Sentence Correction

Gall's hypothesis of there being different mental functions localized in different parts of the brain is widely accepted today.
(A) of there being different mental functions localized in different parts of the brain is widely accepted today
(B) of different mental functions that are localized in different parts of the brain is widely accepted today
(C) that different mental functions are localized in different parts of the brain is widely accepted today
(D) which is that there are different mental functions localized in different parts of the brain is widely accepted today
(E) which is widely accepted today is that there are different mental functions localized in different parts of the brain


What is difference between choice B & C???[/u]

Consider the meaning conveyed by B. The version created using B conveys that Gall's hypothesis is a hypothesis of different mental functions. I am not sure what a hypothesis of different mental functions is. Is it a hypothesis that belongs to different mental functions? Is it a hypothesis that is related to different mental functions? Is it a hypothesis that explains different mental functions?

In looking at all of the answer choices, one gets the impression that the purpose of the sentence is to convey that Gall's hypothesis is that different mental functions are localized in different parts of the brain and that that hypothesis is widely accepted today.

The version created using C correctly and clearly conveys that Gall's hypothesis is a hypothesis that different mental functions are localized in different parts of the the brain.

Mo2men wrote:Gall's hypothesis of there being different mental functions localized in different parts of the brain is widely accepted today.
(A) of there being different mental functions localized in different parts of the brain is widely accepted today
(B) of different mental functions that are localized in different parts of the brain is widely accepted today
(C) that different mental functions are localized in different parts of the brain is widely accepted today
(D) which is that there are different mental functions localized in different parts of the brain is widely accepted today
(E) which is widely accepted today is that there are different mental functions localized in different parts of the brain


What is difference between choice B & C???[/u]

I received a PM requesting that I comment.

B: Gall's hypothesis of different mental functions
Conveyed meaning:
Gall hypothesizes the EXISTENCE of different mental functions.
Not the intended meaning.
Since it is common knowledge that the brain is capable of different mental functions, there is no reason for Gall to GUESS that different mental functions exist.

C: Gail's hypothesis that different mental functions are localized in different parts of the brain.
Here, Gall hypothesizes WHAT HE BELIEVES TO BE TRUE about different mental functions:
that different mental functions are localized in different parts of the brain.
This meaning is sensical.

GMATGuruNY wrote:
I received a PM requesting that I comment.

B: Gall's hypothesis of different mental functions
Conveyed meaning:
Gall hypothesizes the EXISTENCE of different mental functions.
Not the intended meaning.
Since it is common knowledge that the brain is capable of different mental functions, there is no reason for Gall to GUESS that different mental functions exist.

C: Gail's hypothesis that different mental functions are localized in different parts of the brain.
Here, Gall hypothesizes WHAT HE BELIEVES TO BE TRUE about different mental functions:
that different mental functions are localized in different parts of the brain.
This meaning is sensical.

Hi Mitch,
Though I got this right,I'm not sure how do I eliminate option A
Is it that the 'being' makes it awkward?

manik11 wrote:

GMATGuruNY wrote:
I received a PM requesting that I comment.

B: Gall's hypothesis of different mental functions
Conveyed meaning:
Gall hypothesizes the EXISTENCE of different mental functions.
Not the intended meaning.
Since it is common knowledge that the brain is capable of different mental functions, there is no reason for Gall to GUESS that different mental functions exist.

C: Gail's hypothesis that different mental functions are localized in different parts of the brain.
Here, Gall hypothesizes WHAT HE BELIEVES TO BE TRUE about different mental functions:
that different mental functions are localized in different parts of the brain.
This meaning is sensical.

Hi Mitch,
Though I got this right,I'm not sure how do I eliminate option A
Is it that the 'being' makes it awkward?

Yes, the usage of there being is awkward and should be avoided.

More importantly -- like answer choice B -- answer choice A does not convey a logical meaning.
A: Gall's hypothesis of there being different mental functions
Conveyed meaning:
Gall hypothesizes the EXISTENCE of different mental functions.
Not the intended meaning.
Since it is common knowledge that the brain is capable of different mental functions, there is no reason for Gall to GUESS that different mental functions exist.
Eliminate A.