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16 Mar 2022, 00:00
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Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
25%
(medium)
Question Stats:
70% (01:09) correct
30%
(01:18)
wrong
based on 287
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The impasse that resulted in the late 19th century from the incompatibilities of electromagnetism with Newtonian physics were so great as to require the astonishing imagination of Einstein to formulate a new framework that challenged conventional notions of space and time even today.
A) were so great as to require the astonishing imagination of Einstein to formulate a new framework that challenged
B) were so great that it required the astonishing imagination of Einstein in formulating a new framework that challenges
C) were so great that they required the astonishing imagination of Einstein in formulating a new framework that challenges
D) was so great in requiring the astonishing imagination of Einstein to formulate a new framework that challenged
E) was so great as to require the astonishing imagination of Einstein to formulate a new framework that challenges
16 Mar 2022, 00:05
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Official Explanation
Quote:
The impasse that resulted in the late 19th century from the incompatibilities of electromagnetism with Newtonian physics were so great as to require the astonishing imagination of Einstein to formulate a new framework that challenged conventional notions of space and time even today.
A) were so great as to require the astonishing imagination of Einstein to formulate a new framework that challenged
B) were so great that it required the astonishing imagination of Einstein in formulating a new framework that challenges
C) were so great that they required the astonishing imagination of Einstein in formulating a new framework that challenges
D) was so great in requiring the astonishing imagination of Einstein to formulate a new framework that challenged
E) was so great as to require the astonishing imagination of Einstein to formulate a new framework that challenges
A) were so great as to require the astonishing imagination of Einstein to formulate a new framework that challenged
B) were so great that it required the astonishing imagination of Einstein in formulating a new framework that challenges
C) were so great that they required the astonishing imagination of Einstein in formulating a new framework that challenges
D) was so great in requiring the astonishing imagination of Einstein to formulate a new framework that challenged
E) was so great as to require the astonishing imagination of Einstein to formulate a new framework that challenges
MAGOOSH Official Explanation
• Split #1: good old-fashioned subject-verb agreement!
The subject is the word "impasse," which is singular.
A whole lot of plural stuff follows this in the modifier, but the subject is singular and requires a singular verb. The verb "were" is incorrect.
Choices (A) & (B) & (C) make this mistake.
The correct verb is "was", which the other two choices have.
• Split #2: the idioms with "so".
The idiom "so great that it required" is perfectly correct: this is what choices (B) & (C) have.
The idiom "so great as to require" is also perfectly correct: choices (A) & (E) have this.
The construction "so great in requiring" is 100% unacceptable; choice (D) makes this mistake.
Between the remaining choices (D) and (E), then, eliminate (D).
The answer is (E).
MY NOTES
Although the Magoosh explanation mentions this issue, I reiterate: be aware that so great that and so great as to are both correct.
I reiterate the point because these "so" idioms are the subject of many an erroneous post.
For a time, GMAC may have seemed split on the idiom "so X as to Y."
GMAC answered in 2020 with a completely new question (also published in OG 2021 and 2022) in which "So X as to Y" is in the correct answer.
SPOILER ALERT: Official 700-level question
You can find that OG 2020 question here.
I do not believe that the question warrants a 700-level rating, but I also believe that the question is more difficult than it should be because people eliminated the right answer for the wrong reason, relying on some sources that have cast doubt on the idioms at issue.
GMAC likes to test these "so" idioms.
COMMENTS by me
karankr , welcome to SC Butler.
kungfury42 , it is always good to "see" you.
Both of you presented analysis in which you demonstrate discernment and critical thinking. (A couple of tiny missteps exist, but no matter—you both got to the correct answer and other analysis was fine.).
Nicely done.
kungfury42
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16 Mar 2022, 00:24
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I'm not sure if the word impasse is singular or plural, but a couple of observations helped me narrow down to 2 option choices.
Observation 1: Options A and D incorrectly use challenged. Einstein's framework contests conventional notions even today. Thus we must use challenges (something valid in present) instead of challenged (only valid in past)
Observation 2: Option B incorrectly clubs were and it. The word impass can be either singular or plural but not both.
This narrows down our hunt to options C and E.
E presents a comparatively more elegant version by:
1. Using "so X as to Y" instead of "so X that Y"
2. Using "to formulate" instead of "in formulating"
3. Dropping "they"
Hence, in my opinion (E) should be our answer.
Posted from my mobile device
Observation 1: Options A and D incorrectly use challenged. Einstein's framework contests conventional notions even today. Thus we must use challenges (something valid in present) instead of challenged (only valid in past)
Observation 2: Option B incorrectly clubs were and it. The word impass can be either singular or plural but not both.
This narrows down our hunt to options C and E.
E presents a comparatively more elegant version by:
1. Using "so X as to Y" instead of "so X that Y"
2. Using "to formulate" instead of "in formulating"
3. Dropping "they"
Hence, in my opinion (E) should be our answer.
Posted from my mobile device
