Back to the Basics: Meaning, SVA and more

by DJNY 12:40 0 comments

It seems quite simple- you read 5 sentences, eliminate 4 and voila you have your answer. But, as you answer questions correctly, the test itself gets more and more complicated. At one point, you will face a sentence correction question which will have multiple correct answers and things won't seem so simple anymore.

The easiest trick that the test makers use, is to create complicated sentences, where the meaning changes so slightly that you wouldn't even call it fair. Of course, meaning can be changed using different tools. But the most common tool to be used it to make subject, verb and object (in some cases) to either not match or to distort the meaning of a sentence. OR the meaning simply may not be clear!

For example,  see if you can spot the simple variations in meaning, subject, etc.

"Mike talked to John, who agreed to meet him after the meeting."  -> 'Who' refers to John

"John talked to Mike, who agreed to meet him after the meeting." -> 'Who' refers to Mike

"Agreeing to meet him after the meeting, John had a talk with Mike." -> Seems like John first agreed to meet Mike and then John talked to Mike.

"Mike and John talked, agreeing to meet him after the meeting." -> Ambiguity exists w.r.t. 'him'.

"Mike and John talked to each other, agreeing to meet after the meeting." -> Both Mike and John were the actors here.


Another example, comes from a former US president's answer to a question:

"Our enemies do everything to destroy our country, and so do we!" A clearer sentence would have been "Our enemies do everything to destroy our country, and we are doing everything to destroy them."

Final example related to Subject Verb agreement: http://www.beatthegmat.com/unlike-lions-and-tigers-t85617.html

Remember: The test makers will never provide a question that just distorts meaning! The sentence will have plenty of other things wrong with it too (IF it is wrong). But, by approaching a question with "meaning" in mind, you will be able to know if you're being tricked by the test makers into choosing the wrong answer choice.

For more: http://www.amazon.com/GMAT-Improve-Drastically-Business-School-ebook/dp/B00A7CTV1A/