Skip to Main Content

Source: Official Guide for GMAT Review 2016 Sentence Correction; #31

3

The remarkable similarity of Thule artifacts throughout a

The remarkable similarity of Thule artifacts throughout a vast region can, in part, be explained as a very rapid movement of people from one end of North America to the other.

2 Explanations

1

Adam

Logical predication; Grammatical construction; Rhetorical construction
The intended meaning of the sentence is that the rapid movement of people across North America is one explanation of the similarity of Thule artifacts throughout a vast region. As worded, however, the sentence is illogical: The sentence indicates that the similarity in artifacts was a rapid movement of people, which makes no sense. Instead of equating similarity with movement, the sentence needs to identify this movement of people as a cause of similarity among artifacts.

A As worded, this version of the sentence makes the illogical statement that the similarity among artifacts is explainable as a very rapid movement. It should specify that the similarity of artifacts may be a consequence of the rapid population movement.

B This version of the sentence is syntactically awkward and leaves unclear what the main subject — "one explanation" — is supposed to be an explanation of.

C Like (A), this version of the sentence equates the similarity of artifacts with the movement of people, when a causal connection is what is intended.

D Correct. This version adequately expresses the intended causal connection.

E This version is awkward, introducing the causal connection with the unnecessarily wordy and indirect string of prepositional phrases, "with one explanation for this. . . ."

Mar 4, 2017 • Comment

1

Elias Toulany

Hi is there a solution for this question?

Mar 3, 2017 • Comment

Adam

I'm going to paste one explanation, but let me know if you have any questions!

Mar 4, 2017 • Reply

Add Your Explanation

You must have a Magoosh account in order to leave an explanation.

Learn More About Magoosh

Official GMAT Material

Official Guide for GMAT Review 2016

Official Guide for the GMAT 13th Ed.

Official Guide for the GMAT 2015 14th Ed.

Nova's GRE Prep

Official Guide for the GMAT 12th Ed.

Revised GRE PDF 2nd Ed.


Section 9.6 Sentence Correction

Improve Your Score

Magoosh GMAT is an affordable online course for studying the GMAT.

Learn More About Magoosh

Share Post

Email

Facebook