Ms. Wright tries to get inside Iran to understand how it works, the ro

We will not see a GMAT prompt that appears without an Oxford comma.

In a list of more than two items, [comma + and] must be placed before the last item.

List of 4 items: A, B, C, and D
List of 3 items: A, B, and C
List of two items: A and B

British English does not use Oxford commas. U.S. newspapers do not use them, either, in order to save one space.

So far, GMAC has used the Oxford comma without exception. Understanding how the Oxford comma works will help when lists have these structures:
A, B or C, and D
The students were A, B and C, D, and E and wanted to do XYZ.

I will edit the question.

(A) which is complex and depends

"Which" incorrectly modifies "United States"

(B) because it is complex and depends

Pronoun ambiguity.. Does "It" refer to Iran or The United States
Another issue with this option is that it's neither parallel or an independent statement.


(C) but they are complex and depend

"They" does not have an antecedent

(D) which are complex and depend

A mix of issues..
"Which" modifies "The U.S".. Even if we were to accept that this is O.K, we have an SVA error.

(E) a task that is complex and depends

No error


Overall, I do not think this is a high-quality question.. The wording is very Un-GMAT

Ms. Wright tries to get inside Iran to understand how it works, the role it has played in the Middle East, and its intricate relationship with the United States, which is complex and depends heavily on understanding of the Farsi language.

Immediately before which United States is placed. Here which modifies United states as if it is complex and depends. So Original is WRONG. Also, list is there to take care of.

(A) which is complex and depends - WRONG. As explained above.
(B) because it is complex and depends - WRONG. This one changes meaning and does not make sense.
(C) but they are complex and depend - WRONG. Plural noun required since 'they' is used. But non-underlined part has 'it', a singular noun.
(D) which are complex and depend - WRONG. Similar error as n original.
(E) a task that is complex and depends - CORRECT. Subject - Verb agreement is proper. Task is 'how it works' which is complex and depends on farsi language.

IMO (E)

I am not expert but I see a lot of time GMAC break any rule that make it ! it is from 1000 bible and I do not think it has any problem despite most people say it is not good .

Ms. Wright tries to get inside Iran to understand how it works, the role it has played in the Middle East, and its intricate relationship with the United States, which is complex and depends heavily on understanding of the Farsi language.

(A) which is complex and depends
(B) because it is complex and depends
(C) but they are complex and depend
(D) which are complex and depend
(E) a task that is complex and depends

My thought process:
Ms W tries to get inside Iran to understand 1.how it works 2.role it played 3. It's relationship with US ...but?because? it's complex - doesn't hold meaning as the sentence is trying to say what she does is complex. Does she do it because its complex?no. Eliminated B, C

Left with 'US, which is/are complex'. I'm still learning but what I've understood is which can't jump too far. Which shouldnt be refering to US as complex in that case so id say incorrect. Eliminated A, D

Read E, it fits the sentence.

Hello from the GMAT Club VerbalBot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.