NEW HERE? LEARN MORE
closeclose
Last visit was: 08 May 2024, 05:55 It is currently 08 May 2024, 05:55
Decision Tracker
My Rewards
New posts
New comers' posts

Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel

Although the term “psychopath” is popularly applied to an especially

SORT BY:
Date
Kudos
 1   2   
Tags:
Difficulty: Sub 505 Levelx   Pronounsx                     
Find Similar Topics 
Show Tags
Hide Tags
User avatar
dipaksingh
Manager
Manager
Joined: 03 Nov 2004
Posts: 53
Own Kudos [?]: 76 [52]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Although the term “psychopath” is popularly applied to an especially [#permalink] New post   Updated on: 10 Jan 2019, 06:00
11
Kudos
40
Bookmarks
00:00
A
B
C
D
E

Difficulty:

5% (low)

Question Stats:

93% (00:46) correct 7% (01:05) wrong based on 3059 sessions
Hide Show timer Statistics
Although the term “psychopath” is popularly applied to an especially brutal criminal, in psychology it is someone who is apparently incapable of feeling compassion or the pangs of conscience.


(A) it is someone who is

(B) it is a person

(C) they are people who are

(D) it refers to someone who is

(E) it is in reference to people


The Official Guide for GMAT Review, 10th Edition, 2003

Practice Question
Question No.: SC 214
Page: 687
ShowHide Answer
Official Answer
D

Originally posted by dipaksingh on 16 Feb 2005, 08:29.
Last edited by Bunuel on 10 Jan 2019, 06:00, edited 1 time in total.
Renamed the topic and edited the question.
Most Helpful Reply
User avatar
L
daagh
GMAT Club Legend
GMAT Club Legend
Joined: 19 Feb 2007
Status: enjoying
Posts: 5265
Own Kudos [?]: 42107 [16]
Given Kudos: 422
Location: India
WE:Education (Education)
Send PM
Re: Although the term “psychopath” is popularly applied to an especially [#permalink] New post   26 Sep 2012, 00:36
13
Kudos
2
Bookmarks
Expert Reply
The subject is - the term -, a singular noun and hence choice C using they is out. Further equating the reference of the pronoun – it - to a person is also wrong since it may refer only to anything other than a human. A and B are gone. Between D and E, E refers to people, which is plural and hence is wrong. D is the final choice.
User avatar
L
ExpertsGlobal5
Experts' Global Representative
Joined: 10 Jul 2017
Posts: 5124
Own Kudos [?]: 4684 [5]
Given Kudos: 38
Location: India
GMAT Date: 11-01-2019
Send PM
Re: Although the term “psychopath” is popularly applied to an especially [#permalink] New post   01 Oct 2021, 02:04
4
Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Expert Reply
Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation of this question-
dipaksingh wrote:
Although the term “psychopath” is popularly applied to an especially brutal criminal, in psychology it is someone who is apparently incapable of feeling compassion or the pangs of conscience.


(A) it is someone who is

(B) it is a person

(C) they are people who are

(D) it refers to someone who is

(E) it is in reference to people




Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:
Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended core meaning of this sentence is that in psychology the term "psychopath" refers to a person who is apparently incapable of feeling compassion or the pangs of conscience.

Concepts tested here: Subject-Verb Agreement + Meaning + Pronouns + Awkwardness/Redundancy

A: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the clause "it is someone"; the construction of this clause illogically implies that the term "psychopath" is a person who is apparently incapable of feeling compassion or the pangs of conscience; the intended meaning is that the term "psychopath" refers to a person who is apparently incapable of feeling compassion or the pangs of conscience.

B: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the clause "it is a person"; the construction of this clause illogically implies that the term "psychopath" is a person who is apparently incapable of feeling compassion or the pangs of conscience; the intended meaning is that the term "psychopath" refers to a person who is apparently incapable of feeling compassion or the pangs of conscience.

C: This answer choice incorrectly refers to the singular noun "term" with the plural verb "are". Further, Option C incorrectly refers to the singular noun "term" with the plural pronoun "they". Additionally, Option C alters the meaning of the sentence through the clause "they are people"; the construction of this clause illogically implies that the term "psychopath" is multiple people who are apparently incapable of feeling compassion or the pangs of conscience; the intended meaning is that the term "psychopath" refers to a person who is apparently incapable of feeling compassion or the pangs of conscience.

D: Correct. This answer choice correctly refers to the singular noun "term" with the singular verb "refers". Further, Option D correctly refers to the singular noun "term" with the singular pronoun "it". Additionally, Option D uses the clause "it refers to someone", conveying the intended meaning - that the term "psychopath" refers to a person who is apparently incapable of feeling compassion or the pangs of conscience. Besides, Option D is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.

E: This answer choice uses the passive voice construction "it is in reference to", rendering it awkward and needlessly indirect.

Hence, D is the best answer choice.

All the best!
Experts' Global Team
General Discussion
User avatar
syamee_u
Manager
Manager
Joined: 11 May 2004
Posts: 138
Own Kudos [?]: 100 [3]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Re: Although the term “psychopath” is popularly applied to an especially [#permalink] New post   02 Jul 2007, 06:12
3
Kudos
dipaksingh wrote:
Although the term “psychopath” is popularly applied to an especially brutal criminal, in psychology (it is someone who is) apparently incapable of feeling compassion or the pangs of conscience.

(A) it is someone who is
(B) it is a person
(C) they are people who are
(D) it refers to someone who is
(E) it is in reference to people


C - 'they' wrong

A,B - a term 'it' can not be a person - awkward - wrong
E - awkward

D - best
User avatar
GetThisDone
Retired Moderator
Joined: 23 Oct 2011
Posts: 179
Own Kudos [?]: 2553 [3]
Given Kudos: 23
Send PM
Re: Although the term “psychopath” is popularly applied to an especially [#permalink] New post   06 Apr 2012, 23:44
2
Kudos
a. parallelism issue - term compared with person
b. parallelism issue - term compared with person
c. parallelism issue - term compared with person
d. correct
e. wordier - option D is better than this
User avatar
L
souvik101990
Alum
Joined: 19 Mar 2012
Posts: 4340
Own Kudos [?]: 51488 [4]
Given Kudos: 2326
Location: United States (WA)
Concentration: Leadership, General Management
Schools: Ross '20 (M)
GMAT 1: 760 Q50 V42
GMAT 2: 740 Q49 V42 (Online)
GMAT 3: 760 Q50 V42 (Online)
GPA: 3.8
WE:Marketing (Non-Profit and Government)
Send PM
GMAT ToolKit User Reviews Badge
Re: Although the term “psychopath” is popularly applied to an especially [#permalink] New post   25 Sep 2012, 11:27
4
Kudos
Expert Reply
Concept tested: Meaning, Pronouns
Difficulty level: Moderate
Illustration: The main subject of the sentence is “the term ‘psychopath’” which
is singular.
Singularity of the main verb eliminates C which uses a plural pronoun “they”.
Also “the term” cannot be people. It serves as only a reference to aclass of people. This logic eliminates A and B.
E uses a very awkward construction “itis in reference to people” and is definitely unidiomatic.
D is the correct answer.
User avatar
P
DmitryFarber
Manhattan Prep Instructor
Joined: 22 Mar 2011
Posts: 2649
Own Kudos [?]: 7783 [4]
Given Kudos: 56
GMAT 2: 780  Q50  V50
Send PM
Re: Although the term “psychopath” is popularly applied to an especially [#permalink] New post   13 Oct 2012, 21:53
2
Kudos
2
Bookmarks
Expert Reply
This one isn't new--it was #132 in OG12.

It's basically testing 2 kinds of pronoun agreement:

*number agreement--since "psychopath" is singular, we can't use "they" or "people"
*conceptual agreement--The sentence is talking about "the term psycopath" rather than an actual person, so we don't want to choose A or B, which say that it *is* someone.
User avatar
G
GMATPill
SVP
SVP
Joined: 14 Apr 2009
Posts: 2261
Own Kudos [?]: 3674 [1]
Given Kudos: 8
Location: New York, NY
Send PM
Re: Although the term “psychopath” is popularly applied to an especially [#permalink] New post   29 Nov 2013, 13:06
1
Kudos
Note exactly what the subject of this sentence is --- as the distinction between "the term" versus "psychopath" is important in figuring out the answer here.

A psychopath can be a person.

But the term psychopath cannot be a person. It can refer to a person, but the term itself cannot be a person.

We've posted a video solution to this question showcasing our thought process here:

avatar
ebayarsa
Intern
Intern
Joined: 07 Apr 2014
Posts: 3
Own Kudos [?]: 10 [4]
Given Kudos: 10
Send PM
Re: Although the term “psychopath” is popularly applied to an especially [#permalink] New post   05 Sep 2014, 10:31
3
Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Although the term “psychopath” is popularly applied to an especially brutal criminal, in psychology it is someone who is apparently incapable of feeling compassion or the pangs of conscience.

Subjet of the sentence is " term "
(A) it is someone who is - it = term, so " term " cannot be someone.
(B) it is a person - it = term, so " term " cannot be someone.
(C) they are people who are - they? there is not plural subject in the sentence above.
CORRECT (D) it refers to someone who is - "term" refers to someone who is
(E) it is in reference to people - people is plural.
User avatar
honchos
Senior Manager
Senior Manager
Joined: 17 Apr 2013
Status:Verbal Forum Moderator
Posts: 361
Own Kudos [?]: 2203 [2]
Given Kudos: 298
Location: India
GMAT 1: 710 Q50 V36
GMAT 2: 750 Q51 V41
GMAT 3: 790 Q51 V49
GPA: 3.3
Send PM
Re: Although the term “psychopath” is popularly applied to an especially [#permalink] New post   10 Oct 2014, 03:52
2
Bookmarks
Psychopathy is a term not a person so D is correct.
User avatar
L
chetan2u
RC & DI Moderator
Joined: 02 Aug 2009
Status:Math and DI Expert
Posts: 11218
Own Kudos [?]: 32341 [0]
Given Kudos: 301
Send PM
Reviews Badge Forum Quiz Mode
Re: Although the term “psychopath” is popularly applied to an especially [#permalink] New post   07 Feb 2015, 19:30
Expert Reply
saadis87 wrote:
Although the term "psychopath" is popularly applied to an especially brutal criminal, in psychology it is someone who is apparently incapable of feeling
compassion or the pangs of conscience.

(A) it is someone who is
(B) it is a person
(C) they are people who are
(D) it refers to someone who is
(E) it is in reference to people


the first half of the sentence speaks of term and the second half shifts it to a person.. so A,B, C are out..
E unnecessary creates extra word , only d is left.. ans D
User avatar
L
souvik101990
Alum
Joined: 19 Mar 2012
Posts: 4340
Own Kudos [?]: 51488 [1]
Given Kudos: 2326
Location: United States (WA)
Concentration: Leadership, General Management
Schools: Ross '20 (M)
GMAT 1: 760 Q50 V42
GMAT 2: 740 Q49 V42 (Online)
GMAT 3: 760 Q50 V42 (Online)
GPA: 3.8
WE:Marketing (Non-Profit and Government)
Send PM
GMAT ToolKit User Reviews Badge
Re: Although the term “psychopath” is popularly applied to an especially [#permalink] New post   08 Feb 2015, 19:55
1
Kudos
Expert Reply
The expression "it is in reference" used in answer E is stylistically flawed. It is a very formal expression used to say what you are writing or talking about, especially in business letters,
e.g.
I am writing to you in reference to the job opening in your department.
User avatar
L
chetan2u
RC & DI Moderator
Joined: 02 Aug 2009
Status:Math and DI Expert
Posts: 11218
Own Kudos [?]: 32341 [1]
Given Kudos: 301
Send PM
Reviews Badge Forum Quiz Mode
Re: Although the term “psychopath” is popularly applied to an especially [#permalink] New post   12 Feb 2015, 18:46
1
Kudos
Expert Reply
kanigmat011 wrote:
saadis87 wrote:
Although the term "psychopath" is popularly applied to an especially brutal criminal, in psychology it is someone who is apparently incapable of feeling
compassion or the pangs of conscience.

(A) it is someone who is
(B) it is a person
(C) they are people who are
(D) it refers to someone who is
(E) it is in reference to people


hi kanigmat,
you have to look at all choices and see why others are not right choice and why this option is correct..
1) the question stem is talking about a term 'psycopath' but the underlined portion changes it to a person..
so a,b and c are out..
2) choice d and e are close but e is wordy unnecessary..
now why D is correct..
1) when we write 'it refers'.... 'it' means we are talking about some term and this is what is intended...
it is correctly worded.. use of who is appropriate.
avatar
kirtivardhan
Intern
Intern
Joined: 18 Apr 2015
Posts: 14
Own Kudos [?]: 4 [0]
Given Kudos: 5
Send PM
Re: Although the term “psychopath” is popularly applied to an especially [#permalink] New post   01 Sep 2015, 17:50
egmat

Hi Egmat,

I was going through your post (https://e-gmat.com/blog/gmat-verbal/eng ... -ambiguity) on pronoun ambiguity where you have highlighted a couple of points

I tried applying those rules in this question but somehow i feel that either i have missed something or i have misunderstood something. I would be happy if you could clarify it.


Although the term “psychopath” is popularly applied to an especially brutal criminal, in psychology it is someone who is apparently incapable of feeling compassion or the pangs of conscience.

(A) it is someone who is
(B) it is a person
(C) they are people who are
(D) it refers to someone who is
(E) it is in reference to people

According to the post :

A)
1) first find the logical antecedent -----psychopath

This makes sense.

2) Find if there are other nouns that play the same role.

It could be criminal or term as well

term doesnot make sense but criminal does

Pronoun ambiguity.

B) It should logically refer to psychopath---logical

Other nouns criminal and term.

Term doesnot make sense but criminal does

C) is wrong

D) Still makes sense with criminal and psychopath---ambiguity.




COuld you please let me know where i am going wrong.
User avatar
vishwaprakash
Queens MBA Thread Master
Joined: 24 Oct 2012
Posts: 141
Own Kudos [?]: 379 [1]
Given Kudos: 45
Concentration: Leadership, General Management
Schools: Rotman '18 (WL) ISB '17
Send PM
Re: Although the term “psychopath” is popularly applied to an especially [#permalink] New post   01 Sep 2015, 21:51
1
Kudos
Meaning
Entire sentence is talking about the term "psychopath". Not the person. What is believed to be and what it really is

Error :
Meaning error - " it is someone " It refers to term "Psychopath" , now think .. can a term become person.
E.g : the word "sir" refers to knowledgeable people. or "the word Sir is knowledgeable people"
i think first version is correct. Isn't it ?

We need to say term refers to some kind of people not term is some kind of people


(A) it is someone who is
Meaning error - as discussed above

(B) it is a person
Meaning error - as discussed above
We need a relative clause to describe a person

(C) they are people who are
They should be refereed to "term", but here in this option "they" does not have . any antecedant

(D) it refers to someone who is


(E) it is in reference to people
Option E will be like
it is in reference to people apparently incapable of feeling compassion or the pangs of conscience - lot of things described about people, it will be good if we can club them all in relative clause (like in Option A,C,D)
User avatar
L
EducationAisle
CEO
CEO
Joined: 27 Mar 2010
Posts: 3675
Own Kudos [?]: 3529 [1]
Given Kudos: 149
Location: India
Schools: ISB
GPA: 3.31
Send PM
Re: Although the term “psychopath” is popularly applied to an especially [#permalink] New post   03 Sep 2015, 07:10
1
Kudos
Expert Reply
kirtivardhan wrote:
A)
1) first find the logical antecedent -----psychopath

This makes sense.

Hi Kirti, I am just wondering if you are clear with the antecedent eligibility criterion in Pronouns; to me this concept is more important that pronoun ambiguity, for the simple reason that there are quite a few examples in official sources where the correct answer has a genuine issue with pronoun being ambiguous. Hence, the current school of thought is that pronoun ambiguity should actually not be the first reason for you to eliminate an answer choice.

Coming to this question, antecedent eligibility would imply that it as a pronoun cannot refer to persons; in other words, persons are not eligible to be referred to, by pronoun it. Hence, in this case, it cannot refer to the person psychopath.

Basically, it does not refer to psychopath, but to the term psychopath”. Now it is hopefully clear why A is incorrect, because it says: the term psychopath is someone. This is incorrect from a comparison perspective, because term cannot be a person (someone); rather, term can refer to someone.

Hence, D wins.

p.s. Our book EducationAisle Sentence Correction Nirvana discusses Pronoun eligibility and ambiguity, its application and examples in significant detail. If someone is interested, PM me your email-id, I can mail the corresponding section.
avatar
L
TheUltimateWinner
CEO
CEO
Joined: 23 Feb 2015
Posts: 2517
Own Kudos [?]: 2100 [0]
Given Kudos: 1976
Concentration: Finance, Technology
Schools: Harvard '24 Judge '23 LBS '24 McCombs '24 Mendoza Tepper '24 Ross '24 Cox Marshall '24 Fisher Kelley '24 Jones McDonough '24 Owen '24 Terry BU Simon '24 Katz GWU Mason Babson Gabelli Foster '24 Goizueta '24 Scheller Stern '23 CBS '23 Booth '23 Haas '25 Wharton '25 Stanford '26 Johnson'23 Fuqua '23 Kellogg '23 Kenan-Flagler'23 INSEAD Aug 22 intake Olin '23 Said '23 Sloan '23 Carey Arizona "22 Yale '23 UC Davis Madison '23 Anderson '23 Carroll Carlson '23 Darden '23
Send PM
GMAT ToolKit User CAT Tests
Re: Although the term “psychopath” is popularly applied to an especially [#permalink] New post   16 Sep 2016, 08:53
souvik101990 wrote:
Although the term “psychopath” is popularly applied to an especially brutal criminal, in psychology it is someone who is apparently incapable of feeling compassion or the pangs of conscience.

(A) it is someone who is
(B) it is a person
(C) they are people who are
(D) it refers to someone who is
(E) it is in reference to people


A) Although the term “psychopath” is popularly applied to an especially brutal criminal, in psychology it is someone who is apparently incapable of feeling compassion or the pangs of conscience.
if we replace 'it' with ''psychopath'', the sentence will be:
Although the term “psychopath” is popularly applied to an especially brutal criminal, in psychology psychopath is someone who is apparently incapable of feeling compassion or the pangs of conscience.
Here, 'it' indicates 'psychopath' and ''psychopath''=someone, which makes sense to me.
So, what's the problem in A?
Thanks expert...
User avatar
S
lary301254M7
Manager
Manager
Joined: 28 Jan 2018
Posts: 113
Own Kudos [?]: 77 [0]
Given Kudos: 273
Location: Taiwan
GMAT 1: 690 Q47 V38
GPA: 3.34
Send PM
Re: Although the term “psychopath” is popularly applied to an especially [#permalink] New post   10 Feb 2018, 03:03
Although the term “psychopath” is popularly applied to an especially brutal criminal, in psychology it is someone who is apparently incapable of feeling compassion or the pangs of conscience.

(A) it is someone who is

(B) it is a person

(C) they are people who are

(D) it refers to someone who is

(E) it is in reference to people

The subject of this sentence is "the term", a singular subject. (C) is out. Psychopath merely adds additional information about "the term".
To simplify the sentence:

Although the term is applied to criminal
, in psychology
____________________
incapable of feeling compassion.

(A) & (B) are saying "the term" is a person, and "the term" is someone". Incorrect.

(D) is a far superior option than (E) is. (E) is not concise.
User avatar
L
BrentGMATPrepNow
GMAT Club Legend
GMAT Club Legend
Joined: 12 Sep 2015
Posts: 6817
Own Kudos [?]: 30101 [1]
Given Kudos: 799
Location: Canada
Send PM
Re: Although the term “psychopath” is popularly applied to an especially [#permalink] New post   14 Mar 2018, 07:45
1
Kudos
Expert Reply
Top Contributor
dipaksingh wrote:
Although the term “psychopath” is popularly applied to an especially brutal criminal, in psychology it is someone who is apparently incapable of feeling compassion or the pangs of conscience.

(A) it is someone who is
(B) it is a person
(C) they are people who are
(D) it refers to someone who is
(E) it is in reference to people


This question is primarily about PRONOUN REFERENTS.

In the original sentence, we have the pronoun it.
What does this pronoun refer to?

The pronoun refers to the TERM (word) “psychopath”

So, if we replace the pronoun IT with its referent TERM “psychopath” we get....

(A) the TERM “psychopath” is someone who is
It makes no sense to say that a TERM is incapable of some action
ELIMINATE A

(B) the TERM “psychopath” is a person
It makes no sense to say that a TERM is a person
ELIMINATE B

(C) they are people who are
THEY?
There is no clear referent for this pronoun.
ELIMINATE C

(D) the TERM “psychopath” refers to someone who is
Makes sense!
A TERM can refer to someone.
KEEP D for now

(E) the TERM “psychopath” is in reference to people
This sentence is awkward and uses more words than are necessary.
Just say "it refers to people.."
Also, we are mixing the singular term “psychopath” with the plural "people"

Answer: D

Cheers,
Brent
avatar
S
mba757
Current Student
Joined: 15 Jun 2020
Posts: 319
Own Kudos [?]: 81 [0]
Given Kudos: 245
Location: United States
Schools: Darden '24 (A) Fuqua '24 (WL) Kellogg '24 (D)
GPA: 3.3
Send PM
Re: Although the term “psychopath” is popularly applied to an especially [#permalink] New post   27 Aug 2020, 03:28
Hello experts!

Within answer choice E, aside from the "people" portion, what is wrong with it? Is it just stylistically not preferred? As mentioned above, this does seem pretty formal and it is definitely used in the real world a number of times. But is it technically wrong here? When can you use this where it's correct? I can't imagine the GMAT having an answer choice with this type of word choice, but this doesn't seem super clear to me.. please help!
GMAT Club Bot
gmatclubot
Re: Although the term “psychopath” is popularly applied to an especially [#permalink]
27 Aug 2020, 03:28
 1   2   
Moderators:
GMATNinja
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
6922 posts
GMATNinjaTwo
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
238 posts

Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group | Emoji artwork provided by EmojiOne
Main navigation
GMAT Resources
Partners
MBA Resources
www.gmac.com|www.mba.com | | GMAT Club Rules | Terms and Conditions