The striking differences between the semantic organization of Native A

Question

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The striking differences between the semantic organization of Native American languages and  that of European languages, in both grammar and vocabulary, have  led scholars to think about the degree to which differences in language may be correlated with nonlinguistic differences.

(A) that of European languages, in both grammar and vocabulary, have

(B) that of European languages, including grammar and vocabulary, has

(C) those of European languages, which include grammar and vocabulary, have

(D) those of European languages, in grammar as well as vocabulary, has

(E) those of European languages, both in grammar and vocabulary, has

daagh · Accepted Answer

The subject is plural differences; hence, we need 'have' as the verb. Ditch B, D and E, Between A and C, the relative pronoun  which  modifies European languages a) distorting the meaning and b) flouting touch rule. Therefore, A is the correct choice.

Swoosh617 · Answer

The "that" is referring to the semantic organization of  European languages . So if I wanted to substitute the "that" out with what it was referring to, it would look like this:

The striking differences between the semantic organization of Native American languages and  the semantic organization  of European languages, in both grammar and vocabulary, have led scholars to think about the degree to which differences in language may be correlated with nonlinguistic differences.

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 the crucial part of this sentence is that the semantic organization of Native American languages and the semantic organization of European languages are different in both grammar and vocabulary.

Concepts tested here: Subject-Verb Agreement + Pronouns + Meaning + Modifiers

• "who/whose/whom/which/where", when preceded by a comma, refer to the noun just before the comma.

A:   Correct.  This answer choice correctly refers to the plural noun "differences" with the plural verb "have led". Further, Option A correctly refers to the singular noun "semantic organization" with the singular noun "that". Further, Option A correctly modifies the noun phrase "differences between the semantic organization of Native American languages and that of European languages" with the phrase "in both grammar and vocabulary", conveying the intended meaning - that the semantic organization of Native American languages and the semantic organization of European languages   are different, in both   grammar and vocabulary.

B:  This answer choice incorrectly refers to the plural noun "differences" with the singular verb "has led".

C:  This answer choice incorrectly refers to the singular noun "semantic organization" with the plural pronoun "those". Further, Option C incorrectly refers to "those of European languages" with "which include grammar and vocabulary", incorrectly implying that   the semantic organization of European languages   includes grammar and vocabulary; the intended meaning is that the differences between the semantic organization of Native American languages and the semantic organization of European languages   are different, in both   grammar and vocabulary; remember, "who/whose/whom/which/where", when preceded by a comma, refer to the noun just before the comma.

D:  This answer choice incorrectly refers to the plural noun "differences" with the singular verb "has led". Further, Option D incorrectly refers to the singular noun "semantic organization" with the plural pronoun "those".

E:  This answer choice incorrectly refers to the plural noun "differences" with the singular verb "has led". Further, Option E incorrectly refers to the singular noun "semantic organization" with the plural pronoun "those".

Hence, A is the best answer choice.

To understand the concept of "Which, Who, Whose, and Where" on GMAT you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0M_MYzDfMk

All the best!
Experts' Global Team

TomB · Answer

Hai daagha

can you tell me "that" is referring to which noun in the sentence.

gmatsaga · Answer

Subject: striking differences (plural) = should have a plural verb - "have"

Eliminate B D and E

Parallelism: the semantic organization (singular) = should be parallel to the other element

Eliminate (C) because of "those"

We have (A)

geometric · Answer

3/2 split right in the beginning. Beautiful! Eliminate C/D/E, it's going to be A/B. Eliminate B on has or possibly the middle section. A is the answer!

alchemist009 · Answer

i pick A. the semantic organization is singular so C, D and E are wrong. the differences is plural so B is wrong. by the way is it really a 700 level question??

carcass · Answer

yep...........

Sometimes seems simple but under pressure a question like this with a subject agreement could be very difficult to spot ......

narangvaibhav · Answer

Easy to point out IMO A.. has to be eliminated because of "differences" which leaves us with A & C, C is incorrect as "which" points to languages..

librrra · Answer

A grammar question:
If we had  organization  in a plural form could we use " those "?
The differences between the organizations of Native American languages and those of European languages <....>

sanjoo · Answer

Y cant we use those?? its (DIFFERNCES) .. we shud use those rather than that??

sanjoo · Answer

OOhh i think its my mistake.. THAT is refer to organization?? m i rite?

asphalt · Answer

have refers to striking differences(plural)...eliminate B D E
that refers to semantic organization(singular)...eliminate C

note:those is used to refer to plurals

A wins

good Q

TheKingInTheNorth · Answer

The striking differences between the semantic organization of Native American languages and that of European
languages, in both grammar and vocabulary, have led scholars to think about the degree to which differences in
language may be correlated with nonlinguistic differences.
(A) that of European languages, in both grammar and vocabulary, have
(B) that of European languages, including grammar and vocabulary, has
(C) those of European languages, which include grammar and vocabulary, have
(D) those of European languages, in grammar as well as vocabulary, has
(E) those of European languages, both in grammar and vocabulary, has

that and those --- 
those used for plural references .
Hence , that is right here .....that ---> the semantic organisation.

We are left with A, B 
B is out due SVA

Subject is plural . so verb required is plural

Thanks 
Abhi 
Kudos appreciated .

Dondarrion · Answer

The striking  differences  between the semantic organization of Native American languages and that of European languages, in both grammar and vocabulary, have led scholars to think about the degree to which differences in language may be correlated with nonlinguistic differences.

(A)  that of European languages, in both grammar and vocabulary, have

(B) that of European languages, including grammar and vocabulary,  has

(C)  those  of European languages, which include grammar and vocabulary, have

(D) those of European languages, in grammar as well as vocabulary,  has

(E) those of European languages, both in grammar and vocabulary,  has

vasuca10 · Answer

Straight A basis SV disagreement you can easily eliminate B D and E. Now in Option C those is incorrectly used

cr7anika · Answer

(A) that of European languages, in both grammar and vocabulary, have

(B) that of European languages, including grammar and vocabulary, has

(C) those of European languages, which include grammar and vocabulary, have

(D) those of European languages, in grammar as well as vocabulary, has

(E) those of European languages, both in grammar and vocabulary, has

In that of vs those of, that of is correct is it refers to "semantic organization", which is singular. Hence, C,D & E are eliminated.

In A&B, there is difference in has vs have. Since "striking differences" is plural, "have" is right.
Ans: A

Jsound996 · Answer

Idiom "Between X and Y" C, D and E violates the idiom because "those" can't refer back to "the semantic organization"
SV agreement issue with B: "Striking difference... has?" is incorrect

A is the answer

LoneSurvivor · Answer

Striking differences need Have so only A and C are left

In C there is no plural reference of Those so C out

A remains

The striking differences between the semantic organization of Native A

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The striking differences between the semantic organization of Native A

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