Dear Friends,
Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
johnycute wrote:
In an effort to reduce the number of fires started by cigarettes, a major tobacco company is test-marketing a cigarette in which thin layers of extra paper are used to decrease the amount of oxygen entering the cigarette, thereby slowing the rate at which it burns and lowering the heat it generates.
A. in which thin layers of extra paper are used to decrease the amount of oxygen entering the cigarette, thereby slowing
B. in which they use thin layers of extra paper in decreasing the amount of oxygen entering the cigarette, which slows
C. that uses thin layers of extra paper to decrease the amount of oxygen when it enters the cigarette, thereby slowing
D. for which thin layers of extra paper are used to decrease the amount of oxygen that enters the cigarette, and thereby slowing
E. using thin layers of extra paper in decreasing the amount of oxygen entering the cigarette, which slows
Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of the crucial part of this sentence is that in the cigarette, thin layers of extra paper are used to decrease the amount of oxygen entering the cigarette, and thus slow the rate at which it burns and lower the heat it generates.
Concepts tested here: Pronouns + Meaning + Modifiers + Verb Forms• When “which” is preceded by a comma, it refers to the noun immediately before the comma.
• For referring to the purpose/intent of the action, the infinitive verb form ("to + base form of verb" - "to + decrease" in this sentence) is preferred over the present participle ("verb+ing" - "decreasing" in this sentence).
• "when" is only used to refer to a point in time.
• "comma + present participle ("verb+ing" - "slowing" in this case)" is the correct construction.
A: Correct. This answer choice avoids the pronoun error seen in Option B, as it uses no pronouns. Further, Option A uses the phrase "in which", conveying the intended meaning - that the thin layers of extra paper are used
in the structure of the cigarette. Moreover, Option A uses the phrase "thereby slowing...", conveying the intended meaning - that
the act of decreasing the amount of oxygen
that can enter the cigarette slows the rate at which it burns and lowers the heat it generates. Additionally, Option A maintains the correct construction - "comma + present participle ("verb+ing" - "slowing" in this sentence). Besides, Option A uses the infinitive verb form ("to + base form of verb" - "to + decrease" in this sentence) to refer to the purpose of the action "are used".
B: This answer choice incorrectly refers to the singular noun "company" with the plural pronoun "they". Further, Option B incorrectly refers to "the cigarette" with "which slows...", incorrectly implying that the
cigarette slows the rate at which it burns and lowers the heat it generates; the intended meaning is that
the act of decreasing the amount of oxygen entering the cigarette slows the rate at which it burns and lowers the heat it generates; remember, when “which” is preceded by a comma, it refers to the noun immediately before the comma. Additionally, Option B uses the present participle ("verb+ing") phrase "in decreasing" to refer to the purpose of the action "use thin layers of extra paper"; remember, for referring to the purpose/intent of the action, the infinitive verb form ("to + base form of verb") is preferred over the present participle ("verb+ing" - "decreasing" in this sentence).
C: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "that uses"; the construction of this phrase illogically implies that
the cigarette itself makes use of the thin layers of extra paper; the intended meaning is that the thin layers of extra paper
are used in the cigarette. Moreover, Option C further alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "when it enters the cigarette"; the construction of this phrase illogically implies that the amount of oxygen is reduced,
at the point in time when it enters the cigarette; the intended meaning is that the amount of oxygen
that can enter the cigarette is reduced; remember, "when" is only used to refer to a point in time.
D: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "for which"; the construction of this phrase illogically implies that the thin layers of extra paper are used
for the sake of the cigarette; the intended meaning is that the thin layers of extra paper are used
in the structure of the cigarette. Further, Option D fails to maintain the "comma + present participle ("verb+ing" - "slowing")" construction, as it incorrectly inserts "and" after the comma; remember, "comma + present participle ("verb+ing" - "slowing" in this case)" is the correct construction.
E: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "using"; the construction of this phrase illogically implies that
the cigarette itself makes use of the thin layers of extra paper; the intended meaning is that the thin layers of extra paper
are used in the cigarette. Moreover, Option E incorrectly refers to "the cigarette" with "which slows...", incorrectly implying that the
cigarette slows the rate at which it burns and lowers the heat it generates; the intended meaning is that
the act of decreasing the amount of oxygen entering the cigarette slows the rate at which it burns and lowers the heat it generates; remember, when “which” is preceded by a comma, it refers to the noun immediately before the comma. Further, Option E uses the present participle ("verb+ing") phrase "in decreasing" to refer to the purpose of the action "use thin layers of extra paper"; remember, for referring to the purpose/intent of the action, the infinitive verb form ("to + base form of verb") is preferred over the present participle ("verb+ing" - "decreasing" in this sentence).
Hence, A is the best answer choice.To understand the concept of "Infinitive" vs "Present Participle" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):
All the best!
Experts' Global Team
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