Horses have a unique system of interlocking ligaments and bones in their legs, serving as a kind of sling in which, with their body weight suspended and the muscles in their limbs completely relaxed, the result is they are able to sleep standing up.
a) legs, serving as a kind of sling in which, with their body weight suspended and the muscles in their limbs completely relaxed, the result is
b) legs that serve as a kind of sling in which to suspend their body weight, the muscles in their limbs being completely relaxed; as a result,
c) legs that serve as a kind of sling in which, with their body weight suspended while the muscles in their limbs are completely relaxed, the result is
d) legs that serves as a kind of sling in which, with their body weight suspended and the muscles in their limbs completely relaxed, having the result that
e) legs that serves as a kind of sling in which their body weight is suspended while the muscles in their limbs are completely relaxed; as a result,
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Horses have a unique system
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Md Raihan Uddin
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David@GMATPrepNow
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Hi Md Raihan Uddin,
The correct answer is E. Let's look at each of the other answer choices to see what is wrong with them.
a) legs, serving as a kind of sling in which, with their body weight suspended and the muscles in their limbs completely relaxed, the result is
"in which... the result is" is incorrect construction. A and C differ slightly, with A using "and" and C using "while," but that doesn't matter given the overall incorrect construction.
b) legs that serve as a kind of sling in which to suspend their body weight, the muscles in their limbs being completely relaxed; as a result,
"In which to suspend" is incorrect construction.
c) legs that serve as a kind of sling in which, with their body weight suspended while the muscles in their limbs are completely relaxed, the result is
"In which... the result is" is incorrect.
d) legs that serves as a kind of sling in which, with their body weight suspended and the muscles in their limbs completely relaxed, having the result that
"In which... having the result that" is incorrect.
e) legs that serves as a kind of sling in which their body weight is suspended while the muscles in their limbs are completely relaxed; as a result,
Correct, hooray! Notice the semi-colon that separates two closely-related ideas, the unique horse structure, AND the result of being able to sleep standing up. They are closely-related, but not close enough to use a comma.
The correct answer is E. Let's look at each of the other answer choices to see what is wrong with them.
a) legs, serving as a kind of sling in which, with their body weight suspended and the muscles in their limbs completely relaxed, the result is
"in which... the result is" is incorrect construction. A and C differ slightly, with A using "and" and C using "while," but that doesn't matter given the overall incorrect construction.
b) legs that serve as a kind of sling in which to suspend their body weight, the muscles in their limbs being completely relaxed; as a result,
"In which to suspend" is incorrect construction.
c) legs that serve as a kind of sling in which, with their body weight suspended while the muscles in their limbs are completely relaxed, the result is
"In which... the result is" is incorrect.
d) legs that serves as a kind of sling in which, with their body weight suspended and the muscles in their limbs completely relaxed, having the result that
"In which... having the result that" is incorrect.
e) legs that serves as a kind of sling in which their body weight is suspended while the muscles in their limbs are completely relaxed; as a result,
Correct, hooray! Notice the semi-colon that separates two closely-related ideas, the unique horse structure, AND the result of being able to sleep standing up. They are closely-related, but not close enough to use a comma.
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Md Raihan Uddin
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In every option you are saying that " in which" and " the result is" are incorrect. Why are they incorrect? Please explain from meaning and grammatical point of view. And in correct answer why that doesn't refer to legs? What "that" refers to?
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David@GMATPrepNow
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In English, we use "in which" to mean "where," but sometimes the "where' is used colloquially, not to mean a specific geographic place or location.
Here is a simplified version of the sentence to make the point:
The legs serve as a sling in which the body weight is suspended and the legs are relaxed.
"In which" tells us that the sling is where the body weight is suspended and the legs are relaxed - not a location "where" but a colloquial use of "where," which connects the two ideas.
The problem with the answers is the incorrect pairing of "in which" with various versions of "the result is." Let's use the simplified version of the sentence in answer A to see what is wrong with the pairing:
The legs serve as a sling in which the body weight is suspended and the legs are relaxed, as a result... <--- INCORRECT. The "as a result" does not correctly follow on from the first part of the sentence. In this case, a period is needed after "relaxed" and a new sentence to begin with "as a result."
Here is a simplified version of the sentence to make the point:
The legs serve as a sling in which the body weight is suspended and the legs are relaxed.
"In which" tells us that the sling is where the body weight is suspended and the legs are relaxed - not a location "where" but a colloquial use of "where," which connects the two ideas.
The problem with the answers is the incorrect pairing of "in which" with various versions of "the result is." Let's use the simplified version of the sentence in answer A to see what is wrong with the pairing:
The legs serve as a sling in which the body weight is suspended and the legs are relaxed, as a result... <--- INCORRECT. The "as a result" does not correctly follow on from the first part of the sentence. In this case, a period is needed after "relaxed" and a new sentence to begin with "as a result."
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Md Raihan Uddin
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Thank you. What the word "that" refers to in E. I eliminated D and E thinking that legs are plural and "That" modifies legs. So, If E is correct I am wrong. Besides, how and when will i understand that "that" doesn't modify the immediate preceding noun? I think depending on meaning but sometime its is very difficult to understand what the word that refers to as in E in this this question.
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aditya8062
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in the correct answer E : legs that serves as a kind of sling in which their body weight is suspended while the muscles in their limbs are completely relaxed; as a result,------> "that" refers to "unique system" . you have to understand this by deciphering the meaning of the sentence . i agree with you that at times it can get difficult but i guess it was fairly ok because other then choice A all else have used "that" . Also the usage of "that" is correctThank you. What the word "that" refers to in E. I eliminated D and E thinking that legs are plural and "That" modifies legs. So, If E is correct I am wrong. Besides, how and when will i understand that "that" doesn't modify the immediate preceding noun? I think depending on meaning but sometime its is very difficult to understand what the word that refers to as in E in this this question.
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iongmat
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Did you notice that E says: "legs that serves". So, "that" can anyway not refer to "legs", because then it would be: "legs serves". But that is incorrect from a subject-verb agreement perspective (with "legs", it should be "serve").Md Raihan Uddin wrote:Thank you. What the word "that" refers to in E. I eliminated D and E thinking that legs are plural and "That" modifies legs.
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GMATGuruNY
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The agent of a COMMA + VERBing modifier must be the SUBJECT OF THE PRECEDING CLAUSE.Md Raihan Uddin wrote:Horses have a unique system of interlocking ligaments and bones in their legs, serving as a kind of sling in which, with their body weight suspended and the muscles in their limbs completely relaxed, the result is they are able to sleep standing up.
a) legs, serving as a kind of sling in which, with their body weight suspended and the muscles in their limbs completely relaxed, the result is
b) legs that serve as a kind of sling in which to suspend their body weight, the muscles in their limbs being completely relaxed; as a result,
c) legs that serve as a kind of sling in which, with their body weight suspended while the muscles in their limbs are completely relaxed, the result is
d) legs that serves as a kind of sling in which, with their body weight suspended and the muscles in their limbs completely relaxed, having the result that
e) legs that serves as a kind of sling in which their body weight is suspended while the muscles in their limbs are completely relaxed; as a result,
A: Horses have a unique system of interlocking ligaments, serving as a kind of sling.
Here, COMMA + serving seems to refer to horses, implying that HORSES are SERVING as a kind of sling.
Not the intended meaning.
Eliminate A.
A sling is a set of belts or ropes used to support a heavy weight.
The heavy weight is suspended from the BOTTOM of the sling.
B and D: legs that serve as a kind of sling
Here, serve (plural) seems to refer to legs (the nearest preceding plural noun), implying that the LEGS serve as a kind of sling.
This meaning is nonsensical: a horse's body weight is not suspended from the BOTTOM of a horse's legs.
The intended meaning is that A UNIQUE SYSTEM OF INTERLOCKING LIGAMENTS AND BONES serves as a kind of sling.
Eliminate B and D.
The purpose of which is to introduce a relative CLAUSE.
A clause must include both a SUBJECT and a VERB.
D: a kind of sling in which, with their body weight suspended and the muscles in their limbs completely relaxed, having the result that they are able to sleep standing up.
Here, which is followed not by a clause but by the two modifiers in red.
Eliminate D.
The correct answer is E.
OA: Horses have a unique SYSTEM of interlocking ligaments and bones in their legs that SERVES as a kind of sling.
Here, serves (singular) refers to system (the nearest preceding singular noun).
Conveyed meaning:
Horses have a SYSTEM that SERVES as a kind of sling.
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Md Raihan Uddin
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GMATGuruNY wrote:The agent of a COMMA + VERBing modifier must be the SUBJECT OF THE PRECEDING CLAUSE.Md Raihan Uddin wrote:Horses have a unique system of interlocking ligaments and bones in their legs, serving as a kind of sling in which, with their body weight suspended and the muscles in their limbs completely relaxed, the result is they are able to sleep standing up.
a) legs, serving as a kind of sling in which, with their body weight suspended and the muscles in their limbs completely relaxed, the result is
b) legs that serve as a kind of sling in which to suspend their body weight, the muscles in their limbs being completely relaxed; as a result,
c) legs that serve as a kind of sling in which, with their body weight suspended while the muscles in their limbs are completely relaxed, the result is
d) legs that serves as a kind of sling in which, with their body weight suspended and the muscles in their limbs completely relaxed, having the result that
e) legs that serves as a kind of sling in which their body weight is suspended while the muscles in their limbs are completely relaxed; as a result,
A: Horses have a unique system of interlocking ligaments, serving as a kind of sling.
Here, COMMA + serving seems to refer to horses, implying that HORSES are SERVING as a kind of sling.
Not the intended meaning.
Eliminate A.
A sling is a set of belts or ropes used to support a heavy weight.
The heavy weight is suspended from the BOTTOM of the sling.
B and D: legs that serve as a kind of sling
Here, serve (plural) seems to refer to legs (the nearest preceding plural noun), implying that the LEGS serve as a kind of sling.
This meaning is nonsensical: a horse's body weight is not suspended from the BOTTOM of a horse's legs.
The intended meaning is that A UNIQUE SYSTEM OF INTERLOCKING LIGAMENTS AND BONES serves as a kind of sling.
Eliminate B and D.
The purpose of which is to introduce a relative CLAUSE.
A clause must include both a SUBJECT and a VERB.
D: a kind of sling in which, with their body weight suspended and the muscles in their limbs completely relaxed, having the result that they are able to sleep standing up.
Here, which is followed not by a clause but by the two modifiers in red.
Eliminate D.
The correct answer is E.
OA: Horses have a unique SYSTEM of interlocking ligaments and bones in their legs that SERVES as a kind of sling.
Here, serves (singular) refers to system (the nearest preceding singular noun).
Conveyed meaning:
Horses have a SYSTEM that SERVES as a kind of sling.
Excellent explanation. This is what I need. A lot of thanks.
GMATGuruNY wrote:The agent of a COMMA + VERBing modifier must be the SUBJECT OF THE PRECEDING CLAUSE.Md Raihan Uddin wrote:Horses have a unique system of interlocking ligaments and bones in their legs, serving as a kind of sling in which, with their body weight suspended and the muscles in their limbs completely relaxed, the result is they are able to sleep standing up.
a) legs, serving as a kind of sling in which, with their body weight suspended and the muscles in their limbs completely relaxed, the result is
b) legs that serve as a kind of sling in which to suspend their body weight, the muscles in their limbs being completely relaxed; as a result,
c) legs that serve as a kind of sling in which, with their body weight suspended while the muscles in their limbs are completely relaxed, the result is
d) legs that serves as a kind of sling in which, with their body weight suspended and the muscles in their limbs completely relaxed, having the result that
e) legs that serves as a kind of sling in which their body weight is suspended while the muscles in their limbs are completely relaxed; as a result,
A: Horses have a unique system of interlocking ligaments, serving as a kind of sling.
Here, COMMA + serving seems to refer to horses, implying that HORSES are SERVING as a kind of sling.
Not the intended meaning.
Eliminate A.
A sling is a set of belts or ropes used to support a heavy weight.
The heavy weight is suspended from the BOTTOM of the sling.
B and D: legs that serve as a kind of sling
Here, serve (plural) seems to refer to legs (the nearest preceding plural noun), implying that the LEGS serve as a kind of sling.
This meaning is nonsensical: a horse's body weight is not suspended from the BOTTOM of a horse's legs.
The intended meaning is that A UNIQUE SYSTEM OF INTERLOCKING LIGAMENTS AND BONES serves as a kind of sling.
Eliminate B and D.
The purpose of which is to introduce a relative CLAUSE.
A clause must include both a SUBJECT and a VERB.
D: a kind of sling in which, with their body weight suspended and the muscles in their limbs completely relaxed, having the result that they are able to sleep standing up.
Here, which is followed not by a clause but by the two modifiers in red.
Eliminate D.
The correct answer is E.
OA: Horses have a unique SYSTEM of interlocking ligaments and bones in their legs that SERVES as a kind of sling.
Here, serves (singular) refers to system (the nearest preceding singular noun).
Conveyed meaning:
Horses have a SYSTEM that SERVES as a kind of sling.
Hi GmatGuruNY,
I got the why the answer E is right from your explanation However, I learned a rule that 'THAT ' or Which ' can only refer to the immediate noun .. And I eliminated this answer based on this rule. Can you please clarify on this .
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In most cases, a that-modifier will serve to modify the immediately preceding noun.AnuGmat wrote:Hi GmatGuruNY,
I got the why the answer E is right from your explanation However, I learned a rule that 'THAT ' or Which ' can only refer to the immediate noun .. And I eliminated this answer based on this rule. Can you please clarify on this .
But it is possible for a that-modifier to refer to an earlier noun when context makes the intended referent crystal clear.
OA: Marconi conceived of the radio as a A TOOL for private conversation THAT COULD SUBSTITUTE FOR THE TELEPHONE.
Here, it is clear from context that the that-modifier in red serves to refer NOT to the immediately preceding noun (conversation) but to an EARLIER noun (a tool).
Conveyed meaning:
Marconi conceived of the radio as a A TOOL THAT COULD SUBSTITUTE FOR THE TELEPHONE.
COMMA + which + SINGULAR VERB must serve to refer to the nearest preceding SINGULAR noun.
COMMA + which + PLURAL VERB must serve to refer to the nearest preceding PLURAL noun.
If the verb attributed to which could be SINGULAR OR PLURAL, then which must serve to refer to the NEAREST PRECEDING NOUN.
OA: Emily Dickinson's LETTERS to Susan Huntington Dickinson, which WERE written over a period beginning a few years before Susan's marriage to Emily's brother and ending shortly before Emily's death in 1886, outnumber her letters to anyone else.
Here, which were written (COMMA + which + PLURAL verb) correctly refers to the nearest preceding PLURAL noun (letters).
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