Sentence Correction

GMATGuruNY wrote:

IN the mid-1920s the Hawthorne Works of the Western Electric Company was the scene of an intensive series of experiments that would investigate changes in working conditions as to their effects on workers' performance.

a) that would investigate changes in working conditions as to their effects on workers' performance

b) investigating the effects that changes in working conditions would have on workers' performance

c) for investigating what the effects on workers' performance are that changes in working conditions would cause

d) that investigated changes in working conditions' effects on workers' performance

e) to investigate what the effects changes in working conditions would have on workers' performance

In A, it is unclear whether their refers to changes or to effects.
Eliminate A.

C: The Hawthorne Works WAS the scene...for investigating...what the effects...ARE.
Here, the sequence of events is illogical:
It is not possible that the Hawthorne Works WAS the scene (in the past) for investigating what the effects ARE (in the present).
Eliminate C.

D: changes in working conditions' effects
Here, there are changes in the EFFECTS.
The intended meaning of the original sentence is that there were changes in the WORKING CONDITIONS THEMSELVES.
Since D does not convey the intended meaning, eliminate D.

Construction: what + the + NOUN.
In this construction, what generally serves as the DIRECT OBJECT of a subsequent verb, while the + NOUN serves as the SUBJECT of this verb.
The director does not understand what the author of the graphic novel intended.
Here, what serves as the direct object of intended, while the author serves as the subject of this verb.
Conveyed meaning:
The author intended WHAT.

E: what the effects changes in working conditions would have on workers' performance
Implication of the portions in red:
The effects would have WHAT.
Not the intended meaning.
Eliminate E.

The correct answer is B.

RBBmba@2014 wrote: A quick clarification -
Is this Construction(what + the + NOUN) strictly followed in GMAT ? I mean, couldn't the DIRECT OBJECT you mentioned be "what the effects" together ?

Also, if we tweak the option E a bit "to investigate what effects changes in working conditions would have on workers' performance" , then wouldn't it be correct per your explanation above (dropping 'the' from the original option) ?

RBBmba@2014 wrote:Thanks Mitch.

So my takeaway is this - The Construction(what + the + NOUN) is strictly followed in GMAT...and we should look for the same to spot error in such cases. Right ?

j_shreyans wrote:Hi Mitch ,

Can you please clear my doubt. I might be wrong.

You eliminated option C because of present tense right?

Option B also in the present tense right ? then why option B?

Please suggest me and correct me if am wrong.

Thanks ,




Shreyans

j_shreyans wrote:Option B also in the present tense right?

akash singhal wrote:.

Also, Mitch i did not understand 'what'+ 'the'+ 'noun' form
Can you explain it in a bit details ... Sorry for the trouble but it will be greatly appreciated..

Thanks...

GMATGuruNY wrote: Construction: what + the + NOUN.
In this construction, what generally serves as the DIRECT OBJECT of a subsequent verb, while the + NOUN serves as the SUBJECT of this verb.

RBBmba@2014 wrote:

GMATGuruNY wrote: Construction: what + the + NOUN.
In this construction, what generally serves as the DIRECT OBJECT of a subsequent verb, while the + NOUN serves as the SUBJECT of this verb.

Hi GMATGuru,
Couple of questions on the above -
1.Can you please confirm whether this Construction is STRICTLY FOLLOWED in GMAT ?

2.Is the 'verb' you referred to above ALWAYS the IMMEDIATE subsequent verb of what + the + NOUN structure or it can be any subsequent verb of this Construction ?