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 PARALLELWe'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 PARALLELAgain, 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 PARALLELAgain, 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 / PARALLELThis 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 PARALLELThis 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.
_________________