ÔN THI GMAT - TỔNG HỢP LỖI SENTENCE CORRECTION THEO RON PUREWAL

TỔNG HỢP CÁC CÂU SC KHÓ TRONG GMAT OFFICIAL MATERIALS
NGƯỜI GIẢI THÍCH: RON (MANHATTAN)
NGƯỜI TỔNG HỢP + NHẬN XÉT: ĐÕ QUANG TOẢN (710)


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
/>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

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 dressed
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.
 A + C + E: out
 D: explaining, the revelation, to promote: not parallel.
 B: perfect.

HOW TO SEE THE BIG PICTURE? GO TO THIS LINK AND READ.
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
/>

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 metabolize, or render 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

In A: it is ambiguous
B: it  singular, but metabolize, render are in plural form
C+D: redundant
E: correct
** Irritant: (n) chất kích ứng, chất kích thích
29. Emily Dickinson’s letters to Susan Huntington 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 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
to be at fault
(C) It can hardly be said that it is the fault of educators who have not anticipated the impact of
microcomputer technology
(D) It can hardly be said that educators are at fault for not anticipating the impact of
microcomputer technology
(E) The fact that educators are at fault for not anticipating 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 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
weather returns

(D) if the fruit is quickly processed into juice concentrate before they rot when warmer weather
returns
(E) to have it quickly processed into juice concentrate before warmer weather returns and rots the
fruit
Citrus is singular!!!!!!!!  A+B+C+D: out
C+D: if is nonsense  out!

81. Fossils of the arm of a sloth found in Puerto Rico in 1991, and dated at 34 million years old,
made it the earliest known mammal of the Greater Antilles Islands.
(A) sloth found in Puerto Rico in 1991, and dated at 34 million years old, made it the earliest known
mammal of
(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
numbers
(C) that some time in the past our ancestors suffered an event so that their numbers were greatly
reduced,
(D) some time in the past our ancestors suffered an event from which their numbers were greatly
reduced
(E) some time in the past, that our ancestors suffered an event so as to reduce their numbers
greatly,
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
generate electricity.
(A) 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
generate electricity.
(B) While the cost of running nuclear plants is about the same as for other types of power plants,
the fixed costs that stem from building nuclear plants make the electricity they generate more
expensive.
(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