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Guest
 
 

Children's programming

by Guest Fri Aug 15, 2008 11:45 am

Although at one time children’s programming had been limited to a few hours a week, now, however, there are at least four cable networks that dedicate themselves entirely to shows produced specifically for children.

A. Although at one time children’s programming had been limited to a few hours a week, now, however, there are at least four cable networks that dedicate themselves
B. With children’s programming having been limited at one time to a few hours a week, now at least four cable networks have dedicated themselves
C. Once limited to a few hours a week, there are now at least four cable networks with children’s programming that dedicate themselves
D. Children’s programming was once limited to a few hours a week, but now there are at least four cable networks dedicated
E. While children’s programming had once been limited to a few hours a week, at least four cable networks are now dedicated
Guest
 
 

by Guest Fri Aug 15, 2008 11:48 am

Which one is better : (D) or (E)? I don't like the 'there are' construction in (D). I also don't like the link between the present and past perfect tense in (E). Is 'there are' construction ok in gmat land?
Hanumayamma
 
 

Children's programming

by Hanumayamma Fri Aug 15, 2008 6:08 pm

A. Although at one time children’s programming had been limited to a few hours a week, now, however, there are at least four cable networks that dedicate themselves [ Although shows a contrast - using "however" is redundant - eliminate it]

B. With children’s programming having been limited at one time to a few hours a week, now at least four cable networks have dedicated themselves [ Redundant - "Dedicated" - "Themselves" - eliminate it]

C. Once limited to a few hours a week, there are now at least four cable networks with children’s programming that dedicate themselves [ Modifier issue - "Once limited to a few hours a week" is children shows - eliminate it]

D. Children’s programming was once limited to a few hours a week, but now there are at least four cable networks dedicated
E. While children’s programming had once been limited to a few hours a week, at least four cable networks are now dedicated


Between D and E:
"Dedicated entirely to shows produced specifically for children" modifies networks but not "now".
This merits D is better than E:

Answer: D
viksnme
 
 

Re: Children's programming

by viksnme Sat Aug 16, 2008 8:04 am

Guest Wrote:Although at one time children’s programming had been limited to a few hours a week, now, however, there are at least four cable networks that dedicate themselves entirely to shows produced specifically for children.

A. Although at one time children’s programming had been limited to a few hours a week, now, however, there are at least four cable networks that dedicate themselves
B. With children’s programming having been limited at one time to a few hours a week, now at least four cable networks have dedicated themselves
C. Once limited to a few hours a week, there are now at least four cable networks with children’s programming that dedicate themselves
D. Children’s programming was once limited to a few hours a week, but now there are at least four cable networks dedicated
E. While children’s programming had once been limited to a few hours a week, at least four cable networks are now dedicated


This question involves 2 actions - one in the past and the other in the present. A simple past tense may be used for the past action. Therefore, eliminate A, B and E.

In C, 'Once limited to a few hours a week' is modifying 'there'. It should have modified 'children's programming'.

Option D seems to be best option.
Guest
 
 

by Guest Sat Aug 16, 2008 3:04 pm

What does 'there' in (E) refer to?
Guest
 
 

by Guest Sat Aug 16, 2008 3:05 pm

Sorry, I meant: What does 'there' in (D) refer to?
Hanumayamma
 
 

Children's programming

by Hanumayamma Mon Aug 18, 2008 6:27 pm

Expletive construction - "there" refers to four cable networks -
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/concise.htm#expletive
Guest
 
 

Re: Children's programming

by Guest Tue Aug 19, 2008 9:40 am

Hanumayamma Wrote:Expletive construction - "there" refers to four cable networks -
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/concise.htm#expletive


Yes, in fact, I thought 'there' construction like the one above is always wrong. That's why I did not choose D. When is it OK to choose a 'there' construction in a sentence choice in GMAT? Anyone? Instructors?
RonPurewal
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Re: Children's programming

by RonPurewal Thu Aug 28, 2008 7:37 am

Anonymous Wrote:
Hanumayamma Wrote:Expletive construction - "there" refers to four cable networks -
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/concise.htm#expletive


Yes, in fact, I thought 'there' construction like the one above is always wrong. That's why I did not choose D. When is it OK to choose a 'there' construction in a sentence choice in GMAT? Anyone? Instructors?


if you're positing the mere existence of something, then you can certainly write 'there is...' or 'there are...'
you should just memorize this as an idiomatic construction, rather than trying to hash out an exact antecedent for the 'there'. crazy english language.
manicchamp
 
 

by manicchamp Fri Aug 29, 2008 10:56 am

D makes most sense.

A and E use past perfect incorrectly here when a simple past tense is a better tense to use.

C - wrong modifier. B is just a bad sentence.


D - work's because of use of simple past tense and simple present tense. Plus the sentence is clear and retain the meaning of the original sentence.
vs
 
 

Re: Children's programming

by vs Thu Sep 11, 2008 9:41 am

Guest Wrote:Although at one time children’s programming had been limited to a few hours a week, now, however, there are at least four cable networks that dedicate themselves entirely to shows produced specifically for children.

A. Although at one time children’s programming had been limited to a few hours a week, now, however, there are at least four cable networks that dedicate themselves
B. With children’s programming having been limited at one time to a few hours a week, now at least four cable networks have dedicated themselves
C. Once limited to a few hours a week, there are now at least four cable networks with children’s programming that dedicate themselves
D. Children’s programming was once limited to a few hours a week, but now there are at least four cable networks dedicated
E. While children’s programming had once been limited to a few hours a week, at least four cable networks are now dedicated


a b e have unnecessarily used the perfect tense. c has modifier problem. So D wins. what say ?
RonPurewal
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by RonPurewal Fri Oct 03, 2008 7:32 pm

here's another thread, which disqualifies choices (a) and (e). this thread may answer all the questions posed here; if not, post back and we'll take care of you.

http://www.manhattangmat.com/forums/alt ... t2128.html