beat_gmat_09 wrote:A national study evaluating the need for gun control is currently attempting to document where criminals purchase guns,how gun owners are trained in the use of firearms,and what character traits are common to persons who are liable to turn to violence to resolve problems.

A) what character traits are common to persons who are liable to turn
B) what are the character traits common to persons who are liable to turning
C) the common character traits of persons who are liable to turn
D) the traits of character common to persons who are liable to turn
E) the traits of character that are common to persons who are liable to turn

OA A

A is a Winner here. Correct parallelism ...where , how, what immediately followed by object

Why is C wrong ?It still conveys the meaning and even concise than A .

rockeyb wrote:Why is C wrong ?It still conveys the meaning and even concise than A .

A gives parallelism.C doesn't!

rockeyb wrote:Why is C wrong ?It still conveys the meaning and even concise than A .

Although using C adds another "parallel" element, it does not convey the same meaning.



"common character traits"

is very different from

"the traits common to people in a group".


For e.g common human characteristics are two eyes, a nose, two ears.

whereas characteristics common to humans who play basketball are agility, height above 6ft etc...


hopes this clears the doubt.

Option A...parallel structures....

Looks like in GMAT parallel structure is a bigger issue than just being concise

harshavardhanc wrote:

rockeyb wrote:Why is C wrong ?It still conveys the meaning and even concise than A .

Although using C adds another "parallel" element, it does not convey the same meaning.



"common character traits"

is very different from

"the traits common to people in a group".


For e.g common human characteristics are two eyes, a nose, two ears.

whereas characteristics common to humans who play basketball are agility, height above 6ft etc...


hopes this clears the doubt.

Excellent explanation.

kstv wrote:Looks like in GMAT parallel structure is a bigger issue than just being concise

I agree a lesson to learn ,one should check for parallelism first then see if the options are concise.

rockeyb wrote:

kstv wrote:Looks like in GMAT parallel structure is a bigger issue than just being concise

I agree a lesson to learn ,one should check for parallelism first then see if the options are concise.

It indeed is. Picking OA can become trap when you have identified parallel structure but get caught by idioms/proper usage whatever you call, which you are not sure off, posting one such.

A national study evaluating the need for gun control is currently attempting to document where criminals purchase guns,how gun owners are trained in the use of firearms,and what character traits are common to persons who are liable to turn to violence to resolve problems.

A) what character traits are common to persons who are liable to turn
B) what are the character traits common to persons who are liable to turning
C) the common character traits of persons who are liable to turn
D) the traits of character common to persons who are liable to turn
E) the traits of character that are common to persons who are liable to turn

Grammar:

I know where he goes, how he behaves, and what he says.
The said sentence just follows the same structure as it is in the above sentence.

A it is.