Events & Promotions
| Last visit was: 06 Sep 2026, 05:27 |
It is currently 06 Sep 2026, 05:27 |
|
|
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 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 0712:01 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 0712:30 AM EDT
-01:30 AM EDT
Tejas studied hard but kept repeating the same mistakes. After 3 attempts at 645, a focused 4-week strategy helped him identify and fix what was holding him back—leading to a 695 with just 12–15 hours of study per week.
Sep 0201:00 PM EDT
-11:59 PM EDT
Take 30% off all study plans with code COURSEWORK - Expires on Monday 9/7
Sep 0401:30 AM EDT
-02:30 AM EDT
This Labor Day, turn your hard work into real score gains. From 615→715 in 15 days to 705 in 30 days, our students prove what's possible with personalized, expert guidance. Save up to 25% on 1-on-1 tutoring.
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 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 1008:00 PM PDT
-09:00 PM PDT
Free- full-length test + 15 concept videos + 150+ short videos + study plan!
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
B
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
65%
(hard)
Question Stats:
45% (01:22) correct
55%
(01:31)
wrong
based on 10101
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Since the 1930s aircraft manufacturers have tried to build airplanes with frictionless wings, shaped so smoothly and perfectly that the air passing over them would not become turbulent.
(A) wings, shaped so smoothly and perfectly
(B) wings, wings so smooth and so perfectly shaped
(C) wings that are shaped so smooth and perfect
(D) wings, shaped in such a smooth and perfect manner
(E) wings, wings having been shaped smoothly and perfectly so
SC58461.01
(A) wings, shaped so smoothly and perfectly
(B) wings, wings so smooth and so perfectly shaped
(C) wings that are shaped so smooth and perfect
(D) wings, shaped in such a smooth and perfect manner
(E) wings, wings having been shaped smoothly and perfectly so
SC58461.01
https://www.nytimes.com/1990/09/11/science/new-plan-wing-design-greatly-cuts-drag-to-save-fuel.html
Since the 1930's aircraft manufacturers have tried to build airplanes with laminar-flow wings, wings so smooth and perfectly shaped that the air passing over them would not become turbulent. The World War II B-24 Liberator bomber and P-51 Mustang fighter had wings designed to maintain laminar flow, but manufacturing imperfections, dents and other inevitable flaws always spoiled laminar flow.
Since the 1930's aircraft manufacturers have tried to build airplanes with laminar-flow wings, wings so smooth and perfectly shaped that the air passing over them would not become turbulent. The World War II B-24 Liberator bomber and P-51 Mustang fighter had wings designed to maintain laminar flow, but manufacturing imperfections, dents and other inevitable flaws always spoiled laminar flow.
Solving this question helps.
Taking a timed set of similar questions in
GMAT Club Forum Quiz →
is even better.
01 Mar 2021, 04:58
Kudos
Bookmarks
Quote:
A and E: shaped SMOOTHLY
smoothly means performed WITHOUT DIFFICULTY.
Thus, shaped smoothly means shaped WITHOUT DIFFICULTY, implying that the process of shaping the wings is easy.
Not the intended meaning.
The intended meaning is not that the shaping PROCESS is smooth but that the WINGS themselves are SMOOTH.
Eliminate A and E.
C: are shaped so smooth and perfect
Here, smooth and perfect (two adjectives) seem to modify are shaped (a verb).
An adjective cannot modify a verb.
An adjective must serve to modify a NOUN.
Eliminate C.
D: shaped in such a smooth and perfect manner
Like A and E, this option implies that the MANNER of shaping the wings is EASY.
Not the intended meaning.
The intended meaning is not that the shaping MANNER is smooth but that the WINGS themselves are SMOOTH.
Eliminate D.
OA: Since the 1930's aircraft manufacturers have tried to build airplanes with frictionless wings, wings so smooth and so perfectly shaped that the air passing over them would not become turbulent.
The portion in green is an example of a RESUMPTIVE MODIFIER.
A resumptive modifier:
-- repeats a key word in the sentence
-- conveys additional information about that key word
-- often includes a that-clause
-- usually appears at the end of a sentence
In the OA, the resumptive modifier makes it clear that so smooth and so perfectly shaped refers only to the WINGS, not to the entire airplane.
Check here for another example of a resumptive modifier:
https://gmatclub.com/forum/yellow-jacke ... 13500.html
25 May 2021, 02:43
Kudos
Bookmarks
Since the 1930's aircraft manufacturers have tried to build airplanes with frictionless wings, shaped so smoothly and perfectly that the air passing over them would not become turbulent.
(A) wings, shaped so smoothly and perfectly
(B) wings, wings so smooth and so perfectly shaped
(C) wings that are shaped so smooth and perfect
(D) wings, shaped in such a smooth and perfect manner
(E) wings, wings having been shaped smoothly and perfectly so
Since the 1930's aircraft manufacturers have tried to build airplanes with frictionless wings, shaped so smoothly and perfectly that the air passing over them would not become turbulent.
the second part of the sentence- "shaped so smoothly and perfectly"- what is this modifying? wings or airplanes? manufacturers have tried to build airplanes with frictionless wings, shaped so smoothly and perfectly that the air passing over them would not become turbulent.
What does "them" refer to? wings or airplanes?.
The subject of both the modifiers is "wings". Options B and E correct this ambiguity by adding the subject "wings" before the dependent clause and making it an absolute phrase.
So A, C, and D are out.
Another error in option C is that - wings that are shaped so smooth and perfect
"shaped" is a verb that should be modified by adverbs and not adjectives. "Smooth" and "perfect" are adjectives.
shaped so smoothly and perfectly- correct grammatically but distorts the meaning of the sentence.
E- wings, wings having been shaped smoothly and perfectly so
The use of the perfect participle to modify "wings" is Incorrect.
B- Since the 1930's aircraft manufacturers have tried to build airplanes with frictionless wings, wings so smooth and so perfectly shaped that the air passing over them would not become turbulent.
The use of absolute phrase corrects the ambiguity in the original sentence.
wings so smooth and so perfectly shaped- "smooth" and perfectly "shaped" -adjectives modify the noun- "wings". [color=#00a651]Correct.[/color]
Vishnupriya
GMAT Verbal SME
(A) wings, shaped so smoothly and perfectly
(B) wings, wings so smooth and so perfectly shaped
(C) wings that are shaped so smooth and perfect
(D) wings, shaped in such a smooth and perfect manner
(E) wings, wings having been shaped smoothly and perfectly so
Since the 1930's aircraft manufacturers have tried to build airplanes with frictionless wings, shaped so smoothly and perfectly that the air passing over them would not become turbulent.
the second part of the sentence- "shaped so smoothly and perfectly"- what is this modifying? wings or airplanes? manufacturers have tried to build airplanes with frictionless wings, shaped so smoothly and perfectly that the air passing over them would not become turbulent.
What does "them" refer to? wings or airplanes?.
The subject of both the modifiers is "wings". Options B and E correct this ambiguity by adding the subject "wings" before the dependent clause and making it an absolute phrase.
So A, C, and D are out.
Another error in option C is that - wings that are shaped so smooth and perfect
"shaped" is a verb that should be modified by adverbs and not adjectives. "Smooth" and "perfect" are adjectives.
shaped so smoothly and perfectly- correct grammatically but distorts the meaning of the sentence.
E- wings, wings having been shaped smoothly and perfectly so
The use of the perfect participle to modify "wings" is Incorrect.
B- Since the 1930's aircraft manufacturers have tried to build airplanes with frictionless wings, wings so smooth and so perfectly shaped that the air passing over them would not become turbulent.
The use of absolute phrase corrects the ambiguity in the original sentence.
wings so smooth and so perfectly shaped- "smooth" and perfectly "shaped" -adjectives modify the noun- "wings". [color=#00a651]Correct.[/color]
Vishnupriya
GMAT Verbal SME
17 Feb 2022, 02:38
Kudos
Bookmarks
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 meaning of the crucial part of this sentence is that “wings” (and not “airplanes”) were smooth and perfectly shaped; hence, “so smooth and perfectly shaped that the air passing over them would not become turbulent” must clearly modify “airplanes”; only choices B and E do that.
Concepts tested here: Meaning + Modifiers + Tenses
• "so cause that effect" is the correct, idiomatic usage.
• In a “noun + comma + phrase” construction, the phrase must correctly modify the noun; this is one of the most frequently tested concepts on GMAT sentence correction.
• An adjective can only modify a noun; it cannot modify another adjective; to modify an adjective, an adverb must be used; generally, adjective+ly leads to an adverb.
A: Trap. This answer choice incorrectly uses the phrase “shaped so smoothly and perfectly” to modify the noun “airplanes” rather than the noun “wings”, altering the sentence to incorrectly imply that the airplanes are shaped in a smooth and perfect manner; the intended meaning is that the wings are smooth and perfectly shaped; remember, in a “noun + comma + phrase” construction, the phrase must correctly modify the noun.
B: Correct. This answer choice uses the phrase “wings so smooth and so perfectly shaped” to modify the noun “wings”, preserving the intended meaning of the sentence- that the wings are smooth and perfectly shaped. Further, Option B correctly modifies the noun "wings" with the adjectives "smooth" and "perfectly shaped". Additionally, Option B correctly uses the idiomatic construction "so cause that effect". Besides, Option B is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.
C: Trap. This answer incorrectly uses the adjectives “smooth” and “perfect” rather than their adverb forms to modify the verb "shaped”; please remember, an adjective can only modify a noun; generally, adjective+ly leads to an adverb.
D: Trap. This answer choice incorrectly uses the phrase “shaped in such a smooth and perfect manner” to modify the noun “airplanes” rather than the noun “wings”, altering the sentence to incorrectly imply that the airplanes are shaped in a smooth and perfect manner; the intended meaning is that the wings are smooth and perfectly shaped; remember, in a “noun + comma + phrase” construction, the phrase must correctly modify the noun.
E: This answer incorrectly uses the unidiomatic construction "cause so that effect”; please remember, "so cause that effect" is the correct, idiomatic usage. Further, Option E incorrectly uses the needlessly wordy phrase “having been shaped”, leading to awkwardness and redundancy.
Hence, B is the best answer choice.
To understand the concept of "Phrase Comma Subject" and "Subject Comma Phrase" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1minute):
All the best!
Experts' Global Team
Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
batliwala
Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:
Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of the crucial part of this sentence is that “wings” (and not “airplanes”) were smooth and perfectly shaped; hence, “so smooth and perfectly shaped that the air passing over them would not become turbulent” must clearly modify “airplanes”; only choices B and E do that.
Concepts tested here: Meaning + Modifiers + Tenses
• "so cause that effect" is the correct, idiomatic usage.
• In a “noun + comma + phrase” construction, the phrase must correctly modify the noun; this is one of the most frequently tested concepts on GMAT sentence correction.
• An adjective can only modify a noun; it cannot modify another adjective; to modify an adjective, an adverb must be used; generally, adjective+ly leads to an adverb.
A: Trap. This answer choice incorrectly uses the phrase “shaped so smoothly and perfectly” to modify the noun “airplanes” rather than the noun “wings”, altering the sentence to incorrectly imply that the airplanes are shaped in a smooth and perfect manner; the intended meaning is that the wings are smooth and perfectly shaped; remember, in a “noun + comma + phrase” construction, the phrase must correctly modify the noun.
B: Correct. This answer choice uses the phrase “wings so smooth and so perfectly shaped” to modify the noun “wings”, preserving the intended meaning of the sentence- that the wings are smooth and perfectly shaped. Further, Option B correctly modifies the noun "wings" with the adjectives "smooth" and "perfectly shaped". Additionally, Option B correctly uses the idiomatic construction "so cause that effect". Besides, Option B is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.
C: Trap. This answer incorrectly uses the adjectives “smooth” and “perfect” rather than their adverb forms to modify the verb "shaped”; please remember, an adjective can only modify a noun; generally, adjective+ly leads to an adverb.
D: Trap. This answer choice incorrectly uses the phrase “shaped in such a smooth and perfect manner” to modify the noun “airplanes” rather than the noun “wings”, altering the sentence to incorrectly imply that the airplanes are shaped in a smooth and perfect manner; the intended meaning is that the wings are smooth and perfectly shaped; remember, in a “noun + comma + phrase” construction, the phrase must correctly modify the noun.
E: This answer incorrectly uses the unidiomatic construction "cause so that effect”; please remember, "so cause that effect" is the correct, idiomatic usage. Further, Option E incorrectly uses the needlessly wordy phrase “having been shaped”, leading to awkwardness and redundancy.
Hence, B is the best answer choice.
To understand the concept of "Phrase Comma Subject" and "Subject Comma Phrase" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1minute):
All the best!
Experts' Global Team
.
