gmatmachoman wrote:The Achaemenid empire of Persia reached the Indus Valley in the fifth century B.C., bringing the Aramaic script with it, from which was derived both northern and southern India alphabets.
A. the Aramaic script with it, from which was derived both northern and
B. the Aramaic script with it, and from which deriving both the northern and the
C. with it the Aramaic script, from which derive both the northern and the
D. with it the Aramaic script, from which derives both northern and
E. with it the Aramaic script, and deriving from it both the northern and
I was asked by PM to comment. One approach:
In A and B, the pronoun
which incorrectly refers to the preceding pronoun
it. Eliminate A and B.
In D, the singular verb
derives does not agree with its plural subject
both northern and southern India alphabets. Eliminate D.
In E, the pronoun
it in the phrase
deriving from it lacks a clear antecedent: does
it refer to the empire or to the script? Eliminate E.
The correct answer is C.
A verb can precede its subject:
Happy is the test-taker who aces the GMAT.
In the sentence above, the verb
is precedes its subject
the test-taker. This sort of construction is uncommon, but it is not incorrect.
One definition of the verb
derive is
to come from a source or origin. In C,
from which derive the northern and the southern India alphabets means that the alphabets
come from the script.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.
As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.
For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at
[email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3