NandishSS wrote:
HI
GMATNinja,
mikemcgarry,
DmitryFarber,
MagooshExpert (Carolyn),
ccooley,
GMATGuruNY,
EMPOWERgmatVerbal,
EducationAisleCan you please help me with this SC? Are we rejecting D & E just because they are wordier? In B & C does it not
it refers to
rough surfaceInstead of looking for structure, we can focus on the intended meaning of this sentence. The important part here is the initial modifier
in order to evenly and effectively paint a rough surface, which provides the context for the rest of what the sentence should say.
A.
In order to evenly and effectively paint a rough surface, it is necessary to (a) sand it and (b) apply primer before applying the paint.Disregard the final modifier
before applying the paint, as it is not part of the list of things that are
necessary to evenly and effectively paint a rough surface. This option says that we need to do two things (sand the surface and apply primer) in order to evenly and effectively paint a rough surface.
What we would
not want to do is to take the paint bit out of the modifier at the end and add it to the list as the
third necessary thing. For example, take the following sentence:
In order to evenly and effectively paint a rough surface, it is necessary to sand the surface, apply primer to the surface, and paint it.If we unpack the list, we get:
In order to evenly and effectively paint a rough surface,
1. it is necessary to sand the surface,
2. it is necessary to apply primer to the surface,
and
3. it is necessary to paint it.
Effectively, this sentence tells us that in order to paint a rough surface evenly and effectively, we need to paint it (third item in the list). Take the meaning call: do we really want to say that in order to evenly and effectively paint a rough surface, it is necessary to then paint it? Or are two other things (sanding and primer) necessary before the paint is applied?
B.
In order to evenly and effectively paint a rough surface, it is necessary to (a) sand it and (b) prime it and (c) paint it.Apart from the additional
and, this option has the list problem we just discussed.
C.
In order to evenly and effectively paint a rough surface, it is necessary to (a) sand it, (b) then prime it, (c) then paint it.Awkward usage of multiple
thens. Additionally, this option doesn't even have an
and to join the items of the list.
D.
In order to evenly and effectively paint a rough surface, it is necessary to (a) sand the surface and (b) apply primer before you apply paint to the surface.In this option the list doesn't include paint, but this option is wordier (
sand the surface instead of
sand it and
before you apply paint to the surface instead of
before applying the paint). Additionally, there is no reason for the sentence to suddenly make this about a "you".
E.
In order to evenly and effectively paint a rough surface, it is necessary to (a) sand the surface, (b) apply primer to the surface and (c) then paint it.The last option is wordy and has the same list problem that option B has.
EDITHere is an example that is (somewhat) similar to what is there in this question (disregard meaning):
(a)
In order to quickly and reliably solve a tough question, it is necessary to understand the question, check for clear errors in the question, and solve it. ← "In order to quickly and reliably solve a tough question, it is necessary to... solve it."
vs.
(b)
In order to quickly and reliably solve a tough question, it is necessary to understand the question and check for clear errors in the question before marking an answer. ← This one does a much better job of addressing the "quickly and reliably" bit.
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