traditional Japanese household

[Vignesh.4384]

419. In the traditional Japanese household, most clothing could be packed flatly, and so it was not necessary to have elaborate closet facilities.


(A) flatly, and so it was not necessary to have elaborate closet facilities
(B) flat, and so elaborate closet facilities were unnecessary
(C) flatly, and so there was no necessity for elaborate closet facilities
(D) flat, there being no necessity for elaborate closet facilities
(E) flatly, as no elaborate closet facilities were necessary


The official answer is b but i think it should be c

Please help

[raunekk]

imo:B

[wonder]

same here...IMO B

[just_do_it]

Vignesh.4384,

"flatly" is incorrect here because it is being used as an adverb. Flatly is modifying the verb - pack.

what we need here something that modifies the noun-clothing- and hence "flat" is appropriate. Options A, C and E are out.

Between B and D, option D is wordy- 'there being...".

Hence option B is short and conveys the message correctly that the clothing is packed "flat".

Correct answer is B.

Hope the explanation helps.

[Vignesh.4384]

Vignesh.4384,

"flatly" is incorrect here because it is being used as an adverb. Flatly is modifying the verb - pack.

what we need here something that modifies the noun-clothing- and hence "flat" is appropriate. Options A, C and E are out.

Between B and D, option D is wordy- 'there being...".

Hence option B is short and conveys the message correctly that the clothing is packed "flat".

Correct answer is B.

Hope the explanation helps.

Thanks for your thoughts.
But i think flatly should modify the verb packed rather than the noun clothing.
Moreover a a verb flat cannot modify a noun . Only a adjective can.

Here packed is used as a verb, but why do we need another verb Flat to follow the verb packed

Please clarify

[just_do_it]

I think the confusing part here is that based on the context flat can be used both as an adjective (for example a flat roof, a flat tire etc) and as an adverb (for example in a flat position)

The intent of the original sentence is to convey that no elaborate closet facilities were needed because the clothing was levelled or flat.

Does that help ? or Am i confusing you more ?

Can someone else chime in please? Thanks.

[Vignesh.4384]

I think the confusing part here is that based on the context flat can be used both as an adjective (for example a flat roof, a flat tire etc) and as an adverb (for example in a flat position)

The intent of the original sentence is to convey that no elaborate closet facilities were needed because the clothing was levelled or flat.

Does that help ? or Am i confusing you more ?

Can someone else chime in please? Thanks.

No No . You are not confusing me.
I agree flat can be used as a adjective. To clear this doubt ..
When u ask the question
What is done to the clothes ->> they are packed (so this has to be the verb)
"How are the clothes packed" ??? flatly/ flat (so i dont think it can act as a adjective here because it describes the action "packed")

One last thing .. The explanation for question #38 in OG11 says that Adjective is used to modify a noun or pronoun.
The adverb can modify adjevtive or adver or verb

So i guessed it had 2 be a adverb

Now i am Confused

[reachac]

I would have chosen B for it it compact and expresses the idea clearly in min number of words. Remember the rules, 'GMAT prefers simplicity' & 'GMAT prefers clearer and shorter sentences'.

Here, C says:-

"and so there was no necessity for elaborate closet facilities"

B replace the entire bold part with just 2 words "were unnecessary", and still manages to put he point across clearly. Hence choose B.

[kiranlegend]

I think the confusing part here is that based on the context flat can be used both as an adjective (for example a flat roof, a flat tire etc) and as an adverb (for example in a flat position)

The intent of the original sentence is to convey that no elaborate closet facilities were needed because the clothing was levelled or flat.

Does that help ? or Am i confusing you more ?

Can someone else chime in please? Thanks.

No No . You are not confusing me.
I agree flat can be used as a adjective. To clear this doubt ..
When u ask the question
What is done to the clothes ->> they are packed (so this has to be the verb)
"How are the clothes packed" ??? flatly/ flat (so i dont think it can act as a adjective here because it describes the action "packed")

One last thing .. The explanation for question #38 in OG11 says that Adjective is used to modify a noun or pronoun.
The adverb can modify adjevtive or adver or verb

So i guessed it had 2 be a adverb

Now i am Confused

dude even i got confused. using adjective finder method: how? hehe i got confused.. realized its meaning.. flatly means blatantly refusing.. this word is like hardly. adverb word has different meaning to adjective word..
i know in exam we need to get this thought in the first place

[pranavc]

Isn't the "and so elaborate" phrase somewhat awkward?

[suhas]

Isn't the "and so elaborate" phrase somewhat awkward?

"flat" can be used as an adverb, adjective, noun, and verb, whereas "flately" is an adverb. In given construction - "could be packed X", X must be adverb so both flatly and flat are correct here. Hence OA: B

more explanation:
A) "so X to have..." uidiomatic
B) correctly uses adverb flat, and construction " X could be Y so Z" is idiomatic
C) Wordy construction - "there was ...."
D) Wordy construction - "being ...."
E) Meaning not clear - reverses causal link - "because of non availability of elaborate closet facility > japanese packed clothes flat". But correct meaning is - "japanes packed clothes flat so elaborate closets were unnecessary"