and giants

A Based on records from ancient Athens, each year young Athenian women collaborated to weave a new woolen robe that they used to dress

B Based on records from ancient Athens, young Athenian women had collaborated to weave a new woolen robe with which to dress

C According to records from ancient Athens, each year young Athenian women collaborated to weave a new woolen robe that they used to dress

D Records from ancient Athens indicate that each year young Athenian women collaborated to weave a new woolen robe with which they dresse d

E Records from ancient Athens indicate each year young Athenian women had collaborated to weave a new woolen robe for dressing

 A + B: “based on” để modify “women” là không phù hợp những phụ nữ này không thể nào… dựa vào records đc > A&B out.

C: robe that they used to dress…  họ dung tấm áo choàng này để thực hiện việc mặc áo Hơn nữa, dù có “ra vẻ” // bằng cấu trúc: …that X and that Y nhưng trong câu này, that đầu tiên mô tả 1 đặc tính của the robe, câu sau lại mô tả một sự thực khác  hiểu: the robe that they used to dress + the robe that this robe depicted…

E: (&B) had collaborated  thì qkht không phù hợp để diễn tả 1 hành động lặp đi lặp lại trong quá khứ.

 D: indicate that young women abc and that this robe xyz

Preparation exam 1: In archaeology, there must be a balance between explanation of the value and workings of archaeology, revealing the mysteries of past and present cultures, and to

promote respect for archaeological sites.

A between explanation of the value and workings of archaeology, revealing the mysteries of past and present cultures, and to promote

B among explaining the value and workings of archaeology, revealing the mysteries of past and present cultures, and promoting

C between explaining the value and workings of archaeology, revealing the mysteries of past and present cultures, and when promoting

D among explaining the value and workings of archaeology, the revelation of the mysteries of past and present cultures, and to promote

E between explaining archaeologys value and workings , in the revealing the mysteries of past and present cultures, and in promoting

 1st split: among v.s between  look back at the meaning: balance has 3 laterals: explaining…, revealing…., and promoting…  among.

https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog/2015/08/17/how-to-First, Glance at the problem What does that even mean for SC? There’s so much text!

Don’t read the sentence yet Here’s where to glance:

 Start with the word before the underline and the first underlined word

 Then glance down the first word themselves or two of each answer choice

Some words are markers all by: if you see the word and, you know something is going on with parallelism Other clues make themselves known when you compare differences in the

answers, and there’s always one difference at the beginning of each answer choice You may not always know what the difference signifies, but if you train well, you can learn to spot clues

on a First Glance something like 70% to 80% of the time.

Preparation exam 1: As the honeybee’s stinger is heavily barbed, staying where it is inserted, this results in the act of stinging causing the bee to sustain a fatal injury.

A As the honeybee’s stinger is heavily barbed, staying where it is inserted, this results in the act of stinging causing

B As the heavily barbed stinger of the honeybee stays where it is inserted, with the result that the act of stinging causes

C The honeybee’s stinger , heavily barbed and staying where it is inserted, results in the fact that the act of stinging causes

D The heavily barbed stinger of the honeybee stays where it is inserted, and results in the act of stinging causing

E The honeybee’s stinger is heavily barbed and stays where it is inserted, with the result that the act of stinging causes

X Result in Y only correct if X is an ACTION  A + C + D are out

A: This has no reference

Hơn nữa, cấu trúc prep + Noun + V_ing chỉ đúng khi prep refer tới Noun Lý do: khi Prep + N +

V-ing thì V-ing đóng vai trò modifier  kể cả thiếu cụm này thì câu vẫn make sense

 The stinger (?) results in the act of stinging  nonsense

 I have a photo of my cousin playing football  ok vì nếu bỏ cả cụm playing football cũng vẫn ok

B: As đầu câu khiến câu trở thành run-on  out

Between 1990 and 2000 the global economy grew more than it did during the 10,000 years from the beginning of agriculture to 1950 (comparison problem)

A Between 1990 and 2000 the global economy grew more than it did during the 10,000 years from the beginning of agriculture

B Between 1990 and 2000 the global economy grew more than that during 10,000 years, from when agriculture began

C The growth of the global economy between 1990 and 2000 exceeds that which has been for 10,000 years from the beginning of agriculture

D The growth of the global economy between 1990 and 2000 exceeds what it has been for 10,000 years, from when agriculture began

E The growth of the global economy between 1990 and 2000 exceeded what it did for 10,000 years from the beginning of agriculture

B: from when? C + D: has been không phù hợp để tả hiện tượng xảy ra trước thời điểm 1950 E: the growth exceeded what it did: sai! Phải là what it was vì the growth did what? It did nothing, silly Also, “it” trong D&E: ambiguous  A is correct

The government of country X is more stable than that of country Y.

Can't use "it" (which would have to refer to the government of country X).

Hence "that", which is a tool specifically engineered to refer to "the government" WITHOUT the

modifier That's the whole reason why it exists.

Thật ra mình lăn tăn trong câu A là vì nó so sánh một cách mơ hồ: the economy grew more than it did  more gì? Đang so sánh trên tiêu chí gì? Faster hay more beautifully???  FUCK you GMAC! This time, Ron is on my side:

In fact, I think the usage of "more" without a following noun, adjective, or adverb will be highly suspicious in most circumstances.

In other words, if you see something like "X is more than Y", versus alternatives such as "X

is higher than Y" or "X is greater than Y", you should in general be able to trust the latter

Read more about comparing things in GMAT here

correction-2/

Most of the purported health benefits of tea comes from antioxidants - compounds also found

in beta carotene, vitamin E, and vitamin C that inhibit the formation of plaque along the body’s blood vessels

A comes from antioxidants - compounds also found in beta carotene, vitamin E, and vitamin C that

B comes from antioxidants - compounds that are also found in beta carotene, vitamin E, and vitamin C, and they

C come from antioxidants - compounds also found in beta carotene, vitamin E, and vitamin C, and

D come from antioxidants - compounds that are also found in beta carotene, vitamin E, and vitamin

C and that

E come from antioxidants - compounds also found in beta carotene, vitamin E, and vitamin C, and they

YOU ARE FUCKING SILLY, TOAN!

1st split: look at the 1st underlined word  come/comes

A: comes

B: comes  C + D + E left Since they listed out many factors  check parallel!

C: Compounds also found in X, Y, Z, and inhibit (v)  WRONG!

D: compounds that are found in XYZ, and that inhibit  parallel!

E: Compounds also found … and they…  not parallel Also, after a dash (-), no independent clause

The single-family house constructed by the Yana, a Native American people who lived in what is now northern california, was conical in shape, its framework of poles overlaid with slabs of bark , either cedar or pine, and banked with dirt to a height of three to four feet

a banked with dirt to a height of

b banked with dirt as high as that of

c banked them with dirt to a height of

d was banked with dirt as high as

e was banked with dirt as high as that of

“as high as” không đi với một khoảng giá trị mà đi với 1 giá trị cố định: the pole is as high as 3ft  ok

Đáp án: A

Ban đầu mình lăn tăn tại sao lại là dấu (,) chứ không phải (;) để tách 2 câu có ý độc lập Nhưng thực chất cả đoạn từ its… tới hết câu, chỉ là appositive modifier (absolute modifier)  KINH KHỦNG Eg: She frowns upon him, her arms crossed

Eg: Roberta listened to her daughter, tears forming in her eyes

The health benefits of tea have been the subject of much research; in addition to its possibilities for

preventing and inhibiting some forms of cancer, the brewed leaves of Camellia sinensis may also play a role in reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

A in addition to its possibilities for preventing and inhibiting

B in addition to its possibilities to prevent or inhibit

C besides the possibility that it prevents and inhibits

D besides the possible preventing and inhibiting of

E besides possibly preventing or inhibiting

Sau phần gạch chân là mô tả “the brewed leaves of camellia ”  Plural  it, its bị loại T_T

A+B+C ra đi.

Possibility: chỉ có 2 cách dùng: ~ of Noun và ~ that Noun verb  A+B dùng sai

D: “and” không phù hợp, và mô tả V-ing thì possibly tốt hơn

E: correct

Neither… nor…  2 things If more than 2:

Neither… nor nor… nor…

I like neither Japan nor Korea nor China.

OG - verbal review

In 1979 lack of rain reduced India's rice production to about 41 million tons, nearly 25 percent less than those of the 1978 harvest (comparison problem)

(A) less than those of the 1978 harvest

(B) less than the 1978 harvest

(C) less than 1978

(D) fewer than 1978

(E) fewer than that of India's 1978 harvest

Ngầm hiểu rằng đang so sánh 1979 harvest và 1978 harvest

A: refer to 41mil tons  redundant C+D: 1978 chỉ là năm, không so sánh đc với 1979 harvest

D + E: fewer không phù hợp để so sánh harvest Không thể so sánh “tons” ở đây đc

Only seven people this century have been killed by the great white shark, the man-eater of the movies - less than those killed by bee stings (comparison problem)

a movies less than those

b movies fewer than have been

c movies, which is less than those

d movies, a number lower than the people

e movies, fewer than the ones

7 people… fewer than… mới chính xác  A + C: oute

D: so sánh a number với the people?!!?!  lower than the number of people who have been killed

by bee stings thì ok

E: the ones  không có precedent + have been killed không // với killed

Rising inventories, when unaccompanied correspondingly by increases in sales, can lead to

production cutbacks that would hamper economic growth

(A) when unaccompanied correspondingly by increases in sales, can lead

(B) when not accompanied by corresponding increases in sales, possibly leads

(C) when they were unaccompanied by corresponding sales increases, can lead

(D) if not accompanied by correspondingly increased sales, possibly leads

(E) if not accompanied by corresponding increases in sales, can lead

A: when ko phù hợp, “unaccompanied” at best awkward, correspondingly: ambiguous

B: inventories…leads  S-V agreement was broken

C: were… can lead  verb tense

D: giống B

E: correct

18 Warning that computers in the United States are not secure, the National Academy of Sciences has urged the nation to revamp computer security procedures, institute new emergency response teams, creating a special nongovernment organization to take charge of computer security planning (A) creating a special nongovernment organization to take

(B) creating a special nongovernment organization that takes

(C) creating a special nongovernment organization for taking

(D) and create a special nongovernment organization for taking

(E) and create a special nongovernment organization to take

A: Urged the nation… to revamp…, institue….,  expected: and + V  A+B+C: Out!

Between E&D: D is awkward

28 In virtually all types of tissue in every animal species dioxin induces the production of enzymes that are the organism’s trying to metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical that is irritating it.

(A) trying to metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical that is irritating it

(B) trying that it metaboliz e, or rende r harmless, the chemical irritant

(C) attempt to try to metabolize, or render harmless, such a chemical irritant

(D) attempt to try and metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical irritating it

(E) attempt to metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical irritant

1886, outnumbering her letters to anyone else.

(A) Dickinson were written over a period beginning a few years before Susan’s marriage to Emily’s brother and ending shortly before Emily’s death in 1886, outnumbering

(B) Dickinson were written over a period that begins a few years before Susan’s marriage to Emily’s brother and ended shortly before Emily’s death in 1886, outnumber

(C) Dickinson, written over a period beginning a few years before Susan’s marriage to Emily’s brother and that ends shortly before Emily’s death in 1886 and outnumbering

(D) Dickinson, which were written over a period beginning a few years before Susan’s marriage to Emily’s brother, ending shortly before Emily’s death in 1886, and outnumbering

(E) Dickinson, which were written over a period beginning a few years before Susan’s marriage to Emily’s brother and ending shortly before Emily’s death in 1886, outnumber

B: begins 1000 years ago??

C+D: fragment since there is no verb for the subject “letters”

A: grammatically correct, but weird meaning because “outnumbering” here implies some kinda causal relationship (showing the result).

Eg: My brother, who ate a lot of bagels, graduated last year  2 independent observations

My brother ate a lot of bagels, graduating last year  implies that he graduated because he ate the bagels

Remember, COMA + V-ing present 1 of 2 functions: (1) – the RESULTS of the action; (2) –

describes HOW the action was conducted In this eg, this structure serves non of the above 2.

E: correct

42 To develop more accurate population forecasts, demographers have to know a great deal more than now about the social and economic determinants of fertility (comparison problem)

(A) have to know a great deal more than now about the social and economic

(B) have to know a great deal more than they do now about the social and economical

(C) would have to know a great deal more than they do now about the social and economical (D) would have to know a great deal more than they do now about the social and economic

(E) would have to know a great deal more than now about the social and economic

Economic: "having to do with "economics and/or the economy" (this is the intended meaning.)

"economical" means "efficient" or "at low cost/expense" (this is not the intended meaning.)

B+C out.

“I have to study harder than now”  compare the intense of study vs NOW?  should be: I “have

to study harder than I do now”

A+E: out

Chỉ còn lại riêng em, D ạ

Lưu ý: trong việc so sánh, có thể omit số động từ ở vế sau, khi động từ muốn nhắc lại CHÍNH XÁC

là động từ ban đầu đã nhắc tới, vd: I have to know more than he (knows/does) nhưng trong câu trên: the first verb is in a hypothetical/conditional tense (would have to know ), while the second verb is in the present tense (they do [= know] now) you are not allowed to imply such tense transitions.

if you omit the verb, the omitted verb will be assumed to be in the same tense as its parallel

counterpart since you have to change tenses in this problem, you must include both verbs.

50: According to some analysts, the gains in the stock market reflect growing confidence that the economy will avoid the recession that many had feared earlier in the year and instead come in for a

"soft landing", followed by a gradual increase in the business acitivity.

A) that the economy will avoid the recession that many had feared earlier in the year and instead come

B) In the economy's ability to avoid the recession, something earlier in the year many had feared , and instead to come

C) In the economy to avoid the recession, what many feared earlier in the year , rather to come

D) In the economy to avoid the recession many were fearing earlier in the year , and rather to come

E) that the economy will avoid the recession that was feared earlier this year by many , with it instead coming

B+C+D: confidence in X to do Y: unidiomatic, ( C): what không phù hợp để thay that, (D): were fearing?

E: awkward, with it instead coming: unidiomatic

58 That educators have not anticipated the impact of microcomputer technology can hardly be said that it is their fault : Alvin Toffler, one of the most prominent students of the future, did not even mention microcomputers in Future Shock, published in 1970.

(A) That educators have not anticipated the impact of microcomputer technology can hardly be said that it is their fault

(B) That educators have not anticipated the impact of microcomputer technology can hardly be said

E: loại không cần nghĩ vì nó có ý ngược lại hoàn toàn

A: it không refer tới đâu cả

B: “at fault” ở đây không phù hợp, “their fault” sẽ hợp lý hơn Be at fault có nghĩa là “deserving blame”  một sự việc không thể nào “at fault” đc Ngẫn!

C: “it” thứ 2 trong câu không refer tới đâu It đc sử dụng làm place holder chỉ trong trường hợp nó đứng đầu câu, còn khi nó đứng giữa câu, lại còn đi sau 1 thằng it nữa  2 thằng phải cùng là 1 thứ, mà cái thứ đó thì lại chả biết là gì???

D: awkward nhưng lại ko dính lỗi lầm gì, thôi tạm chấp nhận thằng chột làm vua xứ mù

60 The Olympic Games helped to keep peace among the pugnacious states of the Greek world in that a sacred truce was proclaimed during the festival’s month.

(A) world in that a sacred truce was proclaimed during the festival’s month

(B) world, proclaiming a sacred truce during the festival’s month

(C) world when they proclaimed a sacred truce for the festival month

(D) world, for a sacred truce was proclaimed during the month of the festival

(E) world by proclamation of a sacred truce that was for the month of the festival

For = because

B: proclaiming  S là games  ko thể proclaim

A: festival’s month: không phù hợp

C: when hàm ý tại thời điểm đó  sau khi proclaim xong, các bên không hòa bình nữa?  distort E: toooo wordy

67 The 32 species that make up the dolphin family are closely related to whales and in fact include the animal known as the killer whale, which can grow to be 30 feet long and is famous for its aggressive hunting pods.

(A) include the animal known as the killer whale, which can grow to be 30 feet long and is

(B) include the animal known as the killer whale, growing as big as 30 feet long and

(C) include the animal known as the killer whale, growing up to 30 feet long and being

(D) includes the animal known as the killer whale, which can grow as big as 30 feet long and is (E) includes the animal known as the killer whale, which can grow to be 30 feet long and it is

1st split  E+D: out (S: 32 species)

B + D: as big as… long  redundant Chỉ cần nói big cỡ nào hoặc long cỡ nào.

BIG NOTE: V-ing modifiers modify the entire clause  hiểu là cả họ nhà nó (32 dòng) đều to tới 30ft, do nó có liên quan mật thiết tới cá voi  distort the meaning  B+C out

Hơn nữa, cách so sánh: as big as 30ft long không chỉ redundant mà nó còn hàm chứa một lỗi khác:

so sánh sai Khi nói con cá đó growing as big as… thì ta expect phải là as big as something that has the same size, vd: the whale, growing as big as an elephant, chứ 30ft không có độ lớn, ko có

chiều dài để so sánh

The cow is as big as a small car  OK; The cow is as big as the size of a small car  wrong!

I run faster than he (does)  OK; I run faster than his speed  dead wrong!

I am taller than she is  OK; I am taller then the height of hers/her height wrong!

LƯU Ý: V-ING SẼ BỔ NGHĨA CHO CẢ ĐOẠN TRƯỚC, CHỨ KHÔNG CHỈ 1 DANH TỪ!, trừ including: prep, không phải V-ing  mô tả noun ngay đằng trước

69 Affording strategic proximity to the Strait of Gibraltar, Morocco was also of interest to the French throughout the first half of the twentieth century because they assumed that if they did not hold it, their grip on Algeria was always insecure.

(A) if they did not hold it, their grip on Algeria was always insecure

(B) without it their grip on Algeria would never be secure

(C) their grip on Algeria was not ever secure if they did not hold it

(D) without that , they could never be secure about their grip on Algeria

(E) never would their grip on Algeria be secure if they did not hold it

A+C: if they did X, Y was insecure  wrong Must be: if they did X, Y would be…

D: that cannot be a stand-alone pronoun, except for parallism: … that of…

The meaning of the sentence is that (…) the grib itself would not be secure, not that some countries THINK/FEEL that the grib is not secure  D distorts the meaning

E: inversion (never would their grib be…) can only place at the beginning of the sentence, not at the middle It at the end of the sentence is ambiguous.

B: I’m fucked up with you, though I can hardly satisfy with “it”

BIG NOTE: The French = the English = The Americans = The Odenio…: plural!

75 More and more in recent years, cities are stressing the arts as a means to greater economic development and investing millions of dollars in cultural activities, despite strained municipal

budgets and fading federal support.

(A) to greater economic development and investing

(B) to greater development economically and investing

(C) of greater economic development and invest

(D) of greater development economically and invest

(E) for greater economic development and the investment of

Cities are stressing … and investing…  C+D+E: out!

Development economically  wrong placement of adv  B out

A: perfectly fine

Note: Toan, for the last time, economic: related to trading, economy Economical: efficient, save money!

76 Combining enormous physical strength with higher intelligence, the Neanderthals appear as equipped for facing any obstacle the environment could put in their path, but their relatively sudden disappearance during the Paleolithic era indicates that an inability to adapt to some environmental change led to their extinction.

(A) appear as equipped for facing any obstacle the environment could put in their path ,

(B) appear to have been equipped to face any obstacle the environment could put in their path , (C) appear as equipped to face any obstacle the environment could put in their paths ,

(D) appeared as equipped to face any obstacle the environment could put in their paths ,

(E) appeared to have been equipped for facing any obstacle the environment could put in their path ,

1 Appear as adj: means that they still appear this way (they disappeared long time ago, dear)

2 Equipped for doing: wrong  must be: equipped to do  B for the answer!

1st split: appear vs appeared Since latter in the sentence, the author use present tense: indicates

 appear should be better  D+E out

“path” should be in singular, since this word is just a metaphor  C+D out

@TOAN: you are caught between A&B but you chose the weird A because in B, “appear to have been” sounds like the Neanderthals still have something to do with present BUT NO! after “appear”

or “seem”, the clause switch to the view of people at the tense of “appear”

 they appear to have been: ok; they appered to have been: still very ok

i.e., it's not "…have been equipped" (wrong in this problem); it's "appear TO HAVE been equipped"

in any case, you should probably just memorize this construction as a one-off idiomatic structure if you say "they seemed/appeared to ", then, no matter how remote the event is (in time), you use this construction

for instance:

it seems that the students cheated on the exam

(normal past tense in this construction)

but

the students seem to have cheated on the exam

(not here)

in any case, though, you DO have to use an infinitive after "appear" or "seem" in this sort of

construction and if you think about it, this is as past-tense as an infinitive can get so that's why you have to use it To sum up:

"To _" and "to have _ed" are not verbs, so they don't have "tenses" Only verbs have tenses.

In the construction "You appear to _", the only verb tense is the present tense of "appear"

77 A 1972 agreement between Canada and the United States reduced the amount of phosphates that municipalities had been allowed to dump into the Great Lakes.

(A) reduced the amount of phosphates that municipalities had been allowed to dump

(B) reduced the phosphate amount that municipalities had been dumping

(C) reduces the phosphate amount municipalities have been allowed to dump

(D) reduced the amount of phosphates that municipalities are allowed to dump

(E) reduces the amount of phosphates allowed for dumping by municipalities

this is something that happened at one specific time in history Before 1972, the level was X At some point in 1972—whenever the agreement went into effect—the level was lowered to Y, and it

has stayed at Y ever since.

the level was lowered / was reduced / decreased / was brought down at a single point in time

so, past tense  C+E: out

A + B: you cannot change the thing that was in the past  out

E: allowed for dumping by companies: weird

79 Ryunosuke Akutagawa’s knowledge of the literatures of Europe, China, and that of Japan were instrumental in his development as a writer, informing his literary style as much as the content of his fiction.

(A) that of Japan were instrumental in his development as a writer, informing his literary style as much as

(B) that of Japan was instrumental in his development as a writer, and it informed both his literary style as well as

(C)Japan was instrumental in his development as a writer, informing both his literary style and (D)Japan was instrumental in his development as a writer, as it informed his literary style as much as (E)Japan were instrumental in his development as a writer, informing both his literary style in

addition to

A+B: not //: Eu, China, and Japan makes much more sense  out

E: knowledge is singular  out

D: “it”: refers to “development” or “knowledge”? both cases are nonsense, by the way.

“as much as” requires // but his literary vs the content of his fiction are not //

Also: “development” & information are functions, not cause and effect  “as” (~because) distorts thebecause) distorts the meaning

80 The only way for growers to salvage frozen citrus is to process them quickly into juice

concentrate before they rot when warmer weather returns.

(A) to process them quickly into juice concentrate before they rot when warmer weather returns (B) if they are quickly processed into juice concentrate before warmer weather returns to rot them (C) for them to be processed quickly into juice concentrate before the fruit rots when warmer

(B) sloth, that they found in Puerto Rico in 1991, has been dated at 34 million years old, thus aking

it the earliest mammal known on

(C) sloth that was found in Puerto Rico in 1991, was dated at 34 million years old, making this the earliest known mammal of

(D) sloth, found in Puerto Rico in 1991, have been dated at 34 million years old, making the sloth the earliest known mammal on

(E) sloth which, found in Puerto Rico in 1991, was dated at 34 million years old, made the sloth the earliest known mammal of

A: the fossils did not make the sloth the earliest mammal, but the dating did “it” is ambiguous B: “They” has no antecedent, fossils – plural

C+E: same as B

89 Salt deposits and moisture threaten to destroy the Mohenjo-Daro excavation in Pakistan, the site of an ancient civilization that flourished at the same time as the civilizations in the Nile Delta and the river valleys of the Tigris and Euphrates.

(A) that flourished at the same time as the civilizations

(B) that had flourished at the same time as had the civilizations

(C) that flourished at the same time those had

(D) flourishing at the same time as those did

(E) flourishing at the same time as those were

C+D+E: out for “those”

B: out for had+Vpp There is no time point in this sentence A is correct.

NOTE: the V in at the same time as (did/flourished) the civilizations was omited

In comparing things, “as” is used when after it is a clause; “like” is used when after it is a N

Eg: as her brother, Alice aced the test  wrong (unless Alice is her brother??!?!!)

Like her brother, Alice aced the test  perfect!

90 The results of the company’s cost-cutting measures are evident in its profits, which increased 5 percent during the first 3 months of this year after it fell over the last two years.

(A) which increased 5 percent during the first 3 months of this year after it fell

(B) which had increased 5 percent during the first 3 months of this year after it had fallen

(C) which have increased 5 percent during the first 3 months of this year after falling

(D) with a 5 percent increase during the first 3 months of this year after falling

(E) with a 5 percent increase during the first 3 months of this year after having fallen

A+B: “it” has no antecedent.

D+E: with an increase : unclear The profits increased , not the profits with an increase

E: having fallen implies that the profits never stop falling, which is wrong.

91 In an effort to reduce their inventories, Italian vintners have cut prices; their wines have been priced to sell, and they are.

(A) have been priced to sell, and they are

(B) are priced to sell, and they have

(C) are priced to sell, and they do

(D) are being priced to sell, and have

(E) had been priced to sell, and they have

The word “sell” was omitted in the latter part of the clause  they do sell: ok

A: the are (sell)  wrong

B+D+E: they have (sell)  wrong

Note: only omit verb when 2 parts share the exact same verb.

94 Heating-oil prices are expected to be higher this year than last because refiners are paying about $5 a barrel more for crude oil than they were last year (comparison problem)

(A) Heating-oil prices are expected to be higher this year than last because refiners are paying about $5 a barrel more for crude oil than they were

(B) Heating-oil prices are expected to rise higher this year over last because refiners pay about $5 a barrel for crude oil more than they did

(C) Expectations are for heating-oil prices to be higher this year than last year’s because refiners are paying about $5 a barrel for crude oil more than they did

(D) It is the expectation that heating-oil prices will be higher for this year over last because refiners are paying about $5 a barrel more for crude oil now than what they were

(E) It is expected that heating-oil prices will rise higher this year than last year’s because refiners pay about $5 a barrel for crude oil more than they did

X Higher than Y  B+D: out

C: expectation are for…: awkward; last year’s  not // with this year

E: same as C  correct: A

96 Even though Clovis points, spear points with longitudinal grooves chipped onto their faces, have been found all over North America, they are named for the New Mexico site where they were first discovered in 1932.

(A) Even though Clovis points, spear points with longitudinal grooves chipped onto their faces, have been found all over North America, they are named for the New Mexico site where they were first discovered in 1932.

(B) Although named for the New Mexico site where first discovered in 1932, Clovis points are spear points of longitudinal grooves chipped onto their faces and have been found all over North America (C) Named for the New Mexico site where they have been first discovered in 1932, Clovis points, spear points of longitudinal grooves chipped onto the faces , have been found all over North

America.

(D) Spear points with longitudinal grooves that are chipped onto the faces, Clovis points, even though named for the New Mexico site where first discovered in 1932, but were found all over North America.

(E) While Clovis points are spear points whose faces have longitudinal grooves chipped into them , they have been found all over North America, and named for the New Mexico site where they have been first discovered in 1932.

Although/ even though/ while: contrast markers  construction: ~ + S+V, S2+V2

B+D: although named  out

Also in D: even though… but  redundant

Have been found implies that the action still continues in the present  nonsense  C+E:out

97 Some anthropologists believe that the genetic homogeneity evident in the world’s people is the result of a “population bottleneck”—at some time in the past our ancestors suffered an event, greatly reducing their numbers and thus our genetic variation.

(A) at some time in the past our ancestors suffered an event, greatly reducing their numbers (B) that at some time in the past our ancestors suffered an event that greatly reduced their

A hyphen (-) is not used to connect 2 independent clauses  A+D out

Also in A: reducing makes us think that our ancestors reduced their numbers (insane) Same as C and E  out

D: not // with the latter part of the sentence

98 Ranked as one of the most important of Europe’s young playwrights, Franz Xaver Kroetz has written 40 plays; his works—translated into more than 30 languages—are produced more often than any contemporary German dramatist.

(A) than any

(B) than any other

(C) than are any

(D) than those of any other

(E) as are those of any

STUPID mistake, Toan!

A+B+C: fatal mistake here is to compare works and people (dramatists)  out!

E: more must be followed by than, not as

104 Beatrix Potter, in her book illustrations, carefully coordinating them with her narratives, capitalized on her keen observation and love of the natural world.

(A) Beatrix Potter, in her book illustrations, carefully coordinating them with her narratives,

(B) In her book illustrations , carefully coordinating them with her narratives, Beatrix Potter

(C) In her book illustrations, which she carefully coordinated with her narratives, Beatrix Potter (D) Carefully coordinated with her narratives, Beatrix Potter, in her book illustrations

(E) Beatrix Potter, in her book illustrations , carefully coordinated them with her narratives and A: not //

B: coordinating modifies illustration  nonsense

NOTE: X, coordinating…  X is the subject (S) that does the coordinating job

X, coordinated…  X is the object (O) that was coordinated

 A+B out

D: coordinated…, BP  BP is coordinated?? Shee is the one who coordinates, not the object – out E: E is the most tempting one (stupid Toan died at this) Read a bit further: illustrations is in the prepositional modifiers  them cannot take illustrations as an antecedent (nếu them đại diện cho illustrations thì câu nghe sẽ rất kì cục: BP coordinated the illustrations (with X) in her illustrations??

NOTE: don’t use the noun in a prepositional modifier as an antecedent for them/they/it

107 While it costs about the same to run nuclear plants as other types of power plants, it is the fixed costs that stem from building nuclear plants that makes it more expensive for them to

(C) Even though it costs about the same to run nuclear plants as for other types of power plants, it

is the fixed costs that stem from building nuclear plants that makes the electricity they generate more expensive.

(D) It costs about the same to run nuclear plants as for other types of power plants, whereas the electricity they generate is more expensive, stemming from the fixed costs of building nuclear plants.

(E) The cost of running nuclear plants is about the same as other types of power plants , but the electricity they generate is made more expensive because of the fixed costs stemming from building nuclear plants

A+E: comparing the costs to run nuclear plants vs other plants  illogical

C+D: to run… as for  ungrammatical

A+C: makes does not agree with the notional noun preceding it: plants

D: stemming from is dangling

B is correct

109 Among the objects found in the excavated temple were small terra-cotta effigies left by supplicants who were either asking the goddess Bona Dea’s aid in healing physical and mental ills or thanking her for such help.

(A) in healing physical and mental ills or thanking her for such help

(E) to heal physical and mental ills or thanking her for such help

B+C+D: out

A vs E: nếu “aid” (n) được dùng với nghĩa là “help with performing some activities” thì sẽ cần “in” Còn nếu trong trường hợp khác, không nói rõ cụ thể “aid” là help về cái gì, chỉ là support  normal Eg: the midwife provided aid in childbirth;

The United States provides aid to many developing nations

111 A mutual fund having billions of dollars in assets will typically invest that money in hundreds of companies, rarely holding more than one percent of the shares of any particular corporation.

(A) companies, rarely holding more than one percent

(B) companies, and it is rare to hold at least one percent or more

(C) companies and rarely do they hold more than one percent

(D) companies, so that they rarely hold more than one percent

(E) companies; rarely do they hold one percent or more

Stupid, Toan It – they are ambiguous

113 As a baby emerges from the darkness of the womb with a rudimentary sense of vision, it would be rated about 20/500, or legally blind if it were an adult with such vision.

(A) As a baby emerges from the darkness of the womb with a rudimentary sense of vision, it would

be rated about 20/500, or legally blind if it were an adult with such vision.

(B) A baby emerges from the darkness of the womb with a rudimentary sense of vision that would

be rated about 20/500, or legally blind as an adult

(C) As a baby emerges from the darkness of the womb, its rudimentary sense of vision would be rated about 20/500 ; qualifying it to be legally blind if an adult

(D) A baby emerges from the darkness of the womb with a rudimentary sense of vision that would

be rated about 20/500; an adult with such vision would be deemed legally blind.

(E) As a baby emerges from the darkness of the womb, its rudimentary sense of vision, which would deemed legally blind for an adult, would be rated about 20/500.

A: it is ambiguous

B: latter part is awkward and distorts the meaning

C: fagment for the (;)

E: which distorts the meaning since it modifies “vision”

 Only D left.

114 Starfish, with anywhere from five to eight arms, have a strong regenerative ability, and if one arm is lost it quickly replaces it, sometimes by the animal overcompensating and growing an extra one or two.

(A) one arm is lost it quickly replaces it , sometimes by the animal overcompensating and

(B) one arm is lost it is quickly replaced, with the animal sometimes overcompensating and

(C) they lose one arm they quickly replace it, sometimes by the animal overcompensating,

(D) they lose one arm they are quickly replaced, with the animal sometimes overcompensating, (E) they lose one arm it is quickly replaced , sometimes with the animal overcompensating,

A+C: agreement?  out

If X, (then) Y  X and Y must be //  passive – passive or active – active  D+E out

C + E: distort the meaning, and from this point, funny part starts.

C: they replace the lost arm, (sometimes by the animal overcompensating),growing extra one or two  sometimes by the animal overcompensating = sometimes they grow extra arms but not by the animal overcompensating? It always by the animal overcompensating.

E: they replace the lost arm, (sometimes w the animal overcompensating),growing extra one or two  So sometimes they grow extra arms without the animal overcompensating? Not the intended meaning.

Also in C & E: they refers to starfish – a species If all of them lose 1 arm??? – nonsense.

115 Because there are provisions of the new maritime code that provide that even tiny islets can

be the basis for claims to the fisheries and oil fields of large sea areas, they have already stimulated international disputes over uninhabited islands.

(A) Because there are provisions of the new maritime code that provide that even tiny islets can be the basis for claims to the fisheries and oil fields of large sea areas, they have already stimulated (B) Because the new maritime code provides that even tiny islets can be the basis for claims to the fisheries and oil fields of large sea areas, it has already stimulated

(C) Even tiny islets can be the basis for claims to the fisheries and oil fields of large sea areas under provisions of the new maritime code, already stimulating

(D) Because even tiny islets can be the basis for claims to the fisheries and oil fields of large sea areas under provisions of the new maritime code, this has already stimulated

(E) Because even tiny islets can be the basis for claims to the fisheries and oil fields of large sea areas under provisions of the new maritime code, which is already stimulating

A: they refers to provisions? Areas? Fisheries? Provisions… provide - redundant

C: what already stimulating disputes? D: this refers to what? This can never be a standalone pronoun E: fragment: only because clause is present.

RON:

COMMA + -ING does modify actions that's what i mean by stating above that COMMA -ING

modifies the action of the preceding clause.

however, the fact remains that the -ING form is still derived from a verb, and so still needs to have

some sort of subject in other words, the subject of the clause that's being modified must also

be the subject of the -ING form.

hence, why sentences like this are wrong:

using a siphon, gasoline can be transferred from a car's tank to a gas can.

> here, "using a siphon" does modify the action of the following clause, but it doesn't have a legitimate subject i.e., the following clause doesn't saywho is using a siphon.

vs using a siphon, a stranded driver can transfer gasoline from a car's tank to a gas can.

> here, the modifier correctly modifies the following action, but it also has a proper subject ("a stranded driver").

> when you use a COMMA -ING modifier after a clause**, you should actually satisfy TWO

requirements:

(1) the modifier should modify the action of the preceding clause, as you have stated  shows

result or gives additional information;

(2) the subject of the preceding clause should also make sense as the agent of the -ING action.

examples:

Joe broke the window, angering his father > this sentence makes sense, because it correctly

implies that joe "angered his father".

the window was broken by Joe, angering his father > this sentence doesn't make sense,

because it implies that the window (i.e., not joe himself) angered joe's father.

my brother tricked me, disappointing Dad > implies that dad is disappointed in my brother for

tricking me (and not necessarily disappointed in me for being tricked).

i was tricked by my brother, disappointing Dad > implies that dad is disappointed in me because i

fell for my brother's trick (and not that he's disappointed in my brother for tricking me)

V-ing without a preceding coma modifies the directly preceding noun

117 Gall’s hypothesis of there being different mental functions localized in different parts of the brain is widely accepted today.

(A) of there being different mental functions localized in different parts of the brain is widely accepted today

(B) of different mental functions that are localized in different parts of the brain is widely accepted today

(C) that different mental functions are localized in different parts of the brain is widely accepted today

(D) which is that there are different mental functions localized in different parts of the brain is widely accepted today

(E) which is widely accepted today is that there are different mental functions localized in different parts of the brain

D+E: no comma before which  out.

A: of there being is wordy

B: distorts the meaning  implies there are other functions that are not localized…

D: that there are  wordy; E: implies that Gall has other hypos that are not accepted?

120 The World Wildlife Fund has declared that global warming, a phenomenon most scientists agree to be caused by human beings in burning fossil fuels, will create havoc among migratory birds

by altering the environment in ways harmful to their habitats.

(A) a phenomenon most scientists agree to be caused by human beings in burning fossil fuels, (B) a phenomenon most scientists agree that is caused by fossil fuels burned by human beings, (C) a phenomenon that most scientists agree is caused by human beings’ burning of fossil fuels, (D) which most scientists agree on as a phenomenon caused by human beings who burn fossil fuels,

(E) which most scientists agree to be a phenomenon caused by fossil fuels burned by human beings,

A: burning fossil fuels modifies human beings  implying that these human beings are coming to a most unfortunate end 

B+E: the sentence says that the global warming results from the burning of the fossil fuels, not the fossils themselves  B+E out

A+D: the sentence says that the global warming results from the burning of the fossil fuels (human beings’ action), not from people themselves.

126 The use of lie detectors is based on the assumption that lying produces emotional reactions in

an individual that, in turn, create unconscious physiological responses.

(A) that, in turn, create unconscious physiological responses

(B) that creates unconscious physiological responses in turn

(C) creating , in turn, unconscious physiological responses

(D) to create , in turn, physiological responses that are unconscious

(E) who creates unconscious physiological responses in turn

Meaning: the sentence says that lying  emotional reactions  create responses Common sense B+C+D+E: imply that “individual” creates the responses

NOTE: for modifiers starting with “that”, the modified noun is not necessary to be placed right before “that” There might be a lot of stuff caught in between

127 Joan of Arc, a young Frenchwoman who claimed to be divinely inspired, turned the tide of English victories in her country by liberating the city of Orléans and she persuaded Charles VII of France to claim his throne.

(A) she persuaded Charles VII of France to claim his throne

(B) persuaded Charles VII of France in claiming his throne

(C) persuading that the throne be claimed by Charles VII of France

(D) persuaded Charles VII of France to claim his throne

(E) persuading that Charles VII of France should claim the throne

A: The clause after "and" is an independent clause and thus requires a "," before the and Or else  not //: she turned… and she persuaded…

B: Unidiomatic "Persuaded X to do Y" is the correct idiomatic construction.

C: Unidiomatic "Persuaded X to do Y" is the correct idiomatic construction Also, you can only persuade another person, not something (unanimated things such as throne)

D: Correct usage of parallel structure and idioms.

E: Same error as B and C Also "should" implies moral obligation.

128 Australian embryologists have found evidence that suggests that the elephant is descended from an aquatic animal, and its trunk originally evolving as a kind of snorkel.

(A) that suggests that the elephant is descended from an aquatic animal , and its trunk originally evolving

(B) that has suggested the elephant descended from an aquatic animal, its trunk originally evolving (C) suggesting that the elephant had descended from an aquatic animal with its trunk originally evolved

(D) to suggest that the elephant had descended from an aquatic animal and its trunk originally evolved

(E) to suggest that the elephant is descended from an aquatic animal and that its trunk originally evolved

A: wordy and fragment

B: has – wrong;

C+D: had – wrong

130 Over 75 percent of the energy produced in France derives from nuclear power, while in Germany it is just over 33 percent.

(A) while in Germany it is just over 33 percent

(B) compared to Germany , which uses just over 33 percent

(C) whereas nuclear power accounts for just over 33 percent of the energy produced in Germany (D) whereas just over 33 percent of the energy comes from nuclear power in Germany

(E) compared with the energy from nuclear power in Germany , where it is just over 33 percent A: “it” is an orphan

B: compared to Germany is wrong, because Germany is not // to anything France does not stand alone It is a part of a prepositional phrase “in France”  cannot separate Neither does France use anything 33% is ambiguous.

D: “in Germany” was misplaced  distort the meaning.

E: “it”?? also, the comparison is ambiguous.

133 Last week local shrimpers held a news conference to take some credit for the resurgence of the rare Kemp’s ridley turtle, saying that their compliance with laws requiring that turtle-excluder devices be on shrimp nets protect adult sea turtles.

(A) requiring that turtle-excluder devices be on shrimp nets protect

(B) requiring turtle-excluder devices on shrimp nets is protecting

(C) that require turtle-excluder devices on shrimp nets protect

(D) to require turtle-excluder devices on shrimp nets are protecting

(E) to require turtle-excluder devices on shrimp nets is protecting

A+C+D: their compliance… protect/are protecting: wrong!

E: to require is ambiguous.

Gprep 1.

Which of the following most logically completes the argument?

When people engage in activities that help others ,their brain releases endorphins, the brain’s natural opiates , which induce in people a feeling of well-being It has been suggested that regular release of endorphins increases people’s longevity And a statistic on adults who regularly engage in volunteer work helping others shows that they live longer, on average, than adults who do not volunteer However, that statistic would be what we would expect even if volunteering does not boost longevity, because .

A in the communities studied, women were much more likely to do regular volunteer work than men were, and women tend to live longer than men do.

B the number of young adults who do regular volunteer work is on the increase

C the feelings of well-being induced by endorphins can, at least for a time, mask the symptoms of various conditions and diseases, provided the symptoms are mild

D it is rare for a person to keep up a regular schedule of volunteer work throughout his or her life.

E Some people find that keeping a commitment to do regular volunteer work becomes a source of stress in their lives.

Câu này bị vướng fallacy là correlation: từ việc thống kê người tham gia tình nguyện có tuổi thọ cao hơn đã đưa ra kết luận về mối quan hệ nhân quả: X & Y xảy ra đồng thời  kết luận X gây ra Y Có

2 yếu tố làm yếu nhận định này:

(1) Y gây ra X

(2) Cả 2 đều có chung 1 nguyên nhân thứ 3

 yếu tố giới tính đưa ra trong câu A giải thích ý (2)  correct!

The investigations of many psychologist and anthropologists support the generalization of there being little that is a significant difference in underlying mental processes manifested by people from different culture

A of there being little that is a significant difference

B of there being little that is significantly different

C of little that is significantly different

D that there is little that is significantly different

E that there is little of significant differences

The generalization THAT is idiomatic, The generalization of is unidiomatic  A+B+C out

Also, there being is at best awkward  A+B+C out

Little in D & E is a noun,  D is ok

E: little and differences do not match!

Trans World Entertainment Corporation, which owns the RecordTown and Saturday Matinee retail chains, announced that since sales of up to one-fourth of its stores are poor, they will be closed

A that since sales of up to one-fourth of its stores are poor, they will be closed

B it is closing up to one-fourth of its stores, which accounted for its poor sales

C it was closing up to one fourth of its stores because of poor sales

D to be closing , on account of poor sales, up to one-fourth of its stores

E having poor sales, such that up to one-fourth of its stores will be closed

C is correct

A: they is ambiguous – what will be closed? All of the store or ¼ of the stores?

+ weird meaning: sales of X  X is sold In this case, stores??

B: verb tense does not make sense + which is ambiguous + changes the meaning

D: wordy; to be doing something is at best weird

E: having poor sales is a disaster, and right after the (,) was not the noun.

Since the start of space age, more and more littering has occured in orbits near Earth, often

because the intentional discarding of lens caps, packing material , fuel tanks and payload covers a) more and more littering has occured in orbits near Earth, often because

b) orbits near Earth have become more and more littered, often from

c) orbits near Earth became littered more and more, often resulting from

d) there have been more and more littering of orbits near Earth, often because of

e) there had been littering more and more of orbits near Earth, often with

Key thing, Toản: orbit = quỹ đạo, path, không phải vệ tinh T_T

A: because modifies a clause and is followed by a clause  out! More and more littering is awkward C: since… starts in the past + the effect still shines through present  present perfect  C+E out Also: resulting takes no noun to be an agent (orbits??)

D: littering can’t take the plural form of “have”  out

In contrast to ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States trade deficit with Mexico declined by $500 million as a result of record exports to that country

A In contrast to ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States trade deficit with Mexico declined by $500 million as a result of record exports to that country

B In contrast to ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States sold record exports to Mexico, reducing its trade deficit by $500 million

C When compared with ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States sold record exports to Mexico, reducing their trade deficit by $500 million

D Compared with ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States sold record exports to Mexico, reducing the trade deficit by $500 million

E Compared to ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States record exports to Mexico caused a $500 million decline in the trade deficit with that country

B+C+D: comparing trade imbalances with a country – out!

E: comparing trade imbalances with exports  nonsense – out!

Dirt roads may evoke the bucolic simplicity of another century, but financially strained townships point out that dirt roads cost twice as much as maintaining paved roads (comparison problem) (A) dirt roads cost twice as much as maintaining paved roads

(B) dirt roads cost twice as much to maintain as paved roads do

(C) maintaining dirt roads costs twice as much as paved roads do

(D) maintaining dirt roads costs twice as much as it does for paved roads

(E) to maintain dirt roads costs twice as much as for paved roads

A: dirt roads vs maintaining  wrong

C: maintaining dirt roads vs paved roads  wrong

D: “it” has no antecedent; D+E: awkward comparison, should be: maintaining dirt roads costs twice

as much as maintaining paved roads does or to maintain X costs twice… as to maintain Y

Only seven people this century have been killed by the great white shark, the man-eater of the movies-less than those killed by bee stings (comparison problem)

a movies less than those

b movies fewer than have been

c movies, which is less than those

d movies, a number lower than the people

e movies, fewer than the ones

A + C out for “less”

D: compare number with people?

E: in GMAT, ones cannot refer to people

…because the more X than Y construction is workable with just about any grammatical forms for "x"

and "y" They can be

nouns (i have more apples than bananas)

verbs (more people swim than run)

infinitives (i like to swim better than to run)

verb phrases (like the sentence in this thread)

entire clauses (birds like to sing more than penguins like to dance)

and just about anything else under the sun so, who cares, really, as long as you can find properly parallel structures.

Even an imaginary version: … fewer than those killed by… is wrong because we can never say: sth

is fewer than other things (applied to EVERYTHING): men are fewer than women–wrong!

There are fewer men than women in this city – correct

This city has fewer men than women – correct  E is wrong also for this reason.

More on comparison:

Remember, the exact entities being compared are not always found on both sides of a comparison Instead, it's the parts that differ that will always be found on both sides"”because they're different.

In New York, more people walk than drive to work.

We're comparing numbers of people The parts that are actually different, though, are "walk" and

"drive", so those are the things that actually appear in the comparison.

I saw more birds in the Philippines than in Malaysia.

We're comparing the numbers of birds that I saw The parts that differ, though, are "in the

Philippines" and "in Malaysia""”so those are written out

Some examples:

139 In no other historical sighting did Halley’s Comet cause such a worldwide sensation as did its return in 1910 –1911 (comparison problem)

(A) did its return in 1910–1911

(B) had its 1910 –1911 return

(C) in its return of 1910–1911

(D) its return of 1910–1911 did

(E) its return in 1910–1911

Note: if you have 2 ANSWER CHOICES THAT DIFFER ONLY IN THE PRESENCE/ABSENCE OF A LITTLE WORD, then CHANCES ARE THAT THE LITTLE WORD IS NECESSARY.

this is a really, really, really strong bias, like over 90% likely if you see two such choices, then you should REALLY think twice before picking the one without the "little word"

i can't guarantee this 100%, but LOOK FOR AN AMBIGUITY that arises if the little word is omitted Back to this question, the main point is to figure out the things that are being compared In the not- underlined part, there are 2 parts:

* the comet DID cause a sensation

 In no other sighting did X cause such a sensation as it did in its return of 1910-1911 – correct

 In no other sighting did X cause such a sensation as in its return of 1910-1911 – correct

The latter one is not necessarily a partern of ellipsis, it compares 2 events: no sighting vs the return

Other examples:

I am better at SC now than 2 months ago = I am better at SC now than I was 2 months ago

(the 1st part is not an ellipsis since we can only omit the exact matching words, no tense change)

In no game this season has Harold made such a spectacular play as in last year's championship game > correct; the intended comparison is between the two games.

In no game this season has Harold made such a spectacular play as last year's championship

game > incorrect; the intended comparison is between the two games, but the sentence mistakenly

classifies last year's championship game as "a spectacular play".

Read this for more info: and-omission-t31036.html

https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/forums/ron-s-advice-on-comparison-COMPARISON AND OMISSION - RON

for sentences that don't have such a simple structure, the goal is to avoid introducing unnecessary

complexity.

here's what you should do with such sentences:

1/ identify the right-hand element (= the one that follows the comparison signal)

2/ ask yourself whether this element SHOULD be part of the comparison, according to

context/common sense (there are no "omissions" here if the stuff following the signal isn't actually

compared to something else, the sentence is wrong.)  (TOAN: so omission is only used when the sentence is too complicated?))

3/ if so, try to find something that matches it on the other side if you find such a thing, you're good.

some examples related to your first 2 sentences:

People are taller in China than Spain.

1/ the right-hand element is "spain".

2/the sentence is not intended to compare spain itself with anything so, this version is wrong quit

People are taller in China than in Spain.

1/ the right-hand element is "in spain".

2/ the sentence compares heights of people, sure however, it's also true that the sentence directly

compares the situation in china with the situation in spain (it does not, on the other hand, compare

the actual countries of china and spain; hence why the foregoing example is wrong.)

so, this works.

3/ "in china" is there this one works.

gas prices were higher in 2007 than in 1997.

1/ right-hand element = "in 1997"

2/ this is legitimate (see write-up of previous example, which works in exactly the same way)

3/ "in 2007" is there; we're good.

gas prices were higher in 2007 than those in 1997.

1/ right-hand element = "[gas prices] in 1997" (meaning of the pronoun is obvious, i hope)

2/ we want to compare prices, so the set-up is ok

3/ nothing works on the other side we need "gas prices in 2007" (in one piece), but only "gas prices"

is there nope.

gas prices in 2007 were higher than those in 1997.

this is one of the easy ones: "X were higher than Y".

X = gas prices in 2007

Y = [gas prices] in 1997  workable.