his is a question from an old GMAT or a practice GMAT exam that baffles test-takers and test preparation teachers alike.
There seems to be no correct answer, and it is certainly a stretch to accept "D," which is supposed to be the correct answer, according to one online test preparation site.
It would help your students to be able to eliminate some of the choices.
"¢ A is not correct for two reasons, at least: 1) it's difficult to accept "renegade" as an adjective for one particular event, the 1833 founding; 2) the noun is "founding," not "found
"¢ B comes close. However, "for the decision at its 1833 founding" with the verb "was" makes it appear that that was the only time that Oberlin was considered a renegade institution. It would be better if we could substitute "because of" for "for."
"¢ C has one, or possibly two problems. If you accept "when it was founded in 1833," it means that Oberlin was already a renegade institution before it accepted both men and women. And, "for its decision" – in B as well – doesn't go with "was a renegade institution.
"¢ D is, I think, supposed to be the answer. "In deciding" shows that there was some kind of action because of being a renegade. The sentence could possibly be "Oberlin College in Ohio was a renegade institution in deciding at its founding in 1833 to accept both men and women as students." However, the sentence is awkward. Even adding commas would help: "Oberlin College in Ohio was a renegade institution in deciding, at its founding in 1833, to accept both men and women as students."
"¢ The sentence might be better with these changes: "Oberlin College in Ohio BECAME a renegade institution at its founding in 1833 [BECAUSE IT HAD DECIDED / BECAUSE OF ITS DECISION / WHEN IT DECIDED to accept both men and women as students."
"¢ or, "Oberlin College in Ohio was ALREADY a renegade institution at its founding in 1833 BECAUSE OF ITS DECISION / BECAUSE IT HAD ALREADY DECIDED to accept both men and women as students."
"¢ E would be correct if the main verb were "became" instead of "was": "Oberlin College in Ohio BECAME a renegade institution at its founding in 1833 by deciding on the acceptance of both men and women as students," and if the prepositional phrases beginning with "at" and "by" are reversed.
"¢ or,"Oberlin College in Ohio BECAME a renegade institution at its founding in 1833 by HAVING DECIDED on the acceptance of both men and women as students."
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None of the given completions is beautiful. Assuming, though, that the directions for this section of the test would say to pick the best sentence, I would pick "D," but not happily.
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发表于 2006-1-3 22:47:00
