Please help - When presented with only circumstantial eviden

[vinni.k]

When presented with only circumstantial evidence, a juror tends to decide a case according to his or her gut instinct, which are not formally sanctioned or prohibited means of reaching a verdict.

(A)which are not formally
(B)which are not a formally
(C)which is not a formally
(D)which is formally not a
(E)which is not formally

OA is C

The two choices, C and E, in this question are very confusing, and after reading so many posts about these two choices, i have become more confused. What exactly is the difference between C and E? Is it an idiom or something else. I really need expert advice on C and E.

Thanks & Regards
Vinni

[[email protected]]

Hi vinni.k

To correctly answer this SC, you'll need to notice 3 things:

1) "gut instinct" is a singular noun, so we need the verb "is" Eliminate A and B
2) Read to the end of the sentence and you'll see that using "gut instinct" is A MEANS of reaching a verdict, so we need the "...a..." somewhere in the sentence. Eliminate E
3) The phrase "which is formally not a" sounds clunky. Eliminate D

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

[tarik]

I chose E for this question. I was confused about answers C and E.

[[email protected]]

Hi tarik,

The Sentence refers to "gut instinct" as A MEANS of reaching a verdict. The word "a" needs to be in the sentence to properly describe "gut instinct." Since answer E doesn't have "a", it's wrong.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich