Dear Mitch,GMATGuruNY wrote:OA: Scientists have observed large concentrations of heavy-metal deposits in the upper twenty centimeters of sediments from the Baltic Sea, findings consistent with the growth of industrial activity in the area.anksm22 wrote:Scientists have observed large concentrations of heavy-metal deposits in the upper twenty centimeters of Baltic Sea sediments, which are consistent with the growth of industrial activity there.
(A) Baltic Sea sediments, which are consistent with the growth of industrial activity there
(B) Baltic Sea sediments, where the growth of industrial activity is consistent with these findings
(C) Baltic Sea sediments, findings consistent with its growth of industrial activity
(D) sediments from the Baltic Sea, findings consistent with the growth of industrial activity in the area
(E) sediments from the Baltic Sea, consistent with the growth of industrial activity there
Here, the phrase in red is a SUMMATIVE MODIFIER.
A summative modifier is composed of COMMA + ABSTRACT NOUN + OTHER WORDS.
The purpose of a summative modifier is to SUM UP the preceding clause.
In the OA, what scientists have observed is summed up as FINDINGS CONSISTENT WITH THE GROWTH OF INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY IN THE AREA.
The definition of 'Abstract Noun' is that something that CANNOT be seen, heard, touched, tasted or smelled (such as event, policy...etc)
However, I feel that 'findings' violates the rule of 'Abstract noun' as I can see and touch the sediments. Can you elaborate pls?