Question

You went to the Caribbean for Christmas didn’t you? How was the journey like? A. How was the journey like? B. In whose was the journey? C. Which was the journey like? D What was the journey? E. What was the journey like?

Short answer

E. What was the journey like?

Step-by-step solution

- Understand the Question

Identify the main question being asked. The question is 'How was the journey like?' This implies describing the quality or nature of the journey.

- Identify Correct Grammar

Focus on the grammatical correctness of the options. The phrase 'How was the journey like?' is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing should be 'What was the journey like?'

- Eliminate Incorrect Options

Eliminate options that are not related to describing the quality of the journey or are grammatically incorrect. Options A, B, C, and D do not fit properly because they are either grammatically incorrect or do not describe the journey.

- Choose the Correct Option

Among the given options, 'What was the journey like?' is grammatically correct and properly addresses the question. Thus, the correct option is E.

Key concepts

grammar rules

Grammar rules are the foundation for constructing clear and meaningful sentences. In sentence correction exercises like the one given, identifying the correct grammatical structure is crucial. Here, the incorrect sentence 'How was the journey like?' breaks a fundamental grammar rule.
A grammatically correct sentence should not have both 'how' and 'like' together. 'How' alone can be used, as in 'How was the journey?' or you use 'what' with 'like,' as in 'What was the journey like?' This helps to form a clear, direct question about the nature of the journey.
Misunderstood or incorrectly applied grammar rules often lead to sentences that are awkward or unclear. Always ensure you follow standard grammar conventions when forming sentences.

elimination method

The elimination method is a powerful strategy in GMAT sentence correction. It involves identifying and dismissing options that are clearly incorrect, which simplifies the decision-making process. In our exercise:
We first note that 'How was the journey like?' is not correct, so we look for better options. We then eliminate other options one by one:

• Option A: 'How was the journey like?' – Incorrect grammar.
  
• Option B: 'In whose was the journey?' – Grammatically nonsensical.
  
• Option C: 'Which was the journey like?' – Incorrect question structure.
  
• Option D: 'What was the journey?' – Incomplete question.
  
• Option E: 'What was the journey like?' – Correct and meaningful.

By eliminating the wrong choices, we are left with the correct option. This method not only saves time but ensures accuracy.

question analysis

Proper question analysis is key to solving GMAT sentence correction problems effectively. When analyzing the question:
1. Identify what is being asked. In this case, we're asking for a description of the journey.
2. Look for keywords or phrases. Here, 'how' or 'what...like?' are the key ways to phrase such questions.
3. Determine if the structure follows logical and grammatical rules.
Through careful analysis, we realize that 'How was the journey like?' is poorly constructed. We then seek an alternative that directly fits the context and follows proper structure, leading us to 'What was the journey like?'

correct phrasing

Using correct phrasing is essential in sentence correction. Correct phrasing ensures that the sentence is understandable and grammatically sound. The original sentence presented was 'How was the journey like?' which is poorly phrased.
The correct phrasing should be 'What was the journey like?' because:
- It correctly asks for a description.
- It follows proper syntactical rules.
Whereas 'How was the journey like?' misuses 'how' and 'like' together, making the sentence awkward.
Always aim for clarity and grammatical correctness in your phrasing to convey the intended message effectively.