According to anthropologists, the use of human language

We are looking for the range covered by "the use of human language". So we will use nouns in lieu of 'the use'. Hence, 'communication' and 'establishment' are correct. That is why (B) and (D) are not correct.

'People engaging in the same task' does not represent present continuous, if that is what you mean. 'engaging' is used as a present participle modifier. It does not act as a verb so does not represent a tense. To act as a verb, it needs a helping verb such as "are engaging" or "were engaging" etc.

communicating practically is unidiomatic so b and D out suddenly

A C and E

A to establishing hierarchy unidiomatic

C the establishing of hierarchy idem

E must be the answer. infact is correct

@carcass -you seem to be a native speaker
@aditi1903 - source is Manhattan GMAT prep(CAT exam question)

No I'm not

the source was already indicated

According to anthropologists, the use of human language covers a wide spectrum from practical communication between people engaged in the same task to establishing hierarchy within a social group.



A. practical communication between people engaged in the same task to establishing hierarchy

B. communicating practically between people engaging in the same task to the establishment of hierarchy

C. practical communication between people engaged in the same task to the establishing of hierarchy

D. communicating practically between people engaging in the same task to hierarchy established

E. practical communication between people engaged in the same task to the establishment of hierarchy

Meaning Analysis :

Anthropologists suggest that use of human language covers:

1. Practical communication b/w people engaged

2. Establishing hierarchy with in a social group

Error Analysis

1. There is one clause

a. Subject : The use & Verb : covers

b. Idiom usage : From X to Y , so X & Y should be parallel

c. X = Noun Phrase

i. Noun = Practical Communication

ii. Engaged is verb-ed modifier

d. Y = Noun Phrase ( Gerund/Verb ing)

i. Noun= ‘Establishing’ Hierarchy

Problem : I don’t understand why answer choice is incorrect.

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Although I have marked correctly but I have question to Experts,

1. Practical communication must be among People right ?
2. Two task must be parallel right ? From-----to the / From------to----- ?

E has the above mentioned concerns please let me know if I am wrong.

According to anthropologists, the use of human language covers a wide spectrum from practical communication between people engaged in the same task to establishing hierarchy within a social group.

A) practical communication between people engaged in the same task to establishing hierarchy
B) communicating practically between people engaging in the same task to the establishment of hierarchy
C) practical communication between people engaged in the same task to the establishing of hierarchy
D) communicating practically between people engaging in the same task to hierarchy established
E) practical communication between people engaged in the same task to the establishment of hierarchy

Luckily, this question does not force us to choose between between and among here. However, this is one of those cases in which a between is acceptable, because we're interested in smaller groups within people.

... communication among people engaged in the same task...
This makes it sound as if there is a large group of people discussing something among themselves (as a group).

... communication between people engaged in the same task...
This makes it sound as if there are smaller conversations between members of a larger group.

As for from... to..., the the is important only if the noun requires it. Otherwise, it has absolutely no significance. For example:

From the government to you...

Thank you so much,your explanations are lucid.

establishment of hierarchy is correct idiomatic.

According to anthropologists, the use of human language covers a wide spectrum from practical communication between people engaged in the same task to establishing hierarchy within a social group.

A) practical communication between people engaged in the same task to establishing hierarchy. WRONG: two construction,"From...X... To...Y.." should be parallel which is absent in this option.
B) communicating practically between people engaging in the same task to the establishment of hierarchy. WRONG: As same explanation as that of option A
C) practical communication between people engaged in the same task to the establishing of hierarchy. WRONG: As same explanation as that of option A
D) communicating practically between people engaging in the same task to hierarchy established. WRONG: As same explanation as that of option A
E) practical communication between people engaged in the same task to the establishment of hierarchy. CORRECT.

GMATNinja, GMATNinjaTwo, mikemcgarry, VeritasKarishma

I agree with the explanations for eliminating B and D. But can we eliminate B and D because of the phrase - "between people engaging in the same task" ?
If yes, then is it because "engaging" here signifies people who are now engaging ?

This may look difficult but it actually isn't if you eliminate options.
Communicating practically makes no sense in this sentence, so lets eliminate B and D
B) communicating practically between people engaging in the same task to the establishment of hierarchy
D) communicating practically between people engaging in the same task to hierarchy established

Now we're left with:
A) practical communication between people engaged in the same task to establishing hierarchy
C) practical communication between people engaged in the same task to the establishing of hierarchy
E) practical communication between people engaged in the same task to the establishment of hierarchy

Establishing of is idiomatically wrong so lets eliminate C
E>A keeping in mind parallelism - so lets go with E.. which is the right answer.