GMATPrep - RC - Usage of "and also"

[ghag.kamlesh]

Hello there,

I encounter this particular RC on GMATprep. On SC, usage of 'and also' is redundant. So, on this RC, I found the same construction (which is underline). Can anyone share his or her thoughts on this construction?

Below is the url to view the screenshot -

http://s23.postimg.org/g6gnskb8r/Capture.jpg

Thanks.
Kamlesh

[RonPurewal]

hi, please read the forum rules before posting.

in the forum rules, you'll see this:

5) Only use image files for complicated diagrams or other things that cannot easily be typed in (eg, geometric shapes or seriously complex fractions).

essentially, do not ever use an image file for a verbal problem.

please post the actual text of the problem within the next week. thanks.

[ghag.kamlesh]

Hello Ron,

My apologies for this mistake.

Actually, following text is from one of the RC of GMATPrep. This is second para of the RC.

The Hopi’s Retention of their distinctive socioculture system has been attributed to the Hopi religious elte’s determined efforts to preserve their religion and way of life, and also to a geographical isolation greater than that of many other Native American groups, an isolation that limited both cultural contact and exposure to European diseases.

-------
My doubt is: on SC we never use "and also" together, it is redundant. So, is the above construction is alright or I am overlooking the sentence construction in this RC.

Could you please help me to understand the sentence ?

Thank you.

Kamlesh

[RonPurewal]

where'd you hear that "and also" is always redundant?
you may not ever have seen "and also" in a correct SC answer, but there are certainly situations in which it is acceptable.
e.g.
I brought the chicken you requested, and also a side order of fried rice.
there's nothing "incorrect" or "redundant" about and also here. the point of using it is clear: it emphasizes the idea that i brought more than what you asked for.

here, they're doing the same sort of thing -- placing extra emphasis on the fact that the cultural preservation has been attributed to two different things.

[RonPurewal]

also, more importantly --
don't apply SC standards to the CR or RC passages!

for the most part those passages will be written in the same sort of style, but they will occasionally contain things that are unacceptable in SC sentences. (for instance, the CR passages routinely use "this" as a noun, even though the same usage would be incorrect in an SC problem.)

the issue is not that GMAC is being hypocritical; the issue is that it's just not feasible to edit the CR and RC passages to the same degree as the SC sentences.
the GMAC SC problems go through incredibly extensive editing -- most of them go through a few subsequent rounds of editing, costing upwards of $2000 per problem.
yes, ladies and gentlemen, that's $2000+ in development costs for a problem consisting of a single sentence. with that in mind, it's easy to see why the RC and CR passages are not as meticulously edited.

[ghag.kamlesh]

where'd you hear that "and also" is always redundant?
you may not ever have seen "and also" in a correct SC answer, but there are certainly situations in which it is acceptable.
e.g.
I brought the chicken you requested, and also a side order of fried rice.
there's nothing "incorrect" or "redundant" about and also here. the point of using it is clear: it emphasizes the idea that i brought more than what you asked for.

here, they're doing the same sort of thing -- placing extra emphasis on the fact that the cultural preservation has been attributed to two different things.

Thank you Ron for clarifying this doubt.

[jlucero]

Glad it helped out.