Swift’s conception of “A Modest Proposal” was as a satirical

Question

Swift’s conception of “A Modest Proposal” was as a satirical commentary on Irish politics, a critique of colonial economics; instead, it was  received as a serious suggestion that cannibalism was a reasonable solution to Ireland’s problems.

(A) Swift’s conception of “A Modest Proposal” was as a satirical commentary on Irish politics, a critique of colonial economics; instead, it was

(B) Swift conceived of “A Modest Proposal” as a satirical commentary on Irish politics, a critique of colonial economics, but which was

(C) Swift conceived of “A Modest Proposal” as a satirical commentary on Irish politics that critiqued colonial economics; instead, it was

(D) Swift conceived of “A Modest Proposal” to be a critique of colonial economics, a satirical commentary on Irish politics, which was

(E) Swift conceived of “A Modest Proposal” to be a satirical commentary on Irish politics, a critique of colonial economics, also it was

Similar Question from OG  :  LINK

Correct answer: (C).

The semi-colon in the original sentence should alert you that Sentence Construction is being tested here.

The original uses the semi-colon correctly (with independent clauses on either side), but there are errors within those independent sentences. “Swift’s conception of X was as Y” is wordy and unidiomatic. It is more clear and direct to say that “Swift conceived of X as Y.”

Eliminate (A), (D), and (E) because they use other constructions.

(B) eliminates the semi-colon and creates a Sentence Construction error. We should find an independent clause after “, but”.

Answer (C) is correct because it takes two phrases that are in opposition to each other (“a satirical commentary on Irish politics” and “a critique of colonial economics”) and subordinates the second to the first, tightening the structure. What follows the semi-colon corrects the Verb Form error in the original, using a verb in the simple past tense instead of the past perfect.

Choice (D) is also guilty of a Modifier error; as written “which was” modified “politics” incorrectly.

Choice (E) commits another, more egregious Sentence Construction error, introducing “…it was” as the subject of a clause without creating an independent clause after “colonial economics…”.

daagh · Accepted Answer

The correct transcription should be:

Swift’s conception of “A Modest Proposal” was as a satirical commentary on Irish politics, a critique of colonial economics; instead, it was  received as a serious suggestion that cannibalism was a reasonable solution to Ireland’s problems.

A) Swift’s conception of “A Modest Proposal” was as a satirical commentary on Irish politics, a critique of colonial economics; instead, it was -----  Swift’s conception was not a commentary; instead it was the ‘A Modest Proposal’ that was  a commentary;

B) Swift conceived of “A Modest Proposal” as a satirical commentary on Irish politics, a critique of colonial economics, but which was -- - no proper reference to ‘which”; does ‘which’ refer to economics , critique, politics or the Modest Proposal?

C) Swift conceived of “A Modest Proposal” as a satirical commentary on Irish politics that critiqued colonial economics; instead, it was --- correct interpretation with the word, ‘instead’ marking the contrast

D) Swift conceived of “A Modest Proposal” to be a critique of colonial economics, a satirical commentary on Irish politics, which was ---- -
1. ‘Conceived of to be’ looks not so good as ‘conceived of as’; 
2. in addition the antecedence of ‘which’ is debatable
3. The passage misses the contrast 
4. Modest proposal was first a satirical commentary; the critique is a modifier; this passage reverses the order. 
 
E) Swift conceived of “A Modest Proposal” to be a satirical commentary on Irish politics, a critique of colonial economics, also it was ---  The passage misses the contrast; plus it is a run-on

Marcab · Answer

Please write the question properly.
i) the required phrase has not been underlined.
ii) Even answer choice A is different from the original text.

rukna · Answer

The question is this:-

Swift’s conception of “A Modest Proposal” was as a satirical commentary on Irish politics, a critique of colonial economics; instead, it had been  received as a serious suggestion that cannibalism was a reasonable solution to Ireland’s problems.
A)Swift’s conception of “A Modest Proposal” was as a satirical commentary on Irish politics, a critique of colonial economics; instead, it was
B) Swift conceived of “A Modest Proposal” as a satirical commentary on Irish politics, a critique of colonial economics, but which was
C) Swift conceived of “A Modest Proposal” as a satirical commentary on Irish politics that critiqued colonial economics; instead, it was
D) Swift conceived of “A Modest Proposal” to be a critique of colonial economics, a satirical commentary on Irish politics, which was
E) Swift conceived of “A Modest Proposal” to be a satirical commentary on Irish politics, a critique of colonial economics, also it was

rsaahil90 · Answer

Hello

Thank you for the explanation. 
In A and B, a critique of colonial economics in also incorrectly placed in the sentence - it should modify "A modest proposal" only? - Can you please comment on this.

thangvietname · Answer

our ability to see meaning/logic error when we read only original choice is key to success on sc.
do not focus on structural error. this kind of error will report to us naturaly. instead, focus on meaing error because gmat really want to test us meaning errors. structural error is too easy to learn and realize.

gmat can use simple gramar rules to test difficult meaning error. for example, gmat can present 3 succeeding verbs, each being in doing , do ed or do form and require us to realize which meaning should paralel with which meaning. this 40V- level questions kills most of us.

daagh · Answer

<https://gmatclub.com/forum/qotd-marconi-s-conception-of-the-radio-was-as-a-substitute-for-259105.html>

You can visit the above thread on an OG question and you will understand this question well.

OC2910 · Answer

veritas has made such lovely fake question of the radio one ...........great for learning

GMATYoda · Answer

Veritas Prep Official Solution:

The semi-colon in the original sentence should alert you that Sentence Construction is being tested here. The original uses the semi-colon correctly (with independent clauses on either side), but there are errors within those independent sentences. “Swift’s conception of X was as Y” is wordy and unidiomatic. It is more clear and direct to say that “Swift conceived of X as Y.”

Eliminate (A), (D), and (E) because they use other constructions.

(B) eliminates the semi-colon and creates a Sentence Construction error. We should find an independent clause after “, but”. Answer (C) is correct because it takes two phrases that are in opposition to each other (“a satirical commentary on Irish politics” and “a critique of colonial economics”) and subordinates the second to the first, tightening the structure. What follows the semi-colon corrects the Verb Form error in the original, using a verb in the simple past tense instead of the past perfect.

Choice (D) is also guilty of a Modifier error; as written “which was” modified “politics” incorrectly.

Choice (E) commits another, more egregious Sentence Construction error, introducing “…it was” as the subject of a clause without creating an independent clause after “colonial economics…”.

NinetyFour · Answer

Doesn't OA C change the meaning of the sentence? It says a commentary on Irish politics that critiqued colonial economics. The relative clause started by THAT seems to be modifying politics in this case. It should be modifying commentary I think. Please let me know.

minalgambhir · Answer

ANSWER CHOICE ANALYSIS -

A) 'Swift's conception was as a' is wrong - active voice would be better
B) Use of 'which' is wrong - it should modify immediately preceding noun
C) CORRECT
D) Same as B
E) 2 sentences mentioned are contrast to each other, her the contrast has been removed

Swift’s conception of “A Modest Proposal” was as a satirical

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GMAT Sentence Correction (SC - EA only) Questions

Swift’s conception of “A Modest Proposal” was as a satirical

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