BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

One OG verbal question

This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Locked
Previous Topic Next Topic
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu Jun 23, 2011 5:40 pm

One OG verbal question

by holyxie » Fri Jul 08, 2011 8:16 am
136. Although schistosomiasis is not often fatal, (it is so debilitating that it has become an economic) drain on many developing countries.
(A) it is so debilitating that it has become an economic
(B) it is of such debilitation, it has become an economical
(C) so debilitating is it as to become an economic
(D) such is its debilitation, it becomes an economical
(E) there is so much debilitation that it has become an economical

How come answer C isn't the right answer?
And what is the difference between "so...as to.." and "so that"?
Top
Source: — Sentence Correction |
Legendary Member
Posts: 1574
Joined: Fri Jan 28, 2011 2:52 am
Thanked: 88 times
Followed by:13 members

by aspirant2011 » Fri Jul 08, 2011 9:32 am
holyxie wrote:136. Although schistosomiasis is not often fatal, (it is so debilitating that it has become an economic) drain on many developing countries.
(A) it is so debilitating that it has become an economic
(B) it is of such debilitation, it has become an economical
(C) so debilitating is it as to become an economic
(D) such is its debilitation, it becomes an economical
(E) there is so much debilitation that it has become an economical

How come answer C isn't the right answer?
And what is the difference between "so...as to.." and "so that"?
remember one rule, usage of word economical is always wrong on GMAT,therefore, left with A and C

C wrong because of wrong idiom, so X [adjective] as to Y is the correct usage moreover so debilitating is it is awkward
Top
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 1031
Joined: Thu Jul 03, 2008 1:23 pm
Location: Malibu, CA
Thanked: 716 times
Followed by:255 members
GMAT Score:750

by Brian@VeritasPrep » Fri Jul 08, 2011 10:40 am
Hey aspirant,

I'd be careful with that rule - "economical" is a legitimate word so it could certainly be used in a correct context on the GMAT. "Economic" means "pertaining to the economy"; "economical" means inexpensive or frugal...basically "cheap".

So if a question said:

For the value-conscious investor, index-traded funds are an economical way to achieve a diversified portfolio.

There's nothing wrong with that sentence - it's perfectly correct.


As for the initial question...I agree that C is awkward in a way that leads to a real lack of clarity. It's also in violation of a parallel structure:

"Although X is not Y, it is so Z as to..." would be much, much better and cleaner, so with A giving you essentially that option it's an exponentially better choice here.
Brian Galvin
GMAT Instructor
Chief Academic Officer
Veritas Prep

Looking for GMAT practice questions? Try out the Veritas Prep Question Bank. Learn More.
Top
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu Jun 23, 2011 5:40 pm

by holyxie » Fri Jul 08, 2011 6:05 pm
But i still dont know when to use "so...as to", is it equivalent to "in order to"?
Top
Post new topic Locked
• Page 1 of 1