Question

The gold price is the highest for 10 years, except May 2000, when the South African gold miners went on strike. A. except B. but for C. apart from D. besides E. aside from

Short answer

A. except

Step-by-step solution

- Understand the Sentence Context

Read the sentence carefully. It mentions that the gold price is the highest for 10 years, with an exception mentioned for May 2000 due to an event (the South African gold miners' strike).

- Analyze the Options

Consider each of the provided options (A to E) and see how they fit into the sentence contextually: A. except B. but for C. apart from D. besides E. aside from

- Check Meanings and Suitability

Evaluate each option: - A. 'except' implies exclusion, which fits the context as May 2000 is an exception. - B. 'but for' suggests a similar sense but is less commonly used in this context. - C. 'apart from' implies separation and fits the context. - D. 'besides' suggests addition rather than exclusion. - E. 'aside from' also implies exclusion and fits the context.

- Choose the Best Answer

'Except' is the most succinct and commonly used word to indicate an exception in this context. Therefore, A. 'except' is the best choice.

Key concepts

GMAT preparation

Preparing for the GMAT requires a strategic approach. It's essential to understand both the content and the format of the test. Focus on sections such as Quantitative, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning. Sentence correction questions, like the one in the given exercise, are part of the Verbal section.

• Start with a diagnostic test to identify your strengths and weaknesses.
• Develop a study plan that allocates more time to your weaker areas.
• Use official GMAT preparation materials to familiarize yourself with question types.
• Take regular practice tests to gauge your progress and adjust your study plan accordingly.

Consistently practicing sentence corrections will enhance your grammar and usage skills, critical for scoring high in the Verbal section.

sentence structure

Understanding sentence structure is crucial for sentence correction problems. A well-structured sentence has a clear subject, verb, and object.
In the example sentence from the exercise, analyze how words and phrases relate to each other. The main subject is 'The gold price,' and the verb is 'is.'

• Ensure that modifiers are correctly placed to avoid confusion.
• Watch for common errors such as misplaced modifiers, parallelism issues, and subject-verb agreement.

For instance, the phrase 'except May 2000' is a modifier indicating a specific exception. It should be placed close to what it modifies for clarity.
Practicing with various sentence structures will help you identify and correct errors efficiently.

contextual understanding

Contextual understanding is key to choosing the correct answer in sentence correction.
Consider the context in which words are used to make sure they make the intended meaning clear. In this exercise, the context revolves around the gold price being the highest in 10 years, with May 2000 being an exception because of the South African gold miners' strike.

• Always read the entire sentence carefully to grasp the context.
• Identify the main idea and how each part of the sentence contributes to it.

Here, understanding why May 2000 is an exception helps in choosing the correct word, 'except,' which fits the context by excluding that specific instance from the general statement.

vocabulary usage

Vocabulary usage plays a significant role in sentence correction questions on the GMAT.
A robust vocabulary helps in understanding subtle differences between words that might seem similar but have different implications. In this exercise:

• 'except' implies exclusion, making it a straightforward choice for indicating exceptions.
• 'but for' also suggests exclusion but is less commonly used in such contexts.
• 'apart from' indicates separation and can fit but is not as precise.
• 'besides' suggests an addition rather than an exclusion, which could confuse the meaning.
• 'aside from' indicates exclusion similar to 'except' but is less succinct.

Regularly increasing your vocabulary can aid in making more nuanced choices, thereby selecting the best fit for the sentence.