GMATPrep - modifier Difficult one - The Beat The GMAT Forum - Expert GMAT Help & MBA Admissions Advice

GMATPrep - modifier Difficult one

Expert replies

GMATMadeEasy: Legendary Member; Posts: 768; Joined: Mon Nov 30, 2009 3:46 amFollowed by: 7 members; Thanked: 21 times

by GMATMadeEasy » Thu Jun 30, 2011 5:45 am

12. The success of the program to eradicate smallpox has stimulated experts to
pursue what they had not previously considered possible -- better control, if not eradication, of the other infections such as measles and yaws.

A. what they had not previously considered possible -- better control, if not eradication, of the other infections such as
B. what they had not previously considered a possibility -- better control, if not
eradication, of such infections like
C. something they had not previously considered possible -- better control, if not
eradication, of such infections as
D. something not considered a previous possibility -- better control and perhaps
eradication, of other infections such as
E. the possibility of what they had not previously considered possible -- better
control and possibly eradication of infections like

WHat is the difference between A and C ?

Like this post

Source: Beat The GMAT — Sentence Correction | Thu Jun 30, 2011 5:45 am

Frankenstein: Legendary Member; Posts: 1448; Joined: Tue May 17, 2011 9:55 amFollowed by: 53 members; Location: India; Thanked: 375 times

by Frankenstein » Thu Jun 30, 2011 6:04 am

The success of the program to eradicate smallpox has stimulated experts to
pursue what they had not previously considered possible -- better control, if not eradication, of the other infections such as measles and yaws.

A. what they had not previously considered possible -- better control, if not eradication, of the other infections such as
B. what they had not previously considered a possibility -- better control, if not
eradication, of such infections like
C. something they had not previously considered possible -- better control, if not
eradication, of such infections as
D. something not considered a previous possibility -- better control and perhaps
eradication, of other infections such as
E. the possibility of what they had not previously considered possible -- better
control and possibly eradication of infections like

I think the use of definite article 'the' is problematic. I have checked this on MGMAT forums as well. I will post Ron's post:

There are 2 problems with A.
- Major problem is "THE other infections." THE is too definitive here, carrying the connotation of "every single one of the other infections."
* THE is also incompatible with "such as":
- Correct: I never read this book, but I read the other books on the shelf.
- Correct: I never read this book, but I read other books on the shelf, such as "Right Hand, Left Hand" and "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich."
- Incorrect: I never read this book, but I read the other books on the shelf, such as "Right Hand, Left Hand" and "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich."
- Minor problem is "what they had not..." vs. "something they had not..." The "what" construction is awfully strong, suggesting that this was THE ONE THING they hadn't thought possible.
* As an analogy, compare the meanings of "I want to do what I love for a living" and "I want to do something I love for a living." The first suggests that the speaker has one particular field in mind; the second doesn't.

Cheers!

Things are not what they appear to be... nor are they otherwise

Like this post

amit2k9: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 461; Joined: Tue May 10, 2011 9:09 amFollowed by: 3 members; Location: pune; Thanked: 36 times

by amit2k9 » Thu Jun 30, 2011 7:52 am

between A and C, A usage of the article is making the diseases definitive.
C makes the usage general,thus C is better.

For Understanding Sustainability,Green Businesses and Social Entrepreneurship visit -https://aamthoughts.blocked/
(Featured Best Green Site Worldwide-https://bloggers.com/green/popular/page2)

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