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puzzle

by kaulnikhil » Mon Mar 15, 2010 1:44 pm
The last pages of the September 1999 publication The Code Book comprised a brain-teaser called "The Cipher Challenge" because they were written as an extremely complex puzzle, with ten encrypted messages, in up to six languages each, were decipherable only by the most advanced code-breakers.

(A) puzzle, with ten encrypted messages, in up to six languages each, were
(B) puzzle, with ten encrypted messages, in up to six languages each,
(C) puzzle of ten encrypted messages in up to six languages, each that had been
(D) puzzle of ten encrypted messages in up to six languages and with each
(E) puzzle of ten encrypted messages in up to six languages, each had been

OA [spoiler]B
Cant understand how come decipherable only by the most advanced code-breakers modifies ten encrypted messages. .souldnt decipherable modify languages since it is closer to decipherable than is messages [/spoiler].
Last edited by kaulnikhil on Tue Mar 16, 2010 1:55 am, edited 3 times in total.
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by max37274 » Mon Mar 15, 2010 4:03 pm
(A) puzzle, with ten encrypted messages, in up to six languages each, were
(B) puzzle, with ten encrypted messages, in up to six languages each, co
(C) puzzle of ten encrypted messages in up to six languages, each that had been
(D) puzzle of ten encrypted messages in up to six languages and with each changes the meaning
(E) puzzle of ten encrypted messages in up to six languages, each had been

cde changes the meaning
imob
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by Fiver » Tue Mar 16, 2010 8:29 am
kaulnikhil wrote:The last pages of the September 1999 publication The Code Book comprised a brain-teaser called "The Cipher Challenge" because they were written as an extremely complex puzzle, with ten encrypted messages, in up to six languages each, were decipherable only by the most advanced code-breakers.

(A) puzzle, with ten encrypted messages, in up to six languages each, were
(B) puzzle, with ten encrypted messages, in up to six languages each,
(C) puzzle of ten encrypted messages in up to six languages, each that had been
(D) puzzle of ten encrypted messages in up to six languages and with each
(E) puzzle of ten encrypted messages in up to six languages, each had been

OA [spoiler]B
Cant understand how come decipherable only by the most advanced code-breakers modifies ten encrypted messages. .souldnt decipherable modify languages since it is closer to decipherable than is messages [/spoiler].
Though one for me; spend 4+ mins and clicked on C.

This part 'because they were...puzzle' is subordinate to 'the last pages...challenge',
hence we do not expect to see any more verbs.

Now what is left is similar to this structure:

<mod 1 modifying the way the puzzle was written>,<mod 2 modifying noun (messages) in mod 1 >, <mod 3 modifying noun (messages) in mod 1>

If the ofiicial explanations says that both mod 2 and mod 3 modify 'messages' in mod 1, then we must have an 'and' to denote the last modifier.


What does the OE say?
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by kstv » Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:26 am
(A) puzzle, with ten encrypted messages, in up to six languages each, were -
(B) puzzle, with ten encrypted messages, in up to six languages each,
(C) puzzle of ten encrypted messages in up to six languages, each that had been
(D) puzzle of ten encrypted messages in up to six languages and with each
(E) puzzle of ten encrypted messages in up to six languages, each had been

had been in C and D imples the puzzle was already solved by adv code breakers. That is not the intent.
the singular puzzle make the use of ''were'' in A ''and with each'' in D unnecessary
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by Osirus@VeritasPrep » Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:56 am
I believe that "decipherable only by the most advanced code-breakers" modifies puzzles even though they aren't touching. Prepostional phrases are tricky because they can come between a noun and its modifier. The word "with" begins a prepositional phrase, which is allowed to come between "puzzle" and "decipherable only by...."
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by VikingWarrior » Tue Mar 16, 2010 10:57 am
What is the source, and OE?
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by kaulnikhil » Tue Mar 16, 2010 11:14 am
Source : Diagnostic GMAT Exam from Knewton

OE
The last word of the underlined portion of the sentence, the verb were, does not correspond with any subject within the sentence. The subject of the clause beginning with which is the last pages, and this subject corresponds with the plural form were written. In order for one more action to correspond with this subject, the two actions would need to be linked by a conjunction. They were written... were decipherable is an improperly formed sentence structure.

Choice B eliminates the verb and turns the last part of the sentence into a participle phrase, clearly and logically describing the messages. Decipherable only by the most advanced code-breakers... describes ten encrypted messages. The best answer is B.

Choices C and E introduce a verb tense error. The past perfect had been illogically suggests that the messages had been translated and decoded before some other past event, but these two events could not have occurred before the book was published or before the messages were written. Additionally, each had been in E is an independent clause that cannot be connected to the previous independent clause by a comma only.

Choice D ambiguously describes something with the prepositional phrase with each. Because this phrase is closest to the noun languages, it seems as though each language was decipherable only by the most advanced code-breakers; this is illogical.

The best answer choice is B.
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by tinyturtle » Sun Nov 25, 2012 8:43 am
Could someone help explain the function of "each" in the phase "six languages each"?

Thank you so much in advance!
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