2016 OG 85

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2016 OG 85

by Crystal W » Sun Mar 13, 2016 3:10 pm

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Combining enormous physical strength with higher intelligence, the Neanderthals appear as equipped for facing any obstacle the environment could put in their path, but their relatively sudden disappearance during the Paleolithic era indicates that an inability to adapt to some environmental change led to their extinction.

  (A) appear as equipped for facing any obstacle the environment could put in their path,

  (B) appear to have been equipped to face any obstacle the environment could put in their path,

  (C) appear as equipped to face any obstacle the environment could put in their paths,

  (D) appeared as equipped to face any obstacle the environment could put in their paths,

  (E) appeared to have been equipped for facing any obstacle the environment could put in their path,
My question is why I cannot think eqquiped is the past participle to express passive modify.
Thanks in advance!

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by fabiocafarelli » Thu Mar 17, 2016 4:24 am

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1. The basic question with EQUIPPED is the correct form of the idiom. Yes, it is a past participle, but one that works as an adjective in this sentence and refers to THE NEANDERTHALS.

a. EQUIPPED FOR + NOUN is a correct idiom. One can be EQUIPPED FOR AN EXPEDITION.
b. EQUIPPED FOR FACING is not a correct idiom. If EQUIPPED is followed by a verb, that verb must appear as in infinitive, not as a present participle.
c. EQUIPPED TO FACE is therefore a correct idiom. You would now have to choose among B,C, and D.

2. When the verb TO APPEAR is followed by an infinitive, it means TO SEEM. But when it is followed by AS it means TO BECOME VISIBLE.

3. Since the intended meaning is clearly that the Neanderthals SEEM (to us now), you would have to choose option B.

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by Crystal W » Thu Mar 17, 2016 7:12 am

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Thank you very much!

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by Crystal W » Thu Mar 17, 2016 7:13 am

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Thank you very much!

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by Crystal W » Thu Mar 17, 2016 7:13 am

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by Crystal W » Thu Mar 17, 2016 7:13 am

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by Crystal W » Thu Mar 17, 2016 7:13 am

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by Crystal W » Thu Mar 17, 2016 7:13 am

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by Crystal W » Thu Mar 17, 2016 7:16 am

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Sorry for repeating many times! I don't know why. Sorry!

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by Crystal W » Sun May 22, 2016 11:02 pm

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fabiocafarelli wrote:1. The basic question with EQUIPPED is the correct form of the idiom. Yes, it is a past participle, but one that works as an adjective in this sentence and refers to THE NEANDERTHALS.

a. EQUIPPED FOR + NOUN is a correct idiom. One can be EQUIPPED FOR AN EXPEDITION.
b. EQUIPPED FOR FACING is not a correct idiom. If EQUIPPED is followed by a verb, that verb must appear as in infinitive, not as a present participle.
c. EQUIPPED TO FACE is therefore a correct idiom. You would now have to choose among B,C, and D.

2. When the verb TO APPEAR is followed by an infinitive, it means TO SEEM. But when it is followed by AS it means TO BECOME VISIBLE.

3. Since the intended meaning is clearly that the Neanderthals SEEM (to us now), you would have to choose option B.

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As you said, appear as means become visible; as OG explanation of choice A, "As equipped indicates that Neanderthals still appear this way;". I am confused because OG sounds like put as equipped as a phrase. Can you explain this question?
Thanks in advance!

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by [email protected] » Thu Apr 04, 2019 9:58 am

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Hello Everyone!

Let's tackle this question, one issue at a time, and narrow it down to the correct answer! First, here is the original question with the major differences between options highlighted in orange:

Combining enormous physical strength with higher intelligence, the Neanderthals appear as equipped for facing any obstacle the environment could put in their path, but their relatively sudden disappearance during the paleolithic era indicates that an inability to adapt to some environmental change led to their extinction.

(A) appear as equipped for facing any obstacle the environment could put in their path,
(B) appear to have been equipped to face any obstacle the environment could put in their path,
(C) appear as equipped to face any obstacle the environment could put in their paths,
(D) appeared as equipped to face any obstacle the environment could put in their path,
(E) appeared to have been equipped for facing any obstacle the environment could put in their path,

After a quick glance over the options, a few key differences stand out:

1. appear(ed) as / appear(ed) to have been
2. equipped for facing / equipped to face
3. path / paths


Let's start with #1 on our list: appear(ed) as / appear(ed) to have been. While this may look complicated, it's really just a matter of verb tense and meaning. Here is what each of these structures really means:

appear(ed) as --> present tense --> Neanderthals still exist and are equipped to face obstacles
appear(ed) to have been --> past tense --> Neanderthals don't still exist, but they were equipped for obstacles in the past

Since we know that the Neanderthals are extinct because of what's written later in the sentence, we know that we can rule out any sentences that suggest Neanderthals still exist in present day. Let's see how each option breaks down:

(A) appear as equipped for facing any obstacle the environment could put in their path,
(B) appear to have been equipped to face any obstacle the environment could put in their path,
(C) appear as equipped to face any obstacle the environment could put in their paths,
(D) appeared as equipped to face any obstacle the environment could put in their path,
(*While option D is technically past tense, it's not idiomatically correct to say "appeared as" in this case. Saying "appeared to have been" is clearer.)
(E) appeared to have been equipped for facing any obstacle the environment could put in their path,

We can eliminate options A, C, & D because they place Neanderthals as alive in present day, which they are certainly not.

Next, let's tackle #2 on our list: equipped for facing / equipped to face. This is an issue of idioms! While the phrases "equipped to" and "equipped for" are both grammatically correct, there is a rule for what is allowed to come after them:

equipped to + VERB (Our new car is equipped to drive in icy conditions.)
equipped for + NOUN (My family is well equipped for a tornado.)

Let's see how the remaining options hold up against this rule:

(B) appear to have been equipped to face any obstacle the environment could put in their path,

This is CORRECT because it uses the structure equipped to + VERB correctly.

(E) appeared to have been equipped for facing any obstacle the environment could put in their path,

This is INCORRECT because it uses a verb after "equipped for," when the rule states that it can only be followed by a noun.


There you have it - option D is the correct choice!


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