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Rejecting the apprenticeship model of training social workers in philanthropic agencies, twentieth-century reformer Edith Abbott was convinced of social work education belonging in the university so that students could be offered a broad range of courses dealing with social issues.
(A) of social work education belonging in the university so that
(B) that social work education should be in the university, and that
(C) about the importance of social work education belonging in the university while
(D) that social work education belonged in the university, where
(E) of the necessity of social work education being in the university and

What does this question test?

This question tests your expertise in understanding the meaning of the sentence and using proper expression/diction to express this meaning.

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What does this sentence mean?

This sentence presents the belief of Edith Abbott as it pertains to training social workers.  He rejected the apprenticeship model of training social workers.  He believed in the idea of teaching social work in universities.  This will enable offering to the students a broad range of courses dealing with social issues.

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What are the errors in the original sentence?

The sentence is not written in precise manner. In this sentence, “belonging in the university” is verb-ing modifier that modifies social work education.    Thus, the sentence implies that Edith Abbott was convinced of social work education.  This social work education has a characteristic that it belongs in the university.  Now this does not necessary communicate the idea that he was convinced that social work education belongs in the university. Lets consider an example sentence to see this difference.

1. Successful people are convinced of hard work bringing positive results.
2. Successful people are convinced that hard work brings positive results.

As you can see, sentence 2 is more clear and communicates the message.  Sentence 1 does not do a good job at that.

Answer Choice Analysis

Choice B:  Rejecting the apprenticeship model of training social workers in philanthropic agencies, twentieth-century reformer Edith Abbott was convinced that social work education should be in the university, and that students could be offered a broad range of courses dealing with social issues.

Meaning Error:  This sentence presents two independent things that Edith Abbott was convinced of.

1. That social work education should be in the university
2. That students could be offered a broad range of courses

This changes the intended meaning of the sentence.  Per the original sentence “so that” makes the two factors interrelated.  The correct choice should maintain this relationship.  For example:

1. Two Independent Facts – Tom was convinced that he needs to work hard and that he needs to secure a promotion. – Like Choice B
2. Two Interrelated Facts – Tom was convinced that he needs to work hard so that he could secure a promotion. – Like Choice A

Choice C:  Rejecting the apprenticeship model of training social workers in philanthropic agencies, twentieth-century reformer Edith Abbott was convinced about the importance of social work education belonging in the university while students could be offered a broad range of courses dealing with social issues.

Meaning Error:  The use of “while” suggests a “contrast”, which is clearly opposite to the intended meaning.

Choice D:  Rejecting the apprenticeship model of training social workers in philanthropic agencies, twentieth-century reformer Edith Abbott was convinced that social work education belonged in the university, where students could be offered a broad range of courses dealing with social issues.

No errors. Notice how the two things are shown in a related manner in this sentence.  The relationship is shown through the use of “where”.

Choice E:  Rejecting the apprenticeship model of training social workers in philanthropic agencies, twentieth-century reformer Edith Abbott was convinced of the necessity of social work education being in the university and students could be offered a broad range of courses dealing with social issues.

Meaning Error:  Similar to Choice B.

Thus, Choice D is the correct answer.

What are the key take-away messages?

Understand the intended meaning of the sentence and use appropriate diction to express the meaning.

Where can you find more information?

Register at e-gmat to access Sentence Correction free trial.

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