GMAT Verbal Questions | Sentence Correction #8

This GMAT verbal question is a sentence correction question testing your understanding of Word Usage, Intent, and Meaning. It is a medium difficulty GMAT SC practice question.

Question 8: It is ironic that while the word “perfect” is considered to be the highest compliment possible, calling someone a “perfectionist” is perceived by many as anything but.

1. considered to be the highest compliment possible, calling someone a “perfectionist” is perceived by many as anything but
2. considered the highest possible compliment, calling someone a “perfectionist” is perceived by many as anything but
3. considered as the highest compliment that is possible, calling a person “a perfectionist” is perceived as nothing much by many
4. considered the highest compliment possible, calling a person “a perfectionist” is perceived as anything but by many
5. considered the highest possible compliment, calling someone “a perfectionist” is perceived by many as nothing much

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Video Explanation

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Explanatory Answer

Step 1 of solving this GMAT Sentence Correction Question: Identify What is Tested

Look for differences across the answer options to identify what is being tested in the sentence. Do a quick vertical scan of the answer options to get a handle on what is tested.

• Some of the options use the word “someone” and some use “a person”.

• The placement of words"possible" and "compliment" varies across the options.

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Step 2 of solving this Sentence Correction Practice Question: Understand the Sentence

• The sentence is comparing the perception of people to the words “perfect” and “perfectionist”.

• The word “considered” does not take a preposition after it. “Considered as” and “considered to be” are incorrect constructions.

• The intent of the sentence is that calling someone a perfectionist is perceived as something negative. The correct construction would therefore be “anything but” and not “nothing much”.

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Step 3: Process of Elimination

• Options (A) can be eliminated for using “considered to be”.

• Options (C) can be eliminated for using "considered as".

• “nothing much” implies “nothing of significance”. Option (E) can be eliminated as well.

• Who has the perception? “many” people. “perceived by many” is the correct ordering of the information. Also, “possible” refers to the compliment and should be placed before the word. “Highest possible compliment” is the right usage. Option (D) can be eliminated.

Choice B is the correct answer.