12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition - Day 2: The ancient Olympic

Question

12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition with Lots of Fun

The ancient Olympic games were held every four years, a period of time known as an Olympiad;  usage of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and is known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and for  the Earth’s axial tilt as well as for his introduction of the sieve of Eratosthenes, an ancient algorithm for finding prime numbers.

(A) usage of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and is known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and for

(B) the use of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and is known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and

(C) the use of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria, known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and of

(D) usage of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and

(E) the use of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and is known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and for

Bunuel · Accepted Answer

Manhattan Prep Official Explanation

First Glance:  Differences in the answer choices provide clues about what a problem might be testing. Before reading the sentence, glance at the beginning of the underline and down the beginning (just the beginning!) of the five answer choices to look for one early clue as to what this sentence is testing.

The sheer length of the underlined portion indicates that Structure and Modifiers might be tested. Additionally, the underline begins just after a semicolon, indicating that Structure might be tested in this problem.

Issues:  
(1) Parallelism
Each answer choice contains several instances of the conjunction  and . These conjunctions and the idiom  as well as  in the original sentence after the underline indicate parallelism. The first level of parallelism is a top-level description of Eratosthenes: He  was chief librarian , and  he is known for  two accomplishments. Those two accomplishments are also meant to be parallel: He is known  for his calculations of  (two things) and he is known  for his introduction of  (another thing). Finally, there must be parallelism within the two calculations that he is known for: the calculation of the Earth’s circumference and the calculation of the Earths’ axial tilt.

In the original sentence, all of the levels of parallelism are correct except for the two calculations; He is known for his calculation  of the circumference of the Earth  and  for the Earth’s axial tilt . The preposition  for  doesn’t connect back to the calculation in the first half of the parallel structure (calculation  for the Earth’s axial tilt  is illogical). Eliminate choices (A) and (E) for this parallelism issue.

Choice (C) creates a parallelism error. The description  chief librarian … , known for his calculation  is structured as two parallel elements in a longer series of descriptions, but there is no final element in that series. Eliminate choice (C).

Choice (D) attempts parallelism between  who was chief librarian … and known for his calculation . Structurally, this would mean that Eratosthenes  was chief librarian … and  (he was)  known  for these accomplishments. However, this illogically implies that Eratosthenes is no longer known for these accomplishments. Eliminate choice (D).
 
 The Correct Answer:  Answer (B) removes the preposition  for  from the end of the choice and correctly makes  for his calculation  parallel to  for his introduction . Choice (B) also preserves the  comma who modifier  that most clearly describes Eratosthenes:  who was chief librarian … and is known  for these achievements.

wadhwakaran · Answer

(A) usage of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and is known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and for  Incorrect because Eratosthenes is not known for the Earth's axial tilt but the calculation of the axial tilt.

(B) the use of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and is known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and  Correct

(C) the use of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria, known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and of  Incorrect as two modifiers modifying Eratosthenes are joined by comma.

(D) usage of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and  Incorrect

(E) the use of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and is known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and for

kratos0906 · Answer

This seems like a parallelism question.

A,E- Eratosthenes is not known for earth's axial tilt. 
Eratosthenes is known for his calculations of Earth's circumference and  of  earth's axial tilt. - So correct parallelism on option C.

Sarmadk5 · Answer

A) usage of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and is known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and for ( Wrong - Usage is wrongly used and Preposition after "AND" is also wrong)

(B) the use of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and is known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and ( Right - Correct word "USE" is placed and no Preposition after "AND").

(C) the use of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria, known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and of (Use of Preposition after "AND" is wrong)

(D) usage of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and ( Wrong - Usage is wrongly used , It is used for Language and Customs , )

(E) the use of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and is known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and for

Bhartii · Answer

Option B . Since usage is not correct . Is known is correct rather than known. And for at last place in sentence is not required

Posted from my mobile device

mysterymanrog · Answer

A) Illogical meaning: (Eratosthenes) known for his calculation of circumference and (Eratosthenes) axial tilt? He is the axial tilt? Illogical.

B) Illogical meaning: known for his calculation of the earth's circumference and the earth's axial tilt 
Is he calculating the circumference and the tilt as one calculation?

C) Clear parallelism and meaning: Known for his calculation of the circumference of the earth and (known for his calculation) of the earth's axial tilt as well as...

D) Similar error as B.

E) Similar error as A.

neetib · Answer

(A) usage of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and is known  for  his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and  for --False parallelism; Incorrect

(B) the use of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and is known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and - All the parallelism is maintained ; Correct

(C) the use of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria,  known for his calculatio n of the circumference of the Earth and of- modifier "known for his calculation" is modifying Alexandria instead it should modify Eratosthenes

(D) usage of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and  known  for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and --He is still known; "is" is missing; incorrect

(E) the use of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and is known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and for

oa:b

AKA90 · Answer

what is difference between usage(sense of continuity or commonness of something) and use

TBT · Answer

Lots of parallelism going on here.

Looking at the second part of the sentence as the 1st part seems almost same
who after the name seems redundant

a. for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and for - this for is extra and breaking the parallelism

b.who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and is known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and
This makes sentence a list with primary object who which is wrong. We know circumference and axial are ||

c. Fixed || issues and concise

d. who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and known for his calculation 
is missing before known. Known cannot be in past tense because it is universal truth

e.who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and is known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and for - Same issue as A

Ans: C

SS.56 · Answer

Sentence connected with semicolon must be stand alone independently. Eliminate A and D...

Option C is not connected with relative pronoun "who" and sounds awkward. Eliminate C

Option B- (..... is known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and....) Since, GMAT prefer concise sentence. Option D is better to select.

Option D is the correct one.

VAL1195 · Answer

Correct answer: C

POE to eliminate the incorrect options:

(A) usage of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and is known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and for.   Usage of an Olympiad

(B) the use of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and is known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and.   Who was construction not correct and also no preposition after and

(C) the use of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria, known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and of.   Correct preposition use and description for eratosthenes in commas

(D) usage of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and.   similar reason as A

(E) the use of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and is known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and for

Mkkrish · Answer

Split1: Eratosthenes was known for his calculation of two things and this must be parallel. 
for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth
 the Earth’s axial tilt
Options A, C, E are not parallel. Eliminate them.

Split 2: Now between B and D there isn't much difference. use vs usage & is known vs known
In D "was Chief libranian and known for xx" makes sense than B.

(A) usage of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and is known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth  and for

(B) the use of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes,  who was  chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and  is known  for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and

(C) the use of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria, known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and  of

(D) usage of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes,  who was  chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and  known  for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and

(E) the use of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and is known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and for

Ans:D

Kinshook · Answer

The ancient Olympic games were held every four years, a period of time known as an Olympiad; 
 usage of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, 
who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria 
and 
is known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and 
for the Earth’s axial tilt
 as well as 
for his introduction of the sieve of Eratosthenes, 
an ancient algorithm for finding prime numbers.

.... Eratosthenes .... is known for
 for  his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and 
 for   the Earth’s axial tilt
as well as 
 for  his introduction of the sieve of Eratosthenes, ....
is the correct parallel construction.

Unless it is meant
.... Eratosthenes .... is known for his calculation 
of the circumference of the Earth and 
of  the Earth’s axial tilt
as well as 
for his introduction of the sieve of Eratosthenes, ....

Here he is known for his calculation of the Earth’s axial tilt
But  calculations   (plural) should have been used. Therefore, it is incorrect

the use of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories  is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes
is bettan than   usage of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories  is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes
Subject should contain  the

the use of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories  is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes
is bettan than   usage of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories  is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes
Subject should contain  the 
Incorrect

Preposition  for  is missing after and
Incorrect

Usage of  of  is incorrect;  for  should be used for correct parallelism.
Incorrect

is  is missing before known
Preposition  for  is missing after and
Incorrect

.... Eratosthenes .... is known for
 for  his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and 
 for  the Earth’s axial tilt
as well as 
 for  his introduction of the sieve of Eratosthenes, ....
is the correct parallel construction.
 the use of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories  is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes
is bettan than   usage of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories  is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes
Correct

IMO E

Archit3110 · Answer

(A) usage of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and is known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and for  usage of 'for' is wrong

(B) the use of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and  is known  for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and    correct option 
parallelism is maintained also .. usage of is known is correct ..

(C) the use of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories  is sometime s credited to Eratosthenes, chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria, known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and of  is sometimes is wrong meaning also pronoun error without who

(D) usage of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria  and known  for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and   need is before known 
 
 (E) the use of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and is known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and for
  meaning and for is verbose

OPTION B is correct

AmanAngrish · Answer

.

Breaking down the question stem to a meaning based approach
The first underlined sections in all the options is like a red herring. They may or may not be correct. So we need to move to definitive errors.

The major error in meaning can be seen in  known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and for  . Eratosthenes is known for his calculation of the circumference of the earth and calculation  of  the Earth's axial tilt. Here  for  has been incorrectly used to indicate that. So options A and E are out 
 
C does not have a SV pair and hence  C is out .

Between B and D, B correctly explains that Eratosthenes was a librarian and  is  known for his calculation of X and Y. In D, the  was  states that the information about Eratosthenes was known in the past and is not available anymore.

IMO B is the correct answer

sivatx2 · Answer

The ancient Olympic games were held every four years, a period of time known as an Olympiad; usage of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and is known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and for the Earth’s axial tilt as well as for his introduction of the sieve of Eratosthenes, an ancient algorithm for finding prime numbers.

(A)  usage of an Olympiad  as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and is known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and  for 
 'Usage of an olympiad' is convoluted. Also,'for' usage means that 'Eratosthenes is known for the Earth’s axial tilt' which is absurd. Eliminate

(B)  the use of an Olympiad  as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and is known for his calculation of  the circumference of the Earth and 
 This is correct parallelism with 'and' usage. The meaning is correctly maintained with no confusion, ''Eratosthenes is known for the calculation of the Earth's axial tilt'. Keep

(C)  the use of an Olympiad  as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria, known for his calculation of the circumference  of the Earth and of 
 This causes distortion in the meaning as 'Eratosthenes is known for the calculation of the circumference of the Earth's axial tilt'. Eliminate

(D)  usage of an Olympiad  as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and known for his calculation of  the circumference of the Earth and 
 'Usage of an olympiad' is convoluted. Eliminate

(E) the use of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and is known  for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and for 
 'for' usage means that 'Eratosthenes is known for the Earth’s axial tilt' which is absurd. Eliminate

B is the correct answer choice.

rxb266 · Answer

The ancient Olympic games were held every four years, a period of time known as an Olympiad; usage of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and is known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and for the Earth’s axial tilt as well as for his introduction of the sieve of Eratosthenes, an ancient algorithm for finding prime numbers.

(A) usage of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and is known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and for

<<usage of an Olympiad as a unit>> is an awkward construction.
<< and for the Earth’s axial tilt>> distorts the meaning of the original sentence.

INCORRECT !!

(B) the use of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and is known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and

Everything about this option seems fine and there are no obvious errors. Probably this option is CORRECT !!

(C) the use of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria, known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and of

The string of modifiers in this option i.e., <<chief librarian at the Library ...>> <<known for his calculation of the ...>> makes this construction awkward and is grammatically INCORRECT.

(D) usage of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and

<<usage of an Olympiad as a unit>> is an awkward construction.
<<and known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth>> the working verb here is missing.

INCORRECT !!

(E) the use of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and is known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and for

<< and for the Earth’s axial tilt>> distorts the meaning of the original sentence.

INCORRECT !!

IMO Option B

rvgmat12 · Answer

The ancient Olympic games were held every four years, a period of time known as an Olympiad; usage of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and is known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and for the Earth’s axial tilt as well as for his introduction of the sieve of Eratosthenes, an ancient algorithm for finding prime numbers.

The ancient Olympic games were held every four years, a period of time known as an Olympiad; 
usage of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, 
who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and is known for 
 his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and for the Earth’s axial tilt as well as 
 for his introduction of the sieve of Eratosthenes, an ancient algorithm for finding prime numbers.

splits - is known, was known - was known is incorrect
known for

(A) usage of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and is known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and for
Incorrect. not known for Earth's axial tilt but its calculation

(B) the use of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and is known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and
Correct. meaning is clear and mistakes have been corrected

(C) the use of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria, known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and of
Incorrect. Double modifier. calculation of or circumference of Earth's axial tilt. Meaning is unclear

(D) usage of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and
Incorrect. was known is incorrect

(E) the use of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and is known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and for
Incorrect. not known for Earth's axial tilt but its calculation

AditPlusK · Answer

IMO (B) the use of an Olympiad as a unit of time in ancient histories is sometimes credited to Eratosthenes, who was chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria and is known for his calculation of the circumference of the Earth and

Who was is correctly used, use > usage, and calculation is correctly credited as he was responsible for the calculation and not the actual tilt itself!

12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition - Day 2: The ancient Olympic

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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition - Day 2: The ancient Olympic

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

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745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

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My Rewards