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Time: 25 Minutes

1. The passage is primarily concerned with

Two recent publications offer different evaluating Choice A does not refer
assessments of the career of the famous British (A) the importance of Florence Nightingale’s to the less than flattering
nurse Florence Nightingale. A book by Anne account of her historical
innovations in the field of nursing worth mentioned in the
Summers seeks to debunk the idealizations and (B) contrasting approaches to the writing of First Paragraph. Choice
present a reality at odds with Nightingale’s heroic historical biography B talks about
reputation. According to Summers, Nightingale’s ‘Contrasting
(C) contradictory accounts of Florence
importance during the Crimean Was has been approaches to writing
Nightingale’s historical significance
exaggerated: not until near the war’s end did she of historical biography’.
become supervisor of the female nurses. (D) the quality of health care in nineteenth- The author does not
Additionally, Summers writes that the contribution century England discuss different
(E) the effect of the Crimean War on approaches in the
of the nurses to the relief of the wounded was at passage. Do not pick an
best marginal. The prevailing problems of military developments in the field of health care answer choice using
medicine were caused by army organizational words such as ‘data’ or
practices, and the addition of a few nurses to the A( ) B( ) C( ) D( ) E( ) ‘approach’.
medical staff could be no more than a symbolic
gesture. Nightingale’s place in the national 2. According to the passage, the editors of Choice B is
pantheon, Summers asserts, is largely due to the Nightingale’s letters credit her with contributing tempting but the
propagandistic efforts of contemporary newspaper to which of the following? reference to ‘nurses
reporters. training curriculum’
is not a literal
(A) Improvements of the survival rate for interpretation of
By Contrast, the editors of a new volume of soldiers in British Army hospitals during the ‘setting up a nurse’s
Nightingale’s letters view Nightingale as a person Crimean War training hospital in
who significantly influenced not only her own age (B) The development of a nurses’ training London’. Choice D
but also subsequent generations. They highlight her talks about ‘British
curriculum that was far in advance of its day University’. The
ongoing efforts to reform sanitary conditions after (C) The increase in the number of women fact that she set up
the war. For example, when she learned that
doctors practicing in British Army hospitals a training hospital
peacetime living conditions in British barracks in London does not
(D) Establishment of the first facility for training
were so horrible that the death rate of enlisted men mean that she set it
far exceeded that of neighboring civilian nurses at a major British University up at a British
populations, she succeeded in persuading the (E) The creation of an organization for University.
government to establish a Royal Commission on monitoring the peacetime living conditions of Critically examine
British soldiers. words for
the Health of the Army. She used sums raised acceptability.
through public contributions to found a nurses’
training hospital in London. Even in administrative A( ) B( ) C( ) D( ) E( )
matters, the editors assert, her practical intelligence 3. The passage suggests which of the following
was formidable: as recently as 1947 the British about Nightingale’s relationship with the This is an
Army’s medical services were still using the cost- British public of her day? inference
question and our
accounting system she had devised in the 1860’s. look up of the
(A) She was highly respected, her projects anchor phrase
word ‘public’
I believe that the evidence of her letters supports receiving popular and governmental support. shows that her
continued respect for Nightingale’s brilliance and (B) She encountered resistance both from the project received
creativity. When counseling a village schoolmaster army establishment and the general public. public
contributions.
to encourage children to use their faculties of (C) She was supported by the working classes Choice A is the
observation, she sounds like a modern educator. and opposed by the wealthier classes. best statement
Her insistence on classifying the problems of the (D) She was supported by the military
supported by an
explicit statement
needy in order to devise appropriate treatments is
establishment but had to fight the governmental identified in the
similar to the approach of modern social workers. passage in the
bureaucracy. context of
In sum, although Nightingale may not have
achieved all of her goals during the Crimean War, (E) After initially being received with ‘public’.

her breadth of vision and ability to realize enthusiasm, she was quickly forgotten.
ambitious projects have earned her an eminent
place among the ranks of social pioneers. A( ) B( ) C( ) D( ) E( )

Page 1
 ©Educational Training Services, A Division of MLI Consulting, Inc.
Name of the Registrant: PARTICIPANTS
Time: 25 Minutes
Two recent publications offer different assessments
of the career of the famous British nurse Florence
Nightingale. A book by Anne Summers seeks to
debunk the idealizations and present a reality at
odds with Nightingale’s heroic reputation.
According to Summers, Nightingale’s importance
during the Crimean Was has been exaggerated: not
until near the war’s end did she become supervisor
of the female nurses. Additionally, Summers writes
that the contribution of the nurses to the relief of
the wounded was at best marginal. The prevailing
problems of military medicine were caused by
army organizational practices, and the addition of a
few nurses to the medical staff could be no more
than a symbolic gesture. Nightingale’s place in the
national pantheon, Summers asserts, is largely due
to the propagandistic efforts of contemporary
newspaper reporters.
By Contrast, the editors of a new volume of
Nightingale’s letters view Nightingale as a person
who significantly influenced not only her own age
but also subsequent generations. They highlight her
ongoing efforts to reform sanitary conditions after
the war. For example, when she learned that
peacetime living conditions in British barracks
were so horrible that the death rate of enlisted men
far exceeded that of neighboring civilian
populations, she succeeded in persuading the
government to establish a Royal Commission on
the Health of the Army. She used sums raised
through public contributions to found a nurses’
training hospital in London. Even in administrative
matters, the editors assert, her practical intelligence
was formidable: as recently as 1947 the British
Army’s medical services were still using the cost-
accounting system she had devised in the 1860’s.
I believe that the evidence of her letters supports
continued respect for Nightingale’s brilliance and
creativity. When counseling a village schoolmaster
to encourage children to use their faculties of
observation, she sounds like a modern educator.
Her insistence on classifying the problems of the
needy in order to devise appropriate treatments is
similar to the approach of modern social workers.
In sum, although Nightingale may not have
achieved all of her goals during the Crimean War,
her breadth of vision and ability to realize
ambitious projects have earned her an eminent
place among the ranks of social pioneers.
Registration Number: 0099USA-2452TURBO
4. The passage suggests which of the following
about sanitary conditions in Britain after the
Crimean War?
(A) While not ideal, they were superior to those
in other parts of the world.
(B) Compared with conditions before the war,
they had deteriorated.
(C) They were more advanced in rural areas than
in urban centers.
(D) They were worse in military camps than in
the neighboring civilian populations.
(E) They were uniformly crude and
unsatisfactory throughout England.
A( ) B( ) C( ) D( ) E( )
5. With which of the following statements
regarding the differing interpretations of
Nightingale’s importance would the author most
likely agree?
(A) Summers misunderstood both the
importance of Nightingale’s achievements
during the Crimean War and her subsequent This is a
influence on British Policy. question
(B) The editors of Nightingale’s letters made about the
some valid points about her practical ‘summary’
achievements, but they still exaggerated her of the entire
discussion.
influence on subsequent generations.
Choice C is
(C) Although Summers’ accounts of
the answer
Nightingale’s role in the Crimean War may be
accurate, she ignored evidence of Nightingale’s supported
by the
subsequent achievement that suggest that her
reputation as an eminent social reformer is well summary
deserved. identified in
(D) The editors of Nightingale’s letters the passage.
mistakenly propagated the outdated idealization
of Nightingale that only impedes attempts to
arrive at a balanced assessment of her true role.
(E) The evidence of Nightingale’s letters
supports Summers’ conclusions both about
Nightingale’s activities and about her influence.
A( ) B( ) C( ) D( ) E( )
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 ©Educational Training Services, A Division of MLI Consulting, Inc.
Name of the Registrant: PARTICIPANTS Registration Number: 0099USA-2452TURBO
Time: 25 Minutes
Two recent publications offer different assessments
of the career of the famous British nurse Florence Choice E is
Nightingale. A book by Anne Summers seeks to 6. Which of the following is an assumption tempting to a lot
debunk the idealizations and present a reality at underlying the author’s assessment of of test takers
odds with Nightingale’s heroic reputation. Nightingale’s creativity? because they find
According to Summers, Nightingale’s importance a reference to
‘cost accounting
during the Crimean Was has been exaggerated: not (A) Educational philosophy in Nightingale’s day system’. Notice
until near the war’s end did she become supervisor did not normally emphasize developing the unacceptable
of the female nurses. Additionally, Summers writes children’s ability to observe. wording in
that the contribution of the nurses to the relief of (B) Nightingale was the first to notice the poor choice E. The
the wounded was at best marginal. The prevailing fact that the army
living conditions in British military barracks in is still using her
problems of military medicine were caused by
peacetime system does not
army organizational practices, and the addition of a mean that it did
(C) No education before Nightingale had thought
few nurses to the medical staff could be no more not have a system
than a symbolic gesture. Nightingale’s place in the to enlist the help of village schoolmasters in before she
national pantheon, Summers asserts, is largely due introducing new teaching techniques devised one.
to the propagandistic efforts of contemporary (D) Until Nightingale began her work, there was Also, ‘cost
no concept of organized help for the needy in accounting’
newspaper reporters. system is not
nineteenth-century Britain. mentioned in the
By Contrast, the editors of a new volume of (E) The British army’s medical services had no context of her
Nightingale’s letters view Nightingale as a person cost-accounting system until Nightingale devised creativity.
who significantly influenced not only her own age one in the 1860’s. Choice D is also
tempting but the
but also subsequent generations. They highlight her reference in the
ongoing efforts to reform sanitary conditions after A( ) B( ) C( ) D( ) E( ) context of
the war. For example, when she learned that creativity reads
peacetime living conditions in British barracks 7. In the last paragraph, the author is primarily that she insisted
were so horrible that the death rate of enlisted men on classifying the
concerned with problems of the
far exceeded that of neighboring civilian
needy. This does
populations, she succeeded in persuading the (A) summarizing the arguments about not mean that
government to establish a Royal Commission on Nightingale presented in the first two paragraphs there was no
the Health of the Army. She used sums raised (B) refuting the view of Nightingale’s career concept of
through public contributions to found a nurses’ organized help
presented in the preceding paragraph for the needy in
training hospital in London. Even in administrative
(C) analyzing the weaknesses of the evidence the 19th century
matters, the editors assert, her practical intelligence Britain.
was formidable: as recently as 1947 the British presented elsewhere in the passage
Army’s medical services were still using the cost- (D) citing evidence to support a view of
accounting system she had devised in the 1860’s. Nightingale’s career.
(E) correcting a factual error occurring in one of
I believe that the evidence of her letters supports the works under review
continued respect for Nightingale’s brilliance and
creativity. When counseling a village A( ) B( ) C( ) D( ) E( )
schoolmaster to encourage children to use their
It appears that this passage was tested on the GMAT, and the answer to
faculties of observation, she sounds like a modern this question was choice A in one test and Choice D in the other. The
educator. Her insistence on classifying the problem with choice A is that it refers to information in the first two
problems of the needy in order to devise paragraphs only. The author, in his or her summary, also uses the
appropriate treatments is similar to the approach of information stated at the beginning of the last paragraph to reach a
modern social workers. In sum, although summary. This is why choice A is not as good as it seemingly sounds.
Choice D is the best of a bad bunch of options although the wording in
Nightingale may not have achieved all of her goals
this choice is not as good as it should be either. The author gives
during the Crimean War, her breadth of vision and evidence of Nightingale’s creativity and brilliance in the last paragraph,
ability to realize ambitious projects have earned her not evidence of her career. Because you are required to pick an answer
an eminent place among the ranks of social choice, choice D appears to be more acceptable than is choice A.
pioneers.

Page 3
 ©Educational Training Services, A Division of MLI Consulting, Inc. Choice B is the best
Name of the Registrant: PARTICIPANTS Registration Number: 0099USA-2452TURBO answer using acceptable
Time: 25 Minutes wording. Choice A is
tempting but you must
bear in mind that the
8. The primary focus of the passage is on which
PASSAGE 2 of the following?
reference to the
conventional theory is
made in passing, and is
not the primary focus of
A Meteor stream is composed of dust particles (A) Comparing two scientific theories and the passage. Choice C
that have been ejected from a parent comet at a contrasting the predictions that each would make talks about ‘further
variety of velocities. These particles follow the concerning a natural phenomenon. areas of research’. There
same orbit as the parent comet, but due to their is no such suggestion in
(B) Describing a new theoretical model and the passage. Choice D
differing velocities they slowly gain on or fall noting that it explains the nature of observations talks about ‘two
behind the disintegrating comet until a shroud of made of a particular natural phenomenon. different natural
dust surrounds the entire cometary orbit. (C) Evaluating the results of a particular phenomena’. There is
Astronomers have hypothesized that a meteor scientific experiment and suggesting further no second phenomenon
stream should broaden with time as the dust mentioned in the
areas for research. passage. Choice E uses
particles’ individual orbits are perturbed by (D) Explaining how two different natural the hit list word
planetary gravitational fields. A recent computer- ‘DATA’. Besides, the
phenomena are related and demonstrating a
modeling experiment tested this hypothesis by model was set up to test
way to measure them.
tracking the influence of planetary gravitation over a theory, not to explain
(E) Analyzing recent data derived from the data. Be a good
a projected 5,000 year period on the position of a
group of hypothetical dust particles. In the model, observations of an actual phenomenon and wordsmith. This section
the particles were randomly distributed throughout constructing a model to explain the data. requires that be a good
one. The test is about
a computer simulation of the orbit of an actual your ability to pay
meteor stream, the Geminid. The researcher found, A( ) B( ) C( ) D( ) E( ) attention to the choice
as expected, that the compute-model stream 9. According to the passage, which of the of words in a specific
following is an accurate statement concerning answer choice.
broadened with time. Conventional theories,
however, predicted that the distribution of particles meteor streams?
would be increasingly dense toward the center of a
meteor stream. Surprisingly, the computer-model (A) Meteor streams and comets start out with
meteor stream gradually came to resemble a thick- similar orbits, but only those of meteor streams
walled, hollow pipe. are perturbed by planetary gravitation.
(B) Meteor streams grow as dust particles are
Whenever the Earth passes through a meteor attracted by the gravitational fields of comets.
stream, a meteor shower occurs. Moving at a little (C) Meteor streams are composed of dust
over 1,500,000 miles per day around its orbit, the particles derived from comets.
Earth would take, on average, just over a day to (D) Comets may be composed of several kinds
cross the hollow, computer-model Geminid stream of materials, while meteor streams consist only
if the stream were 5,000 years old. Two brief
of large dust particles.
periods of peak meteor activity during the shower
(E) Once formed, meteor streams hasten the
would be observed, one as the Earth entered the
thick-walled “pipe” and one as it exited. There is further disintegration of comets.
no reason why the Earth should always pass Read the question
through the stream’s exact center, so the time A( ) B( ) C( ) D( ) E( ) as: Why was the
interval between the two bursts of activity would computer model
vary from one year to the next. 10. The author states that the research research
described in the first paragraph was undertaken? You
undertaken in order to should look for a
Has the predicted twin-peaked activity been
statement
observed for the actual yearly Geminid meteor
containing
shower? The Geminid data between 1970 and 1979 (A) determine the age of an actual meteor stream ‘because’ or an
shows just such a bifurcation, a secondary burst of (B) identify the various structural features of infinitive ‘to do
meteor activity being clearly visible at an average meteor streams something’ for such
of 19 hours (1,200,000 miles) after the first burst. (C) explore the nature of a particularly questions in the
The time intervals between the bursts suggest the interesting meteor stream context of the
actual Geminid stream is about 3,000 years old. (D) test the hypothesis that meteor streams ‘research’
become broader as they age identified in the
(E) show that a computer model could help in first paragraph.
explaining actual astronomical data Choice D is the
correct answer
consistent with the
A( ) B( ) C( ) D( ) E( ) explicit information
stated in the first
paragraph.

Page 4
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Name of the Registrant: PARTICIPANTS Registration Number: 0099USA-2452TURBO
Time: 25 Minutes

A Meteor stream is composed of dust particles that 11. It can be inferred from the passage that
which of the following could most probably be According to the
have been ejected from a parent comet at a variety conventional
of velocities. These particles follow the same orbit observed during the Earth’s passage through a theory, the meteor
as the parent comet, but due to their differing meteor stream if the conventional theories stream would be
velocities they slowly gain on or fall behind the mentioned in the first paragraph were dense in the center
disintegrating comet until a shroud of dust correct? of the stream. The
surrounds the entire cometary orbit. best description of
dense activity in the
Astronomers have hypothesized that a meteor (A) Meteor activity would gradually increase to a center of the stream
stream should broaden with time as the dust single, intense peak, and then gradually decline. is contained in
particles’ individual orbits are perturbed by (B) Meteor activity would be steady throughout choice A.
planetary gravitational fields. A recent computer- Choice B talks
the period of the meteor shower. about ‘steady
modeling experiment tested this hypothesis by
(C) Meteor activity would rise to a peak at the activity’
tracking the influence of planetary gravitation over
a projected 5,000 year period on the position of a
beginning and at the end of the meteor shower. throughout. Choice
(D) Random bursts of very high meteor activity C is according to
group of hypothetical dust particles. In the model, the new theory
the particles were randomly distributed throughout would be interspersed with periods of very little being tested.
a computer simulation of the orbit of an actual activity Choice D talks
meteor stream, the Geminid. The researcher found, (E) In years in which the Earth passed through about unsupported
only the outer areas of a meteor stream, meteor ‘random bursts of
as expected, that the compute-model stream activity’. Choice E
broadened with time. Conventional theories, activity would be absent. talks about ‘absent
however, predicted that the distribution of activity’. Pay
particles would be increasingly dense toward the A( ) B( ) C( ) D( ) E( ) attention to the
center of a meteor stream. Surprisingly, the choice of words.
computer-model meteor stream gradually came to 12. According to the passage, why do the dust
resemble a thick-walled, hollow pipe. particles in a meteor stream eventually surround The answer to
a comet’s original orbit? ‘why’ will be found
Whenever the Earth passes through a meteor in a statement
stream, a meteor shower occurs. Moving at a little (A) They are ejected by the comet at differing containing
over 1,500,000 miles per day around its orbit, the velocities. ‘because’ or ‘due
Earth would take, on average, just over a day to (B) Their orbits are uncontrolled by planetary to’ or the infinitive
cross the hollow, computer-model Geminid stream gravitational fields. ‘to do something’.
if the stream were 5,000 years old. Two brief Take a look at the
(C) They become part of the meteor stream at
periods of peak meteor activity during the shower arrows pointing to
would be observed, one as the Earth entered the
different times. the required
thick-walled “pipe” and one as it exited. There is (D) Their velocity slows over time. reference. Choice
no reason why the Earth should always pass (E) their ejection velocity is slower than that of A is the best
through the stream’s exact center, so the time the comet answer explained
interval between the two bursts of activity would by ‘because’
vary from one year to the next. A( ) B( ) C( ) D( ) E( ) statement. Choice
D is tempting to a
Has the predicted twin-peaked activity been lot of folks but bear
in mind that the
observed for the actual yearly Geminid meteor
passage states that
shower? The Geminid data between 1970 and 1979 the particles
shows just such a bifurcation, a secondary burst of surround the orbit
meteor activity being clearly visible at an average ‘DUE TO THEIR
of 19 hours (1,200,000 miles) after the first burst. DIFFERING
The time intervals between the bursts suggest the VELOCITIES’,
actual Geminid stream is about 3,000 years old. not due to ‘slowing
velocities’. Pay
good and critical
attention to the
words used in an
answer choice.

Page 5
 ©Educational Training Services, A Division of MLI Consulting, Inc.
Name of the Registrant: PARTICIPANTS Registration Number: 0099USA-2452TURBO Pay close attention
Time: 25 Minutes to the VERB used
in the question
A Meteor stream is composed of dust particles that stem. This is an
have been ejected from a parent comet at a variety inference question
of velocities. These particles follow the same orbit 13. The passage suggests that which of the as suggested by the
as the parent comet, but due to their differing following is a prediction concerning meteor verb ‘SUGGEST’.
velocities they slowly gain on or fall behind the The question is: on
streams that can be derived from both the the basis of
disintegrating comet until a shroud of dust conventional theories mentioned in the first information in the
surrounds the entire cometary orbit. Astronomers paragraph and the new computer-derived theory? passage describing
have hypothesized that a meteor stream should the difference
broaden with time as the dust particles’ individual (A) Dust particles in a meteor stream will between the two
orbits are perturbed by planetary gravitational theories, what can
usually be distributed evenly??? throughout any you infer as to what
fields. A recent computer-modeling experiment
cross section of the stream. Í None of the two do they have in
tested this hypothesis by tracking the influence of
theories talks about ‘even distribution’. common? Looks
planetary gravitation over a projected 5,000 year like the two
period on the position of a group of hypothetical
(B) The orbits of most meteor streams should theories disagree
dust particles. In the model, the particles were cross the orbit of the Earth at some point and about where the
randomly distributed throughout a computer give rise to a meteor shower. Í meteor streams dense part of the
simulation of the orbit of an actual meteor stream, do not have orbits. stream would
occur. One says
the Geminid. The researcher found, as expected, (C) Over time, the distribution of dust in a that the stream
that the compute-model stream broadened with meteor stream will usually become denser at the would be dense on
time. Conventional theories, however, predicted outside edges of the stream than at the center. the edges and the
that the distribution of particles would be Í The conventional theory did not believe that other at the center.
Both should agree
increasingly dense toward the center of a the stream would be denser on the edges. that the older the
meteor stream. Surprisingly, the computer- (D) Meteor showers caused by older meteor stream the denser
model meteor stream gradually came to streams should be, on average, longer in duration the distribution of
resemble a thick-walled, hollow pipe. than those caused by very young meteor streams. particles
‘somewhere’
(E) The individual dust particles in older meteor resulting in longer
Whenever the Earth passes through a meteor streams should be, on average, smaller than those meteor showers.
stream, a meteor shower occurs. Moving at a that compose younger meteor streams. Choice D is the best
little over 1,500,000 miles per day around its orbit, Í None of the two theories makes a prediction inference.
the Earth would take, on average, just over a day to about the size of the dust particles.
cross the hollow, computer-model Geminid stream A( ) B( ) C( ) D( ) E( )
if the stream were 5,000 years old. Two brief
periods of peak meteor activity during the shower We are required
would be observed, one as the Earth entered the
14. It can be inferred from the last to interpret the
thick-walled “pipe” and one as it exited. There is paragraph of the passage that which of the qualifier
no reason why the Earth should always pass following must be true of the Earth as it orbits ‘yearly’
through the stream’s exact center, so the time the Sun? describing the
interval between the two bursts of activity would ‘Geminid
vary from one year to the next. (A) Most meteor streams it encounters are more Meteor
than 2,000 years old. shower’. The
Has the predicted twin-peaked activity been (B) When passing through a meteor stream, it ‘yearly’
observed for the actual yearly Geminid usually passes near to the stream’s center. reference
meteor shower? The Geminid data between (C) It crosses the Geminid meteor stream once suggests that
1970 and 1979 shows just such a bifurcation, a every year. the shower
secondary burst of meteor activity being clearly (D) It usually takes over a day to cross the actual happens once a
visible at an average of 19 hours (1,200,000 miles) Geminid meteor stream.
after the first burst. The time intervals between the year as earth
(E) It accounts for most of the gravitational cuts through the
bursts suggest the actual Geminid stream is about perturbation affecting the Geminid meteor
3,000 years old. stream. Choice
stream. C is the correct
inference
A( ) B( ) C( ) D( ) E( ) supported by
the qualifier
used in the
anchor phrase
statement.

Page 6
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Name of the Registrant: PARTICIPANTS Registration Number: 0099USA-2452TURBO
Time: 25 Minutes

A Meteor stream is composed of dust particles that We are required

have been ejected from a parent comet at a variety to identify that
of velocities. These particles follow the same orbit 15. Which of the following is an assumption which is ‘taken
as the parent comet, but due to their differing underlying the last sentence of the passage? for granted’ in
velocities they slowly gain on or fall behind the the last sentence.
disintegrating comet until a shroud of dust (A) In each of the years between 1970 and 1979, The last sentence
surrounds the entire cometary orbit. Astronomers the Earth took exactly 19 hours to cross the reads that the
have hypothesized that a meteor stream should Geminid meteor stream. ‘time interval
broaden with time as the dust particles’ individual (B) The comet associated with the Geminid between bursts
orbits are perturbed by planetary gravitational meteor stream has totally disintegrated. suggests that the
fields. A recent computer-modeling experiment stream is 3,000
(C) The Geminid meteor stream should continue
tested this hypothesis by tracking the influence of years old’. This
to exist for at least 5,000 years.
planetary gravitation over a projected 5,000 year determination is
period on the position of a group of hypothetical
(D) The Geminid meteor stream has not
broadened as rapidly as the conventional theories obtained by using
dust particles. In the model, the particles were the computer
randomly distributed throughout a computer would have predicted.
(E) The computer-model Geminid meteor stream model, and what
simulation of the orbit of an actual meteor stream, is taken for
the Geminid. The researcher found, as expected, provides an accurate representation of the
development of the actual Geminid stream. granted or
that the compute-model stream broadened with
time. Conventional theories, however, predicted
assumed is that
that the distribution of particles would be A( ) B( ) C( ) D( ) E( ) the computer
increasingly dense toward the center of a model is a
meteor stream. Surprisingly, the computer-model 16. It can be inferred from the passage that reliable or a good
meteor stream gradually came to resemble a thick- which of the following would resemble a meteor predictor of the
walled, hollow pipe. stream if the conventional theory as discussed age of the stream
in the first paragraph were true? on the basis of an
Whenever the Earth passes through a meteor analysis of the
stream, a meteor shower occurs. Moving at a little (A) A solid pipe with gradually disappearing information.
over 1,500,000 miles per day around its orbit, the halo around it. Choice E is the
Earth would take, on average, just over a day to (B) A thick-walled pipe with a hollow center. best answer.
cross the hollow, computer-model Geminid stream
(C) A solid pipe with uniform density
if the stream were 5,000 years old. Two brief
throughout.
periods of peak meteor activity during the shower The conventional
would be observed, one as the Earth entered the
(D) A set of concentric hollow pipes placed such
theory believed that
thick-walled “pipe” and one as it exited. There is that there is space between any two pipes. the stream would be
no reason why the Earth should always pass (E) A solid pipe with gradually decreasing denser in the
through the stream’s exact center, so the time density toward the center. middle. The closest
visual
interval between the two bursts of activity would representation of a
vary from one year to the next. A( ) B( ) C( ) D( ) E( ) stream according to
the conventional
Has the predicted twin-peaked activity been 17. It can be inferred from the passage that if the theory is stated in
observed for the actual yearly Geminid meteor Earth were moving at 750,000 miles per day choice A.
shower? The Geminid data between 1970 and 1979 around its orbit, it would take approximately
shows just such a bifurcation, a secondary burst of how long to cross the 5,000 year old Computer-
meteor activity being clearly visible at an average model Geminid stream?
of 19 hours (1,200,000 miles) after the first burst.
The time intervals between the If the earth is moving at a little over
(A) 24 hours 1,500,000 miles per day, it would take
bursts suggest the actual (B) 36 hours
Geminid stream is about 3,000 just over 24 hours to cross the 5,000 year
(C) 48 hours old stream. If the earth is moving at half
years old. (D) 60 hours the speed, it would take twice as long or
(E) 72 hours 48 hours to cross the same 5,000 year
old stream. This is a ‘distance problem’
tested in Reading Comprehension
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A( ) B( ) C( ) D( ) E( )

END OF SECTION

How long did you take to

complete this section?
Minutes.

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Time : 25 Minutes 18 Questions

Choice B is the best
Directions: Each passage in this group is 1. The passage is primarily concerned with answer capturing
the essence of the
followed by questions based on its content. After passage. Choice A
reading a passage choose the best answer to each (A) describing the effects of human activities on talks about the
question and fill in the corresponding oval on the algae in coral reefs. ‘effects’ of human
answer sheet. Answer all questions following a (B) explaining how human activities are posing activities on
a threat to coral reef communities. ‘algae’, which is
passage on the basis of what is stated or implied one component of
in that passage. (C) discussing the process by which coral reefs the reef
deteriorate in nutrient poor waters. community. Also,
(D) explaining how coral reefs produce food for we are not sure
themselves. whether the effect
is good or bad.
(E) describing the abundance of algae and filter-
Coral reefs are one of the most fragile, Choice C provides
feeding animals in coral reef areas. contra information:
biologically complex, and diverse marine
the reef thrives in
ecosystems on earth. This ecosystem is one of nutrient poor
the fascinating paradoxes of the biosphere: how A ( ) B ( ) C( ) D ( ) E ( )
waters, not
do clear, and thus nutrient-poor, deteriorate. Choice
2. The passage suggests which of the D talks about
waters support such prolific and
following about coral reef communities? ‘producing food’.
productive communities? Part of the answer Although it is
lies within the tissues of the corals themselves. mentioned in the
(A) Coral reef communities may actually be
Symbiotic cells of algae known as zooxanthellae first paragraph, it is
more likely to thrive in waters that are relatively not the primary
carry out photosynthesis using the metabolic
low in nutrients. Í Notice that the qualifier purpose of the
wastes of corals, thereby producing food for passage. Choice E
‘nutrient poor’ has been interpreted in this
themselves, for their coral hosts, and even for provides
inference statement as ‘low in nutrients’.
other members of the reef community. This information stated
(B) The nutrients on which coral reef in the context of an
symbiotic process allows organisms in the reef
community to use sparse nutrient resources communities thrive are only found in shallow example. Any
waters. information used as
efficiently. an example can
(C) Human population growth has led to NEVER be part of
changing ocean temperatures, which threatens the central idea or
Unfortunately for coral reefs, however,
coral reef communities. the primary
a variety of human activities are causing world- purpose.
(D) The growth of coral reef communities tends
wide degradation of shallow marine habitats by
to destabilize underwater herbivore populations.
adding nutrients to the water. Agriculture, slash-
(E) Coral reef communities are more complex
and-burn land cleaning, sewage disposal, and
and diverse than most ecosystems located on dry
manufacturing that creates waste by-products all
land.
increase nutrient loads in these waters.
Typical symptoms of reef Notice the clear
A ( ) B ( ) C( ) D ( ) E ( ) paraphrasing of
decline are destabilized
herbivore populations and an ‘typical
3. The author refers to “filter-feeding-animals” symptoms’ as
increasing abundance of algae
in paragraph 2 in order to ‘characteristic
and filter-feeding animals.
sign’ and of
Declines in reef communities are consistent with ‘reef decline’
(A) provide an example of a characteristic sign
observations that nutrient input is increasing in as ‘reef
of reef deterioration.
direct proportion to growing human populations, deterioration’.
(B) explain how reef communities acquire
thereby threatening reef communities sensitive to The reference
sustenance for survival.
subtle changes in nutrient input to their waters. to ‘filter
(C) identify a factor that helps herbivore feeding
populations thrive. animals’ is
(D) indicate a cause of decreasing nutrient input made in the
in waters that reefs inhabit. course of
(E) identify members of coral reef communities providing an
that rely on coral reefs for nutrients. example of reef
decline.
A ( ) B ( ) C( ) D ( ) E ( ) Choice A is
the best
answer.
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Time: 25 Minutes This is an
explicit
Coral reefs are one of the most fragile, information
biologically complex, and diverse marine question and
ecosystems on earth. This ecosystem is one of we are required
the fascinating paradoxes of the biosphere: 4. According to the passage, which of the to identify ONE
how do clear, and thus nutrient-poor, waters following is a factor that is threatening the of several
support such prolific and productive survival of coral reef communities? factors
communities? Part of the answer lies within the specifically
tissues of the corals themselves. Symbiotic cells (A) The waters they inhabit contain few nutrient stated as
of algae known as zooxanthellae carry out resources. contributing to
photosynthesis using the metabolic wastes of (B) A decline in nutrient input is disrupting their the decline of
corals, thereby producing food for themselves, symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae. reef
for their coral hosts, and even for other members (C) The degraded waters of their marine habitat communities.
of the reef community. This symbiotic process have reduced their ability to carry out Choice E is the
allows organisms in the reef community to use photosynthesis. best answer
sparse nutrient resources efficiently. (D) They are too biologically complex to survive supported by a
in habitats with minimal nutrient input. very explicitly
Unfortunately for coral reefs, however, (E) Waste by-products result in an increase in stated
a variety of human activities are causing world- nutrient input to reef communities. information in
wide degradation of shallow marine habitats by the context of
adding nutrients to the water. Agriculture, slash- A ( ) B ( ) C( ) D ( ) E ( ) factors posing a
and-burn land cleaning, sewage disposal, and threat to the
manufacturing that creates waste by-products reef
all increase nutrient loads in these waters. 5. It can be inferred from the passage that the communities.
Typical symptoms of reef decline are author describes coral reef communities as
destabilized herbivore populations and an paradoxical most likely for which of the
increasing abundance of algae and filter-feeding following reasons?
animals. Declines in reef communities are Our lookup
consistent with observations that nutrient input is (A) They are thriving even though human clearly states that
activities have depleted the nutrients in their the reef
increasing in direct proportion to growing human communities are
populations, thereby threatening reef environment. paradoxical
communities sensitive to subtle changes in (B) They are able to survive in spite of an over because prolific
nutrient input to their waters. abundance of algae inhabiting their waters. communities
(C) They are able to survive in an environment thrive in nutrient
poor waters.
with limited food resources. Choice C is the
(D) Their metabolic wastes contribute to the best answer
degradation of the waters they inhabit. interpreting
(E) They are declining even when the water ‘nutrient poor
waters’ as
surrounding them remains clear. ‘environment
with limited food
A ( ) B ( ) C( ) D ( ) E ( ) reserves’.

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Choice B is the
best answer
Two divergent definitions have dominated 6. Which of the following best states the main capturing the
sociologists’ discussions of the nature of ethnicity. idea of the passage? essence of the
The first emphasizes the primordial and passage. Notice
unchanging character of ethnicity. In this view, people (A) In their definitions of the nature of ethnicity, that the
have an essential need for belonging that is satisfied sociologists have underestimated the power of information in
by membership in groups based on shared ancestry paragraphs 2 and
the primordial human need to belong.
and culture. A different conception of 3 relate to
ethnicity de-emphasizes the cultural
(B) Ethnicity is best defined as a dynamic examples, and
component and defines ethnic groups as interest process that combines cultural components with any information
groups. In this view, ethnicity serves as a way of shared political and economic interests. stated in the
mobilizing a certain population behind issues relating (C) In the United States in the twentieth century, context of
to its economic position. While both of these ethnic groups have begun to organize in order to examples cannot
definitions are useful, neither fully captures the further their political and economic interests. be the main idea.
dynamic and changing aspects of ethnicity in the (D) Ethnicity in the United States has been Choices C and D
United States. Rather, ethnicity is more significantly changed by the Civil Rights are not good for
satisfactorily conceived of as a process in which this reason alone.
movement.
preexisting communal bonds and common cultural Choice A uses a
attributes are adapted for instrumental purposes
(E) The two definitions of ethnicity that have ‘cute phrase’
according to changing real life situations. dominated sociologists’ discussions are restated from one
incomparable and should be replaced by an of the two
One example of the process is the rise of entirely new approach. definitions stated
participation by Native American people in the in the passage.
broader United States political system since the Civil A ( ) B ( ) C( ) D ( ) E ( ) Choice E has the
Rights movement of the 1960’s. Besides leading HIT LIST
Native Americans to participate more actively in WORD
politics (the number of Native American legislative ‘approach’ in it.
7. Which of the following statements about the
officeholders more than doubled), this movement also Besides, the
evoked increased interest in tribal history and first two definitions of ethnicity discussed in author does not
traditional culture. Cultural and instrumental the first paragraph is supported by the passage? say that the
components of ethnicity are not mutually exclusive, definitions are
but rather reinforce one another. (A) One is supported primarily by sociologists, ‘incomparable’.
and the other is favored by members of ethnic The author states
The Civil Rights movement also brought groups. that the
changes in the uses to which ethnicity was put by (B) One emphasizes the political aspects of definitions are
Mexican American people. In the 1960’s, Mexican ethnicity and the other focuses on the economic inadequate. Pay
Americans formed community-based political groups close attention to
aspects.
that emphasized ancestral heritage as a way of the choice of
mobilizing constituents. Such emerging issues as (C) One is the result of analysis of United States words in an
immigration and voting rights gave Mexican populations, and the other is the result of answer choice.
American advocacy groups the means by which to analysis of European populations.
promote ethnic solidarity. Like European ethnic (D) One focuses more on the ancestral
groups in the nineteenth-century United States, late components of ethnicity than does the other.
twentieth-century Mexican American leaders (E) One focuses more on immigrant groups than
combined ethnic with contemporary civic symbols. In does the other.
1968 Henry Cisneros, then Mayor of San Antonio,
Texas, cited Mexican leader Benito Juarez as a model
A ( ) B ( ) C( ) D ( ) E ( )
for Mexican Americans in their fight for contemporary
civil rights. And every year, Mexican Americans Our anchor phrase look up reveals that ONE definition
celebrate Cinco de Mayo as fervently as many Irish EMPHASIZES the cultural and ancestral aspects of ethnicity
American people embrace St. Patrick’s Day (both are and the OTHER definition DEEMPHASIZES the ancestral
major holidays in the countries of origin), with both aspects. Choice D is the best literal interpretation of this passage
holidays having been reinvented in the context of the
United States and linked to ideals, symbols, and information.
heroes of the United States.

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Two divergent definitions have dominated 8. The author of the passage refers to Native The native
sociologists’ discussions of the nature of ethnicity. Americans are
American people in the second paragraph in used as an
The first emphasizes the primordial and unchanging order to provide an example of
character of ethnicity. In this view, people have an example of the
essential need for belonging that is satisfied by PROCESS that
membership in groups based on shared ancestry and
(A) the ability of membership in groups based combines culture
culture. A different conception of ethnicity de- on shared ancestry and culture to satisfy an with interest
emphasizes the cultural component and defines ethnic essential human need. components.
groups as interest groups. In this view, ethnicity serves (B) how ethnic feelings have been motivated Specifically, the
as a way of mobilizing a certain population behind and strengthened by political activity. interest
issues relating to its economic position. While both of (C) how the Civil Rights movement can help component
these definitions are useful, neither fully captures the addressed in the
promote solidarity among United States ethnic
dynamic and changing aspects of ethnicity in the context of the
groups. native Americans
United States. Rather, ethnicity is more satisfactorily (D) how participation in the political system has
conceived of as a process in which preexisting is the political
communal bonds and common cultural attributes are
helped to improve a group’s economic situation. participation.
adapted for instrumental purposes according to (E) the benefits gained from renewed study of Choice B is the
changing real life situations. ethnic history and culture. best answer
supported by
One example of the process A ( ) B ( ) C( ) D ( ) E ( ) information
is the rise of participation by Native American people explicitly stated
in the broader United States political system since the in the context of
9. The passage supports which of the following
Civil Rights movement of the 1960’s. Besides leading Native
statements about the Mexican
Native Americans to participate more actively in Americans.
American Community?
politics (the number of Native American legislative
officeholders more than doubled), this movement also
evoked increased interest in tribal history and (A) In the 1960’s the Mexican American
The question is:
traditional culture. Cultural and instrumental community began to incorporate the customs of which of the
components of ethnicity are not mutually exclusive, another ethnic group in the United States into the following
but rather reinforce one another. observation of its own ethnic holidays. information is
(B) In the 1960’s Mexican American community explicitly stated
The Civil Rights movement also brought groups promoted ethnic solidarity primarily in in the context of
changes in the uses to which ethnicity was put by order to effect economic change. the Mexican
Mexican American people. In the 1960’s, Mexican (C) In the 1960’s leaders of the Mexican American
Americans formed community-based political Community?
American community concentrated their efforts
groups that emphasized ancestral heritage as a way Our lookup of
of mobilizing constituents. Such emerging issues as on promoting a renaissance of ethnic history and
the reference to
immigration and voting rights gave Mexican culture. this community
American advocacy groups the means by which to (D) In the 1960’s members of the Mexican reveals what is
promote ethnic solidarity. Like European ethnic American community were becoming highlighted on
groups in the nineteenth-century United States, late increasingly concerned about the issue of voting the left. We
twentieth-century Mexican American leaders rights. learn that the
combined ethnic with contemporary civic symbols. In (E) In the 1960’s the Mexican American ‘emerging issues’
1968 Henry Cisneros, then Mayor of San Antonio, community had greater success in mobilizing of immigration
Texas, cited Mexican leader Benito Juarez as a model and voting rights
for Mexican Americans in their fight for contemporary
constituents than did other ethnic groups in the
were of concern
civil rights. And every year, Mexican Americans United States.
to the
celebrate Cinco de Mayo as fervently as many Irish community.
American people embrace St. Patrick’s Day (both A ( ) B ( ) C( ) D ( ) E ( ) Choice D is the
are major holidays in the countries of origin), with 10. Which of the following types of ethnic best literal
both holidays having been reinvented in the context of cultural expressions is discussed in the passage? interpretation of
the United States and linked to ideals, symbols, and this information.
heroes of the United States. (A) The retelling of traditional narratives Choice C, a
(B) The wearing of traditional clothing tempting choice
(C) The playing of traditional music for test takers, is
not good because
(D) The celebration of traditional holidays
the use of the
(E) The preparation of traditional cuisine word
‘renaissance’ is
A ( ) B ( ) C( ) D ( ) E ( ) not supported by
any information
stated in the
context of
Mexican
community .
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Two divergent definitions have dominated

sociologists’ discussions of the nature of ethnicity.
The first emphasizes the primordial and unchanging 11. The information in the passage supports
character of ethnicity. In this view, people have an which of the following statements about
essential need for belonging that is satisfied by many European ethnic groups in
membership in groups based on shared ancestry and the nineteenth-century United
culture. A different conception of ethnicity de-
emphasizes the cultural component and defines ethnic States?
groups as interest groups. In this view, ethnicity serves
as a way of mobilizing a certain population behind (A) They emphasized economic interests as a
issues relating to its economic position. While both of way of mobilizing constituents behind certain
these definitions are useful, neither fully captures the issues.
dynamic and changing aspects of ethnicity in the (B) They conceived of their own ethnicity as
United States. Rather, ethnicity is more satisfactorily being primordial in nature.
conceived of as a process in which preexisting (C) They created cultural traditions that fused
communal bonds and common cultural attributes are
United States symbols with those of their
adapted for instrumental purposes according to
changing real life situations. countries of origin.
(D) They de-emphasized the cultural component
One example of the process is the rise of of their communities in favor of political
participation by Native American people in the interests.
broader United States political system since the Civil (E) They organized formal community groups
Rights movement of the 1960’s. Besides leading designed to promote a renaissance of ethnic
Native Americans to participate more actively in history and culture.
politics (the number of Native American legislative
officeholders more than doubled), this movement also
A ( ) B ( ) C( ) D ( ) E ( )
evoked increased interest in tribal history and
traditional culture. Cultural and instrumental
components of ethnicity are not mutually exclusive, 12. The passage suggests that in 1968 Henry Henry
but rather reinforce one another. Cisneros most likely believed Cisneros
that believed that
The Civil Rights movement also brought Benito Juarez
changes in the uses to which ethnicity was put by (A) many Mexican Americans would respond was a
Mexican American people. In the 1960’s, Mexican positively to the example of Benito Juarez. MODEL or a
Americans formed community-based political groups (B) many Mexican Americans were positive
that emphasized ancestral heritage as a way of
insufficiently educated in Mexican history. example for
mobilizing constituents. Such emerging issues as
immigration and voting rights gave Mexican (C) the fight for civil rights in the United States the Mexican
American advocacy groups the means by which to had many strong parallels in both Mexican and Americans.
promote ethnic solidarity. Like European ethnic Irish history. Choice A is
groups in the nineteenth-century United States, late (D) the quickest way of organizing community- the best and
twentieth-century Mexican American leaders based groups was to emulate the tactics of Benito literal
combined ethnic with contemporary civic symbols. In Juarez. interpretation
1968 Henry Cisneros, then Mayor of San Antonio, (E) Mexican Americans should emulate the of this
Texas, cited Mexican leader Benito Juarez as a strategies of Native American political leaders. information.
model for Mexican Americans in their fight for
contemporary civil rights. And every year, Mexican
Americans celebrate Cinco de Mayo as fervently as A ( ) B ( ) C( ) D ( ) E ( )
many Irish American people embrace St. Patrick’s
Day (both are major holidays in the countries of
origin), with both holidays having been reinvented in
the context of the United States and linked to ideals,
symbols, and heroes of the United States.

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The fact that superior service can Choice B is the

generate a competitive advantage for a company best answer
does not mean that every attempt at improving
13. The primary purpose of the passage is to capturing the
service will create such an advantage.
essence of the
Investments in service, like passage and
those in production and (A) contrast possible outcomes of a type of
business investment. stating the main
distribution, must be
(B) suggest more careful evaluation of a type of purpose of the
balanced against other types
business investment. passage. The
of investments on the basis of
(C) illustrate various ways in which a type of author cautions
direct, tangible benefits such
business investment could fail to enhance against
as cost reduction and
revenues. investment in
increased revenues. If a company is
(D) trace the general problems of a company to service
already effectively on a par with its competitors
a certain type of business investment. enhancement if
because it provides service that avoids a
(E) criticize the way in which managers tend to a company
damaging reputation and keeps customers from
analyze the costs and benefits of business already
leaving at an unacceptable rate, then investment
investments. effectively on a
in higher service levels may be wasted, since
par with its
service is a deciding factor for customers only in
A ( ) B ( ) C( ) D ( ) E ( ) competitors.
extreme situations.

This truth was not apparent to 14. According to the passage, investments in
managers of one regional bank, which failed to service are comparable to investments in Our anchor
improve its competitive position despite its production and distribution in terms of the phrase lookup
investment in reducing the time a customer had reads that
to wait for a teller. The bank managers did not (A) tangibility of benefits that they tend to investment in
recognize the level of customer inertia in the produce. service must be
consumer banking industry that arises from the (B) increased revenues that they ultimately balanced or
inconvenience of switching banks. Nor did they produce. weighed
analyze their service improvement to determine (C) basis on which they need to be weighed against other
whether it would attract new customers by (D) insufficient analysis that managers devote to types of
producing a new standard of service that would them investments on
excite customers or by proving difficult for (E) degree of competitive advantage that they the BASIS of
competitors to copy. The only merit of the are likely to provide. tangible
improvement was that it could be easily benefits.
described to the customers. A ( ) B ( ) C( ) D ( ) E ( ) Choice C is the
best answer
15. The passage suggests which of the that is
Our anchor phrase lookup reveals that the truth that if a
following about service provided by the consistent with
company is effectively on a par with other players in
the market because it is able to retain customers and to regional bank prior to its investment in this statement
provide service that avoids damaging reputation, it will enhancing that service ? in the passage.
not benefit from investment in service enhancement. Choice A, a
The reference is that the bank failed to improve its (A) It enabled the bank to retain customers at an very tempting
competitive position despite investment in service acceptable rate. choice, uses the
improvement. Our inference is that the bank was on a (B) It threatened to weaken the bank’s cute phrase
par with its competitors and was able to retain ‘tangible
competitive position with respect to other
customers and to provide reputable service. Choice A benefits’. Also,
is the best answer consistent with this interpretation. regional banks.
(C) It had already been improved after having NEVER pick
caused damage to the bank’s reputation in the an answer
past. choice that
(D) It was slightly superior to that of the bank’s converts an
regional competitors. adjective to a
noun (tangible
to tangibility)

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(E) It needed to be improved to attain parity
with the service provided by competing banks.

A ( ) B ( ) C( ) D ( ) E ( )

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The fact that superior service can generate a

competitive advantage for a company does not 16. The passage suggests that bank managers Pay attention to
mean that every attempt at improving service failed to consider whether or not the the VERB used
service improvement mentioned in the second in the question
will create such an advantage. Investments in stem. The
service, like those in production and distribution, paragraph question is about
must be balanced against other types of what the
investments on the basis of direct, tangible (A) was too complicated to be easily described managers failed
benefits such as cost reduction and increased to the prospective customers. to consider or
revenues. If a company is already effectively on (B) made a measurable change in the experience analyze. Our look
a par with its competitors because it provides of customers in the bank’s offices. up reveals that
service that avoids a damaging reputation and (C) could be sustained if the number of the managers
keeps customers from leaving at an unacceptable customers increased significantly. failed to analyze
(D) was an innovation that competing banks whether what
rate, then investment in higher service levels they did could be
may be wasted, since service is a deciding factor could have imitated
copied by
for customers only in extreme situations. (E) was adequate to bring the bank’s general competitors or
level of service to a level that was comparable would excite
This truth was not apparent to managers with that of its competitors. customers.
of one regional bank, which failed to improve its Choice D is the
competitive position despite its investment in A ( ) B ( ) C( ) D ( ) E ( ) best answer
reducing the time a customer had to wait for a consistent with
teller. The bank managers did not recognize the 17. The discussion of the regional bank in the this explicitly
second paragraph serves which of the following stated
level of customer inertia in the consumer
information.
banking industry that arises from the functions within the passage as a whole?
Choice B, a
inconvenience of switching banks. Nor did they tempting choice
analyze their service improvement to (A) It describes an exceptional case in which for many a test
determine whether it would attract new investment in service actually failed to produce a taker, is not good
customers by producing a new standard of competitive advantage. because we
service that would excite customers or by (B) It illustrates the pitfalls of choosing to cannot interpret
proving difficult for invest in service at a time when investment is ‘exciting
competitors to copy. The only merit needed more urgently in another area. customers’ to
(C) It demonstrates the kind of analysis that mean ‘making a
of the improvement was that it could be easily measurable
described to the customers. managers apply when they choose one kind of
change in the
service investment over another. experience’.
(D) It supports the argument that investments in Excitement is an
certain aspects of service are more advantageous immeasurable
than investments in other aspects of service. feeling, and the
(E) It provides an example of the point about reference to
investment in service made in the first paragraph. ‘measurable
change’ in choice
A ( ) B ( ) C( ) D ( ) E ( ) B is not
appropriate.
The bank is an example to show the validity of the central idea
described in the first paragraph. Choice E is the best answer.
Choice A is not good because it is not an exceptional case. It
seems to be the norm. Pay attention to the words used in answer
choices, and make sure that the wording is appropriate.

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The fact that superior service can generate a

competitive advantage for a company does not
mean that every attempt at improving service
will create such an advantage. Investments in
service, like those in production and distribution,
must be balanced against other types of 18. The author uses the word “only” in the last
sentence of the second paragraph most likely in The tone is one
investments on the basis of direct, tangible of minimizing
benefits such as cost reduction and increased order to
tone. The way
revenues. If a company is already effectively on the statement is
a par with its competitors because it provides (A) highlight the oddity of the service
improvement. Í Never pick an answer choice made, it seems
service that avoids a damaging reputation and
that converts an adjective to a noun using the to suggest that
keeps customers from leaving at an unacceptable the investment
rate, then investment in higher service levels ‘ity’ form. (odd is changed to oddity)
(B) emphasize the relatively low value of the did not produce
may be wasted, since service is a deciding factor a great deal of
for customers only in extreme situations. investment in service improvement.
benefit or did
(C) distinguish the primary attribute of the
produce some
This truth was not apparent to managers service improvement from secondary attributes.
(D) single out a certain merit of the service trivial benefit.
of one regional bank, which failed to improve its Choice B is the
competitive position despite its investment in improvement from other merits.
(E) point out the limited duration of the actual best answer.
reducing the time a customer had to wait for a Choice A uses
teller. The bank managers did not recognize the service improvement.
the noun form
level of customer inertia in the consumer
A ( ) B ( ) C( ) D ( ) E ( ) of the adjective
banking industry that arises from the
odd. Also,
inconvenience of switching banks. Nor did they oddity means a
analyze their service improvement to determine strange thing.
whether it would attract new customers by Take words
producing a new standard of service that would literally and see
excite customers or by proving difficult for whether they
competitors to copy. The only merit of the How long did you take to complete this
make sense. Do
improvement was that it could be easily section? Minutes
not go through
described to the customers. the motions of
picking answer
choices. Your
ability to
critically
analyze words
for their
appropriateness
is what is tested
in this section.

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