The surge in personal computing during the 1990s, which saw the majori

Question

The surge in personal computing during the  1990s, which saw the majority of administrative assistants replaced by Lotus Notes, Microsoft Office, and other digital assistant tools, proved to be a challenge for managers who have little to no typing skills.

A. 1990s, which saw the majority of administrative assistants replaced by Lotus Notes, Microsoft Office, and other digital assistant tools, proved to be a challenge for managers who have little typing skills

B. 1990s, a period that saw the majority of administrative assistants replaced Lotus Notes, Microsoft Office, and other digital assistant tools, proved to be a challenge for managers who had few typing skills

C. 1990s saw the majority of administrative assistants replaced by Lotus Notes, Microsoft Office, and other digital assistant tools, proved to be a challenge for managers with few typing skills

D. 1990s, a period that saw the majority of administrative assistants replaced by Lotus Notes, Microsoft Office, and other digital assistant tools, proved to be a challenge for managers with little typing skill

E. 1990s saw the majority of administrative assistants replaced by Lotus Notes, Microsoft Office, and other digital assistant tools, has proven to be a challenge for managers unskilled with regard to typing

VyshakhR1995 · Answer

Usage of Which is Incorrect In A

In B although which is changed----There is a change in meaning----->  a period that saw the majority of administrative assistants replaced Lotus Notes  Whereas Original sentence states "replaced by" And Usage of few is faulty

In C no proper connection between the sentences----> two verbs are there (saw and proved) And Usage of few is faulty

D ---> correct

E same mistake as in C

daagh · Answer

Just a small point to add to what vyshakh has said: C and E are comma splices.

Bunuel · Answer

VERITAS PREP OFFICIAL SOLUTION:

A notable decision point in this problem involves the difference between putting a modifier after "1990s" (which A, B, and D do) and instead just placing the verb "saw" there in C and E. In each answer choice, the verb "proved" or "has proven" follows a comma, meaning that you must have a modifier structure present. Therefore, C and E are incorrect.

Choice A commits a subtle error in diction. Note that the main difference in the last few words of A and D (the correct answer) is "little skills" vs. "little skill." Technically, if you're treating the item being modified as plural (skills) you need to use "few" (as you see in B) as opposed to "little." Why? Because "little" also means "small" and when you're using "little" to describe multiple items that could be taken to mean "tiny skills." So because of that meaning/diction mistake, choice A is correct. Choice D, by not using a plural for "skill" avoids that error and is correct.

Finally, while choice B properly uses "few skills," it omits the word "by" in "administrative assistants replaced Lotus Notes...." This creates an improper sentence structure and is therefore incorrect.

loserunderachiever · Answer

My two cents for this ,

By POE , you can come down to B & D , as "that"clause is essential , it acts a modifier . obviously in B , "by" is missed out , this changes the meaning , you may also also infer. administrative assistants have replaced lotus notes , which is incorrect. Hence "replaced by" is essential . Then comes the comparison between , little & few , human skills cannot be few , it's always little.

aniket16c · Answer

VeritasKarishma   GMATNinja   MikeScarn   hazelnut   GMATNinja Two

I cannot understand why use of "little skills" is wrong. The official explanation states that "little" in such a case can be associated with "tiny". However, use of "tiny" does not make sense. So isn't it obvious that we need to consider the other meaning.
In addition to that, then why isn't the same applicable when singular form, "skill", is used?

KarishmaB · Answer

When you say skills (plural), you are using it as a countable noun and you should use 'few' with it. It answers "how many skills?" with "a few skills" i.e. 2 or 3 skills, not many.

When you say skill, you are using it as an uncountable noun such as hunger. It answer "how much skill?" with "little skill" or "a lot of skill".

Hence, the use of "little skills" isn't appropriate.

TheNightKing · Answer

While I understand that it is not good to point flaws in the question, It is very weird to have such minor differences..

Removal of the word "by" and changing skills to skill along with everything else makes it a very tricky and kind of not so great question.

VerbalBot · Answer

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The surge in personal computing during the 1990s, which saw the majori

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The surge in personal computing during the 1990s, which saw the majori

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