It is equally well known that a GPS satellite needs an extremely accur

Question

It is equally well known that a GPS satellite needs an extremely accurate clock to function correctly; it is less well known however, that GPS satellites also need to adjust for the effects of time dilation, because time passes more slowly on the satellite than it does on earth.

(A) It is equally well known that a GPS satellite needs an extremely accurate clock to function correctly; it is less well known however, that GPS satellites also need to adjust for the effects of time dilation, because time passes more slowly on the satellite than it does on earth.

(B) An extremely accurate clock is as essential to the functioning of a GPS satellite as is the need to take a phenomenon, called time dilation, according to which time passes relatively slowly on the satellite than on the earth, into account.

(C) An extremely accurate clock is as important to the correct functioning of GPS satellite as to taking into account a phenomenon called time dilation because time passes slower on the satellite than that on the earth.

(D) Because time passes slowly on the satellite than on earth, due to time dilation, an extremely accurate clock is needed for the proper functioning of a GPS satellite so as to account for the same.

(E) From the perspective of an observer on the earth, time passes more slowly on the satellite than on the earth; this phenomenon, called time dilation, must be taken into account for even a GPS satellite equipped with an extremely accurate on-board clock to function correctly.

Source : Jamboree

daagh · Answer

1. Can’t make out what this question is trying to convey; the perspective of an observer on the earth is never mentioned in the original. Nor does this intrusion serve any purpose in the correct choice.

2. Original says that GPS satellites also need to adjust for the effects of time dilation; but the correct choice says that time dilation must be taken in to account. Must be taken into account by whom, by that satellite or any other person or thing?

3. What is the phrase ‘to function correctly’ modifying – Is it the clock or the satellite?

nmtlzl · Answer

Why is A incorrect?
does the semicolon used in (E) make sense?
can anyone tell me?
thanks!

Prajat · Answer

It is absurd to use this construction  ] => equally cannot show contrast => (A) is incorrect

Semicolon in (E) makes perfect sense => It is connecting two independent clauses. These are two closely related statements, each able to stand alone as an independent sentence.

law258 · Answer

I had it down to B and E. Can someone please explain why B is eliminated?

Thanks in advance!!!

sayantanc2k · Answer

The relative pronoun "which" wrongly refers to "time dilation". The fact that time passes slowly is not  according to  time dilation; this phenomenon itself is time dilation.

devbond · Answer

The correct answer should be B.

I doubt the construction "for even a GPS satellite equipped" is correct.

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sayantanc2k · Answer

The post just above yours explains why B is incorrect.

Why do you feel that the constrcution "for even a GPS satellite equipped" is incorrect? "Equipped" is a past participle (not a verb) acting as a modifier for "GPS satellite".

devbond · Answer

"According to which" , where which refers to time dilation. Correct ? 
 The way I understand it is .. according to the "time dilation theory" time passes slowly on the satellite than on earth.

The time "may/may not pass slower" in reality but the theory does say it does. 
That's why I thought which was referring to the theory correctly.

Also on re-reading I find E to be grammatically correct to . So the deal breaker between B and E has to be meaning right ?

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sayantanc2k · Answer

The word "theory" is missing in option B, hence "which" does not have any antecedent. In B "time dilation" is the phenomenon itself - i.e. time does indeed slow down, not the theory that time slows down. Compare with the following:

Buoyancy keeps a ship floating on water.... correct.
This phenomenon is called buoyancy, according to which a ship floats on water... wrong.

subrataroy0210 · Answer

(A) It is equally well known that a GPS satellite needs an extremely accurate clock to function correctly; it is less well known however, that GPS satellites also need to adjust for the effects of time dilation, because time passes more slowly on the satellite than it does on earth.

1) In this option, the sentence presents a contrast that  fact1 is well known, however fact2 isn't . It is  equally  well known...it is  less   swell know

2) I believe the last part of the sentence should be like this: ...because the time passes  more slowly   on the satellite   than  on the earth  'it does' interrupts the comparison.

(B) An extremely accurate clock is as essential to the functioning of a GPS satellite as is the need to take a phenomenon, called time dilation, according to which time passes relatively slowly on the satellite than on the earth, into account.

1) X is as essential to Y as Z. The  is  in  as is the need to take a phenomenon  troubles me.
2) when we are talking about something as important as the proper functioning of a satellite, shouldn't we use "the phenomenon" rather than "a phenomenon"

(C) An extremely accurate clock is as important to the correct functioning of GPS satellite as to taking into account a phenomenon called time dilation because time passes slower on the satellite than that on the earth.

1) X is as important to Y as Z. Z appears to be troublesome here. I'd rather rephrase this as -  An extremely accurate clock is as important to the correct functioning of GPS satellite as the consideration of Time Dilation, a phenomenon according to which...

(D) Because time passes slowly on the satellite than on earth, due to time dilation, an extremely accurate clock is needed for the proper functioning of a GPS satellite so as to account for the same.

I'd replace 'due to' with 'caused by' to check of the sentence still makes sense.

(E) From the perspective of an observer on the earth, time passes more slowly on the satellite than on the earth; this phenomenon, called time dilation, must be taken into account for even a GPS satellite equipped with an extremely accurate on-board clock to function correctly.

Although quite different from the original sentence, this option looks good.

Please correct my mistakes. I'm a novice.

Navski · Answer

I read recently in my studies that the word "that" can't appear immediately after a comma this would make (A) wrong as well. It should read However it is less known that ... ...

leanhdung · Answer

(A) It is equally well known that a GPS satellite needs an extremely accurate clock to function correctly; it is less well known however, that GPS satellites also  need to adjust  for the effects of time dilation, because time passes more slowly on the satellite than it does on earth.  need to  is wrong,  need adjusting  or  need to be adjusted  is correct

(B) An extremely accurate clock is as essential to the functioning of a GPS satellite as is the need to take a phenomenon, called time dilation, according to which time passes relatively slowly on the satellite  than  on the earth, into account. - lack  more

(C) An extremely accurate clock is as important to the correct functioning of GPS satellite as to taking into account a phenomenon called time dilation because time passes  slower  on the satellite than that on the earth.

(D) Because time passes slowly on the satellite  than  on earth, due to time dilation, an extremely accurate clock is needed for the proper functioning of a GPS satellite so as to account for the same. - lack  more
 
(E) From the perspective of an observer on the earth, time passes more slowly on the satellite than on the earth; this phenomenon, called time dilation, must be taken into account for even a GPS satellite equipped with an extremely accurate on-board clock to function correctly.

VKat · Answer

Hello expert,
I just want to ask, is this a valid gmat question, does in gmat we get such type of questions where meaning is being explained in a much better manner as compare to meaning present in main statement.

sayantanc2k · Answer

Yes, it is possible - the original sentence (wrong option) may convey a vague or wrong meaning altogether. It is not mentioned anywhere in any official document that the original sentence must convey the correct clear meaning.

RMD007 · Answer

IMO E, though E is too wordy, all others are wrong for sure..

umabharatigudipalli · Answer

I always get confused with the usage of independent clauses connected by a semicolon. " From the perspective of an observer on the earth, time passes more slowly on the satellite than on the earth; this phenomenon, called time dilation, must be taken into account for even a GPS satellite equipped with an extremely accurate on-board clock to function correctly." The second independent clause has the word "this". Can this stand alone? If yes, how? Please elaborate..

Thanks, Uma

Naina2891 · Answer

I picked "E" as well but the last two words got me. How can a thing function incorrectly. To function implies correctness. Doesn't this make the phrase redundant?

Please explain and help me eliminate E.

Nightmare007 · Answer

I choose E not because it is the correct answer conveying the same meaning as A.
But, It is the only option without any error and conveying another meaning properly.

In A the wording : It is less well known however, I suppose is awkward and wrong.

Answer must be E.

Hero8888 · Answer

This question is nothing but a traiwreck. OA is E and states such perls as:

1. From the perspective of an observer  on the earth , time passes more slowly on the satellite than  on the earth 
2. phenomenon ... must be taken into account ... to function correctly.

Oh Jambooree what are you dooooing to meeeee

It is equally well known that a GPS satellite needs an extremely accur

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It is equally well known that a GPS satellite needs an extremely accur

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