In cooperation with the school system, exceptional children requiring

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION



THE PROMPT



THE OPTIONS

• modifier error. That is →
• We have a dangling modifier: according to the noun "Touch Rule," a noun modifier should be as close as possible to the noun it modifies.
Modifier: In cooperation with the school system
Noun modified (wrong noun!): exceptional children

• Track on the logic of the introductory phrase: who or what is in cooperation with the school system?
The next thing we should be reading about is the program, not children.
• in this context, children are not in cooperation with the school system
ELIMINATE A

• I see no issues
• the introductory modifier correctly modifies the program
• note the active style (the verb is not a helping verb): the program offers
KEEP

• on the GMAT (and in most high level U.S. writing), which and that are not interchangeable
-- which sets off nonessential material and should be preceded by a comma
The underpriced house for sale, which is around the corner, will not last long on the market.
(There is only one underpriced house for sale. The fact that the house is located around the corner is not essential and can be removed.)

-- that sets off essential material and is almost never set off by a comma
The underpriced house for sale that is around the corner will not last long on the market.
(There might be or there is more than one underpriced house for sale, but I am talking about the one that is around the corner. I cannot remove location. The "that" clause gives essential information. )
-- speakers of British English, be a little be careful. In B.E., which and that are interchangeable. Your eyes are used to reading "which" without a comma. Start looking for a comma before which.
-- Native U.S. speakers, you, too, should be on the lookout, though you've probably read [comma + which] fairly often

-- in a few instances that are rarely seen on the GMAT, which is not preceded by a comma:

(1) as the object of a preposition (which refers to "both," and "both" refers to "dams")
In Michigan a few days ago, two dams, both of which had been reported as unsound, broke one after the other, causing even more suffering in the midst of a pandemic. (People in Michigan, my heart goes out to you.)

(2) as the lead word in a noun clause (in this example, the noun clause is the object of the verb remember)
I tried to remember which street I used to get to the new store.

(3) in a "double" which clause, the second which is not preceded by a comma.
The executive branch of the federal government, which states usually look to for guidance in a crisis and which has powers that states do not, has chosen to inflame political wars rather than unite the citizens of the country.

• The passive structure is not as good as the structure in option B
ELIMINATE C

• people take the pronoun who, not that
• as in option C, the passive voice (are offered) is not as strong as the active voice in (B)
ELIMINATE D


• meaning issue: exceptional children are not "in cooperation with the school system"
• again, passive voice (are being offered) is not as strong as active voice in option B
ELIMINATE E

The answer is B.

NOTES

Just one thought: on your first review of answer options, do not ever eliminate an answer on the basis of passive voice alone.
If you already have a good answer against which to compare an option, do so after you read all the options.
Make style decisions last -- style decisions such as concision and passive voice.

COMMENTS

Shrinkhla21 and 800Dreamer , welcome to SC Butler.

As always, I am glad to "see" everyone.

I encourage aspirants who might be a bit hesitant to post anyway.
This community forum is enriched when people with diverse styles post.

The answers range from good to excellent.
Nice work. Kudos to all.