Practice GMAT Sentence Correction Question

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As tensions rose in the days leading up to the President’s re-election bid, one hostile commentator who decried the President’s controversial war policies exclaimed: "If I was the President, I would be ashamed of myself and also resign immediately." Ironically, this actually emboldened the President’s allies.
Correct Answer: B

There are two issues in this question.

(1) Since the phrase in quotes is not actually true but is instead expressing a wish or desire for the future, the subjunctive mood should be used. Consequently, if I were should replace if I was

(2) The word also is unnecessary as it is redundant and impairs parallelism: I would be ashamed...and also [I would] resign should be replaced by I would be ashamed...and [I would] resign

  1. the phrase is not in the subjunctive mood as it should be; the word also should be removed
  2. the phrase is in the subjunctive mood as it should be; the word also has been removed
  3. the phrase is not in the subjunctive mood as it should be
  4. the word also should be removed; the second would is not necessary as it is implied and understood from the first would since what follows the first would is a list
  5. the phrase is not in the subjunctive mood as it should be; the second would is not necessary as it is implied and understood from the first would since what follows the first would is a list

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