Dear Friends,
Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
nakib77 wrote:
In the traditional Japanese household, most clothing could be packed flatly, and so it was not necessary to have elaborate closet facilities.
(A) flatly, and so it was not necessary to have elaborate closet facilities
(B) flat, and so elaborate closet facilities were unnecessary
(C) flatly, and so there was no necessity for elaborate closet facilities
(D) flat, there being no necessity for elaborate closet facilities
(E) flatly, as no elaborate closet facilities were necessary
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 since in the traditional Japanese household, most clothing could be packed flat elaborate closet facilities were unnecessary.
Concepts tested here: Meaning + Redundancy/Awkwardness• “being” is only to be used when it is part of a noun phrase or represents the passive continuous verb tense; the use of passive continuous must be justified in the context.
A: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “packed flatly”; the use of the adverb “flatly” incorrectly implies that in the traditional Japanese household, most clothing could be packed
in a flat manner; the intended meaning is in the traditional Japanese household, most clothing could be packed
in a way that makes it physically flat. Further, Option A uses the needlessly wordy clause “it was not necessary to have elaborate closet facilities”, leading to awkwardness and redundancy.
B: Correct. This answer choice uses the phrase “packed flat”; the use of the adverb “flat” conveys the intended meaning – that in the traditional Japanese household, most clothing could be packed
in a way that makes it physically flat. Moreover, Option C uses the clause “elaborate closet facilities were unnecessary”; the construction of this phrase conveys the intended meaning – that since in the traditional Japanese household, most clothing could be packed flat elaborate closet facilities were unnecessary. Further, Option C is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.
C: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “packed flatly”; the use of the adverb “flatly” incorrectly implies that in the traditional Japanese household, most clothing could be packed
in a flat manner; the intended meaning is in the traditional Japanese household, most clothing could be packed
in a way that makes it physically flat. Further, Option C uses the needlessly wordy clause “there was no necessity for elaborate closet facilities”, leading to awkwardness and redundancy.
D: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “there being no necessity for elaborate closet facilities”; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that because in a traditional Japanese household there is no necessity for elaborate closet facilities, most clothing could be packed flat; the intended meaning is that since in the traditional Japanese household, most clothing could be packed flat elaborate closet facilities were unnecessary. Further, Option D uses the word “being”, rendering it awkward and needlessly wordy; please remember, “being” is only to be used when it is part of a noun phrase or represents the passive continuous verb tense.
E: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “packed flatly”; the use of the adverb “flatly” incorrectly implies that in the traditional Japanese household, most clothing could be packed
in a flat manner; the intended meaning is in the traditional Japanese household, most clothing could be packed
in a way that makes it physically flat. Moreover, Option E further alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "as no elaborate closet facilities were necessary"; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that because in a traditional Japanese household there is no necessity for elaborate closet facilities, most clothing could be packed flat; the intended meaning is that since in the traditional Japanese household, most clothing could be packed flat elaborate closet facilities were unnecessary.
Hence, B is the best answer choice.Note: Please note that the usages of “flat” and flatly” as adverbs convey different meanings. When “flatly” is used as an adverb, it conveys that an action was done in a flat, meaning blunt or emotionless, manner; for example, “He flatly explained his decision.” When “flat” is used as an adverb, it conveys that an action was taken to make something physically flat; for example, “He lay flat on the floor.”
To understand the use of "Being" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):
All the best!
Experts' Global Team
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