Advanced I

Question 1

What is wrong?

The townspeople’s revolution was against the king.

Answer 1

Concision: Specific. Patterns of Wordiness

V-A-N = Verb > Adjective (or Adverb) > Noun

The townspeople REVOLTED AGAINST the king.

V-A-N Pattern 1: Prefer a Verb to an Action Noun

An Action Noun, such as revolution, is a noun that expresses an action. Try to express actions with verbs (such as revolt), rather than with action nouns (such as revolution).

Generally, a short, simple verb is stronger than a phrase with the relevant action noun and a generic verb, such as be or make. In the other examples listed below, notice how the nouns create wordy prepositional phrases.

Question 2

What is wrong?

The cost of storms to the country is billions.

Answer 2

** Concision: Specific. Patterns of Wordiness**

V-A-N = Verb > Adjective (or Adverb) > Noun

Storms cost the country billions.

V-A-N Pattern 1: Prefer a Verb to an Action Noun

An Action Noun, such as revolution, is a noun that expresses an action. Try to express actions with verbs (such as revolt), rather than with action nouns (such as revolution).

Generally, a short, simple verb is stronger than a phrase with the relevant action noun and a generic verb, such as be or make. In the other examples listed below, notice how the nouns create wordy prepositional phrases.

Question 3

What is wrong?

The weight of the apples is a pound.

Answer 3

Concision: Specific. Patterns of Wordiness

V-A-N = Verb > Adjective (or Adverb) > Noun

The apples weigh a pound.

V-A-N Pattern 1: Prefer a Verb to an Action Noun

An Action Noun, such as revolution, is a noun that expresses an action. Try to express actions with verbs (such as revolt), rather than with action nouns (such as revolution).

Generally, a short, simple verb is stronger than a phrase with the relevant action noun and a generic verb, such as be or make. In the other examples listed below, notice how the nouns create wordy prepositional phrases.

Question 4

Which one is better and why?

• The hypothesis about the composition the universe as largely dark energy seems strange.*
• The hypothesis that the universe is largely compsed of dark energy seems strange.*

Answer 4

Concision: Specific. Patterns of Wordiness

V-A-N = Verb > Adjective (or Adverb) > Noun

The hypothesis THAT the universe IS largely COMPOSED OF dark energy seems strange.

V-A-N Pattern 2: Prefer a That-Clause (with Verbs) to a Series of Phrases (with Nouns)

When you tack a long thought onto a noun, try to put the thought in a That-Clause rather than in a long series of prepositional phrases. A That-Clause starts with the word that and contains a working verb (one that, as is, can be the main verb of a sentence by itself). Is composed is a working verb.

By choosing the That-Clause, you are choosing the verb form of the action.

The BELIEF THAT the Earth is flat is contradicted by EVIDENCE THAT the Earth is round and the DISCOVERY THAT the Earth circles the Sun.

“Idea” nouns, such as hypothesis, idea, or suggestion, lend themselves particularly well to this pattern. Other examples include belief, discovery, evidence, indication, and report. These sorts of nouns are often modified by That-Clauses that contain full sentences.

Question 5

What is wrong?

The artist was nfluential to the movement.

Answer 5

Concision: Specific. Patterns of Wordiness

V-A-N = Verb > Adjective (or Adverb) > Noun

The artist INFLUENCED the movement.

V-A-N Pattern 3: Prefer a Verb to an Adi.ective

Try to pick the verb form of the action, rather than an adjective form plus the verb to be

Question 6

What is wrong?

We are able to go to the store now.

Answer 6

Concision: Specific. Patterns of Wordiness

V-A-N = Verb > Adjective (or Adverb) > Noun

We can go to the store now.

V-A-N Pattern 3: Prefer a Verb to an Adi.ective

Try to pick the verb form of the action, rather than an adjective form plus the verb to be

Question 7

What is wrong?

This painting is suggestive of calm.

Answer 7

Concision: Specific. Patterns of Wordiness

V-A-N = Verb > Adjective (or Adverb) > Noun

This painting suggests calm.

V-A-N Pattern 3: Prefer a Verb to an Adi.ective

Try to pick the verb form of the action, rather than an adjective form plus the verb to be

Question 8

What is wrong?

There is an abundance of funds for school construction.

Answer 8

Concision: Specific. Patterns of Wordiness

V-A-N = Verb > Adjective (or Adverb) > Noun

Funds for school construction ARE ABUNDANT.

V-A-N Pattern 4: Prefer an Adjective to a Noun

To describe a noun or noun phrase (e.g., fonds for school construction), use an adjective (abundant). Avoid the noun derived from that adjective (abundance) if you can. And remember to watch out for possible slight changes of meaning.

Question 9

What is wrong?

She has the ability to juggle.

Answer 9

Concision: Specific. Patterns of Wordiness

V-A-N = Verb > Adjective (or Adverb) > Noun

She is able to juggle.
(Note: The best form here is She can juggle.)

V-A-N Pattern 4: Prefer an Adjective to a Noun

To describe a noun or noun phrase (e.g., fonds for school construction), use an adjective (abundant). Avoid the noun derived from that adjective (abundance) if you can. And remember to watch out for possible slight changes of meaning.

Question 10

What is wrong?

She has the capability to juggle

Answer 10

Concision: Specific. Patterns of Wordiness

V-A-N = Verb > Adjective (or Adverb) > Noun

She is capable of juggling.

V-A-N Pattern 4: Prefer an Adjective to a Noun

To describe a noun or noun phrase (e.g., fonds for school construction), use an adjective (abundant). Avoid the noun derived from that adjective (abundance) if you can. And remember to watch out for possible slight changes of meaning.

Question 11

What is wrong?

Oil prices have fallen, but prices at the gasotine pump have not fallen to a comparable extent.

Answer 11

Concision: Specific. Patterns of Wordiness

V-A-N = Verb > Adjective (or Adverb) > Noun

Oil prices have fallen, but prices at the gasoline pump have not fallen COMPARABLY.

V-A-N Pattern 5: Prefer an Adverb to a Prepositional Phrase

To modify a verb phrase (e.g., have notfallen), use a simple adverb rather than a long prepositional phrase that means the same thing. Since prepositional phrases contain nouns, this is another example of the V-A-N principle.

Notice also that the first sentence is suboptimal for another reason. The phrase fall to often indicates the level to which something falls, rather than the extent: Prices have fallen to under a dollar; Asa result, you might misread the first example.

Question 12

What is wrong?

Marcos is a professor who is admirable.

Answer 12

Concision: Specific. Patterns of Wordiness

V-A-N = Verb > Adjective (or Adverb) > Noun

Marcos is an ADMIRABLE professor.

Concision Pattern 6: Prefer an Adjective to an Adjective Clause with Be

An adjective clause that contains the verb to be (in any of its forms) is generally wordier than the adjective by itself In particular, if the main clause contains be as well, try to use the adjective alone.

Question 13

What is wrong?

Joan, who is a firefighter, works in Yosemite Park.

Answer 13

Concision: Specific. Patterns of Wordiness

V-A-N = Verb > Adjective (or Adverb) > Noun

Joan, a FIREFIGHTER, works in Yosemite Park.

Concision Pattern 6: Prefer an Adjective to an Adjective Clause with Be

An adjective clause that contains the verb to be (in any of its forms) is generally wordier than the adjective by itself In particular, if the main clause contains be as well, try to use the adjective alone.

Question 14

What is wrong?

It is without fear that children should play.

Answer 14

Concision: Specific. Patterns of Wordiness

V-A-N = Verb > Adjective (or Adverb) > Noun

Children should play without fear.

The first construction is perfectly grammatical and even useful when you want to emphasize some aspect of the situation (such as without fear). But the GMAT avoids such constructions in correct answers. You should do the same as you make your choice.

Question 15

What is wrong?

I talked to the Boston soldier.

Answer 15

Concision: Don’t Make It Too Short

I talked to the SOLDIER FROM BOSTON.

“Too Short” Pattern 1: Keep the Prepositional Phrase if You Need To

If the preposition is not of, then you should avoid collapsing the prepositional phrase.

In many cases, when we have one noun modified by a prepositional phrase, we can turn the phrase into a Noun-Adjective and put it in front of the first noun, thus shortening the whole expression. A Noun-Adjective is a noun that is placed in front of another noun and
that functions as an adjective.

Right: A wall OF stone

OR

A stone wall
(stone is a Noun-Adjective)

Question 16

What is wrong?

Danube River access

Answer 16

Concision: Don’t Make It Too Short

access TO the Danube River

“Too Short” Pattern 1: Keep the Prepositional Phrase if You Need To

If the preposition is not of, then you should avoid collapsing the prepositional phrase.

In many cases, when we have one noun modified by a prepositional phrase, we can turn the phrase into a Noun-Adjective and put it in front of the first noun, thus shortening the whole expression. A Noun-Adjective is a noun that is placed in front of another noun and
that functions as an adjective.

Right: A wall OF stone

OR

A stone wall
(stone is a Noun-Adjective)

Question 17

What is wrong?

population changes of honeybees

Answer 17

Concision: Don’t Make It Too Short

changes IN the population of honeybees

“Too Short” Pattern 1: Keep the Prepositional Phrase if You Need To

If the preposition is not of, then you should avoid collapsing the prepositional phrase.

In many cases, when we have one noun modified by a prepositional phrase, we can turn the phrase into a Noun-Adjective and put it in front of the first noun, thus shortening the whole expression. A Noun-Adjective is a noun that is placed in front of another noun and
that functions as an adjective.

Right: A wall OF stone

OR

A stone wall
(stone is a Noun-Adjective)

Question 18

What is wrong?

Memorial Day week

Answer 18

Concision: Don’t Make It Too Short

• the week OF Memorial Day*
• you should not collapse certain Of prepositional phrases into Noun-Adjectives.*
• Whenever you have a time period, quantity or other measurement as the first word, keep the prepositional phrase with of.*

Never modify a measurement using a Noun-Adjective.
Also, you should generally avoid using a possessive (s or s’) to modify a measurement.

Question 19

What is wrong?

the oxigen amount

Answer 19

Concision: Don’t Make It Too Short

the amount OF oxygen

you should not collapse certain Of prepositional phrases into Noun-Adjectives.

Whenever you have a time period, quantity or other measurement as the first word, keep the prepositional phrase with of.

Never modify a measurement using a Noun-Adjective.
Also, you should generally avoid using a possessive (s or s’) to modify a measurement.

Question 20

What is wrong?

the honeybee population density

Answer 20

Concision: Don’t Make It Too Short

the density OF the honeybee population

you should not collapse certain Of prepositional phrases into Noun-Adjectives.

Whenever you have a time period, quantity or other measurement as the first word, keep the prepositional phrase with of.

Never modify a measurement using a Noun-Adjective.
Also, you should generally avoid using a possessive (s or s’) to modify a measurement

Question 21

What is wrong?

The study indicates the problem has vanished.

Answer 21

Concision: Don’t Make It Too Short

The study INDICATES THAT the problem has vanished.

“Too Short” Pattern 3: Keep That after a Reporting Verb

A Reporting Verb, such as indicate, claim, contend, or report, often in fact reports or otherwise includes a thought or belief This thought can stand alone as a sentence:

The problem has vanished.

In informal speech, people often put a thought like this directly after the Reporting Verb. But on the GMAT, you should always put a that between the Reporting Verb and the thought.

Question 22

Define Simple Gerund and Complex Gerund Phrases

(what is parallel to what?)

Answer 22

Parallelism: Concret Nouns and Actions Nouns

Simple gerund phrases are NEVER PARALLEL
to complex gerund phrases.

Of the two types of gerund phrases, only complex ones can be parallel to action nouns.

A) Simple Gerund Phrases

Tracking satellites accurately is important for the space agency.

Simple gerund phrases are “Nouns on the Outside, Verbs on the Inside.”

That is, the underlined phrase acts as a noun.

However, inside the actual phrase, the words are arranged as if they follow a verb. Tracking satellites accurately can easily be made part of a working verb phrase: I AM tracking satellites accurately.

B) Complex Gerund Phrases

The accurate tracking of satellites is important for the space agency.

Complex gerund phrases are “Nouns Through and Through.”

The -Ing gerund form is made fully into a noun; in fact, it is often preceded by articles (a, an, or the) or adjectives (accurate).

The object is put into an Of prepositional phrase (e.g., the running of marathom) or placed in front of the -Ing form (e.g., marathon running).

Common Parallelism Categories

Nouns

(1) Concrete Nouns
(2) Action Nouns and Complex Gerunds
(3) Simple Gerunds

Other

(1) Working Verbs
(2) Infinitives
(3) Adjectives and Participles
(4) Clauses

Question 23

What is wrong?

I enjoyed drinking the water and the wine tasting.

Answer 23

Parallelism: Concret Nouns and Actions Nouns

I enjoyed drinking the water AND tasting the wine.

Simple gerund phrases are NEVER PARALLEL
to complex gerund phrases.

Of the two types of gerund phrases, only complex ones can be parallel to action nouns.

A) Simple Gerund Phrases

Tracking satellites accurately is important for the space agency.

Simple gerund phrases are “Nouns on the Outside, Verbs on the Inside.”

That is, the underlined phrase acts as a noun.

However, inside the actual phrase, the words are arranged as if they follow a verb. Tracking satellites accurately can easily be made part of a working verb phrase: I AM tracking satellites accurately.

B) Complex Gerund Phrases

The accurate tracking of satellites is important for the space agency.

Complex gerund phrases are “Nouns Through and Through.”

The -Ing gerund form is made fully into a noun; in fact, it is often preceded by articles (a, an, or the) or adjectives (accurate).

The object is put into an Of prepositional phrase (e.g., the running of marathom) or placed in front of the -Ing form (e.g., marathon running).

Common Parallelism Categories

Nouns

(1) Concrete Nouns
(2) Action Nouns and Complex Gerunds
(3) Simple Gerunds

Other

(1) Working Verbs
(2) Infinitives
(3) Adjectives and Participles
(4) Clauses

Question 24

What is wrong?

The rebels demanded the withdrawal of government forces from disputed regions, significant reductions in overall troop levels, raising the rebel flag on holidays, and a general pardon.

Answer 24

Parallelism: Concret Nouns and Actions Nouns

The rebels demanded the withdrawal of government forces from disputed regions, significant reductions in overall troop levels, THE raising OF the rebel flag on holidays, AND a general pardon.

Simple gerund phrases are NEVER PARALLEL
to complex gerund phrases.

Of the two types of gerund phrases, only complex ones can be parallel to action nouns.

A) Simple Gerund Phrases

Tracking satellites accurately is important for the space agency.

Simple gerund phrases are “Nouns on the Outside, Verbs on the Inside.”

That is, the underlined phrase acts as a noun.

However, inside the actual phrase, the words are arranged as if they follow a verb. Tracking satellites accurately can easily be made part of a working verb phrase: I AM tracking satellites accurately.

B) Complex Gerund Phrases

The accurate tracking of satellites is important for the space agency.

Complex gerund phrases are “Nouns Through and Through.”

The -Ing gerund form is made fully into a noun; in fact, it is often preceded by articles (a, an, or the) or adjectives (accurate).

The object is put into an Of prepositional phrase (e.g., the running of marathom) or placed in front of the -Ing form (e.g., marathon running).

Common Parallelism Categories

Nouns

(1) Concrete Nouns
(2) Action Nouns and Complex Gerunds
(3) Simple Gerunds

Other

(1) Working Verbs
(2) Infinitives
(3) Adjectives and Participles
(4) Clauses

Question 25

Correct the underlined part

The yellow-toed macaque, which is native to Madagascar. is known as keeping cool by laying down in damp caves during the hottest part of the day.

Answer 25

Advanced I - Meaning Exercises

The yellow-toed macaque, which is native to Madagascar. is known to keeping cool by lying down in damp caves during the hottest part of the day.

The expression X is native to Y is used to say that X (a species) is from Y (a place). The expression X is a native of Y tells us that X (an individual) was born in Y (a place). Note that the boldface version is doubly wrong, because it does not even get the latter idiom right-the article a is missing before native.

The expression X is known as Y means that X is commonly referred to by the name Y: Sean Combs was once known as “Puff Daddy. “The expression X is known to Y means that doing Y is a characteristic behavior of X.

Lay is a verb that always takes a direct object: I (subject) decided to lay my coat (object) on the sofa. In contrast, lie is a verb that never takes a direct object: I (subject) decided to lie down.

Question 26

Correct the underlined part

Stacey would have gone to the party if she knew about it.

Answer 26

Advanced I Meaning - Exercises

Stacey would have gone to the party if she had known about it.

The original sentence contains the phrase would have gone, indicating that (1) Stacey did NOT go, but that (2) she would surely have done so if she had known.

The only way (1) and (2) can both be true is if Stacey did NOT know about the party. The phrase is if she knew is therefore illogical here because it conveys the meaning that perhaps Stacey DID know about the party. Use the subjunctive mood (if she had known), appropriately indicating that Stacey did NOT know about the party.

Question 27

Rewrite the following sentence more concisely. Justify the changes, identifying the specific concision issue at work.

The team has a determination to gain a victory.

Answer 27

Advanced I - Concision Exercises

The team is determined to win.

Is determined to is preferable to has a determination to, according to V-A-N pattern 4. (Here determined is an adjective.) The verb win is preferable to gain a victory, according to V-A-N pattern 1.

Notice that you should not attempt to apply V-A-N pattern 3 to the correct sentence above, because The team determines to win changes the meaning of the sentence.

Question 28

Rewrite the following sentence more concisely. Justify the changes, identifying the specific concision issue at work.

Work on the new railroad is progressing at a rapid rate of speed.

Answer 28

Advanced I - Concision Exercises

Work on the new railroad is progressing rapidly.

The noun rate is preferable to the modified noun rate of speed, because the modifier of speed is redundant. (Rate means speed.) Thus, at a rapid rate would be better than the original at a rapid rate of speed. Even better, however, is to follow V-A-N pattern 5 and replace the prepositional phrase at a rapid rate with the adverb rapidly.

rapid = acting quick

quick (fast) = being fast (quick)

Question 29

Rewrite the following sentence more concisely. Justify the changes, identifying the specific concision issue at work.

The carbon emissions kilogram weight from cars is higher in summer than that of winter.

Answer 29

Advanced I - Concision Exercises

The weight of the carbon emissions from cars is higher in summer than in winter.

The word kilogram before weight is redundant, and should therefore be removed. On the other hand, carbon emissions weight is too short, because weight is a quantity word that should be modified by the phrase of carbon emissions (see “Too Short” pattern 1).

The words that of in the original sentence need to be removed because they have no clear meaning. The intended comparison is best rendered with the parallel prepositional phrases in summer and in winter.

Question 30

Identify the subject and the verb and correct what is necessary

Although progress is still difficult to measure, the researchers have found that the benefit of applying interdisciplinary approaches and of fostering cooperation across multiple teams and divisions outweigh any potential cost.

Answer 30

Advanced I - SV agreement exercs

Although progress is still difficult to measure, the researchers have found that the benefits of applying interdisciplinary approaches and of fostering cooperation across multiple teams and divisions outweigh
any potential costs. (or the benefit outweighs the cost)

Question 31

Identify the parallel markers, the parallel elements and correct the underlined part if necessary

Most employers agree that how a candidate dresses for a job interview and even the way he positions himself in his seat leave a lasting impression.

Answer 31

Advanced I - Parallelism Excs

Most employers agree that [HOW a candidate dresses for a job interview AND even HOW he positions
himself in his seat] leave a lasting impression.

How a candidate dressesfor a job interview and how he positions himself in his seat are noun clauses.

You can tell that they are clauses because each of them contains a subject (candidate, he) and a verb (dresses, positions).

You can tell that they are noun clauses because they do the work of nouns-in this case acting as the subject of a verb (leave).

Question 32

Identify the parallel markers, the parallel elements and correct the underlined part if necessary

Dr. King’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” is a condemning of racial injustice and a calling for nonviolent resistance to that injustice.

Answer 32

Advanced I - Parallelism Excs

[Dr. King’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” IS [a CONDEMNATION of racial injustice AND a CALL for nonviolent resistance to that injustice]]’

The verb is equates the two parallel halves of this sentence, both of which are action noun phrases. In order to maximize parallelism between the latter half of the sentence and the first half, we prefer simple, common action nouns (condemnation, call) to gerunds (condemning, calling).

Note that the latter half of the sentence is one noun phrase that contains within itself two parallel noun phrases, a condemnation of racial injustice and a callfor resistance to that injustice.

Question 33

Identify the parallel markers, the parallel elements and correct the underlined part if necessary

The network security team is responsible for detecting new viruses and the creation of software patches to block those viruses.

Answer 33

Advanced I - Parallelism Excs

The network security team is responsible for [the DETECTION of new viruses AND the CREATION of software patches to block those viruses].

The detection of new viruses and the creation of software patches to block those viruses are parallel noun hrases.

Both are centered on action nouns (detection, creation). The original sentence was incorrect because it attempted to put a simple gerund phrase (detecting new viruses) in parallel with an action noun phrase.

Question 34

Identify the parallel markers, the parallel elements and correct the underlined part if necessary

He received a medal for sinking an enemy ship and the capture of its crew.

Answer 34

Advanced I - Parallelism Excs

He received a medal for [the SINKING of an enemy ship AND the CAPTURE of its crew].

The sinking of an enemy ship is a complex gerund phrase, and the capture of its crew is a noun phrase that centers on an action noun (capture). The original entence was incorrect because it attempted to put a simple gerund phrase (sinking an enemy ship) in parallel with an action noun phrase.

[Why do we not use an action noun phrase instead of a complex gerund phrase in this answer? Simply because no appropriate action noun exists for the verb to sink. “Sinkage” is an English word, but it does mean the act of causing something to sink.]