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

Redeem

A drilling technique SC question

This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Locked
Previous Topic Next Topic
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 109
Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2012 5:10 am
Followed by:1 members

A drilling technique SC question

by psm12se » Sun Jul 07, 2013 7:26 am
A drilling technique known as "hydraulic fracturing", where a mix of water and chemicals are blasted under-ground to create fissures in gas-bearing rocks, has made it much easier and cheaper to extract gas from shale, coal, and other less permeable geological formations.

A. known as "hydraulic fracturing", where a mix of water and chemicals are

B. known as "hydraulic fracturing", in which a mix of water and chemicals is

C. is known as "hydraulic fracturing", in which a mix of water and chemicals are

D. is known as "hydraulic fracturing", in which a mix of water and chemicals is

E. known as "hydraulic fracturing", which is a mix of water and chemicals
Top
Source: — Sentence Correction |

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
Elite Legendary Member
Posts: 10392
Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pm
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Thanked: 2867 times
Followed by:511 members
GMAT Score:800

by [email protected] » Sun Jul 07, 2013 4:14 pm
Hi psm12se,

In this SC, there are several grammar rules that you can use to eliminate answers and hone in on the correct answer. If grammar isn't one of your strong suits yet, then try thinking of grammar as a "matching game." If you know one part of a pair, then you should be able to figure out the other part. For example:

1) At the end of the answer choices, you'll notice the words "is" and "are"; this is a verb issue that is based on a singular noun vs. a plural noun. Find the NOUN and you can choose the matching verb. In this case, the noun is "a mix...", which is singular....so the verb must be "IS"

2) At the beginning of the answer choices, you have 2 options: "known" vs. "is known"; since the SC discusses "a drilling technique...", we should use "known as" because it's one type of drilling technique ("a drilling technique known as hydraulic fracturing"). If there was one and only one drilling technique in real life, then you would use "is known as".

3) The final grammar rule is a style rule based on the words where/when/in which. Since this SC isn't describing a place, the word "where" would be incorrect. "In which" is the proper style.

These rules all point to answer B.

The good thing about SCs is that they're based on established rules that can be learned. The bad thing is that there are a lot of rules (especially minor rules called usage, style and idioms) and if you're trying to pick answers based on "how they sound", then you're likely to make a bunch of silly mistakes. Learn the grammar and use the answers to your advantage and you can pick up a lot of points in this category.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Contact Rich at [email protected]
Image
Top
User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 335
Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2011 11:31 pm
Location: Australia / India
Thanked: 37 times
Followed by:2 members

by melguy » Sat Jul 13, 2013 7:33 am
A drilling technique known as "hydraulic fracturing", in which a mix .... is blasted under-ground to create fissures in gas-bearing rocks, has made it much easier and cheaper to extract gas from shale, coal, and other less permeable geological formations.

IMO B

Also, just to make things easier I have colour coded what relates to what. Hope it helps.
Top
Post new topic Locked
• Page 1 of 1