Dear Friends,
Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
vivektripathi wrote:
Unlike computer skills or other technical skills, there is a disinclination on the part of many people to recognize the degree to which their analytical skills are weak.
(A) Unlike computer skills or other technical skills, there is a disinclination on the part of many people to recognize the degree to which their analytical skills are weak
(B) Unlike computer skills or other technical skills, which they admit they lack, many people are disinclined to recognize that their analytical skills are weak
(C) Unlike computer skills or other technical skills, analytical skills bring out a disinclination in many people to recognize that they are weak to a degree
(D) Many people, willing to admit that they lack computer skills or other technical skills, are disinclined to recognize that their analytical skills are weak
(E) Many people have a disinclination to recognize the weakness of their analytical skills while willing to admit their lack of computer skills or other technical
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 many people are disinclined to recognize that their analytical skills are weak, although they are willing to admit that they lack computer skills or other technical skills.
Concepts tested here: Comparison + Grammatical Construction + Awkwardness/Redundancy• A comparison must always be made between similar elements.
• Information that is important to the core meaning of the sentence can never be placed between commas.
A: This answer choice incorrectly compares the noun phrase "computer skills or other technical skills" to the clause "there is a disinclination on the part of many people to recognize the degree to which their analytical skills are weak"; please remember, a comparison must always be made between similar elements. Further, Option A uses the passive and needlessly indirect constructions "there is a disinclination on the part of many people" and "the degree to which their analytical skills are weak", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.
B: This answer choice incorrectly compares "computer skills or other technical skills" to "many people"; please remember, a comparison must always be made between similar elements. Further, Option B incorrectly places information important to the core meaning of the sentence - the fact that many people are willing to admit that they lack computer skills or other technical skills - between two commas; please remember, information that is important to the core meaning of the sentence can never be placed between commas.
C: Trap. This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "recognize that they are weak to a degree"; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that analytical skills make many people disinclined to recognize that
they - the people - are weak; the intended meaning is that many people are disinclined to recognize that
their analytical skills are weak. Further, Option C uses the needlessly indirect clause "analytical skills bring out a disinclination in many people", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.
D: Correct. This answer choice uses the phrases "recognize that their analytical skills are weak" and "willing to admit that they lack computer skills or other technical skills", conveying the intended meaning - that many people are disinclined to recognize that
their analytical skills are weak,
although they are willing to admit that they lack computer skills or other technical skills; remember, "while" is used to convey a sense of concurrence. Further, Option D avoids the comparison errors seen in Options A and B, as it makes no comparisons. Additionally, Option D only places extra information - the fact that the people are willing to admit that they lack computer skills or other technical skills - between commas. Besides, Option D is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.
E: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "while willing to admit their lack of computer skills or other technical"; the use of "while" incorrectly implies that many people are disinclined to recognize that their analytical skills are weak,
at the time when they are willing to admit that they lack computer skills or other technical skills; the intended meaning is that many people are disinclined to recognize that their analytical skills are weak,
although they are willing to admit that they lack computer skills or other technical skills; remember, "while" is used to convey a sense of concurrence. Further, Option E uses the passive and needlessly wordy phrase "Many people have a disinclination to recognize", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.
Hence, D is the best answer choice.To understand the concept of "Extra Information between Commas" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):
All the best!
Experts' Global Team