VA Guide for CAT 2008

[Topgear]

Originally Posted by eric.segal1

Since the 1930’s aircraft manufacturers have tried to build airplanes with frictionless wings, shaped so smoothly and perfectly that the air passing over them would not become turbulent.
(A) wings, shaped so smoothly and perfectly
(B) wings, wings so smooth and so perfectly shaped
(C) wings that are shaped so smooth and perfect
(D) wings, shaped in such a smooth and perfect manner
(E) wings, wings having been shaped smoothly and perfectly so

I think its (D)

[Topgear]

Originally Posted by eric.segal1

Some analysts contend that true capitalism exists only when the ownership of both property and the means of production is regarded as an inalienable right of an individual’s, and it is not a license granted by government and revokable at whim.
(A) is regarded as an inalienable right of an individual’s, and it is not
(B) are regarded as individuals’ inalienable rights, and that it not be
(C) is regarded as an individual’s inalienable right, not as
(D) are regarded as an individual’s inalienable rights, not when they are
(E) is regarded as the inalienable rights of an individual, not when it

I think its (C) because :

E - not correct since mismatch of is(singluar) and rights(plural)
D - too wordy, diff.. not that precise
B - "that" not needed..
A - not correct..

------------------------------------------

Waiting for the answers..

[The River Card]

Originally Posted by Topgear

Similar to rising interest rates, consumer and producer prices have been rising.
(A) Similar to rising interest rates, consumer and producer prices have been rising.
(B) Consumer and producer prices have been rising, as have interest rates.
(C) As interest rates are rising, so have consumer and producer prices.
(D) Consumer and producer prices have been rising, like interest rates do.
(E) Consumer and producer prices, as interest rates, have been rising.

My take : E

Answer - B

A) comparison is incorrect, also no parallel clauses
B) correct
C) no parallelism
D) Phrases/clauses are compared using "like"
E) subjects/nouns are compared using "as"

General rule is "As" is used to compare phrases and "like" nouns/subjects.

[Topgear]

Originally Posted by eric.segal1

1. Students in the metropolitan school district lack math skills to such a large degree as to make it difficult to absorb them into a city economy becoming ever more dependent on information-based industries.
(A) lack math skills to such a large degree as to make it difficult to absorb them into a city economy becoming
(B) lack math skills to a large enough degree that they will be difficult to absorb into a city’s economy that becomes
(C) lack of math skills is so large as to be difficult to absorb them into a city’s economy that becomes
(D) are lacking so much in math skills as to be difficult to absorb into a city’s economy becoming
(E) are so lacking in math skills that it will be difficult to absorb them into a city economy becoming

My take (E) ..

rest all the places don't use "as" in right sense..

[Topgear]

Originally Posted by devils_own

Ok..Try this:

By installing special electric pumps, farmers’ houses could be heated by the warmth from cows’ milk, according to one agricultural engineer.
(A) farmers’ houses could be heated by the warmth from cows’ milk, according to one agricultural engineer
(B) the warmth from cows’ milk could be used by farmers to heat their houses, according to one agricultural engineer
(C) one agricultural engineer reports that farmers could use the warmth from cows’ milk to heat their houses
(D) farmers, according to one agricultural engineer, could use the warmth from cows’ milk to heat their houses
(E) one agricultural engineer reports that farmers’ houses could be heated by the warmth from cows’ milk

My take is (B)

[Topgear]

Originally Posted by eric.segal1

Studies show that young people with higher-than-average blood pressure and their families have a history of high blood pressure are more likely than others to develop a severe form of the condition.
(A) and their families have a history of high blood pressure
(B) whose families have a history of high blood pressure
(C) and a history of high blood pressure runs in the family
(D) whose families have a history of high blood pressure running in them
(E) with a history of high blood pressure running in their family

the answer given is B
i reckon E
can someone throw some light?

How can Blood pressure run.. Blood runs.. not the pressure..

[Topgear]

Originally Posted by eric.segal1

1. Teratomas are unusual forms of cancer because they are composed of tissues such as tooth and bone not normally found in the organ in which the tumor appears.
(A) because they are composed of tissues such as tooth and bone
(B) because they are composed of tissues like tooth and bone that are
(C) because they are composed of tissues, like tooth and bone, tissues
(D) in that their composition, tissues such as tooth and bone, is
(E) in that they are composed of tissues such as tooth and bone, tissues

(B) is the answer..

The threads are mixing a lot.. too confusing.. before i scroll to chek my answer i counter a new ques.. and find answer somewhere else..

[Dream08]

Originally Posted by devils_own

Ok..Try this:

By installing special electric pumps, farmers’ houses could be heated by the warmth from cows’ milk, according to one agricultural engineer.
(A) farmers’ houses could be heated by the warmth from cows’ milk, according to one agricultural engineer
(B) the warmth from cows’ milk could be used by farmers to heat their houses, according to one agricultural engineer
(C) one agricultural engineer reports that farmers could use the warmth from cows’ milk to heat their houses
(D) farmers, according to one agricultural engineer, could use the warmth from cows’ milk to heat their houses
(E) one agricultural engineer reports that farmers’ houses could be heated by the warmth from cows’ milk

My take is D. Reason given below.

"By installing special electric pumps" - who is going to install the electric pumps? Farmer's house, or one agricultural engineer, or the farmer himself? I pick the farmer. Besides that, active voice is preferred over passive. Hence D.

[Topgear]

Originally Posted by eric.segal1

1. Sulfur dioxide, a major contributor to acid rain, is an especially serious pollutant because it diminishes the respiratory system’s ability to deal with all other pollutants.
(A) an especially serious pollutant because it diminishes the respiratory system’s ability to deal
(B) an especially serious pollutant because of diminishing the respiratory system’s capability of dealing
(C) an especially serious pollutant because it diminishes the capability of the respiratory system in dealing
(D) a specially serious pollutant because it diminishes the capability of the respiratory system to deal
(E) a specially serious pollutant because of diminishing the respiratory system’s ability to deal

My take :

(D)

[Dream08]

Originally Posted by eric.segal1

1. Teratomas are unusual forms of cancer because they are composed of tissues such as tooth and bone not normally found in the organ in which the tumor appears.
(A) because they are composed of tissues such as tooth and bone
(B) because they are composed of tissues like tooth and bone that are
(C) because they are composed of tissues, like tooth and bone, tissues
(D) in that their composition, tissues such as tooth and bone, is
(E) in that they are composed of tissues such as tooth and bone, tissues

A bit confused about B and C. "like" seems to be right as "Teratomas" can not be actually made of tooth and bone but tissues like tooth and bone(Dont think tooth or bone is tissue). This left with only B and C. Will go with B seems more clear than C.

B