work of mathematician - 1000SC - The Beat The GMAT Forum - Expert GMAT Help & MBA Admissions Advice

work of mathematician - 1000SC

Expert replies

mehravikas: Legendary Member; Posts: 1161; Joined: Mon May 12, 2008 2:52 amFollowed by: 1 member; Location: Sydney; Thanked: 23 times

by mehravikas » Mon Nov 23, 2009 12:53 pm

The work of mathematician Roger Penrose in the early 1970s, on the geometry of what are called aperiodic tiles, turned out to describe the architecture of a previously unknown class of crystals.

(A) what are called aperiodic tiles, turned out to describe
(B) what is called aperiodic tiles, describes
(C) aperiodic tiles, describing
(D) so-called aperiodic tiles, describe
(E) aperiodic tiles, it turned out to describe

OA: A
Doubt: [spoiler]The subject is "work" therefore I thought it should use "describes".[/spoiler]

It has been discussed before on this forum but I am not convinced with the reason to eliminate B

Like this post

Source: Beat The GMAT — Sentence Correction | Mon Nov 23, 2009 12:53 pm

sunnyjohn: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 344; Joined: Mon Sep 14, 2009 5:40 amFollowed by: 3 members; Thanked: 28 times; GMAT Score:700

by sunnyjohn » Mon Nov 23, 2009 6:19 pm

I choose A, i was stuck with A and B.

the reason i eliminated B : what IS called aperiodic tileS?
I though "what ARE called aperiodic tileS?" --> gives a better S-V agreement.

in A, I think it is ok...to write..

The work(Subject) of mathematician Roger Penrose in the early 1970s, ..., turned out to describe mathematician Roger Penrose in the early 1970s.

Another reason: Meaning - the work was not intentionally meant to describe the architecture. It happened to describe.
So, B changes the meaning by saying that Work was actually meant to describe the architecture.

thanks
sunny

Like this post

mehravikas: Legendary Member; Posts: 1161; Joined: Mon May 12, 2008 2:52 amFollowed by: 1 member; Location: Sydney; Thanked: 23 times

by mehravikas » Mon Nov 23, 2009 6:36 pm

IMO -

1. The work....turned out to describe
2. The work....describes

Both are correct. I picked B because it was more concise and I thought "is" refers to the work. But I was wrong. "What are" seems to be the correct usage.

However I think that both the forms (1 and 2) are correct in terms of describing the work. Gramatically I don't see a problem in them.

sunnyjohn wrote:I choose A, i was stuck with A and B.

the reason i eliminated B : what IS called aperiodic tileS?
I though "what ARE called aperiodic tileS?" --> gives a better S-V agreement.

in A, I think it is ok...to write..

The work(Subject) of mathematician Roger Penrose in the early 1970s, ..., turned out to describe mathematician Roger Penrose in the early 1970s.

Another reason: Meaning - the work was not intentionally meant to describe the architecture. It happened to describe.
So, B changes the meaning by saying that Work was actually meant to describe the architecture.

thanks
sunny

Like this post

sunnyjohn: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 344; Joined: Mon Sep 14, 2009 5:40 amFollowed by: 3 members; Thanked: 28 times; GMAT Score:700

by sunnyjohn » Mon Nov 23, 2009 6:58 pm

IMO -

1. The work....turned out to describe
2. The work....describes

Both are correct. I picked B because it was more concise and I thought "is" refers to the work. But I was wrong. "What are" seems to be the correct usage.

However I think that both the forms (1 and 2) are correct in terms of describing the work. Gramatically I don't see a problem in them.

I agree that both are grammatical correct, but if you see his original work was on 'aperiodic tiles' which happened to describe the architecture of crystal.
the work on aperiodic tiles turned out to describe the architecture of crystals.
the work on aperiodic tiles describes the architecture of crystals.

I hope some expect will clarify this more clearly, whether there is any difference in meaning?

Like this post

tanviet: Legendary Member; Posts: 1404; Joined: Tue May 20, 2008 6:55 pmFollowed by: 2 members; Thanked: 18 times

by tanviet » Tue Nov 24, 2009 2:50 am

check grammar, c, d and e are out

when any 2 choices are grammatical, keep the original meaning. A is left.

Like this post

Post new topic Locked

• Page 1 of 1

GMAT Course Reviews

560 reviews

1168 reviews

431 reviews

359 reviews

147 reviews

5/5

5 Star (560 Reviews)

"Target Test Prep is the closest to the official version of the GMAT exam, about 99% accuracy in terms of the quality and quantity of information. The course has excellently created singular sets of focused lessons and tests for every possible topic that one could come across in the official GMAT exam."

"The TTP course maximizes the efficiency of the time you spend studying. It will take time and effort but I could almost guarantee that if you complete the course exactly as it is laid out you will get an amazing score. They also have a very responsive team willing to help with any questions you might have."

"TTP has two things that I think no other test prep company offers: A teaching approach that reinforces understanding and an attitude that will give you the mental preparedness needed to succeed on the test. TTP gives you a deep understanding of the concept you need to know while teaching you how to think."

Write a Review