1000SC #235

Expert replies

tallynik: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 48; Joined: Fri Oct 24, 2008 4:49 pm

by tallynik » Fri Oct 24, 2008 8:17 pm

235. Defense attorneys have occasionally argued that their clients’ misconduct stemmed from a reaction to something ingested, but in attributing criminal or delinquent behavior to some food allergy, the perpetrators are in effect told that they are not responsible for their actions.

(A) in attributing criminal or delinquent behavior to some food allergy
(B) if criminal or delinquent behavior is attributed to an allergy to some food
(C) in attributing behavior that is criminal or delinquent to an allergy to some food
(D) if some food allergy is attributed as the cause of criminal or delinquent behavior
(E) in attributing a food allergy as the cause of criminal or delinquent behavior

I marked A. Seems that's wrong. Any explanations?

Thanks For Your Help

Like this post

Source: Beat The GMAT — Sentence Correction | Fri Oct 24, 2008 8:17 pm

logitech: Legendary Member; Posts: 2134; Joined: Mon Oct 20, 2008 11:26 pmFollowed by: 25 members; Thanked: 237 times; GMAT Score:730

by logitech » Fri Oct 24, 2008 9:12 pm

First of all, the correct idiom is X is attributed to Y or you can use attribute x to Y

There is also a causality in the sentence IF X is attributed to Y, then the perpetrators .....

You can eliminate A, C and E

Between B and D, D is using Y is attributed to X instead of X is attributed to Y

IMAO (B)

Like this post

Bidisha800: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 344; Joined: Sun Sep 28, 2008 11:00 amFollowed by: 1 member; Location: USA; Thanked: 6 times

by Bidisha800 » Fri Oct 24, 2008 11:37 pm

Clear case of (B)

Drill baby drill !

GMATPowerPrep Test1= 740
GMATPowerPrep Test2= 760
Kaplan Diagnostic Test= 700
Kaplan Test1=600
Kalplan Test2=670
Kalplan Test3=570

Like this post

rohangupta83: Legendary Member; Posts: 541; Joined: Thu May 31, 2007 6:44 pmFollowed by: 3 members; Location: UK; Thanked: 21 times; GMAT Score:680

by rohangupta83 » Sat Oct 25, 2008 2:26 am

(B)

Like this post

tallynik: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 48; Joined: Fri Oct 24, 2008 4:49 pm

by tallynik » Tue Oct 28, 2008 11:54 am

But Isn't A is of the form Attributing X to Y.

Thanks For Your Help

Like this post

GMAT/MBA Expert

Stacey Koprince: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 2228; Joined: Wed Dec 27, 2006 3:28 pmFollowed by: 694 members; Location: Montreal, Canada; Thanked: 639 times; GMAT Score:780

by Stacey Koprince » Tue Oct 28, 2008 1:25 pm

Received a PM asking me to respond.

Modifier problem in the original sentence:

"IN ATTRIBUTING x to y, the perpetrators are..."

The perpetrators aren't attributing anything. The defense attorneys are. Eliminate A, C, and E.

D uses the wrong idiom, as others noted above. That leaves B!

Please note: I do not use the Private Messaging system! I will not see any PMs that you send to me!!

Stacey Koprince
GMAT Instructor
Director of Online Community
Manhattan GMAT

Contributor to Beat The GMAT!

Learn more about me

Like this post

hk_4u: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 79; Joined: Mon Oct 22, 2007 11:16 pm

by hk_4u » Sun Dec 13, 2009 3:16 am

Stacey Koprince wrote:
Modifier problem in the original sentence:

"IN ATTRIBUTING x to y, the perpetrators are..."

The perpetrators aren't attributing anything. The defense attorneys are. Eliminate A, C, and E.

Hi Stacey

I see that option A can be ruled out clearly on the basis of unidiomatic usage . However I have a doubt over the modifier.

"IN ATTRIBUTING x to y" seems to be a preposition phrase . Does a prepositional phrase modify the subject of the main clause in the same way as a participle clause does ?

Had the phrase been , "ATTRIBUTING x to y", I would have definitely thought that is modifies the perpetrators .

Seems I need to learn more about prepositional phrases.

Please comment.

Like this post

GMAT/MBA Expert

Stacey Koprince: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 2228; Joined: Wed Dec 27, 2006 3:28 pmFollowed by: 694 members; Location: Montreal, Canada; Thanked: 639 times; GMAT Score:780

by Stacey Koprince » Sat Dec 26, 2009 8:38 am

Prepositional phrases can modify nouns or clauses - they're more flexible in general. In this case, you can think of it either way. The noun is "the perpetrators" and the clause is "the perpetrators are told..." Either way, the implication is that the perpetrators are the ones attributing X to Y.

Like this post

sarvesh.gmat: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 2; Joined: Sun Feb 21, 2010 4:14 am

by sarvesh.gmat » Sun Apr 18, 2010 1:20 am

Stacey Koprince wrote:Received a PM asking me to respond.

Modifier problem in the original sentence:

"IN ATTRIBUTING x to y, the perpetrators are..."

The perpetrators aren't attributing anything. The defense attorneys are. Eliminate A, C, and E.

D uses the wrong idiom, as others noted above. That leaves B!

Hi, I agree that A, C, E should be eliminated, but what about the incorrect usage of "if" i.e. using if without then in C and D.
Please explain how to chose between two wrong choices.

Like this post

GMAT/MBA Expert

Stacey Koprince: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 2228; Joined: Wed Dec 27, 2006 3:28 pmFollowed by: 694 members; Location: Montreal, Canada; Thanked: 639 times; GMAT Score:780

by Stacey Koprince » Mon Apr 19, 2010 8:05 am

I think you're asking about the construction "If X, then Y" - is that right?

It isn't an absolute requirement to use the word "then" in that construction. You can drop that word. Both of these sentences are correct:

If I study hard, I will do well.
If I study hard, then I will do well.

Like this post

Post new topic Locked

• Page 1 of 1

GMAT Course Reviews

560 reviews

1168 reviews

431 reviews

359 reviews

147 reviews

5/5

5 Star (560 Reviews)

"Target Test Prep is the closest to the official version of the GMAT exam, about 99% accuracy in terms of the quality and quantity of information. The course has excellently created singular sets of focused lessons and tests for every possible topic that one could come across in the official GMAT exam."

"The TTP course maximizes the efficiency of the time you spend studying. It will take time and effort but I could almost guarantee that if you complete the course exactly as it is laid out you will get an amazing score. They also have a very responsive team willing to help with any questions you might have."

"TTP has two things that I think no other test prep company offers: A teaching approach that reinforces understanding and an attitude that will give you the mental preparedness needed to succeed on the test. TTP gives you a deep understanding of the concept you need to know while teaching you how to think."

Write a Review