Alphabets arose among speakers of Semitic languages during the second

Question

Alphabets arose among speakers of Semitic languages during the second millennium B.C and by idea diffusion and  mostly by actual copying and modification of letterforms, all of the historical and now existing alphabets was derived from that Semitic alphabet.

A. mostly by actual copying and modification of letterforms, all of the historical and now existing alphabets was derived from that Semitic alphabet.

B. mostly by actual copying and modification of letterforms, all of the historical and now existing alphabets deriving from that Semitic alphabet

C. mostly by actual copying and modification of letterforms, all of the historical and now existing alphabets were derived from that Semitic alphabet.

D. mostly by actual copying and modification of letterforms, all of the historical and now existing alphabets derived from that Semitic alphabet.

E. most actually copying and modifying of letterforms , all historic and now existing alphabet was deriving from the Semitic alphabet

Source-  GMAT  Whiz

jrk23 · Answer

I think there are two independent clause just connected by “comma”. So how “C” can be the correct answer. Anyone please explain

NiftyNiffler · Answer

Alphabets arose among speakers of Semitic languages during the second millennium B.C and by idea diffusion and  mostly by actual copying and modification of letterforms, all of the historical and now existing alphabets was derived from that Semitic alphabet.

This sentence has two ICs joined the "and" just before the underlined part.

A. mostly by actual copying and modification of letterforms, all of the historical and now existing alphabets  was  derived from that Semitic alphabet.  -- plural subject (alphabets)

B. mostly by actual copying and modification of letterforms, all of the historical and now existing alphabets  deriving  from that Semitic alphabet  -- WRONG participial modifier(-ing) joined to an IC with "and"

C. mostly by actual copying and modification of letterforms, all of the historical and now existing alphabets  were  derived from that Semitic alphabet.  -- correct SVA and IC structure
 
D. mostly by actual copying and modification of letterforms, all of the historical and now existing alphabets derived from that Semitic alphabet.  -- alphabets can't derive themselves; we need passive construct (were derived)

E. most actually copying and modifying of letterforms , all historic and now existing alphabet  was deriving  from the Semitic alphabet  -- SVA issue and unnecessary past progressive verb tense

Answer:  C

Aman1204 · Answer

A- Usage of "was" verb for plural sublect "all of the historical and now existing alphabets" is incorrect
B- Subject- all of the historical and now existing alphabets deriving from that Semitic alphabet- does not have a verb
C- Correct
D- Same as B. "Derived" is used as a modifier
E- Verb- Was- is incorrect. The subject is plural

IMO C

NunuBot · Answer

Alphabets arose among speakers of Semitic languages during the second millennium B.C and  by  idea diffusion  and   mostly by actual copying and modification of letterforms, all of the historical and now existing alphabets was derived from that Semitic alphabet .

A. mostly  by  actual copying and modification of letterforms, all of the historical and now existing alphabets  was derived  from that Semitic alphabet.

B. mostly  by  actual copying and modification of letterforms, all of the historical and now existing alphabets  deriving  from that Semitic alphabet

C. mostly  by  actual copying and modification of letterforms, all of the historical and now existing alphabets  were derived  from that Semitic alphabet.

D. mostly  by  actual copying and modification of letterforms, all of the historical and now existing alphabets  derived  from that Semitic alphabet.

E. most actually copying and modifying of letterforms , all historic and now existing alphabet was deriving from the Semitic alphabet

First, notice the "and" in the prompt - this signals some form of parallelism. In this case we need to repeat "by".  Eliminate E .

Next, notice that "alphabets" is plural, and requires a plural verb.  Answer: C

jrk23 · Answer

I think two independent clause is connected by comma only in option "C". Anyone please explain how option "C" is correct.

NunuBot · Answer

Option C - 
- Alphabets arose ... during second Millennium AND
- by idea diffusion ..., all alphabets were derived ...

Although to be honest, the sentence could written better. Even the phrase (by idea diffussion and by copying and modification of letter forms) can be made more parallel.

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Alphabets arose among speakers of Semitic languages during the second

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Alphabets arose among speakers of Semitic languages during the second

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