The particular design of muscles and bones

[yinliqiu]

The particular design of muscles and bones in the neck and limbs of the turtle allow that it can draw in its exposed parts such that an attacker can find nothing but hard shell to bite.

(A) allow that it can draw in its exposed parts such that
(B) allow it to draw in its exposed parts, and so
(C) allows for it to draw in its exposed parts and that
(D) allows that it can draw in its exposed parts, and so
(E) allows it to draw in its exposed parts, so that

The OA is E
but I'm not very clear about the answer.
I always see"....so that...." but I never see"..... comma so that..."
is " so that" a conjunction here or something else?
could anyone help me?

Thanks in advance.

[jlucero]

It is a conjunction and the comma that precedes it allows for the following clause to modify the the proper clause. Notice that there are three parts to the sentence here:

(The design allows) (it to draw in its exposed parts), (so that an attacker can find nothing to bite).

That final clause is not modifying the second part of the sentence, but rather, the first part. And since it is so far away, it requires a comma to allow it to modify the correct part of the sentence.

The design allows X so that an attacker can find nothing to bite.

That said... DON'T WORRY ABOUT COMMAS ON THE GMAT. While they are used consistently (and properly) in correct answer choices, there are far better uses of your time than critiquing commas. :)

[yinliqiu]

It is a conjunction and the comma that precedes it allows for the following clause to modify the the proper clause. Notice that there are three parts to the sentence here:

(The design allows) (it to draw in its exposed parts), (so that an attacker can find nothing to bite).

That final clause is not modifying the second part of the sentence, but rather, the first part. And since it is so far away, it requires a comma to allow it to modify the correct part of the sentence.

The design allows X so that an attacker can find nothing to bite.

That said... DON'T WORRY ABOUT COMMAS ON THE GMAT. While they are used consistently (and properly) in correct answer choices, there are far better uses of your time than critiquing commas. :)

Thanks for your excellent explanation, Joe. I got it. :)

[RonPurewal]

excellent.

[xyq121573]

Sorry,i still have problems with B. How to rule out B?
There is an another question(unlike-frogs-that-metamorphose-from-tadpoles-into-adults-t7781.html) and the correct answer uses "and so",why can't i use "and so" in this question?
thks a lot~

[RonPurewal]

Sorry,i still have problems with B. How to rule out B?
There is an another question(unlike-frogs-that-metamorphose-from-tadpoles-into-adults-t7781.html) and the correct answer uses "and so",why can't i use "and so" in this question?
thks a lot~

choice (b) erroneously pairs a singular subject (design) with a plural verb (allow).

[rajatvmittal]

Hi
I still dont get it why D is wrong?

, and so is absolutely fine refer

unlike-frogs-that-metamorphose-from-tadpoles-into-adults-t7781.html

But aren't and and so both conj? I never saw people putting these 2 words together before.

this is where we step in with the following astonishingly simple, but 100% reliable, rule:

on official problems, CORRECT ANSWERS ARE CORRECT.

see here:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... -the-gmat/

the only way you can approach these things effectively is to say
"oh, ok, i didn't know you could do that"
and then add the example to your mental repository.

since the question is official, it's a complete waste of your time to continue doubting it after you've verified that it's the OA.

[RonPurewal]

Hi
I still dont get it why D is wrong?

* "Allow that (noun) (verb)" is not idiomatic. "Allow (noun) to (verb)" is the correct form.

* "And so" should introduce a consequence of whatever is described by the entire sentence preceding it.

For instance,
The turtle retracted all of its exposed parts into its shell, and so its attackers were unable to find anything to bite.
--> This sentence is fine, because the part after "and so" is a consequence of everything described in the main sentence ("The turtle retracted...")

In the sentence here, the second part is not a consequence of the entire main part of the sentence. (Contrast this usage with the link you gave.)

[satish.polumati]

Hi Ron,

Got a question here on the usage of " and so".

Can we use "and and so " together. Wouldn't it be sufficient if we just use so.

The turtle retracted all of its exposed parts into its shell, so its attackers were unable to find anything to bite.

Thanks for replying.

[RonPurewal]

"So" can also be used as a connector in that way.

In the usage "and so", so is an adverb, with much the same meaning as thus.

[RonPurewal]

m1a2i3l"”
Yes.

[aflaamM589]

Hello Ron,
Hope you are doing good.
Is D also contains error of redundacy along with errors mentioned?
allows that it can draw in its exposed part
Thanks in advance.

[RonPurewal]

yeah -- that's wrong. you can call it redundant, or you can just call it "not idiomatic". either way, it's wrong.