GMAT Sentence Correction Discussions

tank_i · August 29, 2008, 5:43pm

After moving to Switzerland in the 1890s, Albert Einstein attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, receiving in-depth training in quantitative analysis and developing a foundation for his future work in mathematical physics.

(A) attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, receiving in-depth training in quantitative analysis and developing

(B) attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, receiving in-depth training in quantitative analysis and developed

(C) attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, received in-depth training in quantitative analysis, and he developed

(D) attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, received in-depth training in quantitative analysis, developing

(E) attending the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, receiving in-depth training in quantitative analysis, and developing

(A) is correct
"attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich" correctly uses the simple past tense to describe an event in the past.

"receiving in-depth training in quantitative analysis and developing a foundation for his future work in mathematical physics." correctly modifies the preceding clause.

Another way to put the sentence for clarity of meaning.
Albert Einstein attended Swiss... where he received in-depth training.. and developed foundation...

dopa · August 29, 2008, 9:47pm

2.Part of the proposed increase in state education spending is due to higher enrollment, since the number of students in public schools have grown steadily since the mid-1980s and, at nearly 47 million, are at a record high.
(A) enrollment, since the number of students in public schools have grown steadily since the mid-1980s and, at nearly 47 million, are at
(B) enrollment, with a number of students in public schools growing steadily since the mid-1980s and, at nearly 47 million, reaching
(C) enrollment: since students in public schools have grown steadily in number since the mid-1980s and, at nearly 47 million, have reached
(D) enrollment: the number of student in public schools has grown steadily since the mid-1980s and, at nearly 47 million, has reached
(E) enrollment: students in public schools have grown steadily in number, since the mid-1980s and, at nearly 47 million, are at

Did you type the questions correctly.....Im asking this because option D of question 2 states:
(D) enrollment: the number of student in public schools has grown steadily since the mid-1980s and, at nearly 47 million, has reached
Shouldnt it be 'number of students' ??
I overlooked this choice only because of this 😞

Hi Ankit, I think "The number of student" should be correct because 'The number of' is singular. 'A number of' is plural.

And 'The numbers of' is always wrong in GMAT.

Hope it helps!

Its as per Manhattan GMAT rules

ashishjha100 · August 30, 2008, 2:54am

Because of less availability and greater demand for scientific research, platinum remains consistently expensive, like gold.

(A) Because of less availability and greater demand for scientific research, platinum remains consistently expensive, like gold.

(B) Because of less availability and increased demand for scientific research, platinum remains consistently expensive, like that of gold.

(C) Because of decreased availability and increased demand in scientific research, platinum remains expensive, like gold.

(D) Because of decreased availability and increased demand for scientific research, platinum remains expensive, like gold.

(E) Because of decreased availability and greater demand in scientific research, platinum remains at a consistently high price, like that of gold.

My pick is C.......

calendar · August 30, 2008, 5:27am

C.. is correct. Decreased availability is better than less availability (less than what?). Similarly Increased demand is better than greater demand.

Also "demand in scintific research' makes the point clear that the demand of platinum has increased. (D) seems to suggest that the demand for scientific research has increased... and not necessarily the demand for platinum. (C) wins

My pick is C too.
Also
platinum remains consistently expensive
in this consistently is redundant

calendar · August 30, 2008, 5:31am

At Shiprock, New Mexico, a perennially powerful girls' high school basketball team has become a path to college for some and a source of pride for a community where the household incomes of 49 percent of them are below the poverty level.
(A) where the household incomes of 49 percent of them are
(B) where they have 49 percent of the household incomes
(C) where 49 percent of the household incomes are
(D) which has 49 percent of the household incomes
(E) in which 49 percent of them have household incomes

At the time of the Mexican agrarian revolution, the most radical faction, that of Zapata and his followers, proposed a return to communal ownership of land, to what had been a pre-Columbian form of ownership respected by the Spaniards.
(A) land, to what had been a pre-Columbian form of ownership respected by the Spaniards
(B) land, a form of ownership of the pre-Columbians and respected by the Spaniards
(C) land, respected by the Spaniards and a pre-Columbian form of ownership
(D) land in which a pre-Columbian form of ownership was respected by the Spaniards
(E) land that had been a pre-Columbian form of ownership respected by the Spaniards

ashishjha100 · August 30, 2008, 5:35am

At Shiprock, New Mexico, a perennially powerful girls' high school basketball team has become a path to college for some and a source of pride for a community where the household incomes of 49 percent of them are below the poverty level.
(A) where the household incomes of 49 percent of them are
(B) where they have 49 percent of the household incomes
(C) where 49 percent of the household incomes are
(D) which has 49 percent of the household incomes
(E) in which 49 percent of them have household incomes
For OA Highlight this - C -

At the time of the Mexican agrarian revolution, the most radical faction, that of Zapata and his followers, proposed a return to communal ownership of land, to what had been a pre-Columbian form of ownership respected by the Spaniards.
(A) land, to what had been a pre-Columbian form of ownership respected by the Spaniards
(B) land, a form of ownership of the pre-Columbians and respected by the Spaniards
(C) land, respected by the Spaniards and a pre-Columbian form of ownership
(D) land in which a pre-Columbian form of ownership was respected by the Spaniards
(E) land that had been a pre-Columbian form of ownership respected by the Spaniards
For OA Highlight this - A -

If u search this thread u can find detailed discussion of these question............

abhishek.shukla · August 30, 2008, 8:22am

At Shiprock, New Mexico, a perennially powerful girls' high school basketball team has become a path to college for some and a source of pride for a community where the household incomes of 49 percent of them are below the poverty level.
(A) where the household incomes of 49 percent of them are
(B) where they have 49 percent of the household incomes
(C) where 49 percent of the household incomes are
(D) which has 49 percent of the household incomes
(E) in which 49 percent of them have household incomes

At the time of the Mexican agrarian revolution, the most radical faction, that of Zapata and his followers, proposed a return to communal ownership of land, to what had been a pre-Columbian form of ownership respected by the Spaniards.
(A) land, to what had been a pre-Columbian form of ownership respected by the Spaniards
(B) land, a form of ownership of the pre-Columbians and respected by the Spaniards
(C) land, respected by the Spaniards and a pre-Columbian form of ownership
(D) land in which a pre-Columbian form of ownership was respected by the Spaniards
(E) land that had been a pre-Columbian form of ownership respected by the Spaniards

:2gunfire::new_ukliam2::boat:

I first thought I think its E (and not D) D says " community which has 49 percent of the household incomes" a community cannnot have household incomes, E clearly says " community in in which 49 percent of them have household incomes" Also them does not have a clear referent here, but its better than D. But them has absolutely no referent. So it is D, although D can be cetainly better phrased as - Community which has 49 percent of households who have incomes ...-
Where is this question from ? Is it from the OG ?

Initially thought C for the second ? It should be E

I ddont know what was I thinking initially ::P Must be beause of teh hangover I had from yesterday :D
What are the OAs? D & E I hope ? If its E & C I'd be in a lot of trouble, cause that'll mean getting sober made me worse 😞 😁

trustrajib · August 30, 2008, 11:13am

Because of less availability and greater demand for scientific research, platinum remains consistently expensive, like gold.

(A) Because of less availability and greater demand for scientific research, platinum remains consistently expensive, like gold.

(B) Because of less availability and increased demand for scientific research, platinum remains consistently expensive, like that of gold.

(C) Because of decreased availability and increased demand in scientific research, platinum remains expensive, like gold.

(D) Because of decreased availability and increased demand for scientific research, platinum remains expensive, like gold.

(E) Because of decreased availability and greater demand in scientific research, platinum remains at a consistently high price, like that of gold.

C stands apart from " in scientific research" and " like Gold"

Please let us know the OA..

trustrajib · August 30, 2008, 11:30am

After moving to Switzerland in the 1890's, Albert Einstein attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, receiving in-depth training in quantitative analysis and developing a foundation for his future work in mathematical physics.

(A) attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, receiving in-depth training in quantitative analysis and developing

(B) attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, receiving in-depth training in quantitative analysis and developed

(C) attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, received in-depth training in quantitative analysis, and he developed

(D) attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, received in-depth training in quantitative analysis, developing

(E) attending the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, receiving in-depth training in quantitative analysis, and developing

I would go for D. "attended..." and "recieving..." are not in synch with each other..But the last two parts are the ones which can be continuous...
Is A the OA??

arch_25713373 · August 30, 2008, 1:28pm

OA is (C)

Because of less availability and greater demand for scientific research, platinum remains consistently expensive, like gold.

(A) Because of less availability and greater demand for scientific research, platinum remains consistently expensive, like gold.

(B) Because of less availability and increased demand for scientific research, platinum remains consistently expensive, like that of gold.

(C) Because of decreased availability and increased demand in scientific research, platinum remains expensive, like gold.

(D) Because of decreased availability and increased demand for scientific research, platinum remains expensive, like gold.

(E) Because of decreased availability and greater demand in scientific research, platinum remains at a consistently high price, like that of gold.
OA is (A)
After moving to Switzerland in the 1890s, Albert Einstein attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, receiving in-depth training in quantitative analysis and developing a foundation for his future work in mathematical physics.

(A) attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, receiving in-depth training in quantitative analysis and developing

(B) attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, receiving in-depth training in quantitative analysis and developed

(C) attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, received in-depth training in quantitative analysis, and he developed

(D) attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, received in-depth training in quantitative analysis, developing

(E) attending the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, receiving in-depth training in quantitative analysis, and developing

lokguru · August 30, 2008, 7:16pm

Folks..a small doubt. The below is from OG. The ans is C. However, what does "his" refer to here. I am thinking maybe we need to be concerned only if it is "he". However, when we say Hemingway's wives, the Subject is alwayz wives, so to what does possessive 'his' refer? I guess am thinking too much..can anyone help me out ?

18. Each of Hemingway's wives--Hadley Richardson. Pauline Pfeiffer. Martha Gelhom. and Mary Welsh --were strong and interesting women, very different from the often pallid women who populate his novels.

(A) Each of Hemingway's wives--Hadley Richardson, Pauline Pfeiffer, Martha Gelhom, and Mary Welsh--were strong and interesting women,
(B) Hadley Richardson, Pauline Pfeiffer, Martha Gelhorn, and Mary Welsh--each of them Hemingway's wives--were strong and, interesting women,
(C) Hemingway's wives--Hadley Richardson, Pauline Pfeiffer, Martha Gelhom, and Mary Welsh--were all strong and interesting women,
(D) Strong and interesting womenHadley Richardson, Pauline Pfeiffer, Martha Gelhom, and Mary Welsh--each a wife of Hemingway, was
(E) Strong and interesting womenHadley Richardson, Pauline Pfeiffer, Martha Gelhom, and Mary Welsh--every one of Hemingway's wives were

ktyagi10 · August 30, 2008, 7:51pm

Folks..a small doubt. The below is from OG. The ans is C. However, what does "his" refer to here. I am thinking maybe we need to be concerned only if it is "he". However, when we say Hemingway's wives, the Subject is alwayz wives, so to what does possessive 'his' refer? I guess am thinking too much..can anyone help me out ?

18. Each of Hemingway's wives--Hadley Richardson. Pauline Pfeiffer. Martha Gelhom. and Mary Welsh --were strong and interesting women, very different from the often pallid women who populate his novels.

(A) Each of Hemingway's wives--Hadley Richardson, Pauline Pfeiffer, Martha Gelhom, and Mary Welsh--were strong and interesting women,
(B) Hadley Richardson, Pauline Pfeiffer, Martha Gelhorn, and Mary Welsh--each of them Hemingway's wives--were strong and, interesting women,
(C) Hemingway's wives--Hadley Richardson, Pauline Pfeiffer, Martha Gelhom, and Mary Welsh--were all strong and interesting women,
(D) Strong and interesting womenHadley Richardson, Pauline Pfeiffer, Martha Gelhom, and Mary Welsh--each a wife of Hemingway, was
(E) Strong and interesting womenHadley Richardson, Pauline Pfeiffer, Martha Gelhom, and Mary Welsh--every one of Hemingway's wives were

"his" refers to the author who is not mentioned in the original option.

ktyagi10 · August 30, 2008, 8:02pm

Guys,

Plz help me with this OG problem.

Beatrix Potter, in her book illustrations, carefully coordinating them with her narratives, capitalized on her keen observation and love of the natural world.

a) Beatrix Potter, in her book illustrations, carefully coordinating them with her narratives,
b) In her book illustrations, carefully coordinating them with her narratives, Beatrix Potter
c) In her book illustrations, which she carefully coordinated with her narratives, Beatrix Potter,
d) Carefully coordinated with her narratives, Beatrix Potter, in her book illustrations,
e) Beatrix Potter, in her book illustrations, carefully coordinating them with her narratives and

While providing the explanation for its rejection of (e), OG says "Them can not refer to book illustrations because the plural noun is the object of the preposition in"

Can anyone please elaborate this principal of grammar.

Thanks in advance

arch_25713373 · August 31, 2008, 7:00am

1. The human growth hormone, made by the pituitary gland, is secreted during sleep in higher concentrations than when awake.
(A) during sleep in higher concentrations than when awake
(B) when sleeping in higher concentrations than waking hours
(C) in higher concentrations during sleeping than waking
(D) in higher concentrations during sleep than during waking hours
(E) in higher concentrations when asleep than when awake

2. The growth of the railroads led to the abolition of local times, which was determined by when the sun reached the observers meridian and differing from city to city, and to the establishment of regional times.
(A) which was determined by when the sun reached the observers meridian and differing
(B) which was determined by when the sun reached the observers meridian and which differed
(C) which were determined by when the sun reached the observers meridian and differing
(D) determined by when the sun reached the observers meridian and differed
(E) determined by when the sun reached the observers meridian and differing

ashishjha100 · August 31, 2008, 7:41am

1. The human growth hormone, made by the pituitary gland, is secreted during sleep in higher concentrations than when awake.
(A) during sleep in higher concentrations than when awake
(B) when sleeping in higher concentrations than waking hours
(C) in higher concentrations during sleeping than waking
(D) in higher concentrations during sleep than during waking hours
(E) in higher concentrations when asleep than when awake

2. The growth of the railroads led to the abolition of local times, which was determined by when the sun reached the observers meridian and differing from city to city, and to the establishment of regional times.
(A) which was determined by when the sun reached the observers meridian and differing
(B) which was determined by when the sun reached the observers meridian and which differed
(C) which were determined by when the sun reached the observers meridian and differing
(D) determined by when the sun reached the observers meridian and differed
(E) determined by when the sun reached the observers meridian and differing

My picks are E & B.......wats the OA?

abhishek.shukla · August 31, 2008, 8:11am

1.The human growth hormone, made by the pituitary gland, is secreted during sleep in higher concentrations than when awake.
(A) during sleep in higher concentrations than when awake
(B) when sleeping in higher concentrations than waking hours
(C) in higher concentrations during sleeping than waking
(D) in higher concentrations during sleep than during waking hours
(E) in higher concentrations when asleep than when awake

2.The growth of the railroads led to the abolition of local times, which was determined by when the sun reached the observer's meridian and differing from city to city, and to the establishment of regional times.
(A) which was determined by when the sun reached the observer's meridian and differing
(B) which was determined by when the sun reached the observer's meridian and which differed
(C) which were determined by when the sun reached the observer's meridian and differing
(D) determined by when the sun reached the observer's meridian and differed
(E) determined by when the sun reached the observer's meridian and differing

1 - E, correct parallelism
2 - E ? its some what parallel, local times are pl so you cant have B (was singular)
Please let us know the OAs
....Afer giving it much more thought
----
The growth of the railroads led to the abolition of local times, which was determined by when the sun reached the observer's meridian and differing from city to city, and to the establishment of regional times.
(A) which was determined by when the sun reached the observer's meridian and differing
(B) which was determined by when the sun reached the observer's meridian and which differed
(C) which were determined by when the sun reached the observer's meridian and differing
(D) determined by when the sun reached the observer's meridian and differed
(E) determined by when the sun reached the observer's meridian and differing

The Growth of railroads led to X and to Y.
X = the abolition of local times
Y = the establishment of regional times.
So what comes after X necessarily modifies X.
The Growth of railroads led to X,, and to Y
Between the commas lies a non essential phrase.
The Growth of railroads led to X,(A and B) and to Y
A and B need to be parallel too.
Because X is plural, A and B get eliminated.
A = which were determined by when the sun reached the observer's meridian
B = differing from city to city
These two look like phrasal nouns beginning with a (noun) (verb) (noun)
All other choices are (more non parallel)
So I guess C is the correct answer.
---
I remember seeing this problem somewhere , where is it from ? OG ?

ashishjha100 · August 31, 2008, 8:14am

1 - E, correct parallelism
2 - E ? its some what parallel, local times are pl so you cant have B (was singular)
Please let us know the OAs
I remember seeing this problem somewhere , where is it from ? OG ?

Thanks Abhishek......now i realized my mistake.......

abhishek.shukla · August 31, 2008, 8:37am

ashishjha100 Says
Thanks Abhishek......now i realized my mistake.......

Hi Ashish, you are most welcome, Bt I am a little confused between C and E, I posted a detailed log, go through it and let me know what you think .

abhishek.shukla · August 31, 2008, 8:39am

1.The human growth hormone, made by the pituitary gland, is secreted during sleep in higher concentrations than when awake.
(A) during sleep in higher concentrations than when awake
(B) when sleeping in higher concentrations than waking hours
(C) in higher concentrations during sleeping than waking
(D) in higher concentrations during sleep than during waking hours
(E) in higher concentrations when asleep than when awake

2.The growth of the railroads led to the abolition of local times, which was determined by when the sun reached the observers meridian and differing from city to city, and to the establishment of regional times.
(A) which was determined by when the sun reached the observers meridian and differing
(B) which was determined by when the sun reached the observers meridian and which differed
(C) which were determined by when the sun reached the observers meridian and differing
(D) determined by when the sun reached the observers meridian and differed
(E) determined by when the sun reached the observers meridian and differing

Mr Arch, please send across the OAs, will you ?

neity_trey · August 31, 2008, 9:03am

Guys,

Please help me in one question from OG

Salt deposits and moisture threaten to destroy the Mohenjo-Daro excavation in Pakistan, the site of an ancient civilization that flourished at the same time as the civilizations in the Nile delta and the river valleys of the Tigris and Euphrates.

a) that flourished at the same time as the civilizations
b) that had flourished at the same time as had the civilizations
c) that flourished at the same time those had
d) flourishing at the same time as those did
e) flourishing at the same time as those were

the correct OA is A. i think as in option A introduces a subordinating clause.. but there is no verb after it. how is it possible? Please help me..

Thanks
nEiTy