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Fundamental question about SC

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Fundamental question about SC

by NZOMNIAC » Thu Jun 10, 2010 7:50 pm
I have a fundamental question about SC. I have noticed in several examples where we say the correct answer does not change the meaning of the sentence.

My question is whether we should understand the meaning based on option A or choose an option, out of B,C D, and E, that changes meaning but is grammatically correct



For example

Option A = meaningful wrong grammar
one of options, B,C,D and E = weird meaning but correct grammar


Should we choose ( A) or (one of options; B,C,D and E)
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by hardik.jadeja » Thu Jun 10, 2010 11:48 pm
If you can spot the grammatical error in option A, then more often than not option A would have weird meaning. Even though at times you may think that its a meaningful sentence, but if you look closely then you will see that the meaning of the sentence is weird.

Have a look at this example that I have made up:
The development of a new jumbo rocket is expected to carry the United States into its next phase of space exploration.

(A) ...
(B) ...
(C) ...
(D) ...
(E) A newly developed jumbo rocket is expected to carry the United States into its next phase of space exploration.

Now even though option A is grammatically correct but if you see closely, then you will see that the original sentence implies that the development is going to carry the United States into its next phase of space exploration. Does it make sense to you? How can development take something in space? It has to be the rocket. Now have a look at option E. Option E clearly states that the new jumbo rocket is going to carry the United States into its next phase of space exploration. Don't you think option E makes more sense than the original sentence?

Remember, a correct answer will never have a weird or ambiguous meaning. It may be possible that you are not familiar with the sentence structure and, hence, the sentence may sound weird to you but, in reality, it won't be weird or ambiguous.

Hope that helps..
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by Patrick_GMATFix » Fri Jun 11, 2010 1:03 pm
NZOMNIAC wrote: Option A = meaningful wrong grammar
one of options, B,C,D and E = weird meaning but correct grammar


Should we choose ( A) or (one of options; B,C,D and E)
Right answer must have correct grammar and logical intended meaning. A real GMAT question will never ask you to make the choice above. To determine what the correct meaning is, think about what the author is trying to convey. You must realize that every SC isn't just words, but words are used to convey a piece of information. Many times A has the correct meaning, but that's not always the case.

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by RumpelThickSkin » Fri Jun 11, 2010 1:14 pm
hardik.jadeja wrote:If you can spot the grammatical error in option A, then more often than not option A would have weird meaning. Even though at times you may think that its a meaningful sentence, but if you look closely then you will see that the meaning of the sentence is weird.

Have a look at this example that I have made up:
The development of a new jumbo rocket is expected to carry the United States into its next phase of space exploration.

(A) ...
(B) ...
(C) ...
(D) ...
(E) A newly developed jumbo rocket is expected to carry the United States into its next phase of space exploration.

Now even though option A is grammatically correct but if you see closely, then you will see that the original sentence implies that the development is going to carry the United States into its next phase of space exploration. Does it make sense to you? How can development take something in space? It has to be the rocket. Now have a look at option E. Option E clearly states that the new jumbo rocket is going to carry the United States into its next phase of space exploration. Don't you think option E makes more sense than the original sentence?

Remember, a correct answer will never have a weird or ambiguous meaning. It may be possible that you are not familiar with the sentence structure and, hence, the sentence may sound weird to you but, in reality, it won't be weird or ambiguous.

Hope that helps..
Awesome stuff Hardik!
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by NZOMNIAC » Fri Jul 02, 2010 7:45 pm
thanks Hardik and Patrick

One follow up question on Hardik's example

Example E says rocket will carry US into next phase.

Should the option E be -

A newly developed jumbo rocket is expected to carry the United States's space exploration program into its next phase


OR

A newly developed jumbo rocket is expected to carry the United States's astronauts to space
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