Hello Everyone!
This question has already generated some great discussion, so let's see if we can find a quick and easy way to narrow down the options to get the correct answer. First, let's take a quick look at the options and highlight any major differences in
orange:
Companies are relying more and more on networked computers for such critical tasks as inventory management, electronic funds transfer, and electronic data interchange,
in which standard business transactions are handled via computer rather than on paper.
(A)
in which standard business transactions
are handled via computer
rather than on paper
(B)
where computers
handle standard business transactions
rather than on paper
(C)
in which computers
handle standard business transactions
instead of on paper
(D)
where standard business transactions
are handled, not with paper,
but instead via computer
(E)
in which standard business transactions
are being handled via computer,
in place of on paper
While you could easily highlight all of the text on each option because they're so different, let's focus on a few key differences first:
1. in which vs. where
2. computers handle vs. business transactions are handled
3. rather than vs. instead ofThe easiest place to start is #1: in which vs. where. No matter which one we end up choosing, we'll eliminate 2-3 options rather quickly. There is a difference between using "where" and "in which" to modify nouns, so let's explore that first:
where = indicates or modifies a location
(We got married at our local park, where we first met last summer, because it was beautiful and fit our whole family. --> "where" is modifying "park," which is a location.)
in which = modifies nouns
(The wedding lasted only 30 minutes, in which the officiant only stuck to the basic ceremony traditions. --> "in which" is modifying "wedding," which is a noun.)
If we look closely at the original sentence, this phrase is supposed to modify the noun "critical tasks," so we know we need to use "in which" to indicate we're modifying a noun, and not a location:
(A)
in which standard business transactions are handled via computer rather than on paper
(B)
where computers handle standard business transactions rather than on paper
(C)
in which computers handle standard business transactions instead of on paper
(D)
where standard business transactions are handled, not with paper, but instead via computer
(E)
in which standard business transactions are being handled via computer, in place of on paper
We can eliminate options B and D because they use "where," which is suppose to show location, instead of "in which," which is used to modify a noun.
Now that we have it narrowed down to only 3 options, let's take a closer look at each remaining option. We need to focus on both #2 and #3 on our list: what order to put the computers and the transactions, and making sure we're using "instead of" or "rather than" properly:
(A) in which standard business transactions
are handled via computer rather than on paperThis is
CORRECT! The two things that are contrasted here make sense (via computer vs. on paper), and everything is written clearly and concisely!
(C) in which
computers handle standard business transactions instead of on paperThis is
INCORRECT because the two things being contrasted here don't make sense (the computers vs. on paper). It also suggests that the computers handle the business transactions themselves, instead of a PERSON handling the business transactions by using a computer or paper. As of right now, computers can't do things like that by themselves, so it makes more sense to suggest a person is doing the action, and they're merely using different tools to do that task.
(E) in which standard business transactions
are being handled via computer, in place of on paperThis is
INCORRECT because it's overly wordy, and the phrase "in the place of" is confusing. It's too wordy to say "are being handled," and it subtly suggests that the computer is handling the transactions. Saying "are handled" is better because it's less wordy, and it doesn't suggest the computer is doing the action itself. The phrase "in place of" is also overly wordy and confusing. "In place of" means that you replace one thing with another because you need to - as if you're saying paper is no longer an option for them to use. Saying "rather than" means you PREFER to do your work via computer rather than on paper. You could still use paper, but you prefer not to!
There you have it - option A was the correct choice!Don't study for the GMAT. Train for it.
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