GMAT Club World Cup 2022 (DAY 5): Triathletes learn to swim, cycle, an

Question

Triathletes learn to swim, cycle, and run  as straightly as possible in a line to conserve energy,  a major concern on a course that extends beyond 140 miles.

(A) as straightly as possible in a line to conserve energy,
(B) as straight in a line as is possible to conserve energy, an undertaking that is 
(C) in as straight a line as possible to conserve energy,
(D) as straightly as is possible in a line to conserve energy,
(E) in as straight a line as possible to conserve energy, an undertaking that is

AndrewN · Accepted Answer

I suspect this will prove to be one of the easier competition questions. It is relatively short, simple to understand, and the phrasing gives away a few poorer choices.

Split #1  : as straightly as possible  versus  as straight as possible

I realize that different answer choices have different variations of the above, but that hardly matters when we are forced to make a decision between  straightly  and  straight .  Straight  is one of those words (like  flat , if you know what I mean) that appears the same as an adjective or adverb, so that is what we need here.  Eliminate answer choices (A) and (D) .

What remains after the cut 
 
   Split #2  : the placement of  in

We do not need to worry about the subject or the first two activities, since three are held in parallel. Pick up the sentence with  run . Is it  run as straight in a line  or  run in as straight a line ? Well,  straight  should ideally be placed next to the line, since someone runs in a straight line, not runs straight in a line (a line is straight). This is also a case in which your ear might actually not mislead you— as straight in a line  sounds a bit juvenile. I would not use my ear to guide me, but for the reason I stated above, I would  drop (B) from contention .

What remains 
 
   Split #3  : the absence or presence of  an undertaking that is

Nothing separates (C) from (E) other than this extra bit tacked on to the end of (E). Is it necessary? Ask yourself what is  a major concern  and supply the answer that each sentence suggests. The correct answer should reveal itself.

Q: What is a major concern?
A: To conserve energy. (Answer choice (C).)

Q: What is a major concern?
A: An undertaking. (Answer choice (E).)

Answer choice (C) is much more direct, while (E) focuses on a process that requires further explanation. The extra words simply are not warranted, and we can safely choose (C).

In sum:
 
You may have noticed that I did not draw attention to  as possible  versus  as is possible . This consideration could, in fact, allow you to drop answer choices (B) and (D) from contention, since  is  is unnecessary and implied in the more concise version. However, I had already found flaws that I felt were more obvious in those answer choices, so I decided not to beat a dead horse (as that old saying goes).  Keep your approach to SC simple.  People often ask me how to improve in SC. Well, you do not need to consider every difference to arrive at an accurate conclusion. You should be thinking more like a safe cracker: you look for the easiest way to get the job done, and you get out of there before you get caught. You do not stand around and analyze how you could have done this or that a little better. That part is for later, and by all means, I encourage review. Just do not burden your mind in the moment with all the finer details. Watch your accuracy go up and your timing come down. Every Expert I know does the same thing. Because a mind at ease is better prepared to answer the  next  question, and you can get through a whole section that way.

Good luck with your studies.

- Andrew

mainbhiankit · Answer

I think the first error in Option (A) would be the usage of 'straightly' instead of 'straight'. Another big error is the usage of the noun + noun modifier 'a concern...'.

Using 'an undertaking THAT is a major concern...' fixes the second error.

That leaves us with options (B) and options (E).

(B) "run as straight in a line as is possible to conserve energy": the running isn't straight. The intended meaning is getting changed in this option
(E) "run in as straight a line as possible to conserve energy": the line is the straightest possible line. That's the intended meaning.

I'm going to put my money on option E.

Sushil117 · Answer

(A) as straightly as possible in a line to conserve energy,
"line to conserve energy" does it mean running in a line or mean in order to or according to some plan to conserve energy ?? a bit mess . but still hold on
 
(B) as straight in a line as is possible to conserve energy, an undertaking that is
"an undertaking that is" conserving energy is not the undertaking, triathlon is. makes no sense 
 
(C) in as straight a line as possible to conserve energy,
seems fine

(D) as straightly as is possible in a line to conserve energy,
same as A

(E) in as straight a line as possible to conserve energy, an undertaking that is
same as B

IMO C

NextGenNerd · Answer

Correct answer: Choice E

in as straight a line makes more sense than straightly. Hence choice A , B and D are gone.
Between C and E

What is the modifier after comma talking about ?
it is talking about the act of conserving energy. Hence an undertaking that is blah blah makes more sense . Hence choice E is preffered over choice C

(A) as straightly as possible in a line to conserve energy, - Wrong
(B) as straight in a line as is possible to conserve energy, an undertaking that is - Wrong
(C) in as straight a line as possible to conserve energy, - Wrong
(D) as straightly as is possible in a line to conserve energy, - Wrong
(E) in as straight a line as possible to conserve energy, an undertaking that is - Correct

Archit3110 · Answer

as .... as is correct
keep A & D
 (D) as straightly as is possible in a line to conserve energy,  ... is usage is wrong

(A) as straightly as possible in a line to conserve energy,

OPTION A is correct

LeopardLiu · Answer

Triathletes learn to swim, cycle, and run as straightly as possible in a line to conserve energy, a major concern on a course that extends beyond 140 miles.

(A) as straightly as possible in a line to conserve energy,  this is an undertaking not a concern 
(B) as straight in a line as is possible to conserve energy, an undertaking that is  as XXX as is is wrong 
(C) in as straight a line as possible to conserve energy,   same mistake as A 
(D) as straightly as is possible in a line to conserve energy,   same mistake as A 
(E) in as straight a line as possible to conserve energy, an undertaking that is  Correct

sunitapandey · Answer

IMO E

(A) as straightly as possible in a line to conserve energy,- it should be run as straight as possible
(B) as straight in a line as is possible to conserve energy, an undertaking that is -- it should be in as straight a line...
(C) in as straight a line as possible to conserve energy,-- what is the major concern?
(D) as straightly as is possible in a line to conserve energy, - error same as A
 (E) in as straight a line as possible to conserve energy, an undertaking that is - Correct, rectifies the mistake of B

gmatcafe · Answer

The original sentence incorrectly uses "straightly", so A is out. The sentence probably intends to mean that to conserve energy, the athletes should swim, cycle and run in a line that is as straight as possible. The correct usage of the phrase is "as ... as possible". In B and D, "as ... as is possible", so they are out. Between C and E, I go for C since it is more precise.

manish1708 · Answer

Answer: C

Triathletes learn to swim, cycle, and run as straightly as possible in a line to conserve energy, a major concern on a course that extends beyond 140 miles.

(A) as straightly as possible in a line to conserve energy,  --> Incorrect. 'straightly' needs to modify 'line' and not 'possible'. 
(B) as straight in a line as is possible to conserve energy, an undertaking that is  --> Incorrect. "an undertaking that is" is redundant. major concern on a course rightly modifies conserve energy. 
(C) in as straight a line as possible to conserve energy,  -->  Correct . Eliminating other options, this is the only option left. 
(D) as straightly as is possible in a line to conserve energy,  --> Incorrect. "as straightly as is possible in a line" is way too awkward. 
(E) in as straight a line as possible to conserve energy, an undertaking that is  --> Incorrect. "an undertaking that is" is redundant. major concern on a course rightly modifies conserve energy.

rajtare · Answer

straight v/s straightly. Straightly is an adverb that can be used to modify only verbs, since we need to modify nouns (to run, to cycle, and to swim) so straight which is a noun should be used.

hence option a, and d are out

if we read the non underlined portion on the right hand side we get the idea that undertaking (that triathletes learn to train in straight line) is not a concern, the concern is to conserve energy hence option b, and e are out.

correct answer option C.

PRamesh2008 · Answer

Triathletes learn to swim, cycle, and run  as straightly as possible in a line to conserve energy , a major concern on a course that extends beyond 140 miles.

Meaning.  Triatheletes learn to do these activities in a straight line to the maximum possible. Straight movement towards conserving energy is of much importance, since the race extends a long distance.

(A)  as  straightly as possible in a line to conserve energy,

'as' should be replaced by 'in'...'run in a straight line' is the correct idiomatic structure

(B)  as  straight in a line as is possible to conserve energy, an undertaking that is

'as' should be replaced by 'in'...'run in a straight line' is the correct idiomatic structure; qualification of the effort through 'an undertaking that is' is correct

(C) in as straight a line as possible to conserve  energy ,

The modifier in the end 'a major concern on a course' incorrectly refers to nearest word ie, energy

(D)  as  straightly as is possible in a line to conserve  energy ,

'as' should be replaced by 'in'...'run in a straight line' is the correct idiomatic structure; also, The modifier in the end 'a major concern on a course' incorrectly refers to nearest word ie, energy

(E)  in  as straight a line as possible to conserve energy,  an undertaking that is

'in'...as in 'run in a straight line' is the correct idiomatic structure..also, qualification of the effort through 'an undertaking that is' is correct

(E) si the CORRECT answer

soudipsengupta · Answer

(A) as straightly as possible in a line to conserve energy,
 INCORRECT . The modifier "a major concern" seem to be modifying "energy" which is absurd

(B) as straight in a line as is possible to conserve energy, an undertaking that is 
 INCORRECT . "Triathletes learn to swim, cycle, and run as straight in a line.. " The meaning here is not conveyed correctly. Triathletes run as straight in a line seems to mean that they are straight while running in a line... NO.

(C) in as straight a line as possible to conserve energy,
 INCORRECT . The modifier "a major concern" seem to be modifying "energy" which is absurd

(D) as straightly as is possible in a line to conserve energy,
 INCORRECT . The modifier "a major concern" seem to be modifying "energy" which is absurd

(E) in as straight a line as possible to conserve energy, an undertaking that is
 CORRECT . This conveys the intended meaning and avoids any kind of ambiguity

FazliddinKD · Answer

Triathletes learn to swim, cycle, and run  as straightly as possible in a line to conserve energy,  a major concern on a course that extends beyond 140 miles.

(A)  as straightly as possible in a line to conserve energy, -  Correct 
(B) as straight in a line as   is   possible to conserve energy, an undertaking that is
(C)  in  as straight   a line   as possible to conserve energy,
(D) as straightly as   is   possible in a line to conserve energy,
(E)   in   as straight   a line   as possible to conserve energy, an undertaking that is

akash2703 · Answer

Imo A

Triathletes learn to swim, cycle, and run as straightly as possible in a line to conserve energy, a major concern on a course that extends beyond 140 miles.

(A) as straightly as possible in a line to conserve energy,
 Correct .
(B) as straight in a line as is possible to conserve energy, an undertaking that is
 The act of learning to swim or run in a straight line is compared to the possibility to conserve energy. 
(C) in as straight a line as possible to conserve energy,
 'a' article is not needed before line. 
(D) as straightly as is possible in a line to conserve energy,
 Same as B 
(E) in as straight a line as possible to conserve energy, an undertaking that is
 Same as C.

Dwiti88 · Answer

Triathletes learn to swim, cycle, and run  as straightly as possible in a line to conserve energy,  a major concern on a course that extends beyond 140 miles.

(A) as straightly as possible in a line to conserve energy,
- run as straightly is incorrect 
(B) as straight in a line as is possible to conserve energy, an undertaking that is 
- run as straight changes the meaning of the sentence.Modifier issue 
(C) in as straight a line as possible to conserve energy,
-  Modifier issue.a major concern is referred to what is not clearly understandable from the sentence. 
(D) as straightly as is possible in a line to conserve energy,
- as straightly is incorrect. 
(E) in as straight a line as possible to conserve energy, an undertaking that is
- This is the correct choice. Here both the modifier and the comparison issue have been corrected

raj94knp · Answer

The first thing that jumps out of the sentence is   a major concern on a course that extends beyond 140 miles.  
What is the major concern: it is  the process of running in straight line  not  energy  as seems in original sentence.
So A C and D is out. 
B/w B and E, in B there are couple of issues. For instance, is after second as in  as is possible   is needless.. Another issue is meaning. It seems to suggest athletes are trying  to run straight   not in straight line  .

So E is the right pick.

acf840 · Answer

The correct format is "as (Adj) as" possible. 
the clause after the comma is a modifier,which has to modify a noun from the previous clause. A,C,D does not contain any such noun (to conserve energy is in a verb form) hence are out.

Between B & D, B incorrectly uses the format as straight in a line as  IS  possible. Which is incorrect, hence  correct choice is E.

Also,   is better than  .

winterschool · Answer

Triathletes learn to swim, cycle, and run as straightly as possible in a line to conserve energy, a major concern on a course that extends beyond 140 miles.

(A) as straightly as possible in a line to conserve energy,  Incorrect

'straightly ' should be 'straight'

(B) as straight in a line as is possible to conserve energy, an undertaking that is  Incorrect

unnecessary long

(C) in as straight a line as possible to conserve energy,  Correct

seems good

(D) as straightly as is possible in a line to conserve energy,  Incorrect

same as A

(E) in as straight a line as possible to conserve energy, an undertaking that is  Incorrect

same as B

Kinshook · Answer

Triathletes learn 
to swim, cycle, and run 
 as straightly as possible in a line to conserve energy,  
a major concern on a course that extends beyond 140 miles.

The sentence is concise and correct and conveys the correct meaning.
Correct

Use of  as straight in a line as is possible  is incorrect. It should be  as straight as in a line. 
Incorrect

Use of two adjacent prepositions is incorrect. Option A is better, more concise and correct.
Incorrect

Use of  as straight a line as  is incorrect.  an undertaking that is  is redundant.
 
IMO A

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