In an effort to reduce the number of fires started by cigarettes, a ma

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 meaning of the crucial part of this sentence is that in the cigarette, thin layers of extra paper are used to decrease the amount of oxygen entering the cigarette, and thus slow the rate at which it burns and lower the heat it generates.

Concepts tested here: Pronouns + Meaning + Modifiers + Verb Forms

• When “which” is preceded by a comma, it refers to the noun immediately before the comma.
• For referring to the purpose/intent of the action, the infinitive verb form ("to + base form of verb" - "to + decrease" in this sentence) is preferred over the present participle ("verb+ing" - "decreasing" in this sentence).
• "when" is only used to refer to a point in time.
• "comma + present participle ("verb+ing" - "slowing" in this case)" is the correct construction.

A: Correct. This answer choice avoids the pronoun error seen in Option B, as it uses no pronouns. Further, Option A uses the phrase "in which", conveying the intended meaning - that the thin layers of extra paper are used in the structure of the cigarette. Moreover, Option A uses the phrase "thereby slowing...", conveying the intended meaning - that the act of decreasing the amount of oxygen that can enter the cigarette slows the rate at which it burns and lowers the heat it generates. Additionally, Option A maintains the correct construction - "comma + present participle ("verb+ing" - "slowing" in this sentence). Besides, Option A uses the infinitive verb form ("to + base form of verb" - "to + decrease" in this sentence) to refer to the purpose of the action "are used".

B: This answer choice incorrectly refers to the singular noun "company" with the plural pronoun "they". Further, Option B incorrectly refers to "the cigarette" with "which slows...", incorrectly implying that the cigarette slows the rate at which it burns and lowers the heat it generates; the intended meaning is that the act of decreasing the amount of oxygen entering the cigarette slows the rate at which it burns and lowers the heat it generates; remember, when “which” is preceded by a comma, it refers to the noun immediately before the comma. Additionally, Option B uses the present participle ("verb+ing") phrase "in decreasing" to refer to the purpose of the action "use thin layers of extra paper"; remember, for referring to the purpose/intent of the action, the infinitive verb form ("to + base form of verb") is preferred over the present participle ("verb+ing" - "decreasing" in this sentence).

C: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "that uses"; the construction of this phrase illogically implies that the cigarette itself makes use of the thin layers of extra paper; the intended meaning is that the thin layers of extra paper are used in the cigarette. Moreover, Option C further alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "when it enters the cigarette"; the construction of this phrase illogically implies that the amount of oxygen is reduced, at the point in time when it enters the cigarette; the intended meaning is that the amount of oxygen that can enter the cigarette is reduced; remember, "when" is only used to refer to a point in time.

D: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "for which"; the construction of this phrase illogically implies that the thin layers of extra paper are used for the sake of the cigarette; the intended meaning is that the thin layers of extra paper are used in the structure of the cigarette. Further, Option D fails to maintain the "comma + present participle ("verb+ing" - "slowing")" construction, as it incorrectly inserts "and" after the comma; remember, "comma + present participle ("verb+ing" - "slowing" in this case)" is the correct construction.

E: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "using"; the construction of this phrase illogically implies that the cigarette itself makes use of the thin layers of extra paper; the intended meaning is that the thin layers of extra paper are used in the cigarette. Moreover, Option E incorrectly refers to "the cigarette" with "which slows...", incorrectly implying that the cigarette slows the rate at which it burns and lowers the heat it generates; the intended meaning is that the act of decreasing the amount of oxygen entering the cigarette slows the rate at which it burns and lowers the heat it generates; remember, when “which” is preceded by a comma, it refers to the noun immediately before the comma. Further, Option E uses the present participle ("verb+ing") phrase "in decreasing" to refer to the purpose of the action "use thin layers of extra paper"; remember, for referring to the purpose/intent of the action, the infinitive verb form ("to + base form of verb") is preferred over the present participle ("verb+ing" - "decreasing" in this sentence).

Hence, A is the best answer choice.

To understand the concept of "Infinitive" vs "Present Participle" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):



All the best!
Experts' Global Team

I will stick with A here.
B and E are out becasue of which clause, here it refers to cigarette whereas it needs to refer to extra paper.
C is out due to clause "when it enters .... this looks awkward.
D is wrong becasue of "and" in "and thereby". I believe that thereby is introducing a subordinate clause so we dont need any conjunction here.

Hello Experts,
Can someone provide reasoning to this question. Its from GPrep.

Thanks
Himanshu

A. in which thin layers of extra paper are used to decrease the amount of oxygen entering the cigarette, thereby slowing OK - The trap perhaps is "in which" relative pronoun phrase instead of "that" relative pronoun; "in which" = "that".
B. in which they use thin layers of extra paper in decreasing the amount of oxygen entering the cigarette, which slows "They" has not logical referent; "which slows" modifies cigarette and not the entire clause so as to indicate a cause and effect relationship.
C. that uses thin layers of extra paper to decrease the amount of oxygen when it enters the cigarette, thereby slowing "that uses..." contains many phrases and can be more concise with a subordinate clause (instead of a only relative pronoun); prepositions such as "before" or "after" describes better than "when" relative pronoun; perhaps "when" is even used incorrectly. (Thanks to Mike; we know it is. Thanks Mike!)
D. for which thin layers of extra paper are used to decrease the amount of oxygen that enters the cigarette, and thereby slowing Testing-marketing is not done "for" thin paper, but rather test-marketing is done for a cigarettes "in which..."
E. using thin layers of extra paper in decreasing the amount of oxygen entering the cigarette, which slows If a subordinate clause is available, use it instead of a list of prepositions; "which shows" improperly modifies the cigarette.

Hello Mike,
Is the use of comma + and in option D correct ?
Because comma + and is used to represent two independent clauses
but here second clause is actually dependent on first
Is this right ?

Dear divya517,

I'm happy to respond. The short answer is: NO!

Here's the question again.
In an effort to reduce the number of fires started by cigarettes, a major tobacco company is test-marketing a cigarette in which thin layers of extra paper are used to decrease the amount of oxygen entering the cigarette, thereby slowing the rate at which it burns and lowering the heat it generates.
A. in which thin layers of extra paper are used to decrease the amount of oxygen entering the cigarette, thereby slowing
B. in which they use thin layers of extra paper in decreasing the amount of oxygen entering the cigarette, which slows
C. that uses thin layers of extra paper to decrease the amount of oxygen when it enters the cigarette, thereby slowing
D. for which thin layers of extra paper are used to decrease the amount of oxygen that enters the cigarette, and thereby slowing
E. using thin layers of extra paper in decreasing the amount of oxygen entering the cigarette, which slows

In (D), what follows the comma and the word "and" is NOT a clause. It's a participle, a modifier that modifies the preceding clause. Putting an "and" in front of a modifying participle, to separate it from what it modifies, is always 100% wrong.
The GMAT is challenging, causing student to study hard. = right
The GMAT is challenging, and causing student to study hard. = wrong

Does this make sense?
Mike

Hey mikemcgarry, Another great explanation.

Of course I spotted the " ,which " here.

Wanted to understand a bit about the " -ING modifiers" - If there is an "ING word" following a Noun without a COMMA, does it mean to modify the NOUN ? I have read that we need a COMMA ING word if we want to use it as a participle. Do you have any resources that will help me understand this?

Thanks

Dear AmanKidCACS,

I'm happy to respond.

Here's what I am going to say. It is is impossible, impossible, to attain GMAT SC mastery by assembling some ideal list of rules. The Chinese sage Laozi said: "The Way that can be put into words is not the true Way." While this might be more relevant for big questions of destiny and life meaning, there is a sense in which it says something deep about GMAT SC. There are multiple elements of SC mastery that cannot be formulated tersely as rules. For example, as I have mentioned before, apprehending the meaning of the sentence is more important than figuring out what any comma is doing.

As I believe we have discussed, whether what you are calling the "ING word" is a participle or a gerund or part of a full verb is the first issue. If it is a participle, then it's hard to deduce anything universal from the presence or absence of a comma. Context is everything!

Here's the prompt, which is the OA (A):
In an effort to reduce the number of fires started by cigarettes, a major tobacco company is test-marketing a cigarette in which thin layers of extra paper are used to decrease the amount of oxygen entering the cigarette, thereby slowing the rate at which it burns and lowering the heat it generates.
In that sentence, we have three participles. The first, "entering," clearly modifies the noun that precedes it, "oxygen": the oxygen" is performing the action of "entering the cigarette."
The other two participles, "slowing ... and lowering" are in parallel. These modify the action of the entire clause before the comma. You see, participles can be noun-modifiers or they can be verb-modifiers--modifying the action of a verb or, essentially, the action of an entire clause, since the verb is the heart of any clause.

That's what is happening in this particular sentence, but once again, it's hard to form general rules. I would recommend that you be deeply suspicious of any GMAT prep book that is recommending a ton of rules about SC. Some books make their money by giving students what they ask for rather than what they need.

If you really are committed to improving your verbal performance on the GMAT, I would urge you to cultivate a habit of reading. See:
How to Improve Your GMAT Verbal Score
Reading is precisely what builds intuition for the language, all those levels of understanding that are subtle & pattern-based rather than clear-cut & rule-based.

Also, I will say that I explain a tremendous amount about GMAT SC in the Magoosh lessons. Here's a free lesson:
Substantive Clauses
Here's a practice SC question:
With American cryptanalysts
When you submit your answer, the following page will have my video explanation. Each one of Magoosh's 1000+ has its own VE: this sort of immediate feedback accelerates the learning process of our students. That's where you would find a compendium of my advice on GMAT SC.

Does all this make sense?
Mike

Hi Mike
I have heard and read that "comma + which" is the correct modifier usage. Then why in the correct OA, "in which" used in the beginning of the highlighted portion is correct.
Thanks in advance..

SS

Dear Ssingh1807,

I'm happy to respond.

My friend, I am going to chide you. Your question is very much characteristic of someone who has been diligent learning rules but who has done far too little reading. Learning lists of rules will not get you anywhere close to GMAT SC mastery. To learn and understand at a deep level, you need to develop a habit of reading. I recommend this blog:
How to Improve Your GMAT Verbal Score

I'll briefly discuss this particular rule. If the pronoun "which" is the subject of the subordinate clause, as it often is, then most typically it would immediately follow the target noun modified by the clause. In this case, there is always a comma.
Christiaan Huygens was the first to identify the rings of Saturn, which confused Galileo, who had a less powerful telescope.
Nevertheless, sometimes in more sophisticated writing, the pronoun "which" is object of a preposition within the subordinate clause. In this case, the structure is
[target noun][preposition]"which"[subordinate clause]
I just read the book for which the professor wrote the introduction.
This is not a task of which I am capable.
There is no comma in this construction. Once again, this is a feature of particularly sophisticated and well-spoken language. Most of the American population does not speak in this way. The GMAT, though, represents a very high bar, so these forms are typical of what you could see on the GMAT SC.

I also will recommend these two blogs:
That vs. Which on the GMAT
GMAT Grammar: Vital Noun Modifiers

Does all this make sense?
Mike

A seems perfect amidst all the answer choice.

Hi mikemcgarry,

Can you please clarify what 'it' is referring after the underlined part. Is it referring to 'cigarette' or 'oxygen' ?
Also, can we Active Verb with 'it'?

When do you use the phrase "in which"? I thought that the word "which" always had to have a comma before it?

In an effort to reduce the number of fires started by cigarettes, a major tobacco company is test-marketing a cigarette in which thin layers of extra paper are used to decrease the amount of oxygen entering the cigarette, thereby slowing the rate at which it burns and lowering the heat it generates.

A. in which thin layers of extra paper are used to decrease the amount of oxygen entering the cigarette, thereby slowing - has no error. Hence, (A) is the right answer choice.

B. in which they use thin layers of extra paper in decreasing the amount of oxygen entering the cigarette, which slows - here, the pronoun 'they' has no clear antecedent.

C. that uses thin layers of extra paper to decrease the amount of oxygen when it enters the cigarette, thereby slowing - the pronoun 'it' has several possible antecedents: paper, oxygen, the company, cigarette.

D. for which thin layers of extra paper are used to decrease the amount of oxygen that enters the cigarette, and thereby slowing - what exactly is slowing the rate of burning? is it the extra paper? is it the cigarette itself? (D) has meaning ambiguity.

E. using thin layers of extra paper in decreasing the amount of oxygen entering the cigarette, which slows - (E) implies that it is the cigarette slows the burn rate, not the decrease in oxygen.

A. in which thin layers of extra paper are used to decrease the amount of oxygen entering the cigarette, thereby slowing correct

B. in which they use thin layers of extra paper in decreasing the amount of oxygen entering the cigarette, which slows which slows is not parallel to and lowering

C. that uses thin layers of extra paper to decrease the amount of oxygen when it enters the cigarette, thereby slowing that uses is modifying cigarettes. the cigarettes are not using thin layer, it is the company

D. for which thin layers of extra paper are used to decrease the amount of oxygen that enters the cigarette, and thereby slowing wrong parallelism

E. using thin layers of extra paper in decreasing the amount of oxygen entering the cigarette, which slows same error as choice B

amount of oxygen that enters the cigarette

v/s

amount of oxygen entering the cigarette

when do we use ing verbal over a RPC modifier. What sense does restrictive clause brings out here? does meaning changes?

What's the difference between "that enters" and "entering"? Who knows?

Luckily, the GMAT isn't asking us to worry about that difference.

Choice (D) has a glaring parallelism issue: what is "slowing" parallel to? The only option is "test-marketing," so it seems like we have, "... a major tobacco company is slowing the rate at which it burns and lowering the heat it generates."

That's not what we want. The "slowing" is what happens as a result of the decrease in the amount of oxygen entering the cigarette, not something that the company itself does directly.

So "slowing" makes much more sense as a modifier, and we can eliminate (D) without worrying about "that enters" vs. "entering".