Roughly twice each century the planet Venus passes between the earth a

Question

Roughly twice each century the planet Venus passes between the earth and the sun, an occasion known as a transit of Venus,  during which it makes the outline of the planet  visible in stark relief.

(A) during which it makes the outline of the planet visible
(B) during which the outline of the planet becomes
(C) so that it makes the outline of the planet
(D) such that during which the outline of the planet becomes
(E) such that the outline of the planet becomes

GMATPrep Code  :  VSC002452

kinjiGC · Accepted Answer

The idioms "So that" and "such that" provides purpose. Here occasion is required to be described.

Hence during which makes sense. 
(A)during which it makes the outline of the planet visible ->  It can only refer to "venus". Now venus cannot make the outline of the planet-> Incorrect 
(B)during which the outline of the planet becomes - Precise and correct.

souvik101990 · Answer

John made the man smile. 
The implication here is that JOHN and THE MAN are different people.

IT makes the outline of THE PLANET visible. 
The implication here is that IT (Venus) and THE PLANET are different celestial bodies.
Not the intended meaning. 
Regardless, Venus does not MAKE its outline visible; the outline BECOMES visible ON ITS OWN. 
Eliminate A and C.

Such that is to be avoided in SCs. 
Eliminate D and E.

The correct answer is B.

In the math section of the GMAT, such that will sometimes appear as an ADJECTIVE to describe the QUALITY of a set of numbers: 
x and y are integers SUCH THAT x>y. 
What KIND of integers? 
Integers SUCH THAT x>y. 
I have never seen the OA to an SC employ this sort of construction. 
Regardless, in D and E, such that seems to be serving as a CONJUNCTION connecting two clauses. 
Such that cannot serve this purpose.

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 core meaning of this sentence is that roughly twice each century the planet Venus passes between the earth and the sun; this is an occasion known as a transit of Venus, and during this occasion, the outline of Venus becomes visible in stark relief.

Concepts tested here: Meaning + Pronouns

A:  This answer choice suffers from a pronoun error, as the pronoun “it” lacks a clear and logical referent.

B:   Correct.  This answer choice avoids the pronoun error seen in Options A and C, as it uses no pronouns. Further, Option B uses the phrase “during which the outline of the planet becomes” to modify “an occasion known as a transit of Venus”, conveying the intended meaning – that roughly twice each century the planet Venus passes between the earth and the sun; this is an occasion known as a transit of Venus, and during this occasion, the outline of Venus becomes visible in stark relief.

C:  This answer choice suffers from a pronoun error, as the pronoun “it” lacks a clear and logical referent.

D:  This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “such that during which”; the construction of this phrase leads to an incoherent meaning; the intended meaning is that roughly twice each century the planet Venus passes between the earth and the sun; this is an occasion known as a transit of Venus, and during this occasion, the outline of Venus becomes visible in stark relief.

E:  This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “such that”; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that the planet Venus passes between the earth and the sun   in such a manner that   the outline of Venus becomes visible in stark relief; the intended meaning is that the planet Venus passes between the earth and the sun   and during this occasion   the outline of Venus becomes visible in stark relief.

Hence, B is the best answer choice.

All the best!
Experts' Global Team

greatps24 · Answer

Roughly twice each century the planet venus passes between the earth and the sun,an occasion known as a transit of venus, during which it makes the outline of the planet visible  in stark relief.

(A)during which  it  makes the outline of the planet visible.   "it" refers to which noun??  
(B)during which the outline of the planet becomes
(C)so that it makes the outline of the planet.   "it" refers to which noun??  
(D) such that during which  the outline of the planet becomes.  wordy/awkward  
(E)such that the outline of the planet becomes.  an occasion such that the outline of the planet becomes==  awkward .  As per the stem the intended meaning is that during the transit of venus the outcome of planet becomes in stark relief

sony26 · Answer

So am i. I guess something missing in the option part.

Regds
Sony

vigneshceg · Answer

Roughly twice each century the planet venus passes between the earth and the sun,an occasion known as a transit of venus,during which it makes the outline of the planet visible in stark relief.
(A)during which it makes the outline of the planet visible
(B)during which the outline of the planet becomes

A) it (Venus) makes the outline of the planet (Venus) Visible - Makes no sense.
B) during which the outline of the planet(Venus) becomes - during the process the outline of Venus becomes in stark relief - something is missing but among the 5 this one is better.

ads9999 · Answer

Roughly twice each century the planet Venus passes between the earth and the sun,an occasion known as a transit of Venus,  during which it makes the outline of the planet  visible in stark relief.

(A) during which it makes the outline of the planet visible - use of "it" is ambiguous
(B) during which the outline of the planet becomes
(C) so that it makes the outline of the planet .- use of "it" is ambiguous
(D) such that during which the outline of the planet becomes - awkward
(E) such that the outline of the planet becomes - awkward

Hence B can be obtained by POE

greatps24 · Answer

Roughly twice each century the planet venus passes between the earth and the sun,an occasion known as a transit of venus, during which it makes the outline of the planet  visible in stark relief.
(A)during which  it makes  the outline of the planet visible.  Process of transit makes "the outline visible" not the planet itself 
(B)during which the outline of the planet becomes
(C)so that it makes the outline of the planet
(D)such that during which the outline of the planet becomes
(E)such that the outline of the planet becomes

Note: An occasion.., during which (modifier providing additional info about the occasion. Thus , all the options without participle (ing or ed form) are out. (C,D,E)

hubahuba · Answer

the original question is from GMATPREP and the "visible" word in the question stem is underlined. Someone should correct the question stem above.

Now option B should make complete sense:

B)  during which the outline of the planet becomes visible  in stark relief"

mihir0710 · Answer

Hi Experts,

My question is regarding the usage of "such that"

are there any concrete grammar rules for the usage of such that..

As per the OE in the GMATPrep question pack : "The reference of such that is ambiguous when it immediately follows the appositive phrase"

Does this means that in case if this appositve phrase "an occasion known as .." is removed than the usage of such that is acceptable ?

Thank you for your time.

arvind910619 · Answer

Roughly twice each century the planet Venus passes between the earth and the sun,an occasion known as a transit of Venus, during which it makes the outline of the planet visible in stark relief.

(A) during which it makes the outline of the planet visible  It is ambiguous  
(B) during which the outline of the planet becomes  Correct 
(C) so that it makes the outline of the planet  It is ambiguous 
(D) such that during which the outline of the planet becomes  such that is wrong here and the sentence is wordy 
(E) such that the outline of the planet becomes  such that is wrong here as we are taking about a duration.

pratik1709 · Answer

Hi,

can anyone please explain what is wrong with usage of "Such that"?

articuno · Answer

Meaning of sentence.

A: does the occasion make the outline...?
- eliminate

B: Looks good

C: "so that" construction makes it seem like the transit was intentional or motivated. Eliminate

D: What does that refer to? Such that is typically used to show as example the result of something. For example: "I want a study habit such that I can follow easily." Eliminate

E: Same as D. Eliminate

My selection: choice B

Will2020 · Answer

This is NOT your explanation! It's from Mitch Hunt - GMATNYGuru. Remember to refer the explanation to the proper person/ instructor. Tks

Debo1988 · Answer

Correct option - Roughly twice each century the planet Venus passes between the earth and the sun, an occasion known as a transit of Venus, during  which  the outline of the planet becomes visible in stark relief

I agree this is the best available option. But I have a query regarding the structure of the sentence.
What does 'which' refer to here? -  "occasion"  or  "transit of Venus" .
Or is that irrelevant because "transit of Venus" ultimately refers to "occasion"?
 souvik101990   GMATNinja  can you jump in please?

GMATNinja · Answer

I think you're right to say that it doesn't really matter, since "transit of Venus" is the name of the "occasion" -- both refer to the same exact event.

When does the outline of the planet become visible in stark relief?

(1) During the  occasion  when Venus passes between the earth and the sun.
(2) During a  transit of Venus  -- an occasion when Venue passes between the earth and the sun.

Both options convey the same meaning, so don't waste brain cells agonizing over which interpretation is better.

I hope that helps!

Kinshook · Answer

(A) during which  it  makes the outline of the planet visible
(B)  during which  the outline of the planet  becomes 
(C)  so that  it makes the outline of the planet
(D)  such that  during which the outline of the planet becomes
(E)  such that  the outline of the planet becomes

IMO B

patto · Answer

HI!! Why is such that incorrect? Or why is E incorrect?

Dinesh654 · Answer

Hello experts,

1. In A and B, Is during an ing modifier?
If yes, ing will refer to the subject- occasion and it sounds like--> occasion occasion (which)--> seems like "which" is extra here(redundant)

2. Also, Can you please explain usage of "such that", and why its wrong here?
I'm seeing this for the first time in Gmat.

Thanks.

Roughly twice each century the planet Venus passes between the earth a

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Roughly twice each century the planet Venus passes between the earth a

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