A case of misplaced prepostional phrase modifier...

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This is the question from OG 12, Q-120, pg680.


A firm that specializes in the analysis of handwriting claims from a one-page writing sample that it can assess more than 300 personality traits, including enthusiasm, imagination and ambition.

A] from a one-page writing sample that it can assess

B] from a one-page writing sample it has the ability of assessing

C] the ability, from a one-page writing sample, of assessing

D] to be able, from a one-page writing sample, to assess

E] being able to assess, from a one-page writing sample


The OA is D.


Got lost between the options A and D. Option A was a very attractive option but D is the correct answer.

[Kasia@EconomistGMAT]

In answer A the pronoun "it" is ambiguous ("it can assess"), so this answer contains a stylistic flaw.
This answer also contains a grammatical/ logical mistake because the phrase "from a one-page sample THAT it can assess" signifies that it is the sample that can assess the personality traits and not the firm.

[snigdha.singh16]

This is the question from OG 12, Q-120, pg680.

A firm that specializes in the analysis of handwriting claims from a one-page writing sample that it can assess more than 300 personality traits, including enthusiasm, imagination and ambition.

A] from a one-page writing sample that it can assess

D] to be able, from a one-page writing sample, to assess

The OA is D.

Got lost between the options A and D. Option A was a very attractive option but D is the correct answer.

IMO - D

I narrowed down the options by looking for the correct Idiom for claim - CLAIMS TO BE

Hope this helps!

Regards,
Snigdha

[EducationAisle]

GMAT SC questions should be looked at from meaning perspective.

A states:

A firm that specializes in the analysis of handwriting claims from a one-page writing sample that it can assess more than 300 personality traits, including enthusiasm, imagination and ambition.

Notice how odd this is: ...claims from a one-page writing sample that..

This seems to suggest that the firm (from somewhere) had a one-page writing sample; on the basis of that sample, the firm now claims that it can assess more than 300 personality traits.

However, the real intent of the firm is obviously to state that if the firm has a a one-page writing sample (of anyone), it can assess more than 300 personality traits.

[jimmyjimmy]

claims to is the correct idiom,.,.

we all claim to insurance companies

we (dont) claim from insurance companies..

[en.mohitgupt]

Experts please correct me if i am wrong.

in between option C and D

option C is having an adverb "ability" refers to verb "claim" and option D is having an adjective "able" refers to subject "the firm". that's why the correct answer is D.