There isn't much to think about in this comparison topic. An instrument by name Virginal has to be parallelly compared with another similar such instrument, namely Harpsichord and only choice D does that. The comparison is faulty in all the other choices. Dump them all wholesale
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Topic tested: Comparison

Unlike the virginal, whose single set of strings runs parallel to the front edge of the instrument, the harpsichord’s several sets of strings are placed at right angles to its front edge.

A. whose single set of strings runs parallel to the front edge of the instrument, the harpsichord’s several sets of strings are - Incorrect.

B. with a single set of strings running parallel to the front edge of the instrument, the several sets of strings of the harpsichord are - Incorrect.

C. which has a single set of strings that runs parallel to the front edge of the instrument, in the case of the harpsichord, several sets of strings are - Incorrect.

D. which has a single set of strings that run parallel to the front edge of the instrument, the harpsichord has several sets of strings - Correct.

E. in which a single set of strings run parallel to the front edge of the instrument, the harpsichord’s several sets of strings are - Incorrect.

Answer: D

I understand that D is correct since we are comparing virginal to the harpsichord..

but for the SV agreement for "single set of strings that run parallel" is it incorrect to reduce it down to "single set that runs parallel"?
i'm gonna guess that it's the "strings that run parallel" and not the "single set runs parallel"

Here 'that' refers to the 'strings'.

IMO we have to check whether the 'set of strings' or 'strings' can run parallel to the front edge of the instrument. The set of strings as well as the strings can run parallel. So we can use the verb depending on the noun we want to refer. If 'that' refers to 'the set' we have to use 'runs'. Here its referring to strings and so we use run.

GMATNinja, your comments?

A set running parallel to the front edge does not convey the proper meaning since in both cases, it is the strings (plural) that run either along the front edge or perpendicular to the edge. Hence, ' strings that run' is the correct diction
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Unlike the virginal, whose single set of strings runs parallel to the front edge of the instrument, the harpsichord’s several sets of strings are placed at right angles to its front edge.

(A) whose single set of strings runs parallel to the front edge of the instrument, the harpsichord’s several sets of strings are – Illogical comparison virginal and harpsichord’s several sets
(B) with a single set of strings running parallel to the front edge of the instrument, the several sets of strings of the harpsichord are – Illogical comparison virginal and sets of strings
(C) which has a single set of strings that runs parallel to the front edge of the instrument, in the case of the harpsichord, several sets of strings are – Subject verb agreement – set doesn’t run to front edge but the strings do
(D) which has a single set of strings that run parallel to the front edge of the instrument, the harpsichord has several sets of strings – Correct
(E) in which a single set of strings run parallel to the front edge of the instrument, the harpsichord’s several sets of strings are – Illogical comparison virginal and harpsichord’s several sets
Answer D
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Hi Experts,
My query is regarding option (C)
Here that as a subject refers to - single set of strings.
I think we need a singular verb- runs - instead of plural verb - run after that.
WR,
Arpit
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Hi adkikani ,

'that' in option C is referring to strings. As per the rule of that and which, they should refer to the nearest noun. So, here the nearest noun is strings. Hence, that is referring to it.
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Hello adkikani /Arpit,

I would be glad to help you out with this one.

From the context of the sentence, it is absolutely clear that two kinds of string instruments have been compared. Logically, the strings run on the instruments in a certain way. A set does not run. Hence, whenever a set of strings is mentioned, we need a modifier to modify the strings and not a set. So apart from the comparison error, we can use this point also to arrive at the correct answer choice.

A) whose single set of strings runs parallel to the front edge of the instrument, the harpsichord’s several sets of strings are: Incorrect
(B) with a single set of strings running parallel to the front edge of the instrument, the several sets of strings of the harpsichord are: Incorrect
(C) which has a single set of strings that runs parallel to the front edge of the instrument, in the case of the harpsichord, several sets of strings are: Incorrect
(D) which has a single set of strings that run parallel to the front edge of the instrument, the harpsichord has several sets of strings: Correct
(E) in which a single set of strings run parallel to the front edge of the instrument, the harpsichord’s several sets of strings are: Incorrect


Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Shraddha
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Hi Experts,
Please find my analysis below:-

Unlike the virginal, whose single set of strings runs parallel to the front edge of the instrument, the harpsichord’s several sets of strings are placed at right angles to its front edge.


(A) whose single set of strings runs parallel to the front edge of the instrument, the harpsichord’s several sets of strings are
=> Illogical comparison between the virginal and the harpsichord’s several sets.

(B) with a single set of strings running parallel to the front edge of the instrument, the several sets of strings of the harpsichord are
=>Illogical comparison between the virginal and the several sets of strings

(C) which has a single set of strings that runs parallel to the front edge of the instrument, in the case of the harpsichord, several sets of strings are
=> two comparisons are used "Unlike" and "in the case of ". It is redundant.

(D) which has a single set of strings that run parallel to the front edge of the instrument, the harpsichord has several sets of strings
=> The comparison between the virginal and the harpsichord is absolutely correct. Use of "Which" is absolutely correct.

(E) in which a single set of strings run parallel to the front edge of the instrument, the harpsichord’s several sets of strings are
=> Illogical comparison the virginal and the harpsichord’s several sets. And also use of "in which" is strange.

ANS :- D

Please review and let me know if I am going wrong anywhere

Unlike the virginal, whose single set of strings runs parallel to the front edge of the instrument, the harpsichord’s several sets of strings are placed at right angles to its front edge.

A) whose single set of strings runs parallel to the front edge of the instrument, the harpsichord’s several sets of strings are
A is wrong for two reasons. People are who and things are that or which, so the use of "whose" when referring to the virginal is incorrect. Also, in this case, the prepositional phrase is the subject of the sentence, "single set" its modifier. Thus the verb "run" must be plural instead of singular.

B) with a single set of strings running parallel to the front edge of the instrument, the several sets of strings of the harpsichord are
B is wrong because the phrase between the commas begins with the preposition "with," which in this usage is meant to distinguish between one virginal and another.

C) which has a single set of strings that runs parallel to the front edge of the instrument, in the case of the harpsichord, several sets of strings are
C is wrong because if you remove the clause between the commas, the phrase "several sets of strings are" suggests the virginal also has several sets of strings. Plus, the sentence structure is awkward.

D) which has a single set of strings that run parallel to the front edge of the instrument, the harpsichord has several sets of strings
D is the best choice because it states the case with clarity, but the word "that" is required between
"strings" and the verb "are."

E) in which a single set of strings run parallel to the front edge of the instrument, the harpsichord’s several sets of strings are
E is incorrect because it suggests the set of strings are in the virginal, making it an awkward sentence.

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ASIDE: A virginal is a stringed instrument)

The opening phrase "Unlike the virginal..." sets up a COMPARISON.
So, after the modifying phrase "whose single set of strings runs parallel to the front edge of the instrument," the part IMMEDIATELY AFTER the comma should be the thing we are COMPARING with a virginal.
IMPORTANT: the two things we're comparing must be logically comparable. So, in this case, we are likely comparing the virginal with some other instrument.

A) Unlike the virginal . . . , the harpsichord’s several sets of strings...
So, we're comparing an instrument (the virginal) with some instrument's set of strings.
This comparison makes no sense.
ELIMINATE A

B) Unlike the virginal . . . , the several sets of strings...
So, we're comparing an instrument (the virginal) with some instrument's set of strings.
This comparison makes no sense.
ELIMINATE B

C) Unlike the virginal . . . , in the case of the harpsichord...
Pure awfulness!
ELIMINATE C

D) Unlike the virginal . . . , the harpsichord...
Great! We're comparing two instruments. This comparison makes sense.
KEEP D

E) Unlike the virginal . . . , the harpsichord’s several sets of strings...
So, we're comparing an instrument (the virginal) with some instrument's sets of strings.
This comparison makes no sense.
ELIMINATE E

Answer: D

Cheers,
Brent
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Hello SudhanshuSingh,

Although a little late, your reply did catch our attention and for the right reason.


Your approach to this official sentence is absolutely correct. This one tests the knowledge of comparison, and your analysis suggests that you understand the concept of Comparison well.


I would just like to correct your understanding of the incorrect Choice C.




There is no redundancy error because of the usage of Unlike and in the case of.

See, redundancy error when two words expressing the meaning are used together to present the same idea. For example:


Although a little late, but your reply did catch our attention.


In the above-mentioned example sentence, both although and but express contrast. Hence, using them together leads to redundancy error.

However, such is not the case with unlike and in the case of because these two expressions do NOT mean the same.


Choice C is incorrect because it again presents illogical comparison between virginal and several sets of strings because this entity is the subject of the independent to which virginal is supposed to be compared.


Choice C: Unlike the virginal, which has a single set of strings that runs parallel to the front edge of the instrument, in the case of the harpsichord, several sets of strings are placed at right angles to its front edge.



Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Shraddha
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(D) which has a single set of strings that run parallel to the front edge of the instrument, the harpsichord has several sets of strings

Is it because "a single set" doesn't run parallel to the front edge and because the "strings" run parallel
so we use the verb "run" instead of "runs"?

The subject for verb - run - is -> pronoun - that - and that refers back to springs. Since springs is a plural noun hence verb - run takes a plural form.

Hope this helps.

Posted from my mobile device
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Doesn't sometimes the word "that", "which" can refer to an even further noun?
I'm asking based on the meaning of the sentence.
I understand that for the most part "that", "which" refer to the immediate preceding noun.

Hello lary301254M7,

I will be glad to help you with this one.

Well yes, your analysis of Choice D is correct. The choice D correctly uses plural verb run because the subject that refers to immediate preceding plural noun entity strings.

It is the strings that run parallel to the front edge of the instruments.

Now, it is true that many a times a noun modifier can refer to a slightly far-away noun. But we only look for far-away noun modification only when the noun modifier fails to logically refer to the immediate preceding noun. But that is not the case in the correct answer choice - Choice D - of this official sentence.

You can review our very popular article to learn when far-away modification works and when it does not:
https://gmatclub.com/forum/noun-modifiers-can-modify-slightly-far-away-noun-135868.html


Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Shraddha
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[quote="egmat"]
[quote="adkikani"]


Hi e-gmat,

Can you please throw light on the usage of "that" in option d? Isn't "that" singular by definition?

When "that" is used as a modifier, it can refer to either a singular or plural noun.

Here's a silly example: "The cows that are in my yard are drawing a lot of uncomfortable attention from my neighbors." "That" is clearly describing the cows, a plural noun. And that's absolutely fine.

My hunch is that the confusion might be coming from the fact that the word "that" can also be used as a pronoun. (More on the many uses of "that" in this article and this video.) But in option (D), "that" is just operating as a modifier -- not as a pronoun -- since "that" clearly modifies "strings." Check out the article or the video, and if you still have doubts, let us know.

I hope that helps!
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