by: SwiftMonk
33 mins
by: SwiftMonk
37 mins
Events & Promotions
|
|
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.
Customized
for You
Track
Your Progress
Practice
Pays
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Sep 0201:00 PM EDT
-11:59 PM EDT
Take 30% off all study plans with code COURSEWORK - Expires on Monday 9/7
Sep 0410:00 AM PDT
-11:00 AM PDT
What does test anxiety really look like on the GMAT? For many test takers, it does not look like a panic attack. Instead, it shows up as brain fog, rereading, negative comparisons, mental noise....
Sep 0410:00 AM EDT
-11:59 PM EDT
We’ve worked incredibly hard to build TTP into the best test prep experience possible, and it would mean a lot to us to win Newsweek’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Award for Best Test Prep. If TTP has helped you, we’d be incredibly grateful for your vote.
Sep 0609:30 AM EDT
-12:30 PM EST
Top scores are possible when you enroll in a powerful EA course, taught live online + 6 months access to TTP OnDemand video courses included! Perfect class schedule and easy course access for working professionals. Class starts Sundays Sept. 6, 2026.- Sep 07
12:01 AM PDT
-11:59 PM PDT
On the 7th, GMAT Club Tests will be Free! Including all the Quizzes, Questions, and Tests. 12 AM - 11:59 PM PDT - Sep 07
10:00 AM PDT
-11:00 AM PDT
A complete walkthrough of GMAT Club’s free 12-week GMAT study plan: what you study each week, how progress and goals are tracked, how the error log works, and how your practice unlocks paid tools at no cost. - Sep 09
07:00 AM PDT
-10:00 AM PDT
Meet AdComs and explore top Master’s programs - MiM, MiF, MSc, MSBA and more. - Application Fee Waivers - Free 1-Week of GMAT Club Tests: - Master's Application Toolkit - Grand Prize Giveaway - Sep 09
10:00 AM PDT
-11:00 AM PDT
Three MBA applications. Three rejections. No interview invites. A year later, Aman was admitted to Cambridge Judge, SMU, and IMD. In this episode of MBA Admit Stories, Aman shares how he rebuilt his MBA application... 
Sep 1507:00 PM EDT
-09:00 PM EST
Elite scores are possible when you enroll in a powerful GMAT course, taught live online + 6 months access to TTP OnDemand video courses included! Class starts Tues/Thurs Sept. 15, 2026 - Nov. 15, 2027, 7:00pm-9:00pm EST
Sep 2108:00 PM EDT
-10:00 PM EDT
Boost your GMAT score in less than one month in a live online class + 6 months access to TTP OnDemand video courses included! Class starts Mon, Tues, Wed, Thur, Fri Sept. 21, 2026 - Oct. 9, 2027, 7:00pm-10:00pm EST
Posts: 45
Updated on: 16 Jun 2021, 01:40
Originally posted by betterscore on 27 Jul 2012, 09:31.
Last edited by Bunuel on 16 Jun 2021, 01:40, edited 4 times in total.
Last edited by Bunuel on 16 Jun 2021, 01:40, edited 4 times in total.
Edited the question.
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
15%
(low)
Question Stats:
79% (01:13) correct
21%
(01:20)
wrong
based on 5190
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Despite its covering the entire planet, Earth has a crust that is not seamless or stationary, rather it is fragmented into mobile semirigid plates.
(A) Despite its covering the entire planet, Earth has a crust that is not seamless or stationary, rather it is
(B) Despite the fact that it covers the entire planet, Earth's crust is neither seamless nor is it stationary, but is
(C) Despite covering the entire planet, Earth's crust is neither seamless nor is it stationary, but rather
(D) Although it covers the entire planet, Earth's crust is neither seamless nor stationary, but rather
(E) Although covering the entire planet, Earth has a crust that is not seamless or stationary, but
(A) Despite its covering the entire planet, Earth has a crust that is not seamless or stationary, rather it is
(B) Despite the fact that it covers the entire planet, Earth's crust is neither seamless nor is it stationary, but is
(C) Despite covering the entire planet, Earth's crust is neither seamless nor is it stationary, but rather
(D) Although it covers the entire planet, Earth's crust is neither seamless nor stationary, but rather
(E) Although covering the entire planet, Earth has a crust that is not seamless or stationary, but
Earth: The Making, Shaping and Workings of a Planet Hardcover – October 1, 1992
by Derek Elsom (Author)
Although it covers the entire planet, the Earth's crust is neither seamless nor stationary, but is fragmented into mobile semi-rigid plates. The seven giant plates and many smaller ones jostle one another continuously as they are constantly
01.jpg [ 103.08 KiB | Viewed 51406 times ]
02.jpg [ 136.08 KiB | Viewed 51455 times ]
03.jpg [ 30.33 KiB | Viewed 51355 times ]
by Derek Elsom (Author)
Although it covers the entire planet, the Earth's crust is neither seamless nor stationary, but is fragmented into mobile semi-rigid plates. The seven giant plates and many smaller ones jostle one another continuously as they are constantly
Attachment:
01.jpg [ 103.08 KiB | Viewed 51406 times ]
Attachment:
02.jpg [ 136.08 KiB | Viewed 51455 times ]
Attachment:
03.jpg [ 30.33 KiB | Viewed 51355 times ]
Every tricky question should trigger a follow up quiz.
Build that habit with
GMAT Club Forum Quiz →.
First off, we need to figure out what is 'covering the entire planet.' 'Earth' would not make sense as earth does not cover earth. Eliminate (A) and (E). Next, the construction is NEITHER X NOR Y. Eliminate (B) and (C). Both contain 'it.' And just like that the answer is (D) 
.
_________________
. _________________
shamilshah22
Hi there,
I would not say "rather" is redundant in presence of "but" because "but" presents contrast, while "rather" is used to show preference for one thing over the other. Another usage of "rather" includes expressing emphatic affirmation or acceptance. In this sentence, "rather" has been used to show that emphasis of the acceptance that Eath's crust is actually fragmented into mobile semirigid plates even though it covers the entire planet.
Take for example these couple of sentences from different articles published in nytimes.com:
1. There is no dialogue, no linear story, but rather an hour’s worth of scenes in which puppets illuminate an abstract cycle of poems.
2. Erik D. Prince, chief executive of Blackwater USA, told a Congressional committee on Tuesday that his company’s nearly 1,000 armed guards in Iraq were not trigger-happy mercenaries, but rather loyal Americans doing a necessary job in hostile territory.
Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Shraddha
_________________
Free Trial: Get 25 AI-powered videos | 400 practice questions | 8 free webinars | 1 full + 3 sectional mocks
Record Success delivered in 2025-26: 100th percentile scores | 250-pt improvements | Success in less than 60 days
MBA admits: M7 admits | T20 admits | ISB admits | $100k Scholarships
Learn why e-GMAT has 2X more verified 705+ scores than other GMAT Club partners – Read our 2800+ reviews
Record Success delivered in 2025-26: 100th percentile scores | 250-pt improvements | Success in less than 60 days
MBA admits: M7 admits | T20 admits | ISB admits | $100k Scholarships
Learn why e-GMAT has 2X more verified 705+ scores than other GMAT Club partners – Read our 2800+ reviews
Posts: 6,727
betterscore
Important: When a sentence begins with a with noun modifier (as it does in the original sentence), stop at the comma and ask the question that the modifier raises
So, once we read, Despite its covering the entire planet, we should stop and ask . . .
"What covers the entire planet?"
If the sentence is properly constructed, the part that immediately follows the comma will answer that question in a logical manner.
Reading on we get...
A) Earth...
Earth covers the entire planet?
Makes no sense. Eliminate A
B) Earth's crust
Earth's crust covers the entire planet.
Makes sense. Keep B
C) Earth's crust
Makes sense. Keep C
D) Earth's crust
Makes sense. Keep D
E) Earth...
Makes no sense. Eliminate E
We're left with B, C and D. So, we'll look for other issues.
(B) Despite the fact that it covers the entire planet, Earth's crust is neither seamless nor is it stationary, but is
Here we have the NEITHER/NOR correlative
So, the parts that immediately follow NEITHER and NOR must be parallel
Here we have ... Earth's crust is NEITHER seamless NOR is it stationary
seamless = adjective
is it stationary = verb-pronoun-adjective
Not parallel.
Eliminate B
(C) Despite covering the entire planet, Earth's crust is NEITHER seamless NOR is it stationary
This construction suffers from the same issue that we found in answer choice B
Eliminate C
By the process of elimination, D must be the correct answer.
ASIDE: Let's take a look at D for kicks.
(D) Although it covers the entire planet, Earth's crust is NEITHER seamless NOR stationary
PERFECT - seamless and stationary are both adjectives.
Parallelism is maintained.
Answer: D
Cheers,
Brent
Posts: 1,685
Hello Everyone!
This is a great example of a GMAT question that focuses on both modifiers and idiomatic structure! Let's start by looking closely at the original question, and highlight any major differences between the options in orange:
Despite its covering the entire planet, Earth has a crust that is not seamless or stationary, rather it is fragmented into mobile semirigid plates.
(A) Despite its covering the entire planet, Earth has a crust that is not seamless or stationary, rather it is
(B) Despite the fact that it covers the entire planet, Earth's crust is neither seamless nor is it stationary, but is
(C) Despite covering the entire planet, Earth's crust is neither seamless nor is it stationary, but rather
(D) Although it covers the entire planet, Earth's crust is neither seamless nor stationary, but rather
(E) Although covering the entire planet, Earth has a crust that is not seamless or stationary, but
After a quick glance over the options, we have 3 main things we can focus on:
1. How they begin (modifier-antecedent agreement)
2. Earth has a crust / Earth's crust (modifier-antecedent agreement)
3. not/neither seamless or/nor stationary (idioms)
Since #1 and #2 deal with the same grammar issue (modifier-antecedent agreement), let's start there. When we deal with modifiers on the GMAT, the first thing we should focus on is if the modifier is directly before/after the word it's modifying.
The modifiers at the beginning of each option are supposed to refer to the Earth's crust - NOT the Earth as a whole!
Here is now our options handle the modifier at the beginning of the sentence:
(A) Despite its covering the entire planet, Earth has a crust that is not seamless or stationary, rather it is
(B) Despite the fact that it covers the entire planet, Earth's crust is neither seamless nor is it stationary, but is
(C) Despite covering the entire planet, Earth's crust is neither seamless nor is it stationary, but rather
(D) Although it covers the entire planet, Earth's crust is neither seamless nor stationary, but rather
(E) Although covering the entire planet, Earth has a crust that is not seamless or stationary, but
We can rule out options A & E because the modifier should refer to the Earth's crust, rather than the Earth as a whole. The Earth cannot cover itself!
Now that we only have a few options left, let's focus on #3 on our list: neither...nor. Since they all include the word "neither," we need to make sure they all follow this format:
Neither X nor Y
(where X and Y are written using parallel wording or structure)
Let's see how each option handles this:
(B) Despite the fact that it covers the entire planet, Earth's crust is neither seamless nor is it stationary, but is --> neither X nor is it Y = WRONG/NOT PARALLEL
(C) Despite covering the entire planet, Earth's crust is neither seamless nor is it stationary, but rather --> neither X nor is it Y = WRONG/NOT PARALLEL
(D) Although it covers the entire planet, Earth's crust is neither seamless nor stationary, but rather --> neither X nor Y = CORRECT!
There you have it - option D is the right option because it uses the correct "neither X nor Y" idiomatic structure, and it uses modifiers correctly!
Don't study for the GMAT. Train for it.
_________________
This is a great example of a GMAT question that focuses on both modifiers and idiomatic structure! Let's start by looking closely at the original question, and highlight any major differences between the options in orange:
Despite its covering the entire planet, Earth has a crust that is not seamless or stationary, rather it is fragmented into mobile semirigid plates.
(A) Despite its covering the entire planet, Earth has a crust that is not seamless or stationary, rather it is
(B) Despite the fact that it covers the entire planet, Earth's crust is neither seamless nor is it stationary, but is
(C) Despite covering the entire planet, Earth's crust is neither seamless nor is it stationary, but rather
(D) Although it covers the entire planet, Earth's crust is neither seamless nor stationary, but rather
(E) Although covering the entire planet, Earth has a crust that is not seamless or stationary, but
After a quick glance over the options, we have 3 main things we can focus on:
1. How they begin (modifier-antecedent agreement)
2. Earth has a crust / Earth's crust (modifier-antecedent agreement)
3. not/neither seamless or/nor stationary (idioms)
Since #1 and #2 deal with the same grammar issue (modifier-antecedent agreement), let's start there. When we deal with modifiers on the GMAT, the first thing we should focus on is if the modifier is directly before/after the word it's modifying.
The modifiers at the beginning of each option are supposed to refer to the Earth's crust - NOT the Earth as a whole!
Here is now our options handle the modifier at the beginning of the sentence:
(A) Despite its covering the entire planet, Earth has a crust that is not seamless or stationary, rather it is
(B) Despite the fact that it covers the entire planet, Earth's crust is neither seamless nor is it stationary, but is
(C) Despite covering the entire planet, Earth's crust is neither seamless nor is it stationary, but rather
(D) Although it covers the entire planet, Earth's crust is neither seamless nor stationary, but rather
(E) Although covering the entire planet, Earth has a crust that is not seamless or stationary, but
We can rule out options A & E because the modifier should refer to the Earth's crust, rather than the Earth as a whole. The Earth cannot cover itself!
Now that we only have a few options left, let's focus on #3 on our list: neither...nor. Since they all include the word "neither," we need to make sure they all follow this format:
Neither X nor Y
(where X and Y are written using parallel wording or structure)
Let's see how each option handles this:
(B) Despite the fact that it covers the entire planet, Earth's crust is neither seamless nor is it stationary, but is --> neither X nor is it Y = WRONG/NOT PARALLEL
(C) Despite covering the entire planet, Earth's crust is neither seamless nor is it stationary, but rather --> neither X nor is it Y = WRONG/NOT PARALLEL
(D) Although it covers the entire planet, Earth's crust is neither seamless nor stationary, but rather --> neither X nor Y = CORRECT!
There you have it - option D is the right option because it uses the correct "neither X nor Y" idiomatic structure, and it uses modifiers correctly!
Don't study for the GMAT. Train for it.
_________________
EMPOWERgmat
Total GMAT Content & Tactical Training | 120 Point Guarantee | All 6 Official GMAT Tests
empowergmat.com
Total GMAT Content & Tactical Training | 120 Point Guarantee | All 6 Official GMAT Tests
empowergmat.com
General Discussion
My Ans - D
Reason -
1) earth's crust should immediately follow the action i.e "covering the entire planet" because it is the one actually covering the planet.
2) Parallelisim - Earth's crust is Neither x, nor y, but rather z. X, Y and Z should be parallel.
Reason -
1) earth's crust should immediately follow the action i.e "covering the entire planet" because it is the one actually covering the planet.
2) Parallelisim - Earth's crust is Neither x, nor y, but rather z. X, Y and Z should be parallel.
Posts: 10
ChrisLele
Hi, here in the option D, isn't 'but' and 'rather' redundant ?
To me this sentence sounds awkward -> ".... seamless nor stationary, but rather it is fragmented... "
That's the reason I choose B, though the construction NEITHER X NOR Y was not being followed there.
Please clarify.
Hi there,
Let’s examine Choice B:
Despite the fact that it covers the entire planet, Earth's crust is neither seamless nor is it stationary, but is:
1. This choice uses neither X nor Y where X and Y should be parallel. However,
X = seamless (adjective)
Y = is it stationary (clause)
These entities are not parallel.
2. Also in a statement, a subject is followed by a verb. Here the verb is followed is by the subject. This structure is used in questions. For example: Where were you all this while? In this choice “is it stationary” follows a structure that is used in question.
Now let’s analyze choice D, the correct answer:
Although it covers the entire planet, Earth's crust is neither seamless nor stationary, but rather:
In this choice neither is followed by “seamless”, an adjective, and nor is followed by “stationary”, another adjective. This choice is absolutely correct.
Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Shraddha
_________________
Let’s examine Choice B:
Despite the fact that it covers the entire planet, Earth's crust is neither seamless nor is it stationary, but is:
1. This choice uses neither X nor Y where X and Y should be parallel. However,
X = seamless (adjective)
Y = is it stationary (clause)
These entities are not parallel.
2. Also in a statement, a subject is followed by a verb. Here the verb is followed is by the subject. This structure is used in questions. For example: Where were you all this while? In this choice “is it stationary” follows a structure that is used in question.
Now let’s analyze choice D, the correct answer:
Although it covers the entire planet, Earth's crust is neither seamless nor stationary, but rather:
In this choice neither is followed by “seamless”, an adjective, and nor is followed by “stationary”, another adjective. This choice is absolutely correct.
Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Shraddha
_________________
Free Trial: Get 25 AI-powered videos | 400 practice questions | 8 free webinars | 1 full + 3 sectional mocks
Record Success delivered in 2025-26: 100th percentile scores | 250-pt improvements | Success in less than 60 days
MBA admits: M7 admits | T20 admits | ISB admits | $100k Scholarships
Learn why e-GMAT has 2X more verified 705+ scores than other GMAT Club partners – Read our 2800+ reviews
Record Success delivered in 2025-26: 100th percentile scores | 250-pt improvements | Success in less than 60 days
MBA admits: M7 admits | T20 admits | ISB admits | $100k Scholarships
Learn why e-GMAT has 2X more verified 705+ scores than other GMAT Club partners – Read our 2800+ reviews
Posts: 7
Dont you think but and rather redundant ????
Posted from my mobile device
Posted from my mobile device
hi,
i rejected D & E bcoz although(subordinator) and but(coordinating conjunction) can't go together.
pls help in this.
br//
suryav
i rejected D & E bcoz although(subordinator) and but(coordinating conjunction) can't go together.
pls help in this.
br//
suryav
suryav
Hi Surya and Aristocrat,
This is the sentence with the correct answer choice D.
Although it covers the entire planet, Earth's crust is neither seamless nor stationary, but rather fragmented into mobile semi-rigid plates.
We need to understand what the contrasting information in this sentence is. The contrasting information is that although the earth’s crust covers the entire planet, it is fragmented and not seamless.
So here “although” is not used against “but” in that the two contrasting words are negated. ”but” has been used to express the contrast that the earth’s crust is not seamless but is fragmented. So there are actually two points of contrast –
A. Earth crust covers whole planet, but it is not seamless.
B. Earth crust is not seamless but is segmented.
Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Shraddha
_________________
Free Trial: Get 25 AI-powered videos | 400 practice questions | 8 free webinars | 1 full + 3 sectional mocks
Record Success delivered in 2025-26: 100th percentile scores | 250-pt improvements | Success in less than 60 days
MBA admits: M7 admits | T20 admits | ISB admits | $100k Scholarships
Learn why e-GMAT has 2X more verified 705+ scores than other GMAT Club partners – Read our 2800+ reviews
Record Success delivered in 2025-26: 100th percentile scores | 250-pt improvements | Success in less than 60 days
MBA admits: M7 admits | T20 admits | ISB admits | $100k Scholarships
Learn why e-GMAT has 2X more verified 705+ scores than other GMAT Club partners – Read our 2800+ reviews
Posts: 513
despite +noun
is idiomatic
despite +doing
is not idiomatic
is that correct?
is idiomatic
despite +doing
is not idiomatic
is that correct?
thangvietnam
Hi thangvietnam,
1. despite + noun is a the correct idiom. Example: Despite heavy snow, we went to the concert.
2. depite + verb-ing (doing) is also a correct idiom where verb-ing is a noun. Example: Despite finishing all her work on time, Mary could not go to meet her friend.
Both these usages of "despite" is correct.
Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Shraddha
_________________
Free Trial: Get 25 AI-powered videos | 400 practice questions | 8 free webinars | 1 full + 3 sectional mocks
Record Success delivered in 2025-26: 100th percentile scores | 250-pt improvements | Success in less than 60 days
MBA admits: M7 admits | T20 admits | ISB admits | $100k Scholarships
Learn why e-GMAT has 2X more verified 705+ scores than other GMAT Club partners – Read our 2800+ reviews
Record Success delivered in 2025-26: 100th percentile scores | 250-pt improvements | Success in less than 60 days
MBA admits: M7 admits | T20 admits | ISB admits | $100k Scholarships
Learn why e-GMAT has 2X more verified 705+ scores than other GMAT Club partners – Read our 2800+ reviews
In SC question, there are always more than one errors. This question is an oddies but goodies example of the use idiom "neither x nor y" and the use of "although" and "despite"".
Despite its covering the entire planet. Earth has a
crust that is not seamless or stationary, rather it is
fragmented into mobile semirigid plates.
(A) Despite its covering the entire planet, Earth has
a crust that is not seamless or stationary,
rather it is >>> WRONG. right structure should be "not x or y, rather z"
(B) Despite the fact that it covers the entire planet,
Earth's crust is neither seamless nor is it
stationary, but is >>>> WRONG. Right idiom should be "neither x nor y", not "neither x nor is y"
(C) Despite covering the entire planet, Earth's crust
is neither seamless nor is it stationary, but
rather >>> WRONG. Same reason as B
(D) Although it covers the entire planet, Earth's
crust is neither seamless nor stationary, but
rather >>> CORRECT. Right idiom "neither x nor y". The use of "although" is correct. After "although" always is a clause.
(E) Although covering the entire planet, Earth has a
crust that is not seamless or stationary, but >>>> WRONG. Because "covering" does not modify Earth, it modifies "Earth's crust"
Hope it helps.
Despite its covering the entire planet. Earth has a
crust that is not seamless or stationary, rather it is
fragmented into mobile semirigid plates.
(A) Despite its covering the entire planet, Earth has
a crust that is not seamless or stationary,
rather it is >>> WRONG. right structure should be "not x or y, rather z"
(B) Despite the fact that it covers the entire planet,
Earth's crust is neither seamless nor is it
stationary, but is >>>> WRONG. Right idiom should be "neither x nor y", not "neither x nor is y"
(C) Despite covering the entire planet, Earth's crust
is neither seamless nor is it stationary, but
rather >>> WRONG. Same reason as B
(D) Although it covers the entire planet, Earth's
crust is neither seamless nor stationary, but
rather >>> CORRECT. Right idiom "neither x nor y". The use of "although" is correct. After "although" always is a clause.
(E) Although covering the entire planet, Earth has a
crust that is not seamless or stationary, but >>>> WRONG. Because "covering" does not modify Earth, it modifies "Earth's crust"
Hope it helps.
Posts: 1
Despite its covering the entire planet. Earth has a
crust that is not seamless or stationary, rather it is
fragmented into mobile semirigid plates.
(A) Despite its covering the entire planet, Earth has
a crust that is not seamless or stationary,
rather it is
(B) Despite the fact that it covers the entire planet,
Earth's crust is neither seamless nor is it
stationary, but is
(C) Despite covering the entire planet, Earth's crust
is neither seamless nor is it stationary, but
rather
(D) Although it covers the entire planet, Earth's
crust is neither seamless nor stationary, but
rather
(E) Although covering the entire planet, Earth has a
crust that is not seamless or stationary, but
I understand that there is a dangling modifier in this sentence and hence D would be the most appropriate option. However, isn't "but rather" redundant?
crust that is not seamless or stationary, rather it is
fragmented into mobile semirigid plates.
(A) Despite its covering the entire planet, Earth has
a crust that is not seamless or stationary,
rather it is
(B) Despite the fact that it covers the entire planet,
Earth's crust is neither seamless nor is it
stationary, but is
(C) Despite covering the entire planet, Earth's crust
is neither seamless nor is it stationary, but
rather
(D) Although it covers the entire planet, Earth's
crust is neither seamless nor stationary, but
rather
(E) Although covering the entire planet, Earth has a
crust that is not seamless or stationary, but
I understand that there is a dangling modifier in this sentence and hence D would be the most appropriate option. However, isn't "but rather" redundant?
Posts: 4,475
gmacmustbecrazy
Dear gmacmustbecrazy,
That's an excellent question, and I'm happy to respond.
Using "but" and "rather" together does sound very deliberate, as if the writer wants to make absolutely sure that we get the contrast in the sentence, but it's not actually redundant. This is a very subtle point. I don't know how much outside reading you do, but in sophisticated reading (the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Economist magazine, ...) you will find the "but rather" construction occasionally. Doing this kind of sophisticated reading, over and above your GMAT preparation, would probably be the best way to develop an ear for these very subtle boundaries --- here, for example, we have the mild inflection between appropriately emphatic vs. redundant.
Here's a blog about reading for the GMAT:
https://magoosh.com/gmat/2012/gmat-reading-list/
Here's a free lesson video on redundancy:
https://gmat.magoosh.com/lessons/920-avoid-redundancy
Does all this make sense?
Mike
_________________
Mike McGarry
Magoosh Test Prep
Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire. — William Butler Yeats (1865 – 1939)
Magoosh Test Prep
Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire. — William Butler Yeats (1865 – 1939)
gmacmustbecrazy
It made me spend some time with the question and spend some time with the definition of the word "rather". https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rather
When the word "rather" is used to mean "INSTEAD", "but rather" brings out the intended contrast and emphasis both together.
I'd rather (=sorry
) be suspicious about the words "although" and "but" in the same sentence as redendant. But , not in this sentence. I think the usage here very similar to NOT X BUT RATHER Y (more emphatic on the importance of Y) -- vs -- NOT X BUT Y (a mere expectation reset in favour of Y)
Hi TGC,
Let me try to answer your questions.
(1) “Despite” can be followed by a noun or verb-ing modifier. Take the following examples:
a. Despite bad weather. Jane came over for dinner.
b. Despite being the youngest in the group, Bob gave the best answers.
(2) It is NOT ALWAYS necessary for “Although” to be preceded by a clause in order to denote a contrast. For example:
a. Although simple, the outfit stands out in the crowd.
As we can see, “although” here is not followed by a clause. It is just followed by a word – small (an adjective = noun modifier). Now this noun modifier correctly modifies the Subject of the following main clause and hence, presents logical and unambiguous comparison.
So it is not necessary for “Although” to be always followed by a clause.
Now let’s come back to the official sentence and study the correct answer Choice D:
Although it covers the entire planet, Earth's crust is neither seamless nor stationary, but rather fragmented into mobile semirigid plates.
When it comes to parallelism, we must be very careful in identifying the correct parallel list. We first need to identify the correct entities here.
This sentence is presenting a few characteristics of Earth’s crust. It:
a. is neither seamless nor stationary
b. but rather (is) fragmented into mobile semigrid plates.
In this answer choice all these entities are grammatically as well as logically parallel. The choice employs appropriate idioms to use these adjectives correctly to denote the correct comparison.
Note that “is” is not only applicable to “neither seamless not stationary” but also to “rather fragmented”. Here two verb phrases are parallel to each other.
Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Shraddha
_________________
Free Trial: Get 25 AI-powered videos | 400 practice questions | 8 free webinars | 1 full + 3 sectional mocks
Record Success delivered in 2025-26: 100th percentile scores | 250-pt improvements | Success in less than 60 days
MBA admits: M7 admits | T20 admits | ISB admits | $100k Scholarships
Learn why e-GMAT has 2X more verified 705+ scores than other GMAT Club partners – Read our 2800+ reviews
Record Success delivered in 2025-26: 100th percentile scores | 250-pt improvements | Success in less than 60 days
MBA admits: M7 admits | T20 admits | ISB admits | $100k Scholarships
Learn why e-GMAT has 2X more verified 705+ scores than other GMAT Club partners – Read our 2800+ reviews
Hi e-gmat,
Hi understood your examples and logically they are correct. However, I have read many explanations of OG12/13 and it seems that GMAC is a strong advocate of the idea of a CLAUSE, not any modifier, following conjunction "Although" . And many times this is the sole ground on which GMAC rejects an option as INCORRECT.
Hi understood your examples and logically they are correct. However, I have read many explanations of OG12/13 and it seems that GMAC is a strong advocate of the idea of a CLAUSE, not any modifier, following conjunction "Although" . And many times this is the sole ground on which GMAC rejects an option as INCORRECT.
Hi TGC,
Well, yes. In most of the official sentences, we see "although" followed by a clause. But I do not quite agree that even if "although" is followed by correct phrase that clearly shows the contrast, GMAC will eliminate it as INCORRECT. There has to be usage error in order to reject it as incorrect.
We can analyze a sentence if you have any to instantiate your claim.
Thanks.
Shraddha
_________________
Free Trial: Get 25 AI-powered videos | 400 practice questions | 8 free webinars | 1 full + 3 sectional mocks
Record Success delivered in 2025-26: 100th percentile scores | 250-pt improvements | Success in less than 60 days
MBA admits: M7 admits | T20 admits | ISB admits | $100k Scholarships
Learn why e-GMAT has 2X more verified 705+ scores than other GMAT Club partners – Read our 2800+ reviews
Record Success delivered in 2025-26: 100th percentile scores | 250-pt improvements | Success in less than 60 days
MBA admits: M7 admits | T20 admits | ISB admits | $100k Scholarships
Learn why e-GMAT has 2X more verified 705+ scores than other GMAT Club partners – Read our 2800+ reviews
Moderators:
Announcements
Tuck at Dartmouth
AI at Dartmouth Tuck: How the School Is Preparing Leaders for the Age of Artificial Intelligence
Inside the courses, research, and hands-on learning defining wise, decisive leadership in an AI-driven world.
Read More
Inside the courses, research, and hands-on learning defining wise, decisive leadership in an AI-driven world.
Read More
Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos
Success stories and strategies from high-scoring candidates.