Under high pressure and intense heat, graphite, the most stable form

Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation to this question-

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 under high pressure and intense heat, graphite changes into diamond, and it remains diamond even after the heat and pressure are removed.

Concepts tested here: Meaning + Tenses + Verb Forms + Awkwardness/Redundancy

• Information that is permanent in nature is best conveyed through the simple present tense.
• Present participles ("verb+ing" – "remaining" in this sentence) are used to modify nouns, refer to ongoing events in any time period, and (when preceded by a comma) express cause-effect relationships.

A: This answer choice incorrectly uses the present participle ("verb+ing" - "remaining" in this sentence) to refer to information that is permanent in nature; please remember, information that is permanent in nature is best conveyed through the simple present tense, and the present participles ("verb+ing" – “remaining” in this sentence) are used to modify nouns, refer to ongoing events in any time period, and (when preceded by a comma) express cause-effect relationships. Further, Option A uses the needlessly wordy phrases "this way" and "whether or not", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

B: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "like that even as"; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that graphite that has turned into diamond remains similar to diamonds, even during the process of heat and pressure being removed; the intended meaning is that graphite that has turned into diamond remains diamond even after heat and pressure have been removed. Further, Option B incorrectly uses the present participle ("verb+ing" - "remaining" in this sentence) to refer to information that is permanent in nature; please remember, information that is permanent in nature is best conveyed through the simple present tense, and the present participles ("verb+ing" – “remaining” in this sentence) are used to modify nouns, refer to ongoing events in any time period, and (when preceded by a comma) express cause-effect relationships.

C: This answer choice incorrectly uses the present participle ("verb+ing" - "remaining" in this sentence) to refer to information that is permanent in nature; please remember, information that is permanent in nature is best conveyed through the simple present tense, and the present participles ("verb+ing" – “remaining” in this sentence) are used to modify nouns, refer to ongoing events in any time period, and (when preceded by a comma) express cause-effect relationships. Further, Option C uses the needlessly wordy phrases "as such" and "whether or not", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

D: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "in this way"; the construction of this phrase leads to an incoherent meaning; the intended meaning is that under high pressure and intense heat, graphite changes into diamond, and it remains diamond even after the heat and pressure are removed. Moreover, Option D further, subtly alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "although the heat and pressure are removed"; the use of although incorrectly implies that the graphite that has turned into diamond remains diamond, despite the fact that the heat and pressure are removed; the intended meaning is that the graphite that has turned into diamond remains diamond, even after the heat and pressure are removed.

E: Correct. This answer choice uses the phrase "remains thus even when"; the use of the pronoun "thus" and the phrase "even when" conveys the intended meaning of the sentence - that under high pressure and intense heat, graphite changes into diamond, and the graphite that has turned into diamond remains diamond even after the heat and pressure are removed. Further, Option E correctly uses the simple present tense verb "remains" to refer to information that is permanent in nature. Additionally, Option E is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.

Hence, E is the best answer choice.

To understand the concept of "Simple Tenses" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):



All the best!
Experts' Global Team

Parallel Structure

Under high pressure and intense heat, graphite, the most stable form of pure carbon, changes into the substance commonly referred to as diamond and remaining this way whether or not the heat and pressure are removed.

(A) remaining this way whether or not
Not parallel to changes into
(B) remaining like that even as
Same as a
(C) remaining as such whether or not
Same as a
(D) remains in this way although
Hold it
(E) remains thus even when
akward

D for me.

A, B, C are out because of "remaining"
D is out because of "in this way"

E is correct.

E for me.

"remains thus" does imply the continuation of status quo or in this case the existential form (diamond).

"although" & "are" together didn't sound right to me. Maybe, it's a tense issue...

someone enlighten me please...

The sentence has “whether” usage issue -

(A) remaining this way whether or not (Whether implies an alternative or not – eliminate it)

(B) remaining like that even as (“like” is used to compare two same comparable entities (nouns) – eliminate it)

(C) remaining as such whether or not (Whether or not – eliminate it)

(D) remains in this way although (Hold it)

(E) remains thus even when (“When” is time modifier – eliminate it)

Answer: D

Hi mates,

IMO E

Because of //ism, A, B and C out: graphite changes [...] and remains [...]

Between D and E... well, for me Diamon is a state not a way, so, E

OA and Source?

Thanks

I will chose E instead of D...I think "in this way" is not making sense in D...On the contrary "remains thus" usage can be found in a lot of writings...

E it is:

Dictionary meaning in WordWeb
thus (adverb) means: In the way indicated

although is inappropriate in D.

E IMO. As for difference between D and E
e.g.
The substance remains warm although ice is added.
The substance remains warm even when ice is added.
In the second sentence the emphasize is on the fact that even if you add ice, the substance remains its quality. This moment is not emphasized so strongly in the first sentence, just like in D and E

Hi I have read the OA is E, can somebody explain what is the exact meaning of "thus" and when it can be used ?

Hi Darmody,

Your question is very much justified; this usage of "thus" is rare. Usually it is used to mark a conclusion, but in this sentence it is used to express the present state of something; "in this way".

"Thus" is used in this sentence to expresses the present state of the transformed graphite, i.e. diamond.

To put it in simpler word you can replace "thus" with "in this way"

So the choice can be reworded as - remains in this way even

You may use "thus" as a replacement of "in this way" or "the same way"

As an example:

Mary is extremely sad and is expected to remain thus until she hears some good news. --> You may replace "thus" with "in this way" and the meaning would remain the same.

Vercules

vercules,
Can you please explain why the use of although is wrong in this sentence...

Hi skamal7,

Putting into simple words, you use "although" when you are stating facts that happened or happening. "even when" is usually used when you want to express a hypothetical condition or a habit.

I go to school although it is raining.-->

Incorrect, "I go to school" expresses a habit, where as "although" is expressing a fact, i.e. "it is raining". The question under discussion presents the quality of graphite/ diamond. This is a general truth and in its use of although in (D) the sentence incorrectly means that this one time "heat and pressure are removed" and diamond remains in its current state. However, this does not expresses a general quality properly. The sentence's actual meaning is that diamond will retain its state while and even after removing heat and pressure. The removal of heat and pressure has not happened, it may or may not happen thus it is hypothetical. The use of "even if" would also be correct in this case.

I am going to school, although it is raining. -->

Correct, two facts are being expressed "going to school" and "it is raining".

I go to school even when it is raining. -->

Better, the sentence means that "I will go to school whether it rains or not" is it raining right not? may be or may not be (hypothetical).

I go to school even when it rains. -->

Best, now the sentence expresses a habit, using simple present verbs "go" and "rains".

Hope this helps,

Vercules

Hi E-Gmat,

Under high pressure and intense heat, graphite, the most stable form of pure carbon, changes into the substance commonly referred to as diamond and remaining this way whether or not the heat and pressure are removed.

(A) remaining this way whether or not-out
(B) remaining like that even as-out
(C) remaining as such whether or not-out
(D) remains in this way although
(E) remains thus even when


Im able to eliminate Choices A,B,&C as and is the parallel marker First Verb is "Changes" and Second should be "Remains"
But not able to eliminate Choice D & E. Please explain ?

Thanks in advance

Hi Nitin,

As the above poster has pointed out "although" is unnecessarily bringing in a contrast. There is no contrast in the intended meaning of the sentence. The sentence wants to say that even when certain conditions are changed, the diamond doesn't change. So, no contrast is required here.

I hope this helps!

Regards,
Meghna

Two reasons for option E over D :

- D introduces unnecessary contrast by using Although. (Although changes the intended meaning of the sentence)

- In D (X, although Y) - the subject of X & Y are not related.

Can you explain this further. It is not clear to me.