Prompted by observations of seemingly related species

[gmatdriller]

Prompted by observations of seemingly related species in neighboring locales
that he made during his five-year voyage around the world on the HMS Beagle,
Charles Darwin conceived his theory of natural selection in which all species
evolved over time from a single ancestor or very few common ancestors.

A:...
B: in which all species evolve from a single ancestor or very few common
ancestors over time
C: whereby over time all species evolve from a single ancestor or very few
common ancestors
D: whereby all species have evolved over time from a single ancestor or very
few common ancestors
E: whereby all species evolved over time from a single ancestor or very few
common ancestors

which is correct: "theory in which" or " theory whereby"?

[karanrulz4ever]

First of all,we need to use "evolved" and not "evolve". So B and C are out.
Secondly, "whereby" seems to refer to something which happened due to something else. For instance, "We have X,whereby Y" suggests Y happens because of X.This surely isnt applicable here as "species
evolved over time from a single ancestor or very few common ancestors" is Darwin's theory and not something which happens because of the theory. Hence D and E are out.
Hence IMO is A. Do post the OA.

[Maciek]

Hi all!

Few answer choices contain verb tense errors. There is 3/2 split.
B, C and D are wrong.

'whereby' means also 'in accordance with which'

I choose A. It is clearer for me.

Read "Top 10 Tips for the Sentence Correction Section" by Chris Black
https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2010/09/ ... on-section

Hope it helps!
Best,
Maciek

[ankurmit]

IMO A

evolved is required

B C and D are out because of use of "whereby"

[Mo2men]

Prompted by observations of seemingly related species in neighboring locales
that he made during his five-year voyage around the world on the HMS Beagle,
Charles Darwin conceived his theory of natural selection in which all species
evolved over time from a single ancestor or very few common ancestors.

A:...
B: in which all species evolve from a single ancestor or very few common
ancestors over time
C: whereby over time all species evolve from a single ancestor or very few
common ancestors
D: whereby all species have evolved over time from a single ancestor or very
few common ancestors
E: whereby all species evolved over time from a single ancestor or very few
common ancestors

which is correct: "theory in which" or " theory whereby"?

Dear GMATGuru,

This question is from 1000 series. According to it, he OA is D.

1- Is the verb tense correct i the OA? 'have evolved' gives the meaning that it is started in the past and still present or its effect still exists. it is very weird.

2- What is the difference between whereby & in which? which one is correct?

Thanks in dvance

[GMATGuruNY]

Dear GMATGuru,

This question is from 1000 series. According to it, he OA is D.

1- Is the verb tense correct i the OA? 'have evolved' gives the meaning that it is started in the past and still present or its effect still exists. it is very weird.

A present perfect verb (has + VERBed or have + VERBed) expresses a PAST ACTION that affects the present.
Generally, the usage of a present perfect verb implies that the subject of the verb still exists.
Incorrect:
The dinosaurs have evolved over time.
The sentence above is illogical because the verb in red (present perfect) implies that the dinosaurs still exist.

D: All species have evolved over time.
Here, the verb in red (present perfect) implies that all species still exist.
Since some species have died out -- the dinosaurs, for example -- option D is illogical and thus not viable.

I recommend that you disregard the SC above.

2- What is the difference between whereby & in which? which one is correct?

Thanks in advance

a theory in which X
a theory whereby X
Both constructions are viable and seem so close in meaning as to be indistinguishable.