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GMAT Prep - Galelio

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GMAT Prep - Galelio

by moadhia » Tue Apr 07, 2009 9:07 am
Galileo did not invent the telescope, but on hearing, in 1609, that such an optical instrument had been made, he quickly built his own device from an organ pipe and spectacle lenses.
A. Galileo did not invent the telescope, but on hearing, in 1609, that such an optical instrument had been made, he
B. Galileo had not invented the telescope, but when he heard, in 1609, of such an optical instrument having been made,
C. Galileo, even though he had not invented the telescope, on hearing, in 1609, that such an optical instrument had been made, he
D. Even though Galileo did not invent the telescope, on hearing, in 1609, that such an optical instrument had been made,
E. Even though Galileo did not invent the telescope, but when he heard, in 1609, of such an optical instrument being made, he

OA is A .

Can you tell me why A is correct and why the other options are incorrect?
Last edited by moadhia on Fri Apr 10, 2009 5:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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by LulaBrazilia » Tue Apr 07, 2009 8:56 pm
Moadhia, this is from GMATPrep?

I'm also curious, especially about verb tense. I thought past perfect should be used when there are two past actions, ie "G had not invented...he heard". Please explain the dynamics of verb tense in this sentence
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by TedCornell » Tue Apr 07, 2009 9:55 pm
moadhia,

please please please please always mark the underlined portion of the sentnece.

B and D - Incorrect because they do not include the "he" in the end. Without this subject, the rest of the sentence doesn't make much sense.

C - Incorrect because the primary clause is just a fragment:
* Remove the parenthetical phrases "even though...telescope", and "in 1609" and you will see that C is missing a verb as it reads: "Gallileo on hearing that such an optical instrument had been made, he quickly built his own"

E - Incorrect because of the double negative "Even though...but when he heard". Double negatives are a no-no on the test.


C, D, and E - Incorrect because "even though" is not appropriate in this case as it isn't consistent with the intended meaning of the sentence. "Even though" should be used to show mitigating circumstances, or to introduce a paradox as in the examples below:

(1) Even though John is sick, he showed up to work today
(2) I couldn't afford to keep my car, even though I received a pay raise last week.

In both cases (and in all correct "even though" cases) the two clauses are contradictory (offer a paradox) and "even though" is used to express that relationship. In our sentence, we have on one hand "Galileo did not invent the telescope" and on the other hand "on hearing/when he heard that it had been made, he built his own". These two facts do not have a paradoxical relationship. "even though" is not appropriate; "but" is sufficient ("but" could express either a simple contrast ie 'I asked for food but he turned me down' or a paradox 'I broke my arm but kept playing')


Take-Aways:
Temporarily ignore subordinate clauses and prepositional phrases to make sense of a long sentence

For verbal prep, I recommend OG, MGMAT SC and GMATFix Verbal
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Re: GMAT Prep - Galelio

by kanha81 » Thu Apr 09, 2009 8:15 am
moadhia wrote:Galileo did not invent the telescope, but on hearing, in 1609, that such an optical instrument had been made, he quickly built his own device from an organ pipe and spectacle lenses.
A. Galileo did not invent the telescope, but on hearing, in 1609, that such an optical instrument had been made, he
B. Galileo had not invented the telescope, but when he heard, in 1609, of such an optical instrument having been made,
C. Galileo, even though he had not invented the telescope, on hearing, in 1609, that such an optical instrument had been made, he
D. Even though Galileo did not invent the telescope, on hearing, in 1609, that such an optical instrument had been made,
E. Even though Galileo did not invent the telescope, but when he heard, in 1609, of such an optical instrument being made, he

OA is A .

Can you tell me why A is correct and why the other options are incorrect?
For the benefit of answering this question correctly, PLEASE underline the part in question AND use SPOILER function to cover answer!

Thanks.
Want to Beat GMAT.
Always do what you're afraid to do. Whoooop GMAT
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by mehravikas » Sat Dec 26, 2009 3:58 pm
Sorry for opening an old thread.

Just want to know one thing - B uses "Heard of"

Is it the correct idiom? Is it heard of or heard about?
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by babuxavier » Sun Dec 09, 2012 8:08 am
IMO A
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by ArnabGangully » Tue Oct 22, 2013 11:29 pm
I have to invent a scheme to make money.--Not Past

Some Scientst(Galileo) Invent telescope .

Is this not wrong because the telescope had already been invented and its a past activity, So Invented should be always used for any discovery in the past, because discoveries are a matter of past.

Isnt this a correct Version:

Scientists Invented Motorcycle

OR

Galileo invented Telescope.

Please Comment ?

PS I am not challenging the accuracy of the question i have already absorbed the concept that its correct, still want to know your thought about the doubt i have
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