Although most of Kafkas books are centered on either a protagonist's

Question

Although most of Kafka’s books are centered on either a protagonist's loss of identity under a tyrannical regime or disenfranchisement by an oppressive bureaucracy, his books also have  a strong focus on the damage done to personal relationships by materialism and image-consciousness. 
 
(A) Although most of Kafka’s books are centered on either a protagonist's loss of identity under a tyrannical regime or disenfranchisement by an oppressive bureaucracy, his books also have

(B) Although most of Kafka’s books are centered on a protagonist's loss of identity under a tyrannical regime or disenfranchisement by an oppressive bureaucracy, also

(C) Most of Kafka’s books are centered on a protagonist's loss of identity under a tyrannical regime or disenfranchisement by an oppressive bureaucracy, but within these books there is

(D) Centered on a protagonist's loss of identity under a tyrannical regime or disenfranchisement by an oppressive bureaucracy, most of Kafka’s books and also

(E) Most of Kafka’s books are centered on a protagonist's loss of identity under a tyrannical regime or disenfranchisement by an oppressive bureaucracy, and within these books, there is also

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PyjamaScientist · Answer

Intended meaning-
    Kafka's books although centred on the protagonist's loss of identity under a tyrannical regime or the protagonist's disenfranchisement by an oppressive bureaucracy, these books had something more, i.e, a strong focus on the damage done to personal relationships by materialism and image-consciousness.  
There's a contrast here. Two sides are presented by the author regarding Kafka's books. So, the correct choice should impart this meaning.

(A) This falls for two reasons. First is quite serious; the second is not so serious these days after GMAC started to show leniency towards it.
 First is - either a protagonist's X or Y. Correct construction should be, as per the intended meaning, Protagonist's X or Y.
   either a protagonist's loss of identity under a tyrannical regime or disenfranchisement by an oppressive bureaucracy   
This sentence without the first part of the either X or Y construction can be written as- 
   Although most of Kafka’s books are centred on disenfranchisement by an oppressive bureaucracy.    Whose disenfranchisement? The subject of  disenfranchisement  that is the  protagonist   is separated in this choice.
 Second is - What does "his" refer to in the sentence? Although, now it has been seen through OG questions that GMAC has bent the rule and now " an objective pronoun can refer to a possessive noun ". So, "his" can refer to Kafka in "most of Kafka's books". So, I won't reject any choice solely on the basis of  supposed  pronoun ambiguity. But, if I had a choice without it, I'd choose that over this.

(B) The second part of the sentence has now become a noun phrase-
   come + also a strong focus on the damage done to personal relationships by materialism and image-consciousness.   This leads to loss of contrast intended by the author. Also, the sentence as it stands makes no sense. Also, the first part of the sentence that starts with "although" is a "dependent clause". It needs a main clause to refer to. Incorrect.

(C)  This choice maintains the intended contrast by the usage of "but" at the starting of the second sentence. Two independent clauses are correctly joined by comma + but. This choice also has improved on (A) in terms of "an objective pronoun referring to a possessive noun". The shift from "his books" to "within these books" is much better. Correct.

(D) This choice starts with a big "verb-ed phrase" modifying the main subject "most of Kafka's books". But, the main subject "most of the Kafka's books" does not have any verb attached to it. Incorrect.

(E) The intended is contrast is lost in this choice by the usage of conjunction "and". Incorrect.

zhanbo · Answer

My answer is  (A) . The deliberation between (A) and (C) took most of my time.

(A) sounds good. "either ... or... " is parallel. Keep for now.

(B) Not a sentence: after "although .... bureaucracy", there is no subject for the main clause.

(C) While it does not sound as well as (A), we have to be careful not to be biased by our familiarity with previous options. Keep for now.

(D) "most of Kafka’s books and also" is not grammatically correct. I wonder if this is a typo.

(E) Originally, I eliminated by its use of "and". Now, I think "and" is not necessarily fatal. (The elimination based on "and" is an example of bias caused by previous options.)
"and" is fine, and "but" may be a bit extreme. 
Now, there are two considerations stacked against (E). 
(1) "within these books, there is also" is rather wordy. "these books also" suffices. Do not overuse "there be".
(2) See the ensuing discussion about option (C)'s use of "a protagonist's loss of identity under a tyrannical regime or disenfranchisement by an oppressive bureaucracy".

We have to find a winner between (A) and (C). 
I feel that (A) reads better than (C). I can ascribe such feelings to two factors now.
(1) (C) uses "but", which is a bit extreme. (Note that (A)'s use of "although" does not sound abrupt at all.)
(2) (C) uses "there be"
Still, feelings are not always reliable (but should be relied upon as the last resort). 
The most important criterion is meaning! 
Yet, it is hard to determine what the right meaning is! That is why it is time consuming.

In (A), its meaning is clear:
most of Kafka’s books are centered on 
either a protagonist's loss of identity under a tyrannical regime
OR
disenfranchisement by an oppressive bureaucracy

But is it the right meaning? Maybe the correct meaning is
most of Kafka’s books are centered on a protagonist's loss of identity 
under 
either a tyrannical regime
OR
disenfranchisement by an oppressive bureaucracy

In (C), it can actually mean
Most of Kafka’s books are centered on 
a protagonist's loss of identity 
under
a tyrannical regime
OR
disenfranchisement by an oppressive bureaucracy

But it can also be interpreted as
Most of Kafka’s books are centered on 
a protagonist's loss of identity under a tyrannical regime
OR
disenfranchisement by an oppressive bureaucracy

Ultimately, I rejected (C) and chose (A) because (C) lends itself to two different interpretations. By using "either...or...", (A) removes ambiguity. (Still, if the meaning of (A) is nonsensical, we should choose (C) despite its defects. Meaning is of supreme import. I, however, am at a loss as to its meaning.)

PyjamaScientist · Answer

After going through  zhanbo  's answer above, it really makes me ponder over  what really is the intended meaning if there is one ? 
And the contrast I originally accrued to this sentence now looks shady.

If the contrast is as I interpreted it, then the answer should be (C). But, if that's not the case, then even (E) does not sound half bad. Because, in my original analysis, the only reason why I eliminated (E) was for its lack of contrast through the usage of the conjunction "and".

So, it really boils down to what the "author" wants to convey here. And just based on that preference either (E) or (C) or even (A), as Zhanbo has made his point, could be correct, a grim situation that GMAC would never put its test-taker into.

debjit1990 · Answer

Ans:A
(A) Although most of Kafka’s books are centered on either a protagonist's loss of identity under a tyrannical regime or disenfranchisement by an oppressive bureaucracy, his books also have--correct

(B) Although most of Kafka’s books are centered on a protagonist's loss of identity under a tyrannical regime or disenfranchisement by an oppressive bureaucracy, also..incomplete sentence

(C) Most of Kafka’s books are centered on a protagonist's loss of identity under a tyrannical regime or disenfranchisement by an oppressive bureaucracy, but within these books there is..there placeholder is not required..also some ambiguity is there..a is better

(D) Centered on a protagonist's loss of identity under a tyrannical regime or disenfranchisement by an oppressive bureaucracy, most of Kafka’s books and also..and also is wrong here

(E) Most of Kafka’s books are centered on a protagonist's loss of identity under a tyrannical regime or disenfranchisement by an oppressive bureaucracy, and within these books, there is also
"there" is referring back to??
although A seems wrong,but between A & E, A seems better choice to me

Shikhar22 · Answer

A seems a better bet than C, mostly because of the comparison. Use of 'but' is unecessary as 'strong focus on the damage done to personal relationships by materialism and image-consciousness' is not necessarily a contradiction to 'protagonist's loss of identity under a tyrannical regime or disenfranchisement by an oppressive bureaucracy'. And, the usage of either-or or just an or is immaterial. In E the comparison is totally absent, so A seems the best bet.

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Sushil117 · Answer

(A) Although most of Kafka’s books are centered on either a protagonist's loss of identity under a tyrannical regime or disenfranchisement by an oppressive bureaucracy, his books also have
"his" referring back to a possessive noun kafka's book..seems wrong..but hang on

(B) Although most of Kafka’s books are centered on a protagonist's loss of identity under a tyrannical regime or disenfranchisement by an oppressive bureaucracy, also
never makes it to a full sentence .incorrect

(C) Most of Kafka’s books are centered on a protagonist's loss of identity under a tyrannical regime or disenfranchisement by an oppressive bureaucracy, but within these books there is
as much as "there" seems questionable because what it's referring back to???, use of " but" brings a strong contrast. however,there's no contrast by the meaning. books centered on something negative.."but"... continues to point another negative rather than providing something opposite.

(D) Centered on a protagonist's loss of identity under a tyrannical regime or disenfranchisement by an oppressive bureaucracy, most of Kafka’s books and also

same as B .incorrect

(E) Most of Kafka’s books are centered on a protagonist's loss of identity under a tyrannical regime or disenfranchisement by an oppressive bureaucracy, and within these books, there is also
"there" is referring back to??
although A seems wrong,but between A & E, A seems better choice to me

PyjamaScientist · Answer

In this sentence " there " is referring to  content in the Kafka's books .
 "there"  is not always used to refer to a "place". There are other idiomatic usages where you can use "there". Such as this one below:
  : in that matter, respect, or relation 
 //  there   is where I disagree with you

Bunuel · Answer

Expert's Global Official Explanation:

Grammatical Construction + Modifiers + Meaning + Idioms + Redundancy/Awkwardness 
 
Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of this sentence is that most of Kafka’s books are centered on one of two elements- a protagonist's loss of identity under a tyrannical regime or disenfranchisement by an oppressive bureaucracy, and within these books there is also a third, similar, element- a strong focus on the damage done to personal relationships by materialism and image-consciousness. 
 
 • “despite” and "in spite of" are used to highlight a contrast wherein a positive element is followed by a negative element, “though”, “although”, and "even though" are used to highlight a contrast wherein a negative element is followed by a positive element, and “while” is used for actions that take place simultaneously, irrespective of whether these actions are positive, negative, or neutral. 
 
A. Trap. This answer choice incorrectly uses “Although” in a context wherein no contrast exits; the three elements stated to be common to most of Kafka’s books- a protagonist's loss of identity under a tyrannical regime, disenfranchisement by an oppressive bureaucracy, and a strong focus on the damage done to personal relationships by materialism and image-consciousness, are all similar; please remember, “although” is only used to highlight a contrast wherein the negative element is followed by the positive element.
 
B. Trap. This answer choice fails to form a complete sentence; both “Although most of Kafka’s books are centered…” and “also a strong focus on the damage…” are dependent clauses, meaning there is no independent clause for the modifying phrases to act upon. Further, Option B incorrectly uses “Although” in a context wherein no contrast exists; the three elements stated to be common to most of Kafka’s books- a protagonist's loss of identity under a tyrannical regime, disenfranchisement by an oppressive bureaucracy, and a strong focus on the damage done to personal relationships by materialism and image-consciousness are all similar; please remember, “although” is only used to highlight a contrast wherein the negative element is followed by the positive element.
 
C. Trap. This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “but within these books, there is…”; the use of “but” incorrectly implies that in contrast to the fact that most of Kafka’s books are centered on a protagonist's loss of identity under a tyrannical regime or disenfranchisement by an oppressive bureaucracy, within them there is a strong focus on the damage done to personal relationships by materialism and image-consciousness; the intended meaning of the sentence is that most of Kafka’s books are centered on one of two elements- a protagonist's loss of identity under a tyrannical regime or disenfranchisement by an oppressive bureaucracy, and within these books, there is also a third, similar, element- a strong focus on the damage done to personal relationships by materialism and image-consciousness.
 
D. This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase, “and also a strong focus on…”; the construction of this phrase illogically implies that most of Kafka’s books and a strong focus on the damage done to personal relationships by materialism and image-consciousness are primarily centered on a protagonist's loss of identity or disenfranchisement; the intended meaning is that most of Kafka’s books are centered on a protagonist's loss of identity under a tyrannical regime or disenfranchisement by an oppressive bureaucracy, and these books also have a strong focus on the damage done to personal relationships by materialism and image-consciousness. Further, Option D fails to form a complete sentence as the phrase “most of Kafka’s books and also…” lacks an active verb to act upon the subjects “most of Kafka’s books” and “a strong focus on the damage”; therefore, there is no independent clause for the modifier phrase “Centered on a protagonist's loss of identity…” to act upon. Additionally, Option D uses the redundant phrase “and also”, rendering it needlessly wordy.
 
 E. Correct.  This answer choice correctly uses the “comma + conjunction (“and” in this sentence)” construction to join the two independent clauses “Most of Kafka’s books are centered on a protagonist's loss…” and “within these books, there is also…” to form a complete sentence and convey the intended meaning of the sentence- that most of Kafka’s books are centered on one of two elements- a protagonist's loss of identity under a tyrannical regime or disenfranchisement by an oppressive bureaucracy, and within these books, there is also a third, similar, element- a strong focus on the damage done to personal relationships by materialism and image-consciousness. Further, Option E avoids the meaning error seen in Options A and B, as it employs no contrasting conjunctions, such as “although” or “but”. Besides, Option E is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.
 
 E is the best answer choice.

VIGHNESHKAMATH · Answer

Why Option E is not a comma splice? isn't comma separating two independent clauses? ''and within these books'' is just a non essential modifiers juxtaposed between two commas. Please resolve my query.

Thank You
Vighnesh

ExpertsGlobal5 · Answer

Hello  VIGHNESHKAMATH ,

We hope this finds you well.

To answer your query, in this question, "Most of Kafka’s books are centered on a protagonist's loss of identity under a tyrannical regime or disenfranchisement by an oppressive bureaucracy" and "there is also a strong focus on the damage done to personal relationships by materialism and image-consciousness" are two ICs linked by the "comma + conjunction ("and" in this sentence) construction, and "within these books" is a modifier action upon the latter clause.

We hope this helps.
All the best!
Experts' Global Team

Bunuel · Answer

Expert's Global Video Explanation:

YJRSUQa5PRk

VerbalBot · Answer

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Although most of Kafkas books are centered on either a protagonist's

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Although most of Kafkas books are centered on either a protagonist's

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