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Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
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When working with overseas clients, an understanding of cultural norms is at least as important as grasping the pivotal business issues for the global manager.
(A) When working with overseas clients, an understanding of cultural norms is at least as important as grasping the pivotal business issues for the global manager.
(B) When they work with overseas clients, understanding cultural norms is at least of equal importance to the global manager as grasping the pivotal business issues.
(C) For global managers working with overseas clients, understanding cultural norms is at least as important as grasping the pivotal business issues.
(D) For global managers working with overseas clients, an understanding of cultural norms is at least as important to them as that they grasp the pivotal business issues.
(E) Global managers working with overseas clients find an understanding of cultural norms to be equally important as grasping the pivotal business issues.
Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of this sentence is that in the case of global managers working with overseas clients, understanding cultural norms is at least as important as grasping the pivotal business issues.
Concepts tested here: Meaning + Modifiers + Comparisons + Pronouns + Awkwardness/Redundancy• In a “phrase + comma + noun” construction, the phrase must correctly modify the noun; this is one of the most frequently tested concepts on GMAT sentence correction.
• A comparison must always be made between similar things.
A: This answer choice incorrectly uses "When working with overseas clients" to modify "an understanding of cultural norms", illogically implying that an understanding of cultural norms is working with overseas clients; the intended meaning is that certain global managers are working with overseas clients; please remember, in a “phrase + comma + noun” construction, the phrase must correctly modify the noun. Further, Option A incorrectly compares the noun "an understanding of cultural norms" to the action "grasping the pivotal business issues"; please remember, a comparison can only be made between similar things.
B: This answer choice incorrectly uses the plural pronoun "they" to refer to the singular noun "the global manager". Further, Option B uses the needlessly wordy phrase "at least of equal importance", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.
C: Correct. This answer choice uses the phrase "For global managers working with overseas clients", conveying the intended meaning - that certain global managers are working with overseas clients. Further, Option C avoids the pronoun error seen in Option B, as it uses no pronouns. Additionally, Option C correctly compares the actions of "understanding cultural norms" and "grasping the pivotal business issues". Besides, Option C is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.
D: This answer choice incorrectly compares "an understanding of cultural norms" to "that they grasp the pivotal business issues"; remember, a comparison must always be made between similar elements.
E: This answer choice incorrectly compares the noun "an understanding of cultural norms" to the action "grasping the pivotal business issues"; please remember, a comparison can only be made between similar things. Further, Option E uses the redundant phrase "equally important as", leading to awkwardness.
Hence, C is the best answer choice.To understand the concept of "Phrase Comma Subject" and "Subject Comma Phrase" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1minute):
All the best!
Experts' Global Team