{"id":16790,"date":"2018-11-12T13:29:43","date_gmt":"2018-11-12T07:59:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/?p=16790"},"modified":"2022-11-24T16:45:45","modified_gmt":"2022-11-24T11:15:45","slug":"gmat-and-meaning-part-5-change-remove-words-that-provide-context","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/gmat-and-meaning-part-5-change-remove-words-that-provide-context\/","title":{"rendered":"GMAT and Meaning – Part 5 – Change\/Remove Words that provide Context"},"content":{"rendered":"A <\/span> 6<\/span> min read <\/span><\/span>\n
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This article is the last in the series of “5 Strategies that GMAT uses to distort meaning<\/a>“. In the previous article, we had discussed the first strategy – “Change of Voice<\/a>“. In this one, we’ll be discussing the last strategy – “Change\/Remove Words that provide Context”, along with official questions and explanations.<\/p>\n

\"GMAT<\/figure>

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The links for the other articles in this series are provided at the end of this article.<\/p>\n

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Strategy 5 \u2013 Change\/remove words that provide context<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

How does GMAC use this strategy: There are several context important words in the English language.  An answer choice may either add or remove such contextually important words.  Since these words provide context, any such change can result in a change in the meaning of the sentence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s take a simple example below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Simple example<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
  1. Amy has evolved into an exceptionally talented actress.<\/li>
  2. Amy is an exceptionally talented actress.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Both sentences above are grammatically correct.  Both use similar words but the slight difference in the choice of words results in the change of meaning of the sentence.  Sentence 1 shows the evolution of Amy into a talented actress. This sentence implies that may be Amy was not such a great actress when she began her career.  But now she is evolved into one.  However, note that sentence 1 omits all this information.  All it states is the fact that is current now \u2013 Amy is a talented actress.  The evolution part is completed omitted.  And hence by removing contextually important words, the meaning has been changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This is exactly how GMAT may introduce a difference in meaning.  Thus, you should always read the original sentence carefully and then determine all the information provided in the choice.  And then you should select the choice that communicates all that information in grammatically correct manner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Let’s take another set of sentences:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Tom may go to gym in the evening.\n
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      1. Use of \u201cmay\u201d denotes possibility.  It implies that Tom may or may not go to the gym.  He has not as yet decided and he may make the decision at the last minute.<\/li>\n
      2. Tom will go to gym in the evening.\n
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        1. Use of \u201cwill\u201d denotes certainty.  This sentence implies that Tom is determined to go to the gym.  He will definitely go to the gym this evening.<\/li>\n
        2. Tom can go to the gym in the evening.\n
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          1. Use of \u201ccan\u201d shows capability.  This sentence implies that circumstances are such that Tom can go to the gym \u2013 may be he has completed his work and now has the time to go to the gym or may be he has a baby at home and he has been able to make the necessary arrangements.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

            So notice how just by changing the helping verb \u2013 may, will, can \u2013 the meaning could be changed so drastically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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            Official Question 1 \u2013 OG Verbal Review 2 \u2013 Q#43<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

            Now let’s take an official question:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Though the term \u201cgraphic design\u201d may suggest laying out corporate brochures and annual reports, they have come to signify widely ranging work, from package designs and company logotypes to signs, book jackets, computer graphics, and film titles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            1. suggest laying out corporate brochures and annual reports, they have come to signify widely ranging<\/li>
            2. suggest laying out corporate brochures and annual reports, it has come to signify a wide range of<\/li>
            3. suggest corporate brochure and annual report layout, it has signified widely ranging<\/li>
            4. have suggested corporate brochure and annual report layout, it has signified a wide range of<\/li>
            5. have suggested laying out corporate brochures and annual reports, they have come to signify widely ranging<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

              Intended meaning from Choice A<\/strong>: This choice indicates that even though \u201cgraphic design\u201d was designed to a certain set of tasks, it has come to serve a wide range of tasks.  The sentence provides this list of wide range of activities.  It is important to note that the choice indicates that \u201cgraphic design\u201d has come to serve this wide range of activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Correct: <\/strong>Choice B corrects the pronoun number disagreement error and communicates the logical intended meaning of choice A clearly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Grammatically Correct but Incorrect<\/strong> choice (D) <\/strong>\u2013 This choice removes the contextually important term \u2013 \u201chas come to\u201d (or evolved).  This choice now implies that even though \u201cgraphic design\u201d may have been designed to serve purpose X, it actually serves purpose Y.  This is a completely different meaning than what is presented by choices A and B.   Note the difference once again in the simplified structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n