Argentine ant

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Argentine ant

by kanha81 » Wed Jun 10, 2009 2:33 pm
Although this question has been discussed here https://www.beatthegmat.com/so-x-as-to-b ... html#34404
no further discussions were added. Hence, I am re-opening the thread

Although the Argentine ant is neither poisonous nor predatory, individual colonies cooperate in a super-colony so large that its collective appetite can become a competitive threat to bird, lizard, and other insect populations.

A) individual colonies cooperate in a super-colony so large that its collective appetite can become a competitive

B) individual colonies cooperate in a super-colony of such size, its collective appetite can become a competing

C) individual colonies cooperate in a super-colony so large as to cause its collective appetite to become a competitive

D) such is the size of the cooperative super-colony comprising individual colonies, its collective appetite can become a competing

E) there is so much size to the individual colonies’ cooperative super-colony that its collective appetite can become a competitive

Why OA is [spoiler][A][/spoiler]. Please explain.
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by Arsene Lupin » Wed Jun 10, 2009 2:56 pm
B and D are out because "its" is modifying the wrong thing.

E is out because "there is so much size" is a bizarre phrase.

We are left with A & C.

I think both are idiomatic.

A: so X that Y.
C: so X as to Y.

C is wrong because it is illogical. The strong appetite is an attribute of being large, not a result (think cause and effect).

A is making more sense because "that" is describing the super colony with the attribute.

Think of it like:
- You are so strong that your hand can break the wall.
- You are so strong as to cause your hand to be able to break the wall.

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by mmslf75 » Sat Jan 02, 2010 12:50 am
kanha81 wrote:Although this question has been discussed here https://www.beatthegmat.com/so-x-as-to-b ... html#34404
no further discussions were added. Hence, I am re-opening the thread

Although the Argentine ant is neither poisonous nor predatory, individual colonies cooperate in a super-colony so large that its collective appetite can become a competitive threat to bird, lizard, and other insect populations.

A) individual colonies cooperate in a super-colony so large that its collective appetite can become a competitive

B) individual colonies cooperate in a super-colony of such size, its collective appetite can become a competing

C) individual colonies cooperate in a super-colony so large as to cause its collective appetite to become a competitive

D) such is the size of the cooperative super-colony comprising individual colonies, its collective appetite can become a competing

E) there is so much size to the individual colonies? cooperative super-colony that its collective appetite can become a competitive

Why OA is [spoiler][A][/spoiler]. Please explain.
Some places it is said the SO X AS TO (be) Y is correct, some say wrong

What is C incorrect here, i dont find any issue

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by thephoenix » Sat Jan 02, 2010 1:08 am
IMO in C the phrase as to cause is making it wordier

cause is awkward here

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by lunarpower » Fri Jan 08, 2010 2:25 am
(c) doesn't say the same thing as (a).

(a), the original, says that the super-colony is so large that its appetite CAN (potentially) become a threat to the other populations. i.e., this may or may not happen; it's merely a possibility.

the wording of (c) implies that this ALWAYS happens - that the super-colony IS DEFINITELY "so large as to" force this competition.

that's an unacceptable meaning shift.
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