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

Redeem

GMAT sets

This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Locked
Previous Topic Next Topic
Legendary Member
Posts: 2326
Joined: Mon Jul 28, 2008 3:54 am
Thanked: 173 times
Followed by:2 members
GMAT Score:710

GMAT sets

by gmatmachoman » Wed Jul 07, 2010 12:04 pm
The fact of some fraternal twins resembling each other greatly and others looking quite dissimilar highlights an interesting and often overlooked feature of fraternal-twin pairs, namely they vary considerably on a spectrum of genetic relatedness.

A. The fact of some fraternal twins resembling each other greatly and others looking quite dissimilar highlights an interesting and often overlooked feature of fraternal-twin pairs, namely they vary considerably

B. That some fraternal twins resemble each other greatly while others look quite dissimilar highlights an interesting and often overlooked feature of fraternal-twin pairs, namely that they vary considerably

C. With some fraternal twins resembling each other greatly and others looking quite dissimilar, it highlights an interesting and often overlooked feature of fraternal-twin pairs, namely considerable variation

D. With some fraternal twins resembling each other greatly and others looking quite dissimilar, it is a fact that highlights an interesting and often overlooked feature of fraternal-twin pairs, namely a considerable variation


E. Because some fraternal twins resemble each other greatly and others look quite dissimilar, this fact highlights an interesting and often overlooked feature of fraternal-twin pairs, namely they vary considerably
Top
Source: — Sentence Correction |
User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 392
Joined: Sun May 16, 2010 2:42 am
Location: Bangalore, India
Thanked: 116 times
Followed by:10 members
GMAT Score:770

by albatross86 » Wed Jul 07, 2010 12:14 pm
A. "The fact of twins resembling..." is unidiomatic when used in this context. The correct usage is "the fact that...". "Fact of" is typically used in context such as, "The fact of the matter is,... " or "This is a fact of life...."
We also lack a "that" after namely.

B. Correct. "That X resemble each other and Y look dissimilar highlights an interesting feature, namely that they vary...."

C. "it" is unreferred and vague.

D. with... it is a fact... this is grammatically flawed. "With... what is a fact?"

E. Because .... this fact.. what fact?

Using with or because alters the intent. The facts cannot be introduced like this.

I would say Pick B.
~Abhay

Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it. -- Andre Gide
Top
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 26
Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 6:51 pm
Thanked: 2 times

by nibake » Wed Jul 07, 2010 3:29 pm
Correct about "B." A relative pronoun phrase (dependent clause) can be used as a subject of a sentence. B contains no error.
Top
User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 318
Joined: Mon Jul 13, 2009 3:55 am
Thanked: 12 times

by nikhilkatira » Fri Jul 09, 2010 5:59 am
albatross86 wrote:A. "The fact of twins resembling..." is unidiomatic when used in this context. The correct usage is "the fact that...". "Fact of" is typically used in context such as, "The fact of the matter is,... " or "This is a fact of life...."
We also lack a "that" after namely.

B. Correct. "That X resemble each other and Y look dissimilar highlights an interesting feature, namely that they vary...."

C. "it" is unreferred and vague.

D. with... it is a fact... this is grammatically flawed. "With... what is a fact?"

E. Because .... this fact.. what fact?

Using with or because alters the intent. The facts cannot be introduced like this.

I would say Pick B.
Abhay Is there any other error in Option C ?
Best,
Nikhil H. Katira
Top
User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 392
Joined: Sun May 16, 2010 2:42 am
Location: Bangalore, India
Thanked: 116 times
Followed by:10 members
GMAT Score:770

by albatross86 » Fri Jul 09, 2010 6:58 am
Abhay Is there any other error in Option C ?
The main issue here is that of a dangling modifier - a big no-no on the GMAT.

Another problematic usage is that of "With". This is only used to describe simultaneity and not causation.

I am not sure of "considerable variation" either though that isn't particularly problematic.
~Abhay

Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it. -- Andre Gide
Top
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1261
Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2008 3:46 am
Thanked: 27 times
GMAT Score:570

by reply2spg » Sat Jul 10, 2010 4:43 am
Answer should be B. I have a question about C. I understand that 'it' does not have clear antecedent but is it correct to start sentence by 'with'???
gmatmachoman wrote:The fact of some fraternal twins resembling each other greatly and others looking quite dissimilar highlights an interesting and often overlooked feature of fraternal-twin pairs, namely they vary considerably on a spectrum of genetic relatedness.

A. The fact of some fraternal twins resembling each other greatly and others looking quite dissimilar highlights an interesting and often overlooked feature of fraternal-twin pairs, namely they vary considerably

B. That some fraternal twins resemble each other greatly while others look quite dissimilar highlights an interesting and often overlooked feature of fraternal-twin pairs, namely that they vary considerably

C. With some fraternal twins resembling each other greatly and others looking quite dissimilar, it highlights an interesting and often overlooked feature of fraternal-twin pairs, namely considerable variation

D. With some fraternal twins resembling each other greatly and others looking quite dissimilar, it is a fact that highlights an interesting and often overlooked feature of fraternal-twin pairs, namely a considerable variation


E. Because some fraternal twins resemble each other greatly and others look quite dissimilar, this fact highlights an interesting and often overlooked feature of fraternal-twin pairs, namely they vary considerably
Top
User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 392
Joined: Sun May 16, 2010 2:42 am
Location: Bangalore, India
Thanked: 116 times
Followed by:10 members
GMAT Score:770

by albatross86 » Sat Jul 10, 2010 4:45 am
Sure, there are several acceptable usages in which you could start a sentence with "with".

eg. With great care, she placed the prize on the shelf.
~Abhay

Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it. -- Andre Gide
Top
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1261
Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2008 3:46 am
Thanked: 27 times
GMAT Score:570

by reply2spg » Sat Jul 10, 2010 4:58 am
Thanks Abhay...one more question can you have sentence comma+with (i.e. ',with')? I am struggling a lot with this issue.
albatross86 wrote:Sure, there are several acceptable usages in which you could start a sentence with "with".

eg. With great care, she placed the prize on the shelf.
Top
User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 392
Joined: Sun May 16, 2010 2:42 am
Location: Bangalore, India
Thanked: 116 times
Followed by:10 members
GMAT Score:770

by albatross86 » Sat Jul 10, 2010 5:06 am
This one is from the MGMAT book:
Usage of WITH
RIGHT: The lions growled, WITH their fur STANDING on end
WRONG: WITH only 25% of the student body, seniors get 50% of the resources
Basically comma+with modifies the previous clause as an adverbial phrase so as long as it is describing the subject meaningfully, it is fine.

It counts as a non-essential modifier in this case.

In the wrong sentence, with is not introducing additional info - it is being used to contrast which is incorrect.[/quote]
~Abhay

Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it. -- Andre Gide
Top
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1261
Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2008 3:46 am
Thanked: 27 times
GMAT Score:570

by reply2spg » Sat Jul 10, 2010 5:10 am
Thanks Abhay, I think I need to see more and more sentences with the word 'with' for practice
albatross86 wrote:This one is from the MGMAT book:
Usage of WITH
RIGHT: The lions growled, WITH their fur STANDING on end
WRONG: WITH only 25% of the student body, seniors get 50% of the resources
Basically comma+with modifies the previous clause as an adverbial phrase so as long as it is describing the subject meaningfully, it is fine.

It counts as a non-essential modifier in this case.

In the wrong sentence, with is not introducing additional info - it is being used to contrast which is incorrect.
[/quote]
Top
Post new topic Locked
• Page 1 of 1