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In assessing the problems faced by rural migrant workers the question 06 Sep 2020, 07:17
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Kritisood
@experts, here in B, C and E would it be wrong to use "that" to refer back to plural "problems"?
the question of whether the rural migrant worker is better off materially than the urban working poor is irrelevant in assessing the problemS that they face.
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It's fine when using "that" as a relative pronoun, as it is used in "problems that they face," to use it to refer to a plural noun.
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In assessing the problems faced by rural migrant workers the question 07 Mar 2022, 23:36
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ExpertsGlobal5
Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
ananthpatri
In assessing the problems faced by rural migrant workers, the question of whether they are better off materially than the urban working poor is irrelevant.

(A) In assessing the problems faced by rural migrant workers, the question of whether they are better off materially than the urban working poor is irrelevant.

(B) The question of whether the rural migrant worker is better off materially than the urban working poor is irrelevant in assessing the problems that they face.

(C) A question that is irrelevant in assessing the problems that rural migrant workers face is whether they are better off materially than the urban working poor.

(D) In an assessment of the problems faced by rural migrant workers, the question of whether they are better off materially than the urban working poor is irrelevant.

(E) The question of whether the rural migrant worker is better off materially than the urban working poor is irrelevant in an assessment of the problems that they face.


Meaning is crucial to solving this problem: Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of this sentence is that in the context of an assessment of the problems faced by rural migrant workers, the question of whether they are better off materially than the urban working poor is irrelevant.

Concepts tested here:Pronouns + Meaning + Modifiers + Redundancy/Awkwardness

• In the “phrase + comma + noun” and “noun + comma + phrase” constructions, the phrase must correctly modify the noun; this is one of the most frequently tested concepts on GMAT sentence correction.

A: This answer choice incorrectly uses "In assessing...migrant workers" to modify "the question", illogically implying that the question of whether rural migrant workers are better off materially than the urban working poor is assessing the problems faced by them and in doing so is irrelevant; the intended meaning is that in the context of an assessment of the problems faced by rural migrant workers, the question of whether they are better off materially than the urban working poor is irrelevant; please remember, in the “phrase + comma + noun” construction, the phrase must correctly modify the noun.

B: Trap. This answer choice incorrectly uses the plural pronoun “they” to refer to the singular noun "the rural migrant worker".

C: Trap. This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "A question that is irrelevant in assessing"; the construction of this phrase illogically implies that the question of whether rural migrant workers are better off materially than the urban working poor is assessing the problems faced by them and in doing so is irrelevant; the intended meaning is that in the context of an assessment of the problems faced by rural migrant workers, the question of whether they are better off materially than the urban working poor is irrelevant. Further, Option C uses the needlessly indirect phrase "A question that is irrelevant", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

D: Correct. This answer choice correctly uses the plural pronoun “they” to refer to the plural noun "rural migrant workers". Further, Option D correctly uses "In an assessment...migrant workers" to modify "the question", conveying the intended meaning - that in the context of an assessment of the problems faced by rural migrant workers, the question of whether they are better off materially than the urban working poor is irrelevant. Additionally, Option D is free of any awkwardness/redundancy.

E: Trap. This answer choice incorrectly uses the plural pronoun “they” to refer to the singular noun "the rural migrant worker".

Hence, D is the best answer choice.

To understand the concept of "Phrase Comma Subject" and "Subject Comma Phrase" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):



All the best!
Experts' Global Team
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Hello,

In Option A, if, instead of using ''in'', ''while'' is used, would that make it correct?

Regards
Vighnesh
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In assessing the problems faced by rural migrant workers the question 08 Mar 2022, 05:35
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VIGHNESHKAMATH
ExpertsGlobal5
Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
ananthpatri
In assessing the problems faced by rural migrant workers, the question of whether they are better off materially than the urban working poor is irrelevant.

(A) In assessing the problems faced by rural migrant workers, the question of whether they are better off materially than the urban working poor is irrelevant.

(B) The question of whether the rural migrant worker is better off materially than the urban working poor is irrelevant in assessing the problems that they face.

(C) A question that is irrelevant in assessing the problems that rural migrant workers face is whether they are better off materially than the urban working poor.

(D) In an assessment of the problems faced by rural migrant workers, the question of whether they are better off materially than the urban working poor is irrelevant.

(E) The question of whether the rural migrant worker is better off materially than the urban working poor is irrelevant in an assessment of the problems that they face.


Meaning is crucial to solving this problem: Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of this sentence is that in the context of an assessment of the problems faced by rural migrant workers, the question of whether they are better off materially than the urban working poor is irrelevant.

Concepts tested here:Pronouns + Meaning + Modifiers + Redundancy/Awkwardness

• In the “phrase + comma + noun” and “noun + comma + phrase” constructions, the phrase must correctly modify the noun; this is one of the most frequently tested concepts on GMAT sentence correction.

A: This answer choice incorrectly uses "In assessing...migrant workers" to modify "the question", illogically implying that the question of whether rural migrant workers are better off materially than the urban working poor is assessing the problems faced by them and in doing so is irrelevant; the intended meaning is that in the context of an assessment of the problems faced by rural migrant workers, the question of whether they are better off materially than the urban working poor is irrelevant; please remember, in the “phrase + comma + noun” construction, the phrase must correctly modify the noun.

B: Trap. This answer choice incorrectly uses the plural pronoun “they” to refer to the singular noun "the rural migrant worker".

C: Trap. This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "A question that is irrelevant in assessing"; the construction of this phrase illogically implies that the question of whether rural migrant workers are better off materially than the urban working poor is assessing the problems faced by them and in doing so is irrelevant; the intended meaning is that in the context of an assessment of the problems faced by rural migrant workers, the question of whether they are better off materially than the urban working poor is irrelevant. Further, Option C uses the needlessly indirect phrase "A question that is irrelevant", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

D: Correct. This answer choice correctly uses the plural pronoun “they” to refer to the plural noun "rural migrant workers". Further, Option D correctly uses "In an assessment...migrant workers" to modify "the question", conveying the intended meaning - that in the context of an assessment of the problems faced by rural migrant workers, the question of whether they are better off materially than the urban working poor is irrelevant. Additionally, Option D is free of any awkwardness/redundancy.

E: Trap. This answer choice incorrectly uses the plural pronoun “they” to refer to the singular noun "the rural migrant worker".

Hence, D is the best answer choice.

To understand the concept of "Phrase Comma Subject" and "Subject Comma Phrase" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):



All the best!
Experts' Global Team


Hello,

In Option A, if, instead of using ''in'', ''while'' is used, would that make it correct?

Regards
Vighnesh
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Hello VIGHNESHKAMATH,

We hope this finds you well.

To answer your query, the use of "while" would not make Option A correct; "while" is used to convey a sense of concurrence, so using "while" would imply that the question is irrelevant, specifically, during the time period when the problems faced by rural migrant workers are being assessed.

We hope this helps.
All the best!
Experts' Global Team
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In assessing the problems faced by rural migrant workers the question 05 Apr 2022, 01:01
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generis AjiteshArun
I came across two other introductory phrases that modify the subject
1. In order to convert analog audio files into high-quality digital versions, the engineer ...
2. From X to Y, subject... (Can't seem to find the question related to this)

As per your post above, these both look like prepositional phrases which should not modify the subject. Can you help clarify?
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In assessing the problems faced by rural migrant workers the question 05 Apr 2022, 05:22
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agupta28
I came across two other introductory phrases that modify the subject
1. In order to convert analog audio files into high-quality digital versions, the engineer ...
2. From X to Y, subject... (Can't seem to find the question related to this)

As per your post above, these both look like prepositional phrases which should not modify the subject. Can you help clarify?
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Neither of those phrases modifies the subject of the clause that follows it.

"In order to" modifies the verb, explaining WHY the action was done.

"From X to Y" also modifies the verb of the clause.
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In assessing the problems faced by rural migrant workers the question 17 Feb 2023, 10:40
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egmat
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why can't it be C. I don't see any pronoun error

Hi there,
Choice C - A question that is irrelevant in assessing the problems that rural migrant workers face is whether they are better off materially than the urban working poor.

This choice is incorrect because of its wordiness and awkwardness. There is no grammatical issue in this sentence as such. However, it is not very direct. Compare this portion in choice C - problems that rural migrant workers face – with this one in the correct choice D - problems faced by rural migrant workers. Undoubtedly, the latter is more precise and clear than the former.

The stylistic issue in Choice C makes it incorrect.
Hope this helps.
Shraddha
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Hi Shraddha/egmat,
I could eliminate A,B and E.
Couldnt find any issue in C and D, but i ended up Choosing C for its concision.
As it eventually does communicate the intended meaning, right?
Can you help me with the approach here?

Thanks a lot!
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In assessing the problems faced by rural migrant workers the question 21 Jul 2023, 01:18
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egmat
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why can't it be C. I don't see any pronoun error

Hi there,
Choice C - A question that is irrelevant in assessing the problems that rural migrant workers face is whether they are better off materially than the urban working poor.

This choice is incorrect because of its wordiness and awkwardness. There is no grammatical issue in this sentence as such. However, it is not very direct. Compare this portion in choice C - problems that rural migrant workers face – with this one in the correct choice D - problems faced by rural migrant workers. Undoubtedly, the latter is more precise and clear than the former.



The stylistic issue in Choice C makes it incorrect.
Hope this helps.
Shraddha
Show more



ISn't the latter in passive voice?
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In assessing the problems faced by rural migrant workers the question 10 Aug 2025, 09:08
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