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In Alexandria, the Ptoleyms founded a library so as the written remain
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Author:  sidvish [ 31 Oct 2013, 01:32 ]
Post subject:  In Alexandria, the Ptoleyms founded a library so as the written remain
In Alexandria, the Ptoleyms founded a library so as the written remains of Greek literature could be gathered together and systematized.

(A) so as
(B) in which
(C) and
(D) whereby
(E) by which

Show Spoiler
JOURNAL ARTICLE
Canon Fathers: Literacy, Mortality, Power
Glenn W. Most
Arion: A Journal of Humanities and the Classics
Third Series, Vol. 1, No. 1 (Winter, 1990), pp. 35-60
Published by: Trustees of Boston University; Trustees of Boston University through its publication Arion: A Journal of Humanities and the Classics

Competitors for an inheritance too big for any one of them, they sought authorization in the contentious present from an idealized (but in fact hardly less contentious) past; rulers over subject peoples among whom the Greeks were often vastly outnumbered, they hung desperately onto a vision of Greekness of which they claimed alone to be the genuine representatives (at least in their propaganda for their Greek subjects). In Alexandria, the Ptolemies continued along the paths opened up by Aristotle: they founded a library in which the scattered and diverse written remains of Greek literature could be finally gathered together and systematized, as though they had always formed part of a single harmonious whole; they patronized poets who praised them by implicitly or explicitly associating them with the patrons who had fostered earlier poets; they hired scholars, who were often identical with these poets, and who prepared editions and commentaries of the great literary figures of the past, explaining linguistic difficulties and social and religious customs that readers of a new and very different age could not help but find puzzling. Modern scholars, who depend upon the munificence of institutions, tend to regard the Kulturpolitik of the Ptolemies with at least enthusiasm, if not downright envy.

As usual - please explain why you picked the answer. This question is from the GMAT prep question pack.
Author:  ExpertsGlobal5 [ 14 Jul 2022, 23:21 ]
Post subject:  Re: In Alexandria, the Ptoleyms founded a library so as the written remain
Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
sidvish wrote:
In Alexandria, the Ptoleyms founded a library so as the written remains of Greek literature could be gathered together and systematized.

(A) so as
(B) in which
(C) and
(D) whereby
(E) by which



Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:
Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended core meaning of this sentence is that the Ptolemys founded a library, and within this library, the written remains of Greek literature could be gathered together and systematized.

Concepts tested here: Meaning + Grammatical Construction

• Semicolons and the “comma + conjunction” construction are used to link two independent clauses; commas are used to link an independent clause with a dependent one; comma cannot be used to join two independent clauses.

A: The sentence formed by this answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “founded a library so as”; the construction of this phrase leads to an incoherent meaning; the intended meaning is that the Ptolemys founded a library, and within this library, the written remains of Greek literature could be gathered together and systematized.

B: Correct. The sentence formed by this answer choice uses the phrase “in which the written remains of Greek literature could be gathered together and systematized”, conveying the intended meaning – that the Ptoleyms founded a library, and the written remains of Greek literature could be gathered together and systematized, specifically in this library. Further, Option B avoids the grammatical construction error seen in Option C, as it contains only one independent clause.

C: The sentence formed by this answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “and the written remains of Greek literature could be gathered together and systematized”; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that the Ptoleyms founded a library, and as a separate action the written remains of Greek literature could be gathered together and systematized; the intended meaning is that the Ptoleyms founded a library, and the written remains of Greek literature could be gathered together and systematized, specifically in this library. Further, Option C incorrectly uses conjunction (“and” in this sentence) to join the independent clauses “the Ptoleyms founded a library” and “the written remains of Greek literature could be gathered together and systematized”; remember, semicolons and the “comma + conjunction” construction are used to link two independent clauses; commas are used to link an independent clause with a dependent one; comma cannot be used to join two independent clauses.

D: The sentence formed by this answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “whereby the written remains of Greek literature could be gathered together and systematized”; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that the Ptoleyms founded a library, and through the use of this library the written remains of Greek literature could be gathered together and systematized; the intended meaning is that the Ptoleyms founded a library, and the written remains of Greek literature could be gathered together and systematized, in this library.

E: The sentence formed by this answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “by which the written remains of Greek literature could be gathered together and systematized”; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that the Ptoleyms founded a library, and through the use of this library the written remains of Greek literature could be gathered together and systematized; the intended meaning is that the Ptoleyms founded a library, and the written remains of Greek literature could be gathered together and systematized, in this library.

Hence, B is the best answer choice.

To understand the use of punctuations on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~10 minutes):



All the best!
Experts' Global Team
Author:  dentobizz [ 31 Oct 2013, 02:35 ]
Post subject:  Re: In Alexandria, the Ptoleyms founded a library so as the written remain
sidvish wrote:
In Alexandria, the Ptoleyms founded a library so as the written remains of Greek literature could be gathered together and systematized.

A. so as
B. in which
C. and
D. whereby
E. by which

As usual - please explain why you picked the answer. This question is from the GMAT prep question pack.


we need to connect { library ____the written remains of greek literature could be gathered together}

The library will help to gather and systematically arrange the literature.
So Connectors 'and' 'whereby' and 'so as' don't make logical or grammatical sense.

The literature/books will be kept in the library --the prep. phrase 'in which' communicates that well not 'by which'
Author:  sidvish [ 31 Oct 2013, 02:46 ]
Post subject:  Re: In Alexandria, the Ptoleyms founded a library so as the written remain
dentobizz wrote:
sidvish wrote:
In Alexandria, the Ptoleyms founded a library so as the written remains of Greek literature could be gathered together and systematized.

A. so as
B. in which
C. and
D. whereby
E. by which

As usual - please explain why you picked the answer. This question is from the GMAT prep question pack.


we need to connect { library ____the written remains of greek literature could be gathered together}

The library will help to gather and systematically arrange the literature.
So Connectors 'and' 'whereby' and 'so as' don't make logical or grammatical sense.

The literature/books will be kept in the library --the prep. phrase 'in which' communicates that well not 'by which'


Based on your explanation, you imply that the library will be the agent that gathers and systematically arranges greek literature. Given this interpretations, BY WHICH makes sense. I think the meaning is the library is a PLACE where greek literature could be gathered together and systematized.
WHEREBY - implies 'means by which' - i.e. library is a tool by which literature can be gathered together

The only idiom which directly relates to library as a PLACE where this can happen is 'in which'. Therefore B is the correct answer.
Author:  dentobizz [ 31 Oct 2013, 02:49 ]
Post subject:  Re: In Alexandria, the Ptoleyms founded a library so as the written remain
sidvish wrote:
dentobizz wrote:
sidvish wrote:
In Alexandria, the Ptoleyms founded a library so as the written remains of Greek literature could be gathered together and systematized.

A. so as
B. in which
C. and
D. whereby
E. by which

As usual - please explain why you picked the answer. This question is from the GMAT prep question pack.


we need to connect { library ____the written remains of greek literature could be gathered together}

The library will help to gather and systematically arrange the literature.
So Connectors 'and' 'whereby' and 'so as' don't make logical or grammatical sense.

The literature/books will be kept in the library --the prep. phrase 'in which' communicates that well not 'by which'


Based on your explanation, you imply that the library will be the agent that gathers and systematically arranges greek literature. Given this interpretations, BY WHICH makes sense. I think the meaning is the library is a PLACE where greek literature could be gathered together and systematized.
WHEREBY - implies 'means by which' - i.e. library is a tool by which literature can be gathered together

The only idiom which directly relates to library as a PLACE where this can happen is 'in which'. Therefore B is the correct answer.


I never said that library is an agent that gathers (how a non living thing can accomplish that?)
I meant library is a place 'in which' we keep literature. So in which fits the bill
Author:  sidvish [ 31 Oct 2013, 03:19 ]
Post subject:  Re: In Alexandria, the Ptoleyms founded a library so as the written remain
Based on your explanation, you imply that the library will be the agent that gathers and systematically arranges greek literature. Given this interpretations, BY WHICH makes sense. I think the meaning is the library is a PLACE where greek literature could be gathered together and systematized.
WHEREBY - implies 'means by which' - i.e. library is a tool by which literature can be gathered together

The only idiom which directly relates to library as a PLACE where this can happen is 'in which'. Therefore B is the correct answer.[/quote]

I never said that library is an agent that gathers (how a non living thing can accomplish that?)
I meant library is a place 'in which' we keep literature. So in which fits the bill[/quote]

Yep, I know you never said that. Which is why i said IMPLY :-)

"The library will help to gather and systematically arrange the literature. " --> implies the library is an agent that WILL HELP to gather and arrange as opposed to a PLACE in which greek lit could be gathered by XX. It's your choice of words that implies this. That's all :-)
Author:  carcass [ 05 Nov 2013, 06:55 ]
Post subject:  Re: In Alexandria, the Ptoleyms founded a library so as the written remain
Please, avoid certain tones.

the debate should be kept more kindly.

regards
Author:  Nevernevergiveup [ 30 Sep 2015, 01:19 ]
Post subject:  Re: In Alexandria, the Ptoleyms founded a library so as the written remain
In Alexandria, the Ptoleyms founded a library so as the written remains of Greek literature could be gathered together and systematized.

A. so as...............incomplete sense of meaning ..........so as to do sth or so that would make sense.
B. in which...............makes sense
C. and.....................both the events (finding the library and the purpose behind it) are not parallel and cannot be joined by and.
D. whereby..............incorrect word by meaning
E. by which..................same as D.

whereby and by which are same by meaning. Whereby seems to indicate place library(I thought the same :( ) but it means by which.

Here are few examples of its usage
  • a system whereby people could vote by telephone
  • This follows another story last week whereby prisoners were trying to get permission to vote in elections.
  • Now I'm happy to see a development occur whereby it means something more spiritual.
  • There probably hasn't been a time in historywhereby there's so much uncertainty.

Regarding the use of in which here library in Alexandria indicates an arrangement of books.i.e, a metaphorical place.

Mgmat SC wrote:
The pronoun where can be used to modify a noun place, such as area, site, country or Nevada. Where cannot modify a “metaphorical” place, such as condition, situation, case, circumstances, or arrangement.
In these cases, use in which rather than where.
Wrong: We had an arrangement WHERE he cooked and I cleaned.
Right: We had an arrangement IN WHICH he cooked and I cleaned.
Author:  thangvietnam [ 05 Sep 2018, 01:03 ]
Post subject:  Re: In Alexandria, the Ptoleyms founded a library so as the written remain
sidvish wrote:
In Alexandria, the Ptoleyms founded a library so as the written remains of Greek literature could be gathered together and systematized.

(A) so as
(B) in which
(C) and
(D) whereby
(E) by which

Show Spoiler
As usual - please explain why you picked the answer. This question is from the GMAT prep question pack.


"whereby" is an adverb , so, choice D become run on sentence.
Ptoleyms founded a library and whereby the remain can be gathered
is correct
we need "and whereby".

am I correct.
Author:  Sri07 [ 04 Aug 2020, 00:38 ]
Post subject:  Re: In Alexandria, the Ptoleyms founded a library so as the written remain
In Which Vs Which: When a sentence uses which, the noun entity modified by which itself is the does of some action. For example:The city bus, which runs seven days a week, has a very good service.
When a sentence uses in which, a doer performs an action in the noun entity modified by which. For example: The city bus, in which passengers get free WiFi connection, has a very good service.
The doer: Passengers are performing an activity in which the action occurs
Author:  arorni [ 10 Aug 2020, 10:41 ]
Post subject:  Re: In Alexandria, the Ptoleyms founded a library so as the written remain
Can someone please help with this question?
Author:  ashmit99 [ 25 Sep 2020, 23:12 ]
Post subject:  Re: In Alexandria, the Ptoleyms founded a library so as the written remain
sidvish wrote:
In Alexandria, the Ptoleyms founded a library so as the written remains of Greek literature could be gathered together and systematized.

(A) so as
(B) in which
(C) and
(D) whereby
(E) by which

Show Spoiler
JOURNAL ARTICLE
Canon Fathers: Literacy, Mortality, Power
Glenn W. Most
Arion: A Journal of Humanities and the Classics
Third Series, Vol. 1, No. 1 (Winter, 1990), pp. 35-60
Published by: Trustees of Boston University; Trustees of Boston University through its publication Arion: A Journal of Humanities and the Classics

Competitors for an inheritance too big for any one of them, they sought authorization in the contentious present from an idealized (but in fact hardly less contentious) past; rulers over subject peoples among whom the Greeks were often vastly outnumbered, they hung desperately onto a vision of Greekness of which they claimed alone to be the genuine representatives (at least in their propaganda for their Greek subjects). In Alexandria, the Ptolemies continued along the paths opened up by Aristotle: they founded a library in which the scattered and diverse written remains of Greek literature could be finally gathered together and systematized, as though they had always formed part of a single harmonious whole; they patronized poets who praised them by implicitly or explicitly associating them with the patrons who had fostered earlier poets; they hired scholars, who were often identical with these poets, and who prepared editions and commentaries of the great literary figures of the past, explaining linguistic difficulties and social and religious customs that readers of a new and very different age could not help but find puzzling. Modern scholars, who depend upon the munificence of institutions, tend to regard the Kulturpolitik of the Ptolemies with at least enthusiasm, if not downright envy.

As usual - please explain why you picked the answer. This question is from the GMAT prep question pack.


VeritasKarishma GMATNinja ChiranjeevSingh

Could you please help me with the use of "So as" in option A? I believe "so as" means "purpose." So now the original sentence would mean Ptoleyms founded a library with purpose that Greek literature could be gathered together. I think this makes logical sense. But how do we know what the intended/ logical meaning of the sentence is? Both A and B seem logical to me. Could you please help me recognize the flaw in my reasoning?

Thanks in advance!
Author:  KarishmaB [ 28 Sep 2020, 02:09 ]
Post subject:  Re: In Alexandria, the Ptoleyms founded a library so as the written remain
ashmit99 wrote:
sidvish wrote:
In Alexandria, the Ptoleyms founded a library so as the written remains of Greek literature could be gathered together and systematized.

(A) so as
(B) in which
(C) and
(D) whereby
(E) by which

Show Spoiler
JOURNAL ARTICLE
Canon Fathers: Literacy, Mortality, Power
Glenn W. Most
Arion: A Journal of Humanities and the Classics
Third Series, Vol. 1, No. 1 (Winter, 1990), pp. 35-60
Published by: Trustees of Boston University; Trustees of Boston University through its publication Arion: A Journal of Humanities and the Classics

Competitors for an inheritance too big for any one of them, they sought authorization in the contentious present from an idealized (but in fact hardly less contentious) past; rulers over subject peoples among whom the Greeks were often vastly outnumbered, they hung desperately onto a vision of Greekness of which they claimed alone to be the genuine representatives (at least in their propaganda for their Greek subjects). In Alexandria, the Ptolemies continued along the paths opened up by Aristotle: they founded a library in which the scattered and diverse written remains of Greek literature could be finally gathered together and systematized, as though they had always formed part of a single harmonious whole; they patronized poets who praised them by implicitly or explicitly associating them with the patrons who had fostered earlier poets; they hired scholars, who were often identical with these poets, and who prepared editions and commentaries of the great literary figures of the past, explaining linguistic difficulties and social and religious customs that readers of a new and very different age could not help but find puzzling. Modern scholars, who depend upon the munificence of institutions, tend to regard the Kulturpolitik of the Ptolemies with at least enthusiasm, if not downright envy.

As usual - please explain why you picked the answer. This question is from the GMAT prep question pack.


VeritasKarishma GMATNinja ChiranjeevSingh

Could you please help me with the use of "So as" in option A? I believe "so as" means "purpose." So now the original sentence would mean Ptoleyms founded a library with purpose that Greek literature could be gathered together. I think this makes logical sense. But how do we know what the intended/ logical meaning of the sentence is? Both A and B seem logical to me. Could you please help me recognize the flaw in my reasoning?

Thanks in advance!


The idiom that means "in order to" is "so as to".
I will let her know in advance so as to avoid any awkwardness later.

Here answer can only be (B).
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