Tell Tale signs of Age.

This topic has expert replies
Legendary Member
Posts: 1799
Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2008 3:03 am
Thanked: 36 times
Followed by:2 members

Tell Tale signs of Age.

by goelmohit2002 » Fri Mar 13, 2009 11:55 pm
Hi All,

Can somebody please help me in the below question. The OA is [spoiler]"D"[/spoiler]. Can somebody please tell what is wrong with [spoiler]"B"[/spoiler] ?

People concerned about telltale signs of age on the face should know that cigarette smoking seems to have two damagin effect: it not only hastens wrinkling of the skin, and it also apparently interferes with the healing process after a face lift.

a) it not only hastens wrinkling of the skin, and it also apparently interferes
b) it not only hastens the wrinkling of the skin, but it also appears that it interferes
c) not only does it hasten the wrinkling of the skin, as it also apparently interferes
d) not only does it hasten the wrinkling of the skin, but it also appears to interfere
e) not only is wrinkling of the skin hastened, but it appears to interfere

Thanks
Mohit

Legendary Member
Posts: 683
Joined: Tue Jul 22, 2008 1:58 pm
Location: Dubai
Thanked: 73 times
Followed by:2 members

by mals24 » Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:05 am
b) it not only hastens the wrinkling of the skin, but it also appears that it interferes

We dont need this additional 'it'. Any option that introduces an additional pronoun into the sentence, is considered as a wordy option.

Option D manages to get rid of this additional 'it' and is written in a better way.

I find 'also appears to interfere' better than 'also appears that it interferes'.

Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 174
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2009 12:04 am
Thanked: 5 times
GMAT Score:620

by bmlaud » Sat Mar 14, 2009 11:51 am
Clear D

not only...but also
replace 'it' with cigarette smoking to get the correct answer.
"Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance."

Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 424
Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2008 5:15 pm
Location: Sydney
Thanked: 12 times

by piyush_nitt » Sat Mar 14, 2009 6:38 pm
bmlaud wrote:Clear D

not only...but also
replace 'it' with cigarette smoking to get the correct answer.
Guys

But the idiom is Not only X but also Y

Is the usage of it in between but and also acceptable?

Legendary Member
Posts: 683
Joined: Tue Jul 22, 2008 1:58 pm
Location: Dubai
Thanked: 73 times
Followed by:2 members

by mals24 » Sun Mar 15, 2009 4:13 am
piyush_nitt wrote: Is the usage of it in between but and also acceptable?
Well that is a point of concern. But then if you see only B and D use the idiom 'not only...but also' completely and the 'it' is present in both these options. So ultimately its not about choosing the perfect answer, but the best amongst the lot.

Mohit whats the source of this question btw.

Legendary Member
Posts: 1799
Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2008 3:03 am
Thanked: 36 times
Followed by:2 members

by goelmohit2002 » Sun Mar 15, 2009 6:19 am
This question is from the question bank of a very reputed institute that prepares student for GMAT in India.

BTW I too had the same idiom issue in my mind and all OG examples are based on the same( i.e. not only.........but also). Not sure whether this idiom usage is indeed correct as per GMAT standards or not.

But even Kaplan has exception for the same. Please see the question below of Kaplan(SC Q#4 of SC workbook). Here the OA is [spoiler]"A".[/spoiler]


====================================
Not only do deep-sea divers risk nitrogen
narcosis, often called “raptures of the deep,” if
they descend below 200 feet, but
they also fall
prey to decompression sickness, commonly
known as “the bends,” if they ascend too
quickly.
(A) Not only do deep-sea divers risk nitrogen
narcosis, often called “raptures of the
deep,” if they descend below 200 feet, but
(B) Deep-sea divers risk nitrogen narcosis,
often called “raptures of the deep,” if they
descend below 200 feet, but
(C) Nitrogen narcosis, often called “raptures of
the deep,” is risked by deep-sea divers if
they descend below 200 feet, in addition
(D) The descending of deep-sea divers to
below 200 feet causes them risking
nitrogen narcosis, often called “raptures
of the deep,” and
(E) Not only does a deep-sea diver risk
nitrogen narcosis, often called “raptures
of the deep,” if they descend below 200
feet, but

Thanks
Mohit