GMAT Set 30 - 5

Question

Citing the recent increase in earnings by several computer companies, economists feel
that  a cycle has begun in which personal computer users , especially corporate consumers,
are replacing their PC’s with more powerful models.
A. a cycle has begun in which personal computer users
B. a cycle for personal computer users has begun in which they
C. there is a cycle beginning for personal computer users
D. it is the beginning of a cycle for personal computer users
E. personal computer users are in the beginning of a cycle when they

seofah · Answer

scthakur, thanks for taking time. How is "they" in E unnecessary?

JohnLewis1980 · Answer

Hi guys,

IMO:  A

A. a cycle has begun in which personal computer users Hold
B. a cycle for personal computer users has begun in which they  for me it's wordy 
C. there is a cycle beginning for personal computer users  for me it should be a beginning cycle or a cycle that is beginning 
D. it is the beginning of a cycle for personal computer users  wordy, because of it is the beginning 
E. personal computer users are in the beginning of a cycle when they  it changes the meaning of the sentence

OA?

Cheers

ritula · Answer

A is the most concise and best choice.Others are wordy and awkward.

scthakur · Answer

E uses extra pronoun word "they". Without this pronoun also, the meaning is clear in A.

anairamitch1804 · Answer

A answer choice may be eliminated for pronoun ambiguity if another answer choice avoids the ambiguity and is free of errors. 
In B and E, they has two eligible antecedents (economists and users). 
Since A avoids this issue and is free of errors, eliminate B and E. 
In C, are replacing lacks a subject. 
Eliminate C. 
In D, it lacks a viable referent. 
Eliminate D. 
The correct answer is A.

There are 2 prepositions that are confusing – when and “in which” and the confusion is when both of them are used when a reference to time has been made.

“When” is used when there is a specific time or a date that is being discussed. 
Ex : 15th August 1947 is the day when India got its Independence. 
“In which” is used when we are talking about a time period. 
Ex : 1947 was the year in which the freedom struggle came to an end. 
Here there is a cycle being referred to. And a cycle is usually a time period. That’s why usage of “which” makes more sense!

GMAT Set 30 - 5

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