Error in the MGMAT 3 SC?

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nagoria.mba: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 2; Joined: Sat May 22, 2010 9:10 am

by nagoria.mba » Mon Aug 30, 2010 5:22 am

Hi,
I attempted the MGMAT 3 and while analyzing, I came across this sc question. I think, the shown correct answer is not correct. Can someone confirm?
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With her archaeologist husband, travels inspired several mystery novels by Agatha Christie; travelers to Egypt can still stay at the Old Cataract Hotel, the model for the hotel in one of Christie's most famous books.

a. With her archaeologist husband, travels inspired several mystery novels by Agatha Christie
b. Agatha Christie used her travels with her archaeologist husband to inspire several mystery novels
c. Because her husband was an archaeologist, Agatha Christie was able to use their travels as inspiration for several of her mystery novels
d. Together with her archaeologist husband, Agatha Christie was inspired to incorporate their travel into several of her mystery novels
e. Agatha Christie's travels with her archaeologist husband served as inspiration for several of her mystery novels

The correct answer , by manhattan , is shown to be e. But, in option "e", what does her refer to? Agatha Christie's Travel? Because there is no mention of Agatha Christie as a subject.

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Source: Beat The GMAT — Sentence Correction | Mon Aug 30, 2010 5:22 am

BastiG: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 146; Joined: Sun Jun 13, 2010 5:05 am; Thanked: 7 times

by BastiG » Mon Aug 30, 2010 6:11 am

You have to be careful between the possessive pronoun her and the object pronoun her. Possessive pronouns can refer back to possessive nouns while object pronouns don't.

For example:

Agatha Christie's travels with her archaeologist husband inspired her to write several mystery novels.

The second her is wrong because it is an object pronoun which can't refer back to the possessive noun "Agatha Christie's.

If you like my answer then give me a thanks. =)

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nagoria.mba: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 2; Joined: Sat May 22, 2010 9:10 am

by nagoria.mba » Mon Aug 30, 2010 6:24 am

definitely, the second her is wrong. But what about first "her" ? when said, "her husband", meaning husband of Agatha Christie's travels ?

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BastiG: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 146; Joined: Sun Jun 13, 2010 5:05 am; Thanked: 7 times

by BastiG » Mon Aug 30, 2010 7:14 am

nagoria.mba wrote:definitely, the second her is wrong. But what about first "her" ? when said, "her husband", meaning husband of Agatha Christie's travels ?

As I said above:
The first her is a possessive pronoun and thus it can be used

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