Sample Question - piano rolls

Question

Hey GMATClubbers!
I'll be posting several sample questions in each verbal category. In addition to answers, any feedback would be appreciated. Too easy? Too unclear? Just right? Whatever you think! Thanks!

Piano-roll companies bought sheet music and ripped the notes printed on it into 0s and 1s on a long roll of computer tape,  which they sold by the thousands — the hundreds of thousands — the millions.

(a) which they sold by the thousands — the hundreds of thousands — the millions.
(b) that they sold by the thousands — the hundreds of thousands — the millions.
(c) that they sold by the thousands, the hundreds of thousands, and the millions.
(d) which they sold by the thousands, the hundreds of thousands, and the millions.
(e) that which they sold by the thousands — the hundreds of thousands — the millions.

adalfu · Answer

unusual question if you ask me... (maybe because gmac hardly tests the endash?)

the modifier that describes the roll of computer tape needs NOT be restrictive, so "which" should be used here.

my rationale for A) is that D) isn't logical... sold by X, Y, AND Z? where X, Y, and Z are three different values/numbers? but i can see how someone might pick D over A....

nverma · Answer

i got it wrong on my first shot...!!

We need to use "which" not "that" : Non restrictive clause..!! So, B,C and E are out.
D doesn't make any sense..

Has to be A.

daagh · Answer

I am afraid this question has some problems. For a moment let us think what the relative pronoun - which - or -  that  - stands for. Does it refer to –  roll  – or -  computer tape? - Or is it phrase -  the sheets after ripping notes ? - What did they sell by the thousands — the hundreds of thousands — the millions? Until this modification issue is cleared, none of the choices seems appropriate.

Between the broad spectrum – which - and the restrictive - that  -, the thumb rule is that, even if you remove the non restrictive - which clause , the sentence should hold the original meaning.

Please remove the -  which they sold  – clause and see if the sentence stills reflects the old meaning. Nay far from it because selling is the essence of the sentence. Try and remove - that they sold - and you still have the same problem of not keeping the old sense.

The best construction would be – “Piano-roll companies bought sheet music and ripped the notes printed on it into 0s and 1s on a long roll of computer tape, selling the rolls by the thousands — the hundreds of thousands — the millions”

Incidentally, can someone explain the literary distinction between “b y the thousands — the hundreds of thousands — the millions”  and “ by the thousands, the hundreds of thousands, and the millions”

nageshshiv · Answer

Unusual question
Pls provide OE also

Sample Question - piano rolls

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