Unlike the virginal, whose single set of strings runs parallel to the

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

Hello Everyone!

I already broke down some of the problems with each incorrect option earlier in the comments, but let's take a look at how you should tackle this question on the GMAT to answer it quickly! Here is the original question:

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
(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
(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
(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
(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

Right away, you should be able to recognize what type of sentence we're dealing with here: COMPARISON! Whenever we see a sentence comparing two things, the most important thing to look for is parallel structure!

Two items being compared MUST be parallel in structure.We know that the first half of the comparison is "Unlike the virginal," so the other item being compared must match that (it will likely be worded "the Y"). Let's see how they stack up:

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

The virginal / the harpsichord's several sets of strings = WRONG / NOT PARALLEL

We're comparing the virginal to the harpsichord, not the virginal to strings! This isn't parallel, so this option is wrong.

(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

The virginal / the several sets of strings of the harpsichord = WRONG / NOT PARALLEL

Again, we're not comparing the virginal to strings - we're comparing it to the harpsichord, so this option is also wrong.

(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

The virginal / several sets of strings = WRONG / NOT PARALLEL

Again, we're not comparing virginals to strings - those two things are not the same in kind. The other problem with this sentence is using the phrase "in the case of the harpsichord," which is a misplaced modifier! It's not clear if the modifier is supposed to be attached to the previous phrase "what has a single set of strings..." or the later phrase "several sets of strings are..."

(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 virginal / the harpsichord = CORRECT / PARALLEL

This is the correct options because it is the only one that uses parallel structure to compare two types of instruments: the virginal & the harpsichord. Using "the" in front of each one also helps keep this parallel in structure.

(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

The virginal / the harpsichord's several sets of strings = WRONG / NOT PARALLEL

This option has the same issue as option A - it compares the virginal to strings, which isn't parallel.


There you have it - option D is the correct choice because uses parallel structure!


Don't study for the GMAT. Train for it.

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.

Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
Concepts tested here: Subject-Verb Agreement + Comparison + Awkwardness/Redundancy

. A comparison must always be made between similar elements.

A: This answer choice incorrectly compares "the virginal" to "the harpsichord’s several sets of strings"; remember, a comparison must always be made between similar elements. Further, Option A uses the passive voice construction "sets of strings are placed", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

B: This answer choice incorrectly compares "the virginal" to "the several sets of strings of the harpsichord"; remember, a comparison must always be made between similar elements. Further, Option B uses the passive voice construction "sets of strings...are placed", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

C: This answer choice incorrectly refers to the plural noun "strings" with the singular verb "runs". Further, Option C incorrectly compares "the virginal" to "several sets of strings"; remember, a comparison must always be made between similar elements. Additionally, Option C uses the passive voice construction "sets of strings are placed", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

D: Correct. This answer choice correctly refers to the plural noun "strings" with the plural verb "run". Further, Option D correctly compares "the virginal" with "the harpsichord". Additionally, Option D is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.

E: This answer choice incorrectly refers to the singular noun phrase "set of strings" with the plural verb "run". Further, Option E incorrectly compares "the virginal" to "the harpsichord’s several sets of strings"; remember, a comparison must always be made between similar elements. Additionally, Option E uses the passive voice construction "sets of strings are placed", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

Hence, D is the best answer choice.

All the best!
Experts' Global Team

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
Virginal is compared to the harpsichord’s several sets of strings. Incorrect comparison. Eliminate.

(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
Same as A. Eliminate.

(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
“In the case of the harpsichord” is incorrect as we are not comparing it with “in the case of the virginal”.
The pronoun “that” relates to “strings”. It is the strings that run parallel to the front edge of the instruments. The singular verb “runs” does not agree with the plural subject “strings”. Eliminate C.

(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
Same as A. Eliminate E.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

(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

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.