Once an ancient artifact has been vandalized, it is almost impossible

Question

Once an ancient artifact has been vandalized, it is almost impossible to reverse the damage bac k.

A. Once an ancient artifact has been vandalized, it is almost impossible to reverse the damage back

B. It is impossible to reverse the damage done to a vandalized ancient artifact

C. Once an ancient article has been vandalized, the damage cannot be reversed

D. It is almost impossible to reverse the damage that has been done to an ancient article once it has been vandalized

E. Once an ancient artifact has been vandalized, it is almost impossible to reverse the damage

Bunuel · Accepted Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

Once an ancient artifact has been vandalized, it is almost impossible to reverse the damage back .

A. Once an ancient artifact has been vandalized, it is almost impossible to reverse the damage back

Incorrect.

This answer choice is stylistically flawed. The use of the word  reverse  with the word  back  creates redundancy, since something must be taken back for it to be reversed.

B. It is impossible to reverse the damage done to a vandalized ancient artifact

Incorrect.

This answer choice eliminates the redundancy in the original sentence, by omitting the word  back .

However, the omission of the word  almost  results in a change of meaning. In the original sentence,  almost  tells us that even though it is difficult to reverse the damage, it is not impossible.

The lesson here is: do not automatically choose the shortest answer choice. Make sure that shorter answers convey the same meaning that's been stated in the original sentence. If they don't, they're probably incorrect.

C. Once an ancient article has been vandalized, the damage cannot be reversed

Incorrect.

This answer choice eliminates the redundancy in the original sentence. However, replacing the phrase  almost impossible  with  cannot be reversed  results in a change of meaning. In the original sentence,  almost  tells us that even though it is difficult to reverse the damage, it is not impossible.

Do not automatically choose the shortest answer choice. Make sure that shorter answers express the same meaning that's been stated in the original sentence. If they don't, they're probably incorrect.

D. It is almost impossible to reverse the damage that has been done to an ancient article once it has been vandalized

Incorrect.

Although this answer choice corrects the redundancy in the original sentence and retains its meaning, it is not the most concise of the five answer choices.

E. Once an ancient artifact has been vandalized, it is almost impossible to reverse the damage

The use of the word reverse with the word back creates redundancy, since something must be taken back for it to be reversed. This answer choice corrects this redundancy without losing any of the original sentence's meaning. Therefore, even though there are shorter answer choices, this one is actually the most concise.

PyjamaScientist · Answer

Option E is concise than D. Uses correct Verb tense. And is superior to rest of the answer choices.
Option A's usage of "back" after "reverse" is redundant. Option b changes the intended meaning.
Option C It is too extreme, as the stimulus says "its almost impossible", not that it's impossible.
Option D is too wordy.

ZulfiquarA · Answer

I'm a little surprised other than the right answer people chose B & C as the best answer because logically they are the most wrong. B states that it is impossible to reverse damage done to a vandalized (already) artifact & C states that reverse is completely impossible while the sentence says "almost". A was almost right but reverse and back says the same thing. D seemed right but seemed redundant in comparison with  "E" . I chose  E

Yadhaw · Answer

What does "it" refer to in option E? If it is referring back to the artifact, the sentence will read as follows: Artifact is almost impossible to reverse the damage. Am I missing something here?

Posted from my mobile device

sid0791 · Answer

Hi Experts,

Although there is no better choice, than option E, according to the given options, but, do we really need the verb "has been"?
Its a present perfect tense, which show a continuous action (not necessarily happening right now, but a continous one).
But according to meaning, Damage, should have been done, in past.

Any thoughts?

ExpertsGlobal5 · Answer

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 once an ancient artifact has been vandalized, it is almost impossible to reverse the damage done.

Concepts tested here: Meaning + Awkwardness/Redundancy

A:  This answer choice redundantly uses "reverse" alongside "back", rendering it awkward and needlessly wordy; this usage is redundant, as both "reverse" and "back" imply a sense of regression or reversal.

B:  This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the clause "It is impossible"; the omission of the word "almost" incorrectly implies that once an ancient artifact has been vandalized, it is   completely   impossible to reverse the damage done; the intended meaning is that once an ancient artifact has been vandalized, it is   almost    impossible to reverse the damage done.

C:  This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the clause "the damage cannot be reversed"; the omission of the word "almost" incorrectly implies that once an ancient artifact has been vandalized, it is   completely   impossible to reverse the damage done; the intended meaning is that once an ancient artifact has been vandalized, it is   almost    impossible to reverse the damage done.

D:  This answer choice uses the needlessly wordy phrase "the damage that has been done", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

E:   Correct.  This answer choice uses the clause "it is almost impossible", conveying the intended meaning - that once an ancient artifact has been vandalized, it is almost impossible to reverse the damage done. Further, Option E is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.

Hence, E is the best answer choice.

Once an ancient artifact has been vandalized, it is almost impossible

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GMAT Sentence Correction (SC - EA only) Questions

Once an ancient artifact has been vandalized, it is almost impossible

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