Sir Mark Sykes, a prominent politician and diplomat,

Expert replies

vinni.k: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 421; Joined: Sun Apr 17, 2011 4:27 amFollowed by: 2 members; Location: India; Thanked: 6 times; GMAT Score:620

by vinni.k » Mon Oct 01, 2012 9:03 am

Sir Mark Sykes, a prominent politician and diplomat, died with the Spanish flu, which kills 50 million people worldwide, in France in 1919.

(A). Sir Mark Sykes, a prominent politician and diplomat, died with the Spanish flu, which kills 50 million people worldwide, in France in 1919.
(B). Sir Mark Sykes, a prominent politician and diplomat, died from the Spanish flu, which killed 50 million people worldwide, in France in 1919.
(C). A prominent politician and diplomat, the Spanish flu, which killed 50 million people worldwide, was the cause of Sir Mark Sykes’ death in France in 1919.
(D). Sir Mark Sykes, a prominent politician and diplomat, died in France in 1919 of the Spanish flu, which killed 50 million people worldwide.
(E). A prominent politician and diplomat, Sir Mark Sykes died in the Spanish flu, which killed 50 million people worldwide, in France in 1919

Answer is D

What is wrong with B?

Thanks & Regards
Vinni

Source: Beat The GMAT — Sentence Correction | Mon Oct 01, 2012 9:03 am

anuprajan5: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 279; Joined: Mon Jun 25, 2012 10:56 pmFollowed by: 10 members; Thanked: 60 times

by anuprajan5 » Mon Oct 01, 2012 9:16 am

Hi Vinni,

The problem with B is the position of the modifier as below:

which killed 50 million people worldwide, in France in 1919.

worldwide, in France - This seems to have a nonsensical meaning.

Since Sir Mark Sykes died in France, it would be relevant to have France close to where the action happened - which is resolved in D

Regards
Anup

vinni.k: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 421; Joined: Sun Apr 17, 2011 4:27 amFollowed by: 2 members; Location: India; Thanked: 6 times; GMAT Score:620

by vinni.k » Mon Oct 01, 2012 10:39 am

Anup, thanks for your reply.

The explanation that i have for (B) says, "the phrase "died from" is idiomatically incorrect."
I was wondering both "died from" and "died of" make sense. But D is a bit wordier, so i selected B.

Is "died from" idiomatically incorrect ? I am not sure about this idiom.

Regards
Vinni

vinni.k: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 421; Joined: Sun Apr 17, 2011 4:27 amFollowed by: 2 members; Location: India; Thanked: 6 times; GMAT Score:620

by vinni.k » Tue Oct 02, 2012 6:02 am

Hi,

I'll be really thankful if anyone can clear my confusion.

Regards
Vinni

anuprajan5: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 279; Joined: Mon Jun 25, 2012 10:56 pmFollowed by: 10 members; Thanked: 60 times

by anuprajan5 » Tue Oct 02, 2012 6:38 am

Hi Vinni,

I am not too sure but I have to disagree with the explanation.

Died from - It shows an indirect cause. For example in this case, contracting the Spanish flu means that that was a cause. But he died from contracting it.

Died of - It shows a direct cause. Eg: He died of an accident. The accident directly caused his death.

Honestly, I don't want to confuse you but that's the only logic that I have. I would rather focus on the meaning of the sentence. In this case, the positioning of in France is the problem and hence I rule it out.

Regards
Anup

vinni.k: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 421; Joined: Sun Apr 17, 2011 4:27 amFollowed by: 2 members; Location: India; Thanked: 6 times; GMAT Score:620

by vinni.k » Tue Oct 02, 2012 8:32 am

Anup, thanks again.

I do agree with your explanation of modifier. I was just trying to clear my confusion.
Anyways i will go with your explanation. Positioning of modifier in B is a problem.

Thanks
Vinni

Featured schoolRound 2 closes Jan 7, 2027 66 days left

Chicago Booth

Since 1982, 10 Booth faculty members have received the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, more than any other business school.

#3
U.S. News rank: $175,000
Median base salary: 670
Average GMAT Focus: 635
Students in the class

Apply to Booth Visit chicagobooth.edu See the full profile

Photo: Warren LeMay, CC BY-SA 2.0

GMAT Course Reviews

563 reviews

1168 reviews

431 reviews

359 reviews

147 reviews

5/5

5 Star (563 Reviews)

"Target Test Prep is the closest to the official version of the GMAT exam, about 99% accuracy in terms of the quality and quantity of information. The course has excellently created singular sets of focused lessons and tests for every possible topic that one could come across in the official GMAT exam."

"The TTP course maximizes the efficiency of the time you spend studying. It will take time and effort but I could almost guarantee that if you complete the course exactly as it is laid out you will get an amazing score. They also have a very responsive team willing to help with any questions you might have."

"TTP has two things that I think no other test prep company offers: A teaching approach that reinforces understanding and an attitude that will give you the mental preparedness needed to succeed on the test. TTP gives you a deep understanding of the concept you need to know while teaching you how to think."

Write a Review