A "standard candle" is a light source whose intrinsic luminosity is so

Question

A "standard candle" is a light source whose intrinsic luminosity is so  well known that the extent to which its brightness has been dimmed by distance can  be used as an astronomical yardstick.

(A) so well known that the extent to which its brightness has been dimmed by distance can

(B) so well known that the extent of its brightness that is dimmed by distance can

(C) sufficiently well known so that the extent that distance has dimmed its brightness can

(D) sufficiently well known for the extent of its brightness that has been dimmed by distance to

(E) sufficiently well known for the extent that distance has dimmed its brightness to

ywilfred · Answer

C, D and E are out. 'sufficiently' appears to be redundant
B is awkward 

I'll take A.

gamjatang · Answer

OA is (A). But I wonder why present perfect is used (has been dimmed). 'Present perfect' means "from the past until now", right? If this is so, the brightness has been dimmed from the past until now? Please be so kind to explain. :-)

laxieqv · Answer

Interesting question :!:

You indeed catch the point :wink:

.....these " standard candles" are astronomical objects whose light needs to travel thousands of , or even millions of years at light speed to reach the earth. Thus, the light we see from them is not of present time but of the past(till now).

GMATT73 · Answer

What an amazingly profound conclusion laxieqv

The only problem is that for many of us unenlightened star gazers, we would have no idea that that is how to solve solve this SC. I actually think it is a comparison to the illuminosity of the stars that is being emphasized here because a yardstick is just a rough standard.

tonebeeze · Answer

A "standard candle" is a light source whose intrinsic luminosity is  so well known that the extent to which its brightness has been dimmed by distance can  be used as an astronomical yardstick.

a. so well known that the extent to which its brightness has been dimmed by distance can
b. so well known that the extent of its brightness that is dimmed by distance can
c. sufficiently well know so that the extent that distance has dimmed its brightness can
d. sufficiently well known for the extent of its brightness that has been dimmed by distance to
e. sufficiently well known for the extent that distance has dimmed its brightness to

I was able to to rule out (C), (D), (E) by referencing the "so...that" idiom. However, I had trouble determining the grammar issues in choices (A) and (B). My SC ear implored me to select (A), but I went with (B) on the basis of brevity. I would appreciate if someone please break down the grammar errors for each answer choice.

Thanks!

skovinsky · Answer

Hi!

The main difference between A and B is "the extent to which its brightness has been dimmed" vs "the extent of its brightness that is dimmed".

Stylistically, the prepositional phrase "to which" is superior to "of". B also subtly changes the meaning of the sentence, a no-no on the GMAT.

Hope that helps!

PTK · Answer

Just memorize that "the extent to which" - is idiomatic and correct usage.

tonebeeze · Answer

This is a very rudimentary question, but does the original sentence is all SC questions contain the intended meaning of the sentence (even if that sentence is grammatically incorrect and/or unclear)? Should I integrate a rule into my SC prep to avoid answer choices that gravitate away from the original meaning of the sentence (even if these sentences maybe grammatically correct)?

skovinsky · Answer

Great question!

Here's the general rule: unless the original sentence is nonsensical, then you must preserve its meaning.

Occasionally, however, the original sentence doesn't make any sense as written (usually due to modification errors) - in that case, we have to preserve the author's  intended  meaning.

Now, that may seem like an impossible task (after all, you don't have to be psychic to write the GMAT); however, the intended meaning will always be clear - let logic and common sense be your guide.

Here's the "sentence correction hierarchy", i.e. the order of priority for fixing problems:

1) Grammar: the correct answer will never be grammatically incorrect.

2) Meaning: if more than one choice is grammatically correct, eliminate choices that change the meaning of the sentence.

3) Style: if more than one choice is both grammatically correct AND preserves the author's intended meaning, select the stylistically superior remaining choice.

DG2020 · Answer

Please explain why ‘sufficiently’ is redundant 
Thanks

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A "standard candle" is a light source whose intrinsic luminosity is so

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GMAT Sentence Correction (SC - EA only) Questions

A "standard candle" is a light source whose intrinsic luminosity is so

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