In Alexandria, the Ptoleyms founded a library so as the written remain

Question

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

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.

ExpertsGlobal5 · Accepted Answer

Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation to this question-

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):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xk7lx0ndSeA

All the best!
Experts' Global Team

dentobizz · Answer

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'

sidvish · Answer

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.

dentobizz · 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

sidvish · Answer

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 :-)

"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 :-)

Carcass · Answer

Please, avoid certain tones.

the debate should be kept more kindly.

regards

Nevernevergiveup · Answer

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 history whereby 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.

thangvietnam · Answer

"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.

Sri07 · Answer

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

arorni · Answer

Can someone please help with this question?

ashmit99 · Answer

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!

KarishmaB · Answer

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).

VerbalBot · Answer

Automated notice from GMAT Club VerbalBot: 

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

 This post was generated automatically.

In Alexandria, the Ptoleyms founded a library so as the written remain

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

GMAT Sentence Correction (SC - EA only) Questions

In Alexandria, the Ptoleyms founded a library so as the written remain

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia