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22 Nov 2020, 00:59
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E
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
5%
(low)
Question Stats:
91% (01:06) correct
9%
(01:03)
wrong
based on 165
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Employers often obtain arrest records of applicants for employment from the Federal Bureau of Investigation's computerized file, but in that file they mostly fail to indicate the outcome of cases, and approximately one-fifth are inaccurate.
(A) in that file they mostly
(B) in that file most
(C) most of them in that file
(D) most in that file
(E) most records in that file
22 Nov 2020, 01:12
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OFFICIAL EXPLANATION
THE PROMPT
When most or all options seem grammatical, start looking for the sentence that is most clear in its expression.
Although the options are simple, four contain "murky" words.
We do not have time to wonder whether something is actually pronoun ambiguity (which is quite rare): our task in this kind of question is to notice a word that is fuzzy, reject that option, and hope that a clearer, cleaner option presents itself.
THE OPTIONS
→ If this they refers to records, it would be better to say so, because we instinctively want they to refer to FBI.
→ this they cannot refer to FBI, which is an IT
• mostly is a bit weird. You rarely if ever see mostly fail in high-end publications or in good formal writing.
TENTATIVELY ELIMINATE A
• I am not a fan of this most.
→ Yet again, if the sentence is talking about records, it should just say so.
We are probably more inclined to think that they refers to the FBI because people, not things, usually "fail to indicate" something.
In any event, the situation is not clear.
And now two options seem to have the same problem.
TENTATIVELY ELIMINATE B
Again, the sentence should just say so to avoid muddiness.
Because people typically fail to include something, we are inclined to think that they is trying to refer to the FBI.
Well, now A, B, and C have a crappy antecedent.
If three answers have the same problem(s), then none can be correct.
TENTATIVELY ELIMINATE C
Most --- records?
Option D now has the same problem as that in A, B, and C: a word is murky.
TENTATIVELY ELIMINATE D
→ they is gone
→ as an adjective that modifies records, most is clear and easy to follow.
• this option cures all the issues presented by the other options.
The best answer is E.
Notes
Takeaway: When options appear muddy and mostly equal, use comparison and look for clarity.
Sometimes we must choose among grammatical sentences, or perhaps among barely illegal sentences.
I think that all of these options are grammatical and without "pure" ambiguity.
THat is, there is only one logical antecedent: records.
But the way that those records get invoked is confusing, even if the sentence is grammatical.
COMMENTS
I am glad to see a couple of people whom I have not seen in awhile.
As always, I am happy to see the Butler "regulars," (a rather diverse group) whose posts drive this project.
Once again, I will remind everyone that all aspirants have a standing invitation to post.
Please join in if you would like to do so.
These answers are good.
I am glad to see a willingness to tolerate discomfort. No kidding.
Rules will get you only so far.
Then you trust your instincts and go.
Nice work, everyone.
Project SC Butler: Sentence Correction (SC1)
THE PROMPT
Quote:
• We need to find the sentence with the most clarity.
When most or all options seem grammatical, start looking for the sentence that is most clear in its expression.
Although the options are simple, four contain "murky" words.
We do not have time to wonder whether something is actually pronoun ambiguity (which is quite rare): our task in this kind of question is to notice a word that is fuzzy, reject that option, and hope that a clearer, cleaner option presents itself.
THE OPTIONS
Quote:
• I am not a fan of this they. It's murky.
→ If this they refers to records, it would be better to say so, because we instinctively want they to refer to FBI.
→ this they cannot refer to FBI, which is an IT
• mostly is a bit weird. You rarely if ever see mostly fail in high-end publications or in good formal writing.
TENTATIVELY ELIMINATE A
Quote:
• most can be a pronoun, but it needs an antecedent, which must be records
• I am not a fan of this most.
→ Yet again, if the sentence is talking about records, it should just say so.
We are probably more inclined to think that they refers to the FBI because people, not things, usually "fail to indicate" something.
In any event, the situation is not clear.
And now two options seem to have the same problem.
TENTATIVELY ELIMINATE B
Quote:
• who or what is "them"? the records?
Again, the sentence should just say so to avoid muddiness.
Because people typically fail to include something, we are inclined to think that they is trying to refer to the FBI.
Well, now A, B, and C have a crappy antecedent.
If three answers have the same problem(s), then none can be correct.
TENTATIVELY ELIMINATE C
Quote:
• What does "most" refer to?
Most --- records?
Option D now has the same problem as that in A, B, and C: a word is murky.
TENTATIVELY ELIMINATE D
Quote:
• boom.
→ they is gone
→ as an adjective that modifies records, most is clear and easy to follow.
• this option cures all the issues presented by the other options.
The best answer is E.
Notes
Takeaway: When options appear muddy and mostly equal, use comparison and look for clarity.
Sometimes we must choose among grammatical sentences, or perhaps among barely illegal sentences.
I think that all of these options are grammatical and without "pure" ambiguity.
THat is, there is only one logical antecedent: records.
But the way that those records get invoked is confusing, even if the sentence is grammatical.
COMMENTS
I am glad to see a couple of people whom I have not seen in awhile.
As always, I am happy to see the Butler "regulars," (a rather diverse group) whose posts drive this project.
Once again, I will remind everyone that all aspirants have a standing invitation to post.
Please join in if you would like to do so.
These answers are good.
I am glad to see a willingness to tolerate discomfort. No kidding.
Rules will get you only so far.
Then you trust your instincts and go.
Nice work, everyone.
22 Nov 2020, 01:27
Kudos
Bookmarks
Employers often obtain arrest records of applicants for employment from the Federal Bureau of Investigation's computerized file, but in that file they mostly fail to indicate the outcome of cases, and approximately one-fifth are inaccurate.
(A) in that filethey mostly
who? Employers? FBI or records?
(B) in that filemost
Abrupt and unclear.
(C) most ofthem in that file
Most of them <who are them?>
Unclear- them can refer to employers/FBI
(D)most in that file
Most <what?>
(E) most records in that file
Correct. It clearly indicates that most records fail to indicate the outcome of cases..
IMO E
(A) in that file
who? Employers? FBI or records?
(B) in that file
Abrupt and unclear.
(C) most of
Most of them <who are them?>
Unclear- them can refer to employers/FBI
(D)
Most <what?>
(E) most records in that file
Correct. It clearly indicates that most records fail to indicate the outcome of cases..
IMO E
