Sunday, February 25, 2007

SC's Question number - 951, 952

951). A substance from the licorice plant, 50 times sweeter than sucrose, was recently discovered, is not only a natural sweetener but also prevents tooth decay.

(A) A substance from the licorice plant, 50 times sweeter than sucrose, was recently discovered

(B) A substance, which was recently discovered, from the licorice plant, 50 times sweeter than sucrose,

(C) A substance from the licorice plant, which was recently discovered to be 50 times sweeter than sucrose,

(D) A substance from the licorice plant, 50 times sweeter than sucrose , which was recently discovered,

(E) A recently discovered substance, 50 times sweeter than sucrose from the licorice plant,


952). After more than four decades of research and development, a new type of jet engine is being tested that could eventually propel aircraft anywhere in the world within two hours or help boost cargoes into space at significantly lower costs than current methods permit.

(A) tested that could eventually propel aircraft anywhere in the world within two or help

(B) tested that could eventually have the capability of propelling aircraft anywhere in the world within two hours or to help

(C) tested, eventually able to propel aircraft anywhere in the world within two hours, or helping

(D) tested, and it eventually could propel aircraft anywhere in the world within two hours, or helping

(E) tested, and it could eventually have the capability to propel aircraft anywhere in the world within two hours or help



Answers --

951). OA given is B. However I do not agree with it.


I pick up C as the best choice - Which in C refers to substance. In general, relative pronouns usually refer to the immediately preceding words. However exceptions are always there. In my opinion such a question will not appear on GMAT.
Excellent discussion on the usage of relative pronoun on GMAT club by Paul

A - incorrect - run on sentence


B - incorrect - "50 times sweeter than sucrose" seems to be modifying Licorice plant and not the substance -"how can a plant be 50 times sweeter than sucrose?".

Also it is wrong to have any kind of parenthetical element right before a prepositional phrase

D - incorrect - which is ambiguous

E - incorrect - suggests wrongly that it was not sucrose which was brought from Licorice Plant.


952). OA - A.

B - incorrect - violating parallelism - propelling...help

C, D - incorrect - violating parallelism - propel ... helping

E - incorrect - "have the capability to" and "could/can" are redundant. (OG 10th sc no. 87)

No comments: