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Semi-colon

by djaytg » Wed Jan 30, 2013 10:47 pm
Marconi's conception of the radio was as a substitute
for the telephone, a tool for private conversation;
instead, it is precisely the opposite, a tool for
communicating with a large, public audience.
(A)Marconi's conception of the radio was as a
substitute for the telephone, a tool for private
conversation; instead, it is
(B) Marconi conceived of the radio as a substitute
for the telephone, a tool for private
conversation, but which is
(C) Marconi conceived of the radio as a tool for
private conversation that could substitute for the
telephone; instead, it has become

I thought the semi colon is used in a sentence to convey the meaning of the ideas present before and after the semi colon are independent of each other
But in Ans.C(OA C) the ideas(Radio was conceived as something and became something else)
are depending on each other
so how does the semi colon here?
Can someone please explain?
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by GMATGuruNY » Thu Jan 31, 2013 4:49 am
Marconi's conception of the radio was as a substitute for the telephone, a tool for private conversation; instead, it is precisely the opposite, a tool for communication with a large, public audience.

(A) Marconi's conception of the radio was as a substitute for the telephone, a tool for private conversation; instead, it is
(B) Marconi conceived of the radio as a substitute for the telephone, a tool for private conversation, but which is
(C) Marconi conceived of the radio as a tool for private conversation that could substitute for the telephone; instead, it has become
(D) Marconi conceived of the radio to be a tool for private conversation, a substitute for the telephone, which has become
(E) Marconi conceived of the radio to be a substitute for the telephone, a tool for private conversation, other than what it is,
In A, it seems to refer to conception, implying that Marconi's CONCEPTION is a tool for public communication.
The intended meaning is that the RADIO has become a tool for public communication.
Eliminate A.

A conjunction such as but must connect PARALLEL FORMS.
In B, which is is not preceded by a parallel form.
Eliminate B.

In D and E, conceived of the radio TO BE is unidiomatic.
The correct idiom is to CONCEIVE OF X AS Y.
Eliminate D and E.

The correct answer is C.

A semi-colon typically serves to connect two complete sentences that are closely related in theme.
If a semi-colon in an answer choice can be replaced by a PERIOD, do not eliminate the answer choice.
In the OA, the semi-colon can be replaced by a period:
Marconi conceived of the radio as a tool for private conversation that could substitute for the telephone. Instead, it has become precisely the opposite, a tool for communication with a large, public audience.
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