I have a doubt pertaining to OG12 Q#46 In ancient Thailand, much of the local artisans creative energy was expended for the creation of Buddha images and when they constructed and decorated the temples that enshrined them. A. much of the local artisans creative energy was expended for the creation of Buddha images and when they constructed and decorated the temples that enshrined them B. much of the local artisans creative energy was expended on the creation of Buddha images and on construction and decoration of the temples in which they were enshrined C. much of the local artisans creative energy was expended on the creation of Buddha images as well as constructing and decoration of the temples in which they were enshrined D. creating images of Buddha accounted for much of the local artisans creative energy, and also constructing and decorating the temples enshrining them E. the creating of Buddha images accounted for much of the local artisans creative energy as well as construction and decoration of the temples that enshrined them
OA:B
In choice B, I am confused about pronoun reference. Isn't "they" ambiguous? Can they not refer to both temples and images?
Now we will apply the framework discussed in the post above on sentence per choice B.
In ancient Thailand, much of the local artisans creative energy was expended on the creation of Buddha images and on construction and decoration of the temples in which they were enshrined.
Understand the meaning of the sentence and determine the logical antecedent The sentence talks about where local artisans in ancient Thailand expended their creative energy. The artisans created Buddha images. They also constructed and decorated the temples in which Buddha images were enshrined. Thus, in this sentence, the pronoun "they" refers to Buddha images. This is the only logical reference possible.
See if there are any other possible antecedents for this pronoun Since "they" is plural, "temples" could be a possible antecedent. Lets check whether it logically makes sense for "they" to refer to "temples". If they refers to temples then the sentence will imply: Artisans energy was expended on construction and decoration of temples in which temples were enshrined. This does not make any sense. Structurally, it is non-sensical to make the object and subject the same in the context of this sentence. Notice the clause: in which they were enshrined. Here "which" refers to temples. Now if "they" were also to refer to temples, then the sentence will not make any sense at all. "in temples temples were enshrined" - is non-sensical.
It is very important to note that we must not eliminate answer choices per pronoun ambiguity error till we have used all the other more obvious errors.
I suggest you review the post above and also view the other referenced posts in that blog post. It will give you an idea about the application of this framework.
I eliminated C on the grounds of multiple antecedants for the pronoun "it". Experts, pleasse advice is that was a correct approach. I have had this problem of identifying the correct antecedent for a pronoun if there are more than one of them in the statement. Can someone also suggest whats the catch here. Even complex would be a situation when there are more than one antecedents and more than one pronoun. How do i know which pronouns refers which antecedent?
Hi Abhishek,
I can understand why pronoun ambiguity errors can be tricky to handle. In fact these errors are one of the errors that do not have strict guidelines or rules. As I advised another user in my previous post, please refer to my blog post article at this link for more details. Also review my analysis of other official sentences at that link. Pronoun Ambiguity Errors in GMAT | GMAT Prep, Sentence Correction, Ciritical Reasoning, OG Solutions
I will apply that framework to the sentence in question with choice C.
After several years of rapid growth, the health care company became one of the largest health care providers in the metropolitan area, but then it proved unable to handle the increase in business, falling months behind in its paying to doctors and hospitals.
Understand the meaning of the sentence and determine the logical antecedent for the pronoun
The sentence talks about a specific health care company. It shows a contrast in that the company grew and became one of the largest providers in the area. But then it proves unable to handle the increase the business. Thus logically both occurrences of "it" refer to the health care company in discussion.
Are there any other possible antecedents for the pronoun?
Since the pronouns it and its are singular, we need to see if there are any other possible singular antecedents that these could refer to. "Metropolitan area" is also singular and appears prior to "it". But it does not make sense for the pronoun to refer to area. Note how the pronoun "it" and "healthcare company" are subjects of two clauses. Typically pronoun in subject location refers to noun in the subject position of the preceding clause. So in this case, neither structurally nor meaning-wise the reference to metropolitan area is possible. Thus there is no ambiguity in pronoun reference.
I know this is a difficult topic. You are not the only one who is facing issues with this one. I suggest that you review the referenced blog post and then analyze a few official questions on your own. The real catch here is that you should start to eliminate answer choices using pronoun ambiguity error only after you have exhausted all other more concrete error types.
Now Choice C (the correct choice) clarifies this meaning. It implies that portfolios were intended to turn in good results. Remember "intended" is the verb-ed modifier. It is not the verb for portfolios. And since it is verb-ed modifier, it is in passive voice. So the appropriate translation is: portfolios ARE INTENDED to turn in good results.
Payal
Thanks Payal. Could you let me know how in C we are sure that "intended" modifies portfolios and not Asset Allocators; is there a rule behind this.
Sure there is a rule that governs this. Verb-ed modifiers modify the preceding noun.
Asset allocators create portfolios, often in the form of of mutual funds, intended to turn in good results in both bull and bear markets.
In this sentence, the noun - portfolios precede the verb-ed modifier - intended and hence this modifier modifies portfolios.
Contrast this sentence with the following: Intended to turn in profits, asset allocators create portfolios... In this sentence, the verb-ed modifier "intended to ..." modifies the noun - asset allocators and hence this sentence is incorrect. This is because asset allocators are not intended to turn in profits. Asset allocators have the intention of turning in profits. That is why they create portfolios which are intended to turn in profits.
If you want a detailed account of verb-ed and verb-ing modifiers, you may access the concept - Modifiers - Verb-ing & verb-ed which is available free of charge on e-gmat
If you ask me outside of GMAT, I would say that verb-ed modifier work pretty much in the same way as verb-ing modifiers do. i.e. they are versatile modifiers that modify preceding clause when they are separated by comma (Thus, the modifier tired but excited modifies the subject "he" and not the "match) and the closest noun phrase when they are not separated by comma. Thus, in the context of general English, the sentence you have stated is correct. "tired and excited" applies to "he" or the preceding clause. It basically extends the thought presented in the preceding clause.
But if you ask me in the context of GMAT, I would say that the rule that I stated earlier applies. i.e. verb-ed modifiers always modify the closest noun phrase. Remember OG is the prescribed syllabus. And there are 3 questions in OG that test the usage of verb-ed modifiers. OG12 #56, 28, 5. Also, I have not come across any sentence in which comma + verb-ed modifier applies to the subject of the preceding clause. In fact if you read the analysis of sentences below, question 56 and 28 are sentences in which comma + verb-ed modifier modifies the preceding noun.
OG12#56 - This is the one in which OG explicitly implies that since comma + verb-ed modifier modifies the closest noun, the sentence is incorrect.
Many of the earliest known images of Hindu deities in India date from the time of the Kushan empire, fashioned either from the...- This sentence is incorrect since modifier should modify the images but it modifies empire.
OG12#28 - In this sentence as well comma + verb-ed modifier modifies the preceding noun correctly. It does not modify the preceding clause. Explanation clearly states that the modifier modifies the elaborate society - which is the closest noun.
The Mochica developed their own elaborate society, based on cultivating ...
Now you may question why GMAT rules are different from typical business English. There are not very many instances where GMAT English deviates from the norm. The instance such as this one exists for now. And that's something that we have to accept. However, the minute GMAT comes up with a question in which it uses verb-ed modifier to modify the preceding clause, the rule will change!!
Hope this helps. I would love to hear your comments on this one.
A controversial figure throughout most of his public life, the Black leader Marcus Garvey advocated that some Blacks return to Africa, the land that, to him, symbolized the possibility of freedom. (A) that some Blacks return to Africa, the land that, to him, symbolized the possibility of freedom (B) that some Blacks return to the African land symbolizing the possibility of freedom to him (C) that some Blacks return to Africa which was the land which symbolized the possibility of freedom to him (D) some Blacks returning to Africa which was the land that to him symbolized the possibility of freedomďźˆA (E) some Blacks return to the land symbolizing the possibility of freedom to him, Africa
A controversial figure throughout most of his public life, the Black leader Marcus Garvey advocated that some Blacks return to Africa, the land that, to him, symbolized the possibility of freedom. (A) that some Blacks return to Africa, the land that, to him, symbolized the possibility of freedom (B) that some Blacks return to the African land symbolizing the possibility of freedom to him (C) that some Blacks return to Africa which was the land which symbolized the possibility of freedom to him (D) some Blacks returning to Africa which was the land that to him symbolized the possibility of freedomďźˆA (E) some Blacks return to the land symbolizing the possibility of freedom to him, Africa
By POE, will go with A......
B-> Meaning of the sentence is not clear, which African land are we talking about? C-> use of which seems incorrect here since the phrases are essential D-> use of Black's is incorrect E-> use of Black's is incorrect
A controversial figure throughout most of his public life, the Black leader Marcus Garvey advocated that some Blacks return to Africa, the land that, to him, symbolized the possibility of freedom. (A) that some Blacks return to Africa, the land that, to him, symbolized the possibility of freedom (B) that some Blacks return to the African land symbolizing the possibility of freedom to him (C) that some Blacks return to Africa which was the land which symbolized the possibility of freedom to him (D) some Blacks returning to Africa which was the land that to him symbolized the possibility of freedomďźˆA (E) some Blacks return to the land symbolizing the possibility of freedom to him, Africa
B-> Meaning of the sentence is not clear, which African land are we talking about? C-> use of which seems incorrect here since the phrases are essential D-> use of Black's is incorrect E-> use of Black's is incorrect
A is the right answer. Could u tell me how u determined that the usage of which is wrong ?
A controversial figure throughout most of his public life, the Black leader Marcus Garvey advocated that some Blacks return to Africa, the land that, to him, symbolized the possibility of freedom. (A) that some Blacks return to Africa, the land that, to him, symbolized the possibility of freedom (B) that some Blacks return to the African land symbolizing the possibility of freedom to him (C) that some Blacks return to Africa which was the land which symbolized the possibility of freedom to him (D) some Blacks returning to Africa which was the land that to him symbolized the possibility of freedomďźˆA (E) some Blacks return to the land symbolizing the possibility of freedom to him, Africa
A is the correct answer B : the reference of "symbolizing" is ambigious; could be "the return" or "the African land". Also, the construction "the African land" is incorrect. C: which "was" is wrong. D, E : "Black's" is wrong plus other errors.
anandc Says
A is the right answer. Could u tell me how u determined that the usage of which is wrong ?
Now we will apply the framework discussed in the post above on sentence per choice B.
In ancient Thailand, much of the local artisans creative energy was expended on the creation of Buddha images and on construction and decoration of the temples in which they were enshrined.
Understand the meaning of the sentence and determine the logical antecedent The sentence talks about where local artisans in ancient Thailand expended their creative energy. The artisans created Buddha images. They also constructed and decorated the temples in which Buddha images were enshrined. Thus, in this sentence, the pronoun "they" refers to Buddha images. This is the only logical reference possible.
See if there are any other possible antecedents for this pronoun Since "they" is plural, "temples" could be a possible antecedent. Lets check whether it logically makes sense for "they" to refer to "temples". If they refers to temples then the sentence will imply: Artisans energy was expended on construction and decoration of temples in which temples were enshrined. This does not make any sense. Structurally, it is non-sensical to make the object and subject the same in the context of this sentence. Notice the clause: in which they were enshrined. Here "which" refers to temples. Now if "they" were also to refer to temples, then the sentence will not make any sense at all. "in temples temples were enshrined" - is non-sensical.
It is very important to note that we must not eliminate answer choices per pronoun ambiguity error till we have used all the other more obvious errors.
I suggest you review the post above and also view the other referenced posts in that blog post. It will give you an idea about the application of this framework.
Payal
In the choice B, "in which" is already associated with the "temples". Hence, its meaningful to associate "they" with "images" rather than "temples"
A majority of the international journalists surveyed view nuclear power stations as unsafe at present but that they will, or could, be made sufficiently safe in the future. (A) that they will, or could, (B) that they would, or could, (C) they will be or could (D) think that they will be or could (E) think the power stations would or could in option D how can v be sure that "they" refers to journalists or power stations ?
Could some1 tell the ans for tis as well A peculiar feature of the embryonic mammalian circulatory system is that in the area of the heart the cells adhere to one another, beating in unison and adopting specialized orientations exclusive of one another. (A) beating in unison and adopting (B) they beat in unison while adopting (C) beat in unison, and adopt (D) beating in unison yet adopting (E) even though they beat in unison and adopt
A star will compress itself into a white dwarf, a neutron star, or a black hole after it passes through a red giant stage, depending on mass. (A) A star will compress itself into a white dwarf, a neutron star, or a black hole after it passes through a red giant stage, depending on mass. (B) After passing through a red giant stage, depending on its mass, a star will compress itself into a white dwarf, a neutron star, or a black hole. (C) After passing through a red giant stage, a star's mass will determine if it compresses itself into a white dwarf, a neutron star, or a black hole. (D) Mass determines whether a star, after passing through the red giant stage, will compress itself into a white dwarf, a neutron star, or a black hole. (E) The mass of a star, after passing through the red giant stage, will determine whether it compresses itself into a white dwarf, a neutron star, or a black hole
According to a study by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, companies in the United States are providing job training and general education for nearly eight million people, about equivalent to the enrollment of the nation's four-year colleges and universities. (A) equivalent to the enrollment of (B) the equivalent of those enrolled in (C) equal to those who are enrolled in (D) as many as the enrollment ofďźˆE (E) as many as are enrolled in
5. The voluminous personal papers of Thomas Alva Edison reveal that his inventions typically sprang to life not in a flash of inspiration but evolved slowly from previous works.
(A) sprang to life not in a flash of inspiration but evolved slowly (B) sprang to life not in a flash of inspiration but were slowly evolved (C) did not spring to life in a flash of inspiration but evolved slowly (D) did not spring to life in a flash of inspiration but had slowly evolved (E) did not spring to life in a flash of inspiration but they were slowly evolved
19. The financial crash of October 1987 demonstrated that the worlds capital markets are integrated more closely than never before and events in one part of the global village may be transmitted to the rest of the villagealmost instantaneously.
(A) integrated more closely than never before and (B) closely integrated more than ever before so (C) more closely integrated as never before while (D) more closely integrated than ever before and that (E) more than ever before closely integrated as
5. The voluminous personal papers of Thomas Alva Edison reveal that his inventions typically sprang to life not in a flash of inspiration but evolved slowly from previous works.
(A) sprang to life not in a flash of inspiration but evolved slowly (B) sprang to life not in a flash of inspiration but were slowly evolved (C) did not spring to life in a flash of inspiration but evolved slowly (D) did not spring to life in a flash of inspiration but had slowly evolved (E) did not spring to life in a flash of inspiration but they were slowly evolved
I would go with option C. I think the crt idiom is " not in X but in Y "
19. The financial crash of October 1987 demonstrated that the worlds capital markets are integrated more closely than never before and events in one part of the global village may be transmitted to the rest of the village"almost instantaneously.
(A) integrated more closely than never before and (B) closely integrated more than ever before so (C) more closely integrated as never before while (D) more closely integrated than ever before and that (E) more than ever before closely integrated as
5. The voluminous personal papers of Thomas Alva Edison reveal that his inventions typically sprang to life not in a flash of inspiration but evolved slowly from previous works.
(A) sprang to life not in a flash of inspiration but evolved slowly (B) sprang to life not in a flash of inspiration but were slowly evolved (C) did not spring to life in a flash of inspiration but evolved slowly (D) did not spring to life in a flash of inspiration but had slowly evolved (E) did not spring to life in a flash of inspiration but they were slowly evolved
19. The financial crash of October 1987 demonstrated that the worlds capital markets are integrated more closely than never before and events in one part of the global village may be transmitted to the rest of the villagealmost instantaneously.
(A) integrated more closely than never before and (B) closely integrated more than ever before so (C) more closely integrated as never before while (D) more closely integrated than ever before and that (E) more than ever before closely integrated as
5. The voluminous personal papers of Thomas Alva Edison reveal that his inventions typically sprang to life not in a flash of inspiration but evolved slowly from previous works.
(A) sprang to life not in a flash of inspiration but evolved slowly (B) sprang to life not in a flash of inspiration but were slowly evolved (C) did not spring to life in a flash of inspiration but evolved slowly (D) did not spring to life in a flash of inspiration but had slowly evolved (E) did not spring to life in a flash of inspiration but they were slowly evolved
19. The financial crash of October 1987 demonstrated that the worlds capital markets are integrated more closely than never before and events in one part of the global village may be transmitted to the rest of the villagealmost instantaneously.
(A) integrated more closely than never before and (B) closely integrated more than ever before so (C) more closely integrated as never before while (D) more closely integrated than ever before and that (E) more than ever before closely integrated as
1. Will go with C. "did not spring to life" is correct and "but evolved slowly" is correct
2. Will go with D First thing that i moticed was "than ever before", which is correct in this option, and also the placement of "more" seems more appropriate in this sentence, going by just the intent of the sentence.
This question has been posted before but I cudnt find a proper explanation for the answer. Rivaling the pyramids of Egypt or even the ancient cities of the Maya as an achievement, the army of terra-cotta warriors created to protect Qin Shi Huang, China's first emperor, in his afterlife is more than 2,000 years old and took 700,000 artisans more than 36 years to complete.
A: the army of terra-cotta warriors created to protect Qin Shi Huang, China's first emperor, in his afterlife is more than 2,000 years old and took 700,000 artisans more than 36 years to complete
B: Qin Shi Huang, China's first emperor, was protected in his afterlife by an army of terra-cotta warriors that was created more than 2,000 years ago by 700,000 artisans who took more than 36 years to complete it
C: it took 700,000 artisans more than 36 years to create an army of terra-cotta warriors more than 2,000 years ago that would protect Qin Shi Huang, China's first emperor, in his afterlife
D: more than 2,000 years ago, 700,000 artisans worked more than 36 years to create an army of terra-cotta warriors to protect Qin Shi Huang, China's first emperor, in his afterlife
E: more than 36 years were needed to complete the army of terra-cotta warriors that 700,000 artisans created 2,000 years ago to protect Qin Shi Huang, China's first emperor, in his afterlife
The answer is A and the explanation for that is 'The opening phrase correctly modifi es the subject, the army of terra-cotta warriors; the placement of modifi ers and predicates in the main clause makes the meaning of the sentence clear.'
My point is how can an army of terracotta warriors rival the pyramids of Egypt or whatever. The king could have rivaled it in his lifetime and hence the act of using terracotta warriors. Please can someone explain me where I am going wrong in my understanding. My take is B.