In the traditional Japanese household, most clothing could be packed

GMATNinja can you please explain why flat is used and why not flatly.

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 this sentence is that since in the traditional Japanese household, most clothing could be packed flat elaborate closet facilities were unnecessary.

Concepts tested here: Meaning + Redundancy/Awkwardness

• “being” is only to be used when it is part of a noun phrase or represents the passive continuous verb tense; the use of passive continuous must be justified in the context.

A: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “packed flatly”; the use of the adverb “flatly” incorrectly implies that in the traditional Japanese household, most clothing could be packed in a flat manner; the intended meaning is in the traditional Japanese household, most clothing could be packed in a way that makes it physically flat. Further, Option A uses the needlessly wordy clause “it was not necessary to have elaborate closet facilities”, leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

B: Correct. This answer choice uses the phrase “packed flat”; the use of the adverb “flat” conveys the intended meaning – that in the traditional Japanese household, most clothing could be packed in a way that makes it physically flat. Moreover, Option C uses the clause “elaborate closet facilities were unnecessary”; the construction of this phrase conveys the intended meaning – that since in the traditional Japanese household, most clothing could be packed flat elaborate closet facilities were unnecessary. Further, Option C is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.

C: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “packed flatly”; the use of the adverb “flatly” incorrectly implies that in the traditional Japanese household, most clothing could be packed in a flat manner; the intended meaning is in the traditional Japanese household, most clothing could be packed in a way that makes it physically flat. Further, Option C uses the needlessly wordy clause “there was no necessity for elaborate closet facilities”, leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

D: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “there being no necessity for elaborate closet facilities”; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that because in a traditional Japanese household there is no necessity for elaborate closet facilities, most clothing could be packed flat; the intended meaning is that since in the traditional Japanese household, most clothing could be packed flat elaborate closet facilities were unnecessary. Further, Option D uses the word “being”, rendering it awkward and needlessly wordy; please remember, “being” is only to be used when it is part of a noun phrase or represents the passive continuous verb tense.

E: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “packed flatly”; the use of the adverb “flatly” incorrectly implies that in the traditional Japanese household, most clothing could be packed in a flat manner; the intended meaning is in the traditional Japanese household, most clothing could be packed in a way that makes it physically flat. Moreover, Option E further alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "as no elaborate closet facilities were necessary"; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that because in a traditional Japanese household there is no necessity for elaborate closet facilities, most clothing could be packed flat; the intended meaning is that since in the traditional Japanese household, most clothing could be packed flat elaborate closet facilities were unnecessary.

Hence, B is the best answer choice.

Note: Please note that the usages of “flat” and flatly” as adverbs convey different meanings. When “flatly” is used as an adverb, it conveys that an action was done in a flat, meaning blunt or emotionless, manner; for example, “He flatly explained his decision.” When “flat” is used as an adverb, it conveys that an action was taken to make something physically flat; for example, “He lay flat on the floor.”

To understand the use of "Being" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):



All the best!
Experts' Global Team