In Alexandria, the Ptoleyms founded a library so as the written remain

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 the Ptolemys founded a library, and within this library, the written remains of Greek literature could be gathered together and systematized.

Concepts tested here: Meaning + Grammatical Construction

• Semicolons and the “comma + conjunction” construction are used to link two independent clauses; commas are used to link an independent clause with a dependent one; comma cannot be used to join two independent clauses.

A: The sentence formed by this answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “founded a library so as”; the construction of this phrase leads to an incoherent meaning; the intended meaning is that the Ptolemys founded a library, and within this library, the written remains of Greek literature could be gathered together and systematized.

B: Correct. The sentence formed by this answer choice uses the phrase “in which the written remains of Greek literature could be gathered together and systematized”, conveying the intended meaning – that the Ptoleyms founded a library, and the written remains of Greek literature could be gathered together and systematized, specifically in this library. Further, Option B avoids the grammatical construction error seen in Option C, as it contains only one independent clause.

C: The sentence formed by this answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “and the written remains of Greek literature could be gathered together and systematized”; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that the Ptoleyms founded a library, and as a separate action the written remains of Greek literature could be gathered together and systematized; the intended meaning is that the Ptoleyms founded a library, and the written remains of Greek literature could be gathered together and systematized, specifically in this library. Further, Option C incorrectly uses conjunction (“and” in this sentence) to join the independent clauses “the Ptoleyms founded a library” and “the written remains of Greek literature could be gathered together and systematized”; remember, semicolons and the “comma + conjunction” construction are used to link two independent clauses; commas are used to link an independent clause with a dependent one; comma cannot be used to join two independent clauses.

D: The sentence formed by this answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “whereby the written remains of Greek literature could be gathered together and systematized”; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that the Ptoleyms founded a library, and through the use of this library the written remains of Greek literature could be gathered together and systematized; the intended meaning is that the Ptoleyms founded a library, and the written remains of Greek literature could be gathered together and systematized, in this library.

E: The sentence formed by this answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “by which the written remains of Greek literature could be gathered together and systematized”; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that the Ptoleyms founded a library, and through the use of this library the written remains of Greek literature could be gathered together and systematized; the intended meaning is that the Ptoleyms founded a library, and the written remains of Greek literature could be gathered together and systematized, in this library.

Hence, B is the best answer choice.

To understand the use of punctuations on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~10 minutes):



All the best!
Experts' Global Team