GMAT Sentence Correction Question 11

This GMAT sample question is a verbal sentence correction question testing your understanding of noun-verb agreement and word usage.

Question 11: The sense of elitism in the art world is deepened by the fact that the determination of the authenticity of long-lost works of reputed renaissance-era painters such as Da Vinci is usually not possible by just scientific analysis and forensics but need the expert ‘eye’ of the connoisseurs.

1. painters such as Da Vinci is usually not possible by just scientific analysis and forensics but need
2. painters like Da Vinci is usually not possible by just scientific analysis and forensics but also needs
3. painters such as Da Vinci is usually not possible by just scientific analysis and forensics but also needs
4. painters like Da Vinci are usually not possible by just scientific analysis and forensics but also needs
5. painters such as Da Vinci are usually not possible by just scientific analysis and forensics but need

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Video Explanation

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Explanatory Answer

Step 1 of solving this GMAT Sentence Correction Question: Identify What Is Tested

Look for differences across the answer options to identify what is being tested in the sentence.

• Some of the options use the plural verb “are” and some use the singular verb “is”.

• Some of the options use the plural verb “need” and some use the singular verb “needs”.

• Some of the options use “like” and some use the construction “such as”.

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Step 2 of solving this GMAT SC Question: Understanding the Sentence

• The art world feels elitist because not everyone can be an expert in authentication; knowledge and scientific tools are not enough and one also needs to have an eye for art.

• Some of the options are using the construction “such as” and some are using the word “like”. “Such as” is used to introduce examples and “like” is used to make comparisons. The correct usage in this sentence would be “such as” because Da Vinci is mentioned as an example of the renaissance-era painters.

• The sentence is listing the factors that contribute to the determination of the authenticity of the works. Since the subject of the sentence is the singular word “determination”, the verbs used to refer to the same should also be singular.

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Step 3: Process of Elimination

• Options (B) and (D) can be eliminated using “like”.

• “Are” and “need” are incorrect verbs. The correct verb usage would be “is” and “needs”. Options (A) and (E) can be eliminated.

Choice C is the correct answer.