Archaeologists in Ireland believe that a recently discovered chalice, which dates from the eighth century, was probably buried to keep from being stolen by invaders.
(A) to keep from
(B) to keep it from
(C) to avoid
(D) in order that it would avoid
(E) in order to keep from
OA: B
I don't understand why C is incorrect .
......Chalice , modifier , was probably buried .....
In this sentence as the sentence is passive we know that chalice was buried by someone else . So how can 'to avoid ' as per OG and many forums explanations say that sentence is trying to say chalice itself wants to avoid from being stolen .
kindly explain
Good SC question from OG verbal 16
This topic has expert replies
- GMATGuruNY
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 15539
- Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pm
- Location: New York, NY
- Thanked: 13060 times
- Followed by:1906 members
- GMAT Score:790
Generally, an infinitive modifier serves to express the INTENT of the preceding subject.lunar wrote:I don't understand why C is incorrect .
......Chalice , modifier , was probably buried .....
In this sentence as the sentence is passive we know that chalice was buried by someone else . So how can 'to avoid ' as per OG and many forums explanations say that sentence is trying to say chalice itself wants to avoid from being stolen .
kindly explain
C: A recently discovered chalice...was probably buried to avoid being stolen.
Here, the infinitive modifier in red seems to express the intent of a recently discovered chalice -- the preceding subject -- implying that the chalice INTENDED to avoid being stolen.
This meaning is nonsensical:
A chalice cannot have an intent.
Eliminate C.
OA: A recently discovered chalice...was probably buried to keep IT from being stolen.
Here, it is standing in for a recently discovered chalice.
Conveyed meaning:
A recently discovered chalice...was probably buried to keep the recently discovered chalice from being stolen.
In the conveyed meaning, it is crystal clear that the infinitive modifier in blue serves to express the intent not of the chalice but of WHOEVER BURIED THE CHALICE.
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
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
- Saya Charming
- Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Sat May 28, 2016 5:38 am
- Location: Chennai
- Thanked: 1 times