GMAT Sentence Correction Discussions

calendar · August 21, 2008, 10:43am

If u consider options C and A,

(A) While the owner of a condominium apartment has free and clear title to the dwelling,

which dwelling??

(C) Whereas owners of condominium apartments have free and clear title to their dwellings,

we know which dwelling , in this case.

Also the issue being tested here is the comparison between owner and owners.
You should compare owners against owners

Hi Ashwath,
I was also thinking for C, but decided to go with A. for the reason the owners should be compared with owners.
but I thought "whereas", when connecting two clauses, should be used with the second clause...
The owner of a condominium apartment has free and clear title to the dwelling, whereas owners of cooperative apartments have shares in a corporation that owns a building and leases apartments to them.

Can you please correct me?

ashishjha100 · August 21, 2008, 11:10am

1.By merging its two publishing divisions, the company will increase their share of the countrys $21 billion book market from 6 percent to 10 percent, a market ranging from obscure textbooks to mass-market paperbacks.

their share of the countrys $21 billion book market from 6 percent to 10 percent, a market ranging
from 6 percent to 10 percent its share of the $21 billion book market in the country, which ranges
to 10 percent from 6 percent in their share of the $21 billion book market in the country, a market ranging
in its share, from 6 percent to 10 percent, of the $21 billion book market in the country, which ranges
to 10 percent from 6 percent its share of the countrys $21 billion book market, which ranges

2.The 32 species that make up the dolphin family are closely related to whales and in fact include the animal known as the killer whale, which can grow to be 30 feet long and is famous for its aggressive hunting pods.

include the animal known as the killer whale, which can grow to be 30 feet long and is
include the animal known as the killer whale, growing as big as 30 feet long and
include the animal known as the killer whale, growing up to 30 feet long and being
include the animal known as the killer whale, which can grow as big as 30 feet long and is
include the animal known as the killer whale, which can grow to be 30 feet long and it is

why not C?

3.Past assessments of the Brazilian rain forest have used satellite images to tally deforested areas, where farmers and ranchers have clear-cut and burned all the trees, but such work has not addressed either logging, which is the removal of only selected trees, as well as surface fires, burning down individual trees but do not denude the forest.

which is the removal of only selected trees, as well as surface fires, burning
which removes only selected trees, or surface fires that burn
which removes only selected trees, along with surface fires that burn
removing only selected trees, or surface fires, burning
removing only selected trees, as well as surface fires that burn

4.To develop more accurate population forecasts, demographers have to know a great deal more than now about the social and economic determinants of fertility.

have to know a great deal more than now about the social and economic
have to know a great deal more than they do now about the social and economical
would have to know a great deal more than they do now about the social and economical
would have to know a great deal more than they do now about the social and economic
would have to know a great deal more than now about the social and economical

5.Retail sales rose 8/10 of 1 percent in August, intensifying expectations that personal spending in the July-September quarter more than doubled that of the 1.4 percent growth rate in personal spending for the previous quarter.

that personal spending in the July-September quarter more than doubled that of
that personal spending in the July-September quarter would more than double
of personal spending in the July-September quarter, that it more than doubled
of personal spending in the July-September quarter, more than doubling that of
of personal spending in the July-September quarter, that it would more than double that of

calendar · August 21, 2008, 11:21am

1.By merging its two publishing divisions, the company will increase their share of the countrys $21 billion book market from 6 percent to 10 percent, a market ranging from obscure textbooks to mass-market paperbacks.

their share of the countrys $21 billion book market from 6 percent to 10 percent, a market ranging
from 6 percent to 10 percent its share of the $21 billion book market in the country, which ranges
to 10 percent from 6 percent in their share of the $21 billion book market in the country, a market ranging
in its share, from 6 percent to 10 percent, of the $21 billion book market in the country, which ranges
to 10 percent from 6 percent its share of the countrys $21 billion book market, which ranges
2.The 32 species that make up the dolphin family are closely related to whales and in fact include the animal known as the killer whale, which can grow to be 30 feet long and is famous for its aggressive hunting pods.

include the animal known as the killer whale, which can grow to be 30 feet long and is
include the animal known as the killer whale, growing as big as 30 feet long and
include the animal known as the killer whale, growing up to 30 feet long and being
include the animal known as the killer whale, which can grow as big as 30 feet long and is
include the animal known as the killer whale, which can grow to be 30 feet long and it is
why not C?

3.Past assessments of the Brazilian rain forest have used satellite images to tally deforested areas, where farmers and ranchers have clear-cut and burned all the trees, but such work has not addressed either logging, which is the removal of only selected trees, as well as surface fires, burning down individual trees but do not denude the forest.

which is the removal of only selected trees, as well as surface fires, burning
which removes only selected trees, or surface fires that burn
which removes only selected trees, along with surface fires that burn
removing only selected trees, or surface fires, burning
removing only selected trees, as well as surface fires that burn
4.To develop more accurate population forecasts, demographers have to know a great deal more than now about the social and economic determinants of fertility.

have to know a great deal more than now about the social and economic
have to know a great deal more than they do now about the social and economical
would have to know a great deal more than they do now about the social and economical
would have to know a great deal more than they do now about the social and economic
would have to know a great deal more than now about the social and economical
5.Retail sales rose 8/10 of 1 percent in August, intensifying expectations that personal spending in the July-September quarter more than doubled that of the 1.4 percent growth rate in personal spending for the previous quarter.

that personal spending in the July-September quarter more than doubled that of
that personal spending in the July-September quarter would more than double
of personal spending in the July-September quarter, that it more than doubled
of personal spending in the July-September quarter, more than doubling that of
of personal spending in the July-September quarter, that it would more than double that of

A, A, D, D, B.
What are the OAs ?

ashwath_bereke · August 21, 2008, 11:29am

Hi Ashwath,
I was also thinking for C, but decided to go with A. for the reason the owners should be compared with owners.
but I thought "whereas", when connecting two clauses, should be used with the second clause...

Can you please correct me?

Calendar,

Whereas clause can also be used at the beginning of a sentence also.We use whereas to show opposition .
Ex:Whereas you have lots of time to do your homework, I have very little time indeed.

Check:
http://esl.about.com/library/grammar/blgr_adverbclauses_opposition.htm

SAT question: How do you use "whereas?"

Puys,

For more SCs : SENTENCE CORRECTION

ashishjha100 · August 21, 2008, 11:32am

A, A, D, D, B.
What are the OAs ?

OAs are
1.E
2.A
3.B
4.E
5.E

calendar · August 21, 2008, 11:50am

1. The board of trustees was pleased to announce that among the speakers chosen for this years seminars there are a number of artists, including one that is an industrial designer.
A. among the speakers chosen for this years seminars there are a number of artists, including one that is an industrial designer.
B. the speakers at this years seminars include a number of artists, one of whom is an industrial designer.
C. the speakers at this years seminars include a number of artists, and one who is an industrial designer.
D. among the speakers at this years seminars there are a number of artists, one who is an industrial designer.
E. Among the speakers at this years seminars are a number of artists, including one which is an industrial designer.

2. Researchers discovered that the failure of legislation passed in 1936 in France to improve the working conditions of bakers was due more to the fear that large conglomerates would gain footholds in small communities than to any inherent problem in the legislation.
A. more to the fear that large conglomerates would gain footholds in small communities than to any
B. to the fear that large conglomerates could gain footholds in small communities than to any
C. because of the fear that large conglomerates could gain footholds in small communities and also because there were
D. more to fearing that large conglomerates could gain footholds in small communities than any
E. because there was more of a fear that large conglomerates could gain footholds in small communities than to any

3. IRS provision 354-B mandates that an S corporation with assets of greater than $200,000 send W-2 forms to their full- and part-time employees on or before January 31.
A. that an S corporation with assets of greater than $200,000 send W-2 forms to their full-and part-time employees
B. an S corporation with assets of greater than $200,000 send W-2 forms to their full- and part-time employees
C. that an S corporation with assets of greater than $200,000 send W-2 forms to its full- and part-time employees
D. an S corporation with assets of greater than $200,000 to send W-2 forms to their full- and part-time employees
E. an S corporation with assets of greater than $200,000 send W-2 forms to its full- and part-time employees

4. Everything offered for sale at the auction, including office furniture, computers, books, and artwork by artists such as Chagall and Picasso, have been appraised by the firm of Bloom and Kapoor.
A. artwork by artists such as Chagall and Picasso, have been appraised
B. artwork by artists like Chagall and Picasso, was assessed
C. artwork by artists including Chagall and Picasso, has been assessed
D. artwork by artists such as Chagall and Picasso, would be assessed
E. artwork by artists like Chagall and Picasso, were assessed

5. Because the population is denser there and the automobile is therefore inefficient as a means of transportation, a commuter rail system serving a given population is usually five times more efficient in a European city than it is in an American city.
A. serving a given population is usually five times more efficient in a European city than it is in an American city
B. serving a given population will usually be five times more efficient if it is placed in a European city instead of an American city
C. will usually be five times more efficient in a European city than one serving a comparable population in an American city
D. in a European city will usually be five times more efficient than will a system serving a comparable population in an American city
E. that is implemented in a European city will usually be five times more efficient than if it is implemented with a comparable population in an American city

calendar · August 21, 2008, 11:55am

OAs are
1.E
2.A
3.B
4.E
5.E

Yes, I understand the answers now.
But its too late.
Thanks for posting

ashishjha100 · August 21, 2008, 12:31pm

Yes, I understand the answers now.
But its too late.
Thanks for posting

Pls post the explanations........

ashishjha100 · August 21, 2008, 12:43pm

OAs are
1.E
2.A
3.B
4.E
5.E

ankitgarg20 Says
My choices would be E, A , B, D , B

Pls provide explanations........

calendar · August 21, 2008, 1:03pm

My answers would be B,B, C,C,D

What are the OAs?

The OAs are B, A, C, C, D.

calendar · August 21, 2008, 1:43pm

ashishjha100 Says
Pls post the explanations........

1.By merging its two publishing divisions, the company will increase their share of the country's $21 billion book market from 6 percent to 10 percent, a market ranging from obscure textbooks to mass-market paperbacks.

* their share of the country's $21 billion book market from 6 percent to 10 percent, a market ranging
* from 6 percent to 10 percent its share of the $21 billion book market in the country, which ranges
* to 10 percent from 6 percent in their share of the $21 billion book market in the country, a market ranging
* in its share, from 6 percent to 10 percent, of the $21 billion book market in the country, which ranges
* to 10 percent from 6 percent its share of the country's $21 billion book market, which ranges

in A and C, their is wrong
in B and D, which ranges points to country
in E, it correctly points to book market

2.The 32 species that make up the dolphin family are closely related to whales and in fact include the animal known as the killer whale, which can grow to be 30 feet long and is famous for its aggressive hunting pods.

* include the animal known as the killer whale, which can grow to be 30 feet long and is
* include the animal known as the killer whale, growing as big as 30 feet long and
* include the animal known as the killer whale, growing up to 30 feet long and being
* include the animal known as the killer whale, which can grow as big as 30 feet long and is
* include the animal known as the killer whale, which can grow to be 30 feet long and it is

In B and C, growing is awkward.
See this example
We dumped all biscuits having fungus.
We dumped all biscuits which had fungus.
Also C uses being which is wordy.
In D, "as big as 30 feet long" is wrong, correct would be "as long as 30 feet"
In E, "it" can refer to dolphin family or killer whale

3.Past assessments of the Brazilian rain forest have used satellite images to tally deforested areas, where farmers and ranchers have clear-cut and burned all the trees, but such work has not addressed either logging, which is the removal of only selected trees, as well as surface fires, burning down individual trees but do not denude the forest.

* which is the removal of only selected trees, as well as surface fires, burning
* which removes only selected trees, or surface fires that burn
* which removes only selected trees, along with surface fires that burn
* removing only selected trees, or surface fires, burning
* removing only selected trees, as well as surface fires that burn

Either should be followed by or, So you can strike out A, C and E.
Between B and D, uses active voice and is more clear.

4.To develop more accurate population forecasts, demographers have to know a great deal more than now about the social and economic determinants of fertility.

* have to know a great deal more than now about the social and economic
* have to know a great deal more than they do now about the social and economical
* would have to know a great deal more than they do now about the social and economical
* would have to know a great deal more than they do now about the social and economic
* would have to know a great deal more than now about the social and economical

I am not sure about this one.
It should be "would have to know" instead of "have to know".
But I am now confused why is "they do now" wrong
I guess because "than they do now about the social and economic determinants of fertility" is awkward.
What do u say?

5.Retail sales rose 8/10 of 1 percent in August, intensifying expectations that personal spending in the July-September quarter more than doubled that of the 1.4 percent growth rate in personal spending for the previous quarter.

* that personal spending in the July-September quarter more than doubled that of
* that personal spending in the July-September quarter would more than double
* of personal spending in the July-September quarter, that it more than doubled
* of personal spending in the July-September quarter, more than doubling that of
* of personal spending in the July-September quarter, that it would more than double that of

Its August end or September start right now.
So expectations for July-September should be in future tense.
hence A, C and D can be ignored.
In B, it seems to mean - personal spending will more than double the growth rate
when it should double the personal spending corresponding to 1.4% growth rate

Its easy to reason when you know the answer. ;)
lolz
where did you get these questions? Really good.

Regards
Calendar

calendar · August 21, 2008, 1:51pm

Usage of their is wrong as it refers to a singular subject company. This rules out options A & C
In options D & B, which refers to country rather than market
A is perfect choice maintaining all the rules of grammar.
Options B & C, omit which and uses a present continuous tense which contradicts with the tone of sentence
Option D has awkward comparison.as big as 30 feet long..
Option E is wrong as it is redundant in the option.

which is required after logging as the phrase following which kind of defines loging. Thus, options D,E ruled out
The use of either in the sentence makes the use of or a correct and unambiguous choice. The either or pair also provides correct meaning to the sentence
Hence,option B
Though I attempted the following two questions wrong, I would try to explain the correct answers.

The correct usage should have would as the sentence is trying to say something about the future which is unknown.Rules out option A & B
social and economical are the correct usages. economic is wrong with the determinants of fertility. Rules out option D
usage of they do is redundant and wordy, ruling out option C

Quite tough for me as I myself am not sure of explanation. I am working backwards for this question.
doubled is wrong as we are talking about expectations and thus cant use past tense.Rules out option A & C
Since we are talking of expectations (future,uncertainity), we need would in the sentence to make sense. Rules out D

Option B is awkward when read in full with the sentence. There is a comparison in the sentence and thus double should be followed by something like of,that of etc

Thanks for explaining Ankit.
Can you also tell why is economic' is wrong with the 'determinants of fertility'.

Thanks

ashishjha100 · August 21, 2008, 2:41pm

1.By merging its two publishing divisions, the company will increase their share of the country's $21 billion book market from 6 percent to 10 percent, a market ranging from obscure textbooks to mass-market paperbacks.

* their share of the country's $21 billion book market from 6 percent to 10 percent, a market ranging
* from 6 percent to 10 percent its share of the $21 billion book market in the country, which ranges
* to 10 percent from 6 percent in their share of the $21 billion book market in the country, a market ranging
* in its share, from 6 percent to 10 percent, of the $21 billion book market in the country, which ranges
* to 10 percent from 6 percent its share of the country's $21 billion book market, which ranges

in A and C, their is wrong
in B and D, which ranges points to country
in E, it correctly points to book market

2.The 32 species that make up the dolphin family are closely related to whales and in fact include the animal known as the killer whale, which can grow to be 30 feet long and is famous for its aggressive hunting pods.

* include the animal known as the killer whale, which can grow to be 30 feet long and is
* include the animal known as the killer whale, growing as big as 30 feet long and
* include the animal known as the killer whale, growing up to 30 feet long and being
* include the animal known as the killer whale, which can grow as big as 30 feet long and is
* include the animal known as the killer whale, which can grow to be 30 feet long and it is

In B and C, growing is awkward.
See this example
We dumped all biscuits having fungus.
We dumped all biscuits which had fungus.
Also C uses being which is wordy.
In D, "as big as 30 feet long" is wrong, correct would be "as long as 30 feet"
In E, "it" can refer to dolphin family or killer whale

3.Past assessments of the Brazilian rain forest have used satellite images to tally deforested areas, where farmers and ranchers have clear-cut and burned all the trees, but such work has not addressed either logging, which is the removal of only selected trees, as well as surface fires, burning down individual trees but do not denude the forest.

* which is the removal of only selected trees, as well as surface fires, burning
* which removes only selected trees, or surface fires that burn
* which removes only selected trees, along with surface fires that burn
* removing only selected trees, or surface fires, burning
* removing only selected trees, as well as surface fires that burn

Either should be followed by or, So you can strike out A, C and E.
Between B and D, uses active voice and is more clear.

4.To develop more accurate population forecasts, demographers have to know a great deal more than now about the social and economic determinants of fertility.

* have to know a great deal more than now about the social and economic
* have to know a great deal more than they do now about the social and economical
* would have to know a great deal more than they do now about the social and economical
* would have to know a great deal more than they do now about the social and economic
* would have to know a great deal more than now about the social and economical

I am not sure about this one.
It should be "would have to know" instead of "have to know".
But I am now confused why is "they do now" wrong
I guess because "than they do now about the social and economic determinants of fertility" is awkward.
What do u say?

5.Retail sales rose 8/10 of 1 percent in August, intensifying expectations that personal spending in the July-September quarter more than doubled that of the 1.4 percent growth rate in personal spending for the previous quarter.

* that personal spending in the July-September quarter more than doubled that of
* that personal spending in the July-September quarter would more than double
* of personal spending in the July-September quarter, that it more than doubled
* of personal spending in the July-September quarter, more than doubling that of
* of personal spending in the July-September quarter, that it would more than double that of

Its August end or September start right now.
So expectations for July-September should be in future tense.
hence A, C and D can be ignored.
In B, it seems to mean - personal spending will more than double the growth rate
when it should double the personal spending corresponding to 1.4% growth rate

Its easy to reason when you know the answer. ;)
lolz
where did you get these questions? Really good.

Regards
Calendar

from set questions......

abouttime · August 21, 2008, 6:25pm

OAs are
1.E
2.A
3.B
4.E
5.E

4th and 5th cannot be Es.
economic = related to economy
economical = money saving
I think it shud be D.

If E is correct for the 5th then probably I should give up trying for the GMAT:boat:. It seems like B is correct.
"Personal spending in Jul-Sep quarter would more than double the growth rate in the previous quarter" is perfectly fine. ('double' is a verb here.)

abouttime · August 21, 2008, 6:48pm

Ok.. i am quoting Erin (from testmagic forum) here. He has given a god explanation of the difference between "because" and "in that"..

Erin - "Next, we should also be aware of the difference between because and in that. First, using pure strategy, when ETS puts both because and in that, the answer is most likely in that. Second, because is used to express a simple causal relationship whereas in that qualifies the previous statement.

Confused? Look at these examples:

Cause and effect relationship: I went to sleep because I was tired. ==> Being tired caused me to go to sleep.

Qualification: Going to college is a sacrifice in that doing so requires several years of forgoing the income that students could have earned had they not attended college. ==> Going to college is a sacrifice, BUT NOT IN EVERY WAY; there are many ways in which going to college is NOT a sacrifice, but in this sentence, I want to express one way in which going to college IS a sacrifice.

In our SC, "in that" is more precise than "because." "because" is actually wrong in this sentence, but a lot of my students, when they ask about this question, adamantly believe that it is correct, so instead of explaining why "because" is wrong, I explain why "in that" is better. This usually does the trick."

Now if you got the funda, try doing this SC

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

Thanks...this is a good explanation...seems like u cannot always replace "because" by "in that" ("I went to sleep in that I was tired " is just plain stupid), but u can mostly replace "in that" by "because". This creates the confusion. But now i think that you shud always try to use "in that " wherever it seems to fit in.
In other words, "in that" is sometimes a better option than "because", in that it is more precise in qualifying the previous statement. 😉

calendar · August 21, 2008, 7:39pm

4th and 5th cannot be Es.
economic = related to economy
economical = money saving
I think it shud be D.

If E is correct for the 5th then probably I should give up trying for the GMAT:boat:. It seems like B is correct.
"Personal spending in Jul-Sep quarter would more than double the growth rate in the previous quarter" is perfectly fine. ('double' is a verb here.)

I also thought so.
but on seeing the answer as E, i rechecked the meaning of economical
As per dictionary.com
adjective
1. avoiding waste or extravagance; thrifty: an economical meal; an economical use of interior space.
2. economic.
You can also see it here...
economical - Definitions from Dictionary.com
And you need not give up for GMAT...

tank_i · August 21, 2008, 10:20pm

Hi tank_i,
your approach is correct and now I guess C is correct answer.

But the example you quoted
If I were rich, I would have never bothered to take the GMAT.
should be
If I were rich, I would never bother to take the GMAT.
OR
If I had been rich, I would have never bothered to take the GMAT.

Correct me if I am wrong?

Regards
Calendar

Well.. You made a good point. Though I still think, my example is grammatically correct. In the first clause("if i were rich"), the verb is in present conditional and in the second clause, the verb is in past conditional. The meaning I intended to convey was that I have already taken the GMAT(which I have). So the use of mixed conditionals. Though I am not sure if its acceptable on GMAT(or whether its even tested on the GMAT), I find a lot of people using mixed conditionals in everyday usage.

krajkumar6 · August 22, 2008, 12:25am

answer should be B
potential to is the correct idiom.
What is OA?

The OA is E

krajkumar6 · August 22, 2008, 1:19am

1. The board of trustees was pleased to announce that among the speakers chosen for this years seminars there are a number of artists, including one that is an industrial designer.
A. among the speakers chosen for this years seminars there are a number of artists, including one that is an industrial designer.
B. the speakers at this years seminars include a number of artists, one of whom is an industrial designer.
C. the speakers at this years seminars include a number of artists, and one who is an industrial designer.
D. among the speakers at this years seminars there are a number of artists, one who is an industrial designer.
E. Among the speakers at this years seminars are a number of artists, including one which is an industrial designer.

2. Researchers discovered that the failure of legislation passed in 1936 in France to improve the working conditions of bakers was due more to the fear that large conglomerates would gain footholds in small communities than to any inherent problem in the legislation.
A. more to the fear that large conglomerates would gain footholds in small communities than to any
B. to the fear that large conglomerates could gain footholds in small communities than to any
C. because of the fear that large conglomerates could gain footholds in small communities and also because there were
D. more to fearing that large conglomerates could gain footholds in small communities than any
E. because there was more of a fear that large conglomerates could gain footholds in small communities than to any

3. IRS provision 354-B mandates that an S corporation with assets of greater than $200,000 send W-2 forms to their full- and part-time employees on or before January 31.
A. that an S corporation with assets of greater than $200,000 send W-2 forms to their full-and part-time employees
B. an S corporation with assets of greater than $200,000 send W-2 forms to their full- and part-time employees
C. that an S corporation with assets of greater than $200,000 send W-2 forms to its full- and part-time employees
D. an S corporation with assets of greater than $200,000 to send W-2 forms to their full- and part-time employees
E. an S corporation with assets of greater than $200,000 send W-2 forms to its full- and part-time employees

4. Everything offered for sale at the auction, including office furniture, computers, books, and artwork by artists such as Chagall and Picasso, have been appraised by the firm of Bloom and Kapoor.
A. artwork by artists such as Chagall and Picasso, have been appraised
B. artwork by artists like Chagall and Picasso, was assessed
C. artwork by artists including Chagall and Picasso, has been assessed
D. artwork by artists such as Chagall and Picasso, would be assessed
E. artwork by artists like Chagall and Picasso, were assessed

5. Because the population is denser there and the automobile is therefore inefficient as a means of transportation, a commuter rail system serving a given population is usually five times more efficient in a European city than it is in an American city.
A. serving a given population is usually five times more efficient in a European city than it is in an American city
B. serving a given population will usually be five times more efficient if it is placed in a European city instead of an American city
C. will usually be five times more efficient in a European city than one serving a comparable population in an American city
D. in a European city will usually be five times more efficient than will a system serving a comparable population in an American city
E. that is implemented in a European city will usually be five times more efficient than if it is implemented with a comparable population in an American city

My answers are ABCAA.
OAs?

calendar · August 22, 2008, 5:57am

krajkumar6 Says
The OA is E

Can any one help in this question ?