Employing many different techniques throughout his career, Michelangel

Question

Employing many different techniques throughout his career, Michelangelo produced a great variety of art works,  including paintings, for example, in the Sistine Chapel, to sculpture, for example,  the statue of David.

(A) including paintings, for example, in the Sistine Chapel, to sculpture, for example,

(B) including paintings, for example, in the Sistine Chapel, to sculpture, like

(C) including paintings, such as those in the Sistine Chapel, and sculpture, as

(D) ranging from paintings, such as those in the Sistine Chapel, to sculpture, such as

(E) ranging from paintings, such as in the Sistine Chapel, and sculpture, such as

Michelangelo’s techniques  
 
 (A) Parallelism / Idiom ( including X...to Y )

(B) Parallelism / Idiom ( including X...to Y )

(C) Meaning ( as )

(D) CORRECT

(E) Parallelism / Idiom ( ranging from X...and Y ) 
 
  First glance

A comma is just before the underline and you’re given two choices for the word just after that comma:  including  or  ranging . This signals a modifier and a choice that you’ll have to make regarding the structure or meaning of that modifier.
 
  Issues

(1) Parallelism / Idiom:  including X...to Y

After the comma, the sentence provides some examples of Michelangelo’s great variety of art works. The original sentence presents the two examples as  including X...to Y .

(A)   including  paintings, for example, in the Sistine Chapel,  to  sculpture, for example, the statue of David

(B)   including  paintings, for example, in the Sistine Chapel  to  sculpture, like the statue of David

(C)   including  paintings, such as those in the Sistine Chapel  and  sculpture, as the statue of David

(D)   ranging from  paintings, such as those in the Sistine Chapel  to  sculpture, such as the statue of David

(E)   ranging from  paintings, such as in the Sistine Chapel  and  sculpture, such as the statue of David

It is acceptable to say  including X and Y  or  ranging from X to Y , but  including X to Y  is not an idiom. Eliminate choices (A) and (B) for a   faulty idiom  .

Choice (C) does use  including X and Y . Choices (D) and (E) change the idiom entirely, to either  ranging from X to Y  or  ranging from X and Y . The first form ( ranging from X to Y ) is an acceptable idiom, but  ranging from X and Y  is not correct. Eliminate choice (E) for a   faulty idiom  .

(2) Parallelism
 Meaning:  as

While examining the idiom issue above, you might have spotted a couple of other issues within the X/Y parallelism that the idiom requires. Each X and Y element provide examples of that element; the most clear structure will make those examples parallel as well.

Answers (A), (B), and (E) improperly pair the prepositional phrase  in the Sistine Chapel  with the noun  the statue of David . Eliminate choices (A), (B), and (E).

(Note: answer (B) also uses the word  like  to mean for example. In years past, this has been incorrect on the GMAT, but some recent problems have actually used  like  to mean for example in correct answers, so this is no longer considered incorrect.)

Answer (C)’s examples are parallel but it uses  such as  to introduce the first example and  as  to introduce the second example. The word  as  by itself does not mean for example. Eliminate answer (C) for faulty word choice.

The Correct Answer

Correct answer (D) uses a proper idiom ( ranging from X to Y ). The examples are also in parallel noun form:   those      in the Sistine Chapel  and  the  statue  of David .

GMATNinja · Accepted Answer

These are completely different expressions. "Ranging" only makes sense if we say something like "ranging from X to Y." "Including" introduces examples of some sort.

"Such as" introduces examples, but "as", by itself, does not. "As" can be used in thousands of different contexts in English, but it can't stand alone to introduce an example.

I often eat foods such as burritos and meatballs. --> Correct, since burritos and meatballs are examples of foods I eat. (Mmm... burritos.) 
 I often eat foods as burritos and meatballs. --> nonsense, pretty much

I hope this helps!

elegantm · Answer

Employing many different techniques throughout his career, Michelangelo produced a great variety of art works,  including paintings, for example, in the Sistine Chapel, to sculpture, for example,  the statue of David.
 A. including paintings, for example, in the Sistine Chapel, to sculpture, for example, 
-   - Use of "INCLUDING" in not apt. "SUCH AS" is used for giving examples and not "FOR EXAMPLE". Additionally "THOSE" should be used before Sistine Chapel for correct comparison  
 B.  including  paintings,  for example , in the Sistine Chapel, to sculpture,  like  
-   - Use of "INCLUDING" in not apt. "SUCH AS" is used for giving examples and not "LIKE" or "FOR EXAMPLE". Additionally "THOSE" should be used before Sistine Chapel for correct comparison  
 C.  including  paintings, such as those in the Sistine Chapel, and sculpture,  as  
 - Use of "INCLUDING" in not apt. "SUCH AS" is used for giving examples and not "AS".  
 D. ranging from paintings, such as those in the Sistine Chapel, to sculpture, such as  
- Correct 
 E. ranging from paintings, such as in the Sistine Chapel,  and  sculpture, such as 
 - Correct use is "Range from X to Y", but "Range from X and Y" is used in this option. Hence Incorrect

ExpertsGlobal5 · Answer

Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation to this question-

Concepts tested here: Comparisons + Parallelism + Idioms

• “ranging from A to B” (where A and B must be similar entities) is the correct, idiomatic usage.
• Elements linked by a conjunction (“for example” and “such as” in this case) must be parallel.
• “like” is used for comparing nouns, “as” is used for comparing actions/clauses, and “such as” is used for giving examples.

A:  This answer choice incorrectly uses the unidiomatic construction “including A (“paintings”) to B (“sculpture”)”; remember, “ranging from A to B” (where A and B must be similar entities) is the correct, idiomatic usage. Further, Option A fails to maintain parallelism between the noun phrase “paintings” and the prepositional phrase “in the Sistine Chapel”; remember, two elements linked by a conjunction (“for example” in this case) must be parallel.

B:  This answer choice incorrectly uses the unidiomatic construction “including A (“paintings”) to B (“sculpture”)”; remember, “ranging from A to B” (where A and B must be similar entities) is the correct, idiomatic usage. Further, Option B incorrectly uses “like” to introduce the example of “the statue of David”; remember, “like” is used for comparing nouns, “as” is used for comparing actions/clauses, and “such as” is used for giving examples. Additionally, Option B fails to maintain parallelism between the noun phrase “paintings” and the prepositional phrase “in the Sistine Chapel”; remember, two elements linked by a conjunction (“for example” in this case) must be parallel.

C:  This answer choice incorrectly uses “as” to introduce the example of “the statue of David”; remember, “like” is used for comparing nouns, “as” is used for comparing actions/clauses, and “such as” is used for giving examples.

D:   Correct.  This answer choice correctly uses the idiomatic construction “ranging from A (“paintings”) to B (“sculpture”)”. Further, Option D correctly uses “such as” to introduce the example of “the statue of David”. Additionally, Option D maintains parallelism between the noun phrase “paintings” and the pronoun phrase “those in the Sistine Chapel”.

E:  This answer choice incorrectly uses the unidiomatic construction “ranging from A (“paintings”) and B (“sculpture”)”; remember, “ranging from A to B” (where A and B must be similar entities) is the correct, idiomatic usage. Further, Option D fails to maintain parallelism between the noun phrase “paintings” and the prepositional phrase “in the Sistine Chapel”; remember, two elements linked by a conjunction (“such as” in this case) must be parallel.

Hence, D is the best answer choice.

To understand the concept of "Like" vs "As" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdZvkt-QNf4

All the best!
Experts' Global Team

Skywalker18 · Answer

Employing many different techniques throughout his career, Michelangelo produced a great variety of art works,  including paintings, for example, in the Sistine Chapel, to sculpture, for example,  the statue of David.
A. including paintings, for example, in the Sistine Chapel, to sculpture, for example,-paintings in the Sistine Chapel is incorrect – those is needed to refer to them ; usage of including to describe the variety of works is incorrect 
B. including paintings, for example, in the Sistine Chapel, to sculpture, like – usage of like to give examples is incorrect ; usage of including to describe the variety of works is incorrect 
C. including paintings, such as those in the Sistine Chapel, and sculpture, as - usage of as to give examples is incorrect ; usage of including to describe the variety of works is incorrect 
D. ranging from paintings, such as those in the Sistine Chapel, to sculpture, such as - Correct
E. ranging from paintings, such as in the Sistine Chapel, and sculpture, such as – idiom From X to Y

Answer D

adkikani · Answer

Hi Experts, 
Any difference between usage of including and ranging?
How is such as and as different?
I think as can be used to show examples as in (C)

EMPOWERgmatVerbal · Answer

Hello Everyone!

Here is another great example of a Sentence Correction question you might find on the GMAT! Let’s take a closer look at it, and narrow down the answers to find the right one! To get started, here is the original question, with major differences between each option hightlighted in  orange :

Employing many different techniques throughout his career, Michelangelo produced a great variety of art works,  including paintings, for example, in the Sistine Chapel, to sculpture, for example,  the statue of David.

A.  including  paintings,  for example , in the Sistine Chapel, to sculpture,  for example ,
B.  including  paintings,  for example , in the Sistine Chapel, to sculpture,  like 
C.  including  paintings,  such as  those in the Sistine Chapel, and sculpture,  as 
D.  ranging from  paintings,  such as  those in the Sistine Chapel, to sculpture,  such as 
E.  ranging from  paintings,  such as  in the Sistine Chapel, and sculpture,  such as

After a quick glance over all the options, a few major issues jump out right away:

1. Using “including” versus “ranging from”
2. Proper use of showing examples: for example / such as / like / as
3. Proper use of the idiomatic structure “from X to Y”

Let’s start with #1 on our list because it will knock out either 2 or 3 answers right away.  The differences in meaning between these two phrases is slight, but important:

including  = Michelangelo used a wide variety of techniques to make  only  paintings and sculptures
 ranging from  = Michelangelo used a wide variety of techniques to make a variety of artworks that include paintings and sculptures  and other things as well

Since saying “ranging from” conveys a more specific meaning,  let’s eliminate options A, B, and C  because the word “including” isn’t clear enough for this sentence.

If you chose to start with #2 on the list (proper use of showing examples), you would still eliminate options A, B, and C!  Here is why:

A. including paintings,  for example , in the Sistine Chapel, to sculpture,  for example ,
 
Option A is  INCORRECT  because the words “for example” should be followed by an independent clause. If what comes after it couldn’t stand alone as a complete sentence, use “such as” instead.

B. including paintings, for example, in the Sistine Chapel, to sculpture,  like 
 
Option B is  INCORRECT  because the GMAT strongly opposes using “like” to give examples because it’s too informal for professional or graduate-level writing. The GMAT says the use of “like” should only be used to show how two things or people are alike:

Ellison is a great public speaker  like  his older brother was in prep school. = YES
Anne has several different scarves,  like  plaid, polka dots, and stripes. = NO (use “such as” instead)

C. including paintings, such as those in the Sistine Chapel, and sculpture,  as 
 
Option C is  INCORRECT  because it uses the word “as” to give an example, which is wrong. The word “as” should only be used to show how to things or people are similar – not to give examples.

Okay, so now that  we’ve narrowed down our options to D & E , let’s look more closely at #3 on our list: the idiomatic structure “from X to Y.”

D. ranging  from  paintings, such as those in the Sistine Chapel,  to  sculpture, such as
 
Option D is the  CORRECT  answer! It uses the phrase “ranging from” to clearly convey meaning, and properly uses the idiomatic structure “from X to Y.”

E. ranging  from  paintings, such as in the Sistine Chapel,  and  sculpture, such as
 
Option E is INCORRECT because it says “from X  and  Y,” which is not the right idiomatic structure. It should be “from D to Y.”

There you go – option D is the correct answer!

Don’t study for the GMAT. Train for it.

thangvietnam · Answer

pls, help
ranging in D works as a preposition or work as a participle/ a kind of verb. 
i am confused

thanks.

daagh · Answer

If it is a preposition then a noun should follow. Since only another preposition(from) follows it, 'ranging' is not a preposition but only a participle.

CrackverbalGMAT · Answer

This is a good question that tests  idioms  and  parallel structure. 
 
The idiomatic expression when referring to a spectrum is  ‘from… to…'  We are familiar with this.

Once you pinpoint this, you realise that ‘ranging’ is the better option here. ‘Including’ does not work with the idiom ‘from X… to Y…’

Based on this you can  eliminate Options A, B, C and E. 
  
You are left with Option D which correctly uses ‘ranging’ with the idiomatic structure ‘from… to…’

D is the best choice.

Hope this helps!

Kanika3agg · Answer

In Option D, is those required for referring to paintings?

mba757 · Answer

Within A and B, is the "including" and "for example" redundant at all?

GMATNinja · Answer

Yes, exactly! We want to say, "... such as   in the Sistine Chapel..." Since "the paintings" is plural, we need to use the plural pronoun "those" (as opposed to the singular pronoun "that").

The "for example" is certainly confusing, but I don't think I'd get rid of (A) and (B) just because of a potential redundancy issue.

Consider this example: "Michelangelo produced a great variety of art works, including paintings and sculptures: for example,  Doni Tondo  and  David ." Here, "including" introduces examples of the "art works", while "for example" introduces examples of paintings and sculptures.

Using "for example" after "including" isn't  necessarily  redundant. And could you come up with a correct example that uses "including" followed by a "for example" for both "paintings" and "sculptures"? Perhaps... but the the punctuation would get ugly, and we'd have something that is, at best, confusing and hard to read.

Regardless, (A) and (B) have much bigger problems. If we wanted to use "including", we'd want "... including paintings AND sculptures," not "... including paintings TO sculpture."

Also, " those  in the Sistine Chapel" is better than just "in the Sistine Chapel." The "those" makes it clear that we are talking about paintings in the Sistine Chapel (examples of Michelangelo's paintings).

Lastly, the "like" is wrong in (B). We want to use "such as" when introducing examples.

Without worrying about potential redundancy issues, we can see that (D) is the best choice.

I hope that helps!

ashutosh_73 · Answer

Hi, Daagh/CrackVerbalGMAT/GMATNinja/eGmat
I thankyou guys so much for saving our lives. I have been learning through your older posts and it was just amazing!!

Please help me out between Opt. D and E in the below OG question.
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Question. Employing many different techniques throughout his career, Michelangelo produced a great variety of art works, including paintings, for example, in the Sistine Chapel, to sculpture, for example, the statue of David.

D. ranging from paintings, such as those in the Sistine Chapel, to sculpture, such as 
OG Explanation: Correct. The examples of art are in parallel form, each introduced with the words such as.

E. ranging from paintings, such as in the Sistine Chapel, and sculpture, such as 
OG Explanation: Although the examples of art are both introduced by such as, the form is not parallel since the first is a prepositional phrase (in the Sistine Chapel) and the second is a noun phrase (the statue of David). 
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OG explanation says that, since option E has //ism problem: prepositional phrase (in the Sistine Chapel) and the noun phrase (the statue of David), hence it is incorrect. But is it not the case with Option D, it too got prep. phrase and noun phrase?

GMATNinja · Answer

In general, as explained in this post , you want to take OG explanations with a grain of salt. But in this case the explanation looks okay. The key is the word "those" in choice (D). "Those" is a pronoun that refers to "paintings": "...ranging from paintings, such as in the Sistine Chapel , to sculpture, such as the statue of David . Notice that "the paintings in the Sistine Chapel" (aka "those in the Sistine Chapel") is indeed a noun phrase -- "in the Sistine Chapel" simply modifies the noun (well, a pronoun in this case -- "those"). So (D) does in fact gives us, "... paintings, such as , and sculpture, such as ."

I hope that helps!

taha1234 · Answer

avigutman   GMATNinja  
Is here the word "ranging" act as "verb-ing modifer? If it does then it should be modifying the whole clause "Michelangelo produced a great variety of art works" not just " art works". 
Then how come "ranging" is correct in the correct choice? 
Is it due to D is the best among the given choices, and all the other choices have grammar error?

avigutman · Answer

Hi  taha1234 . verb-ing modifier can serve one of two roles:
1) describe / elaborate on the action of the preceding clause: how the subject did the verb (e.g. the dog ran through the field, barking the whole way)
2) describe an unintended outcome caused by the action of the preceding clause (e.g. the dog ran through the field, trampling the flowers along the way)
Answer choice D is correct because "ranging" describes the action of the preceding clause: Michelangelo produced a great variety of art works. "Ranging" isn't just describing the art works themselves - it's elaborating on the great variety produced by Michelangelo.

woohoo921 · Answer

ExpertsGlobal5 
Thank you for your helpful explanation. I am a bit confused on what you mean by "Further, Option A fails to maintain parallelism between the noun phrase “paintings” and the prepositional phrase “in the Sistine Chapel”; remember, two elements linked by a conjunction (“for example” in this case) must be parallel."
If you were to say "paintings, for example, the Sistine Chapel" that seems very strange? Would you say "in paintings, for example, in the Sistine Chapel" then? Thank you again!

ExpertsGlobal5 · Answer

Hello  woohoo921 ,

We hope this finds you well.

To answer your query, the two construction you have suggested are grammatically parallel, but neither makes logical sense.

"paintings, for example, the Sistine Chapel" implies that the Sistine Chapel is a painting, which it obviously is not.

"in paintings, for example, in the Sistine Chapel" is incoherent, as we cannot have an example of "in someplace".

Option D makes the parallel and logical construction "paintings, such as those in the Sistine Chapel" - here, "paintings" is parallel to " those  in the Sistine Chapel", and the phrase logically conveys that "those (paintings) in the Sistine Chapel are examples of paintings.

We hope this helps.
All the best!
Experts' Global Team

woohoo921 · Answer

To clarify, I am still a bit confused on what you mean by "Option A fails to maintain parallelism between the noun phrase “paintings” and the prepositional phrase “in the Sistine Chapel”; remember, two elements linked by a conjunction (“for example” in this case) must be parallel." In Choice D there still is "paintings" and then "in the Sistine Chapel"... 
is it the "those" that builds the parallelism that was missing in choice A? --->replacing "paintings" with "those" --> paintings, such as   in the Sistine Chapel". Thank you again.

Employing many different techniques throughout his career, Michelangel

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