Official ExplanationA non-Newtonian fluid is a liquid
that is so affected by tension as to acquire a solid’s attributes.
A. that is so affected by tension as to acquire a solid’s attributesB. that is affected by tension enough to acquire solid attributesC. that is so affected by tension that it acquires the attributes of a solidD. affected enough by tension so as to acquire the attributes of a solidE. affected by tension so much as to acquire solid attributes After a quick glance over the options, we have a few things we can focus on to narrow down our choices:
1. that is so affected / that is affected enough / that is so affected / affected enough so / affected so much (Meaning)
2. to acquire / that it acquires (Verbs/Meaning)
3. a solid’s attributes / solid attributes / the attributes of a solid (Possessive/Meaning) Let's start by tackling #2 on our list: that it acquires vs. to acquire. Verb tenses are often an easy place to start narrowing down answers, so let's start there!
When we use the
to+verb combination, it implies
intention. This means that when we say the liquid wants "to acquire" the attributes of a solid, it is a thinking, breathing, intentional being that chooses to go out and get the attributes of a solid. We know that a liquid isn't a living thing that has intentions of its own. Therefore, it isn't appropriate to say "to acquire." Here are some examples:
I want
to acquire the rights to that song for my movie. =
CORRECT (I'm a person with thoughts and intentions, so it's okay.)
The chair is so short as
to acquire the perfect balance for short children. =
WRONG (A chair can't want "to acquire" balance from somewhere - it's either balanced or it's not. The chair can't decide for itself what it wants to be!)
The school
acquires new students every fall. =
CORRECT (Just saying "acquires" doesn't imply intention is involved. It just happens, so it's okay.)
So let's see how each answer stacks up:
A. that is so affected by tension as
to acquire a solid’s attributes
B. that is affected by tension enough
to acquire solid attributes
C. that is so affected by tension that
it acquires the attributes of a solid
D. affected enough by tension so as
to acquire the attributes of a solid
E. affected by tension so much as
to acquire solid attributes
Well there you go – only option C uses the correct verb tense “acquires” to indicate that a liquid is an inanimate object that cannot make its own choices! Don’t study for the GMAT. Train for it.