Quantitative, And Verbal Test Sections

501 GMAT Questions3. The following is an excerpt from a memo written by the head of agovernmental department:Organizations should attempt to remove the large number ofpositions and salary levels that categorize employees by skill andexperience, because a flat structure is more likely to foster acongenial working environment within the company.Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In yourdiscussion be sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use ofevidence in the argument. For example, you may need to considerwhat questionable assumptions underlie the thinking and whatalternative explanations or counterexamples might weaken theconclusion. You can also discuss what sort of evidence wouldstrengthen or refute the argument, what changes in the argumentwould make it more logically sound, and what, if anything, wouldhelp you better evaluate its conclusion.4. The following appeared in the editorial section of a collegenewspaper:In a world of ever-changing economic climates, it seems clear theglobal impact of a nation should be weighed by its artistic andscientific accomplishments rather than its accomplishments inbusiness and economic progress.Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In yourdiscussion be sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use ofevidence in the argument. For example, you may need to considerwhat questionable assumptions underlie the thinking and whatalternative explanations or counterexamples might weaken theconclusion. You can also discuss what sort of evidence wouldstrengthen or refute the argument, what changes in the argumentwould make it more logically sound, and what, if anything, wouldhelp you better evaluate its conclusion.8

501 GMAT Questions5. The following appeared in a blog about education:In order to maximize students’ potential, educators should createan atmosphere of freedom and spontaneity in a learningenvironment, rather than maintain a highly structuredenvironment that emphasizes discipline, punctuality, and routine.Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In yourdiscussion be sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use ofevidence in the argument. For example, you may need to considerwhat questionable assumptions underlie the thinking and whatalternative explanations or counterexamples might weaken theconclusion. You can also discuss what sort of evidence wouldstrengthen or refute the argument, what changes in the argumentwould make it more logically sound, and what, if anything, wouldhelp you better evaluate its conclusion.6. The following appeared as part of an article in a trade magazine:Because there are already so many personal distractions to be hadat work, such as Facebook and texting, employees should keeptheir private lives and personal activities as separate as possiblefrom the workplace. In this way, an employee can focus on workand little else.Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In yourdiscussion be sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use ofevidence in the argument. For example, you may need to considerwhat questionable assumptions underlie the thinking and whatalternative explanations or counterexamples might weaken theconclusion. You can also discuss what sort of evidence wouldstrengthen or refute the argument, what changes in the argumentwould make it more logically sound, and what, if anything, wouldhelp you better evaluate its conclusion.9

501 GMAT Questions7. The following appeared in a research paper written for anintroductory economics course:Competition in the marketplace is beneficial to businesses becauseit inspires changes and improvements to the status quo. Businessesthat are ill-equipped to compete in a bustling market will notlikely last very long. The true mettle of a company and its productand services is tested within the open market.Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In yourdiscussion be sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use ofevidence in the argument. For example, you may need to considerwhat questionable assumptions underlie the thinking and whatalternative explanations or counterexamples might weaken theconclusion. You can also discuss what sort of evidence wouldstrengthen or refute the argument, what changes in the argumentwould make it more logically sound, and what, if anything, wouldhelp you better evaluate its conclusion.8. The following appeared in the opinion column of a financialmagazine:These are times in which people find themselves strapped for cashwhile working multiple jobs or unemployed with little notice. Theaverage job listed online or in local classifieds can sometimes haveup to seventy applicants, if not more. With this in mind, theupcoming crop of soon-to-be college graduates should considerfinancial compensation as the main factor in deciding on a careerpath.Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In yourdiscussion be sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use ofevidence in the argument. For example, you may need to considerwhat questionable assumptions underlie the thinking and whatalternative explanations or counterexamples might weaken theconclusion. You can also discuss what sort of evidence wouldstrengthen or refute the argument, what changes in the argumentwould make it more logically sound, and what, if anything, wouldhelp you better evaluate its conclusion.10

501 GMAT Questions9. The following appeared in the media section of a magazine ontrends and lifestyles:Because there is such a range of diverse cultures that make up theworld, the degree of censorship for improper content and languagein arts and entertainment media varies in different countries.Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In yourdiscussion be sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use ofevidence in the argument. For example, you may need to considerwhat questionable assumptions underlie the thinking and whatalternative explanations or counterexamples might weaken theconclusion. You can also discuss what sort of evidence wouldstrengthen or refute the argument, what changes in the argumentwould make it more logically sound, and what, if anything, wouldhelp you better evaluate its conclusion.10. The following appeared in an article in a consumer productsmagazine:When considering an array of advertising from a smattering ofdifferent cultures from around the globe, one thing appears true:the ideas of a nation become clear when observing its advertisements. All aspects of a nation’s advertisements draw together topaint a cultural story that moves with the population.Explain what you think this quotation means and discuss how trueor false it may be. Develop your argument with reasons and/orspecific examples drawn from history, current events, or your ownexperience, observation, or reading.11

501 GMAT QuestionsAnswers—Set 1Each sample essay below represents a score-6 response.1. This statement, a powerful business tycoon is in a better position toinfluence the destiny of a society or nation than any political leader orgovernment official, has a good deal of truth to it, but it should benoted that a powerful business tycoon can easily influencepoliticians to do what is in their interests as well. It is well-knownthat lobbyists, who work in the interests of powerful businesses,have a major influence on policy in Washington. Business tycoons,and corporations, also have the power to greatly influenceelections with their money by funding campaigns, buying airtime,and producing ads to achieve their personal ends. Furthermore,tycoons and corporations can influence the destiny of a nationby developing media and products that change the way peopledo things.Lobbyists are influential people who work for powerfulcompanies, or groups of companies, to secure their interests inWashington. Lobbyists will often spend millions to influencepoliticians regarding legislation and the positions they take oncertain issues. While the actual tycoons are not out there meetingdirectly with politicians, their lobbyists are doing this work forthem. Lobbyists’ influence on legislation is far more profound thanmost citizens realize.Another way that tycoons and corporations with largeamounts of money can influence the destiny of a nation is throughcampaign contributions. Perhaps one of the most effective ways toinfluence the people’s vote is to control the message sent to thevoting public. Buying airtime and creating campaign press that willinfluence the way people perceive a candidate can change theoutcome of an election, particularly if the tycoon happens to be amedia magnate.On another level, a tycoon or successful corporation caninfluence the destiny of a nation on a basic level—creatingsomething that is integral to the cultural fabric of the nation. Thiscan be anything from pharmaceuticals to media. Two examples ofthis are Dow Chemical and Rupert Murdoch. Dow is an umbrellacompany for most of the creators, researchers, and providers of12

501 GMAT Questionschemical content in everything from cosmetics to pesticides;therefore, its presence in our daily lives is highly pervasive. RupertMurdoch, who owns and operates NewsCorp, is behind Fox NewsChannel, which is available to upward of 102 million homes in theUnited States. It is easy to influence a nation when you are a dailypart of its life.While it is not necessarily a healthy truth, it is a truthnonetheless that tycoons (or otherwise powerful entities) are in abetter position to influence the destiny of a country than anypolitician. They are, in fact, in positions to influence the politiciansthemselves to a great extent, consequently influencing legislationand eventually our everyday lives.2. There are several ways to understand the statement, and not everyangle is favorable or even true. It is not definitive to say that thepeople we remember best are remembered because they broke therules. A great many people in history who are remembered fortheir contributions to society are memorable because theiraccomplishments benefited the masses, regardless of how theyachieved the ends. Also, to remember someone for breaking therules may not be a positive memory, as is the case with infamouscriminals. It might be more honest to say that the people who weremember for changing the game did so by breaking the rules.It is not entirely true that we remember people because theybroke the rules. Many people, like Mother Teresa and Gandhi,built a lifetime of accomplishments by sticking very closely to therules in everything they did. Of course we can think of many, likeSteve Jobs and Rupert Murdoch, who certainly have achievedmonumental success for having done things their way, against thegrain, but it would be incorrect to use them as definitive examples.Additionally, rule breakers whose accomplishments areremembered are not necessarily positive forces in our society.Bernard Madoff would be considered a breaker of rules. He dideverything he wasn’t supposed to do and benefited greatlyfinancially, yet he destroyed the lives of many people and familieswho trusted him. While we may remember him, it isn’t because hedid anything good.Perhaps a more refined way to state the sentiments would beto say that “the people we remember best are the ones who played13

501 GMAT Questionsthe game by their own rules.” Intrinsic in this statement is that theperson in question had an independent mind-set and did not giveup on his or her dreams when things seemed difficult. By bringingto light a person’s individuality rather than insubordination, thisstatement can remain a positive inspiration to others.In sum, it is not a reliable statement to say we rememberthose who broke the rules. To put it this way lends this statementto much interpretation that isn’t necessarily positive or useful. Tosay that we remember those who did things their own way wouldbe more appropriate.3. While the fundamental premise of the argument, that a flat structureis likely to foster a more congenial work atmosphere, may be true, itcould prove disastrous for the organization. Not every position atevery organization requires the same amount of daily hours or thesame skill set from the individual occupying said position. Somepositions may require extensive and specific education, while otherpositions at the same organization may not require any secondaryeducation or training at all. While it might be fair to imply that thedisparity between some people at the very top of the organizationalstructure and the rest of the organization’s employees is unjust,imposing a flat salary structure would be too drastic. Furthermore,to initiate such a drastic policy could end in a mass exodus ofhigher-level employees and spell the end for an organization.To say to an employee with an applicable secondary degreethat he or she will now be compensated on the same level asanother employee who may lack the same credentials can easily betaken as an insult. Engineers and technicians who work at the sameautomobile factory will have different tasks in their positions. Theymay all be equally important in the grand scope of fabricating acar, but it would be unfair to say that every job at that automobileplant requires the same skill set and experience level. While thepeople who design the cars, the people who test the cars, and thepeople who build the cars are all working toward the same end,they have committed to their craft on different levels. Also,different employees in the same position may have varying degreesof experience as well as education.Another reason why it would be a bad business plan to changean existing salary structure to a flat rate is that the change would14

501 GMAT Questionshave far too drastic an impact on some employees’ finances. Oncea person has become accustomed to living with certain means, orsalary, it is very difficult to change that salary without causing theemployee great stress. Imagine living on a salary that gets reducedby a third or even a quarter: Some sacrifices must be grudginglymade to adapt. A disgruntled employee is rarely a productiveemployee.Lastly, when you have a business full of top employees whoare undervalued, you risk a mass exodus of prime employees. Ofcourse, there will be a great many employees on the lower scalewho will be happy, but one must consider whether these employeesare more vital than the ones whose pay will be reduced. Once allthe people who design or create your automobiles have left theorganization, you would have to start from the bottom to rebuild.This could quickly end up costing the company far more than itever hoped to save from changing its salary structure.To be fair, all employees at any organization should be paidwith considerable generosity to maintain a healthy work environment. People do not generally work hard when they feelundervalued, and the same goes for the employees who work at thevery top of the salary, and position, pyramid.4. It is impossible to judge the value of a nation solely on its contribu-tions to the arts and sciences. Historically, it is the impact of variousfactors within a society that shape the standard of living of a nation.Business and economic progress set the stage for success in arts andsciences research and accomplishments. A healthy economy andglobal business engagement can only increase the internal wealthand infrastructure of a country, which can advance a nation in itscultural accomplishments.To assert that only artistic and scientific accomplishments candefine a nation’s worth is heavily one-sided. While the massivetotem heads found on Easter Island are largely considered amagnificent accomplishment in art and sculpture, is it fair to saythat this Pacific island nation should be valued as a most accomplished nation? A tribal nation that lacked the infrastructure toprosper as a first world country should hardly be in the samecategory as, say, Italy for its respective achievements in art. It is anincongruous comparison at best.15

501 GMAT QuestionsIn most countries where the economy is growing, people tendto have more formal education. This is in large part because agrowing economy requires all sorts of people in varying professions to be successful in their pursuits. These pursuits can beexporting and importing goods, creating software, or telecommunications. Businesses that engage with the economies of othernations also open the door to other cultures, and therefore increasea nation’s understanding of the world and humanity.Furthermore, a robust economy creates a heartier cash flowfor a nation’s citizens. When food and shelter are stable, it enablesa society to pursue more intellectual fields and consequentlydevelop ideas and research in the arts and sciences. Countries thathave a high or competitive GDP also tend to be countries withhighly educated citizens and a high percentage of people withsecondary degrees. This type of intellectual slant on society createsthe right environment for success and accomplishment in the artsand sciences.So, you see it would be folly to sum up a nation’s value relyingonly on a tally of accomplishments in the arts and sciences. Whileachievements in the arts and sciences are a good indicator of anation’s cultural progress, they are by no means an overallillustration of standards. A better method of calculating anation’s value would be to consider all accomplishments in thearts and sciences as well as its economic progress and businessachievements.5. People learn in many different ways and find inspiration in avariety of environments. Some students require the structure anddiscipline of a routine-heavy system of learning, while others mayshut down in this environment. Conversely, a learningenvironment with little restrictions and an inclination towardcreativity and spontaneity may be very inspiring to some, butothers may need help focusing on tasks and topics. The latter is amethod that can surely inspire advanced thinking, but eithermethod could easily alienate either type of learner.While a free-learning environment would be the mostinspiring, for some students it is a challenge to remain focused on atask for an extended period of time. A significant portion ofstudents in today’s classrooms could potentially be classified within16

501 GMAT Questionsa wide range of learning disabilities. These disabilities could beeasily treated with medication, or by creating the boundaries of aneffective routine. For students like these, a free-learning environment may pose a challenge or even a threat. While some studentswill thrive in a free-learning environment, others will unfortunately become aliena

501 GMAT Questions will familiarize you with the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT ) and its format. When you take the test, remember that the GMAT is a computer adap-tive test (CAT), which means that as you answer each question, a harder question or an eas