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Barbara McClintock

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by abcgmat » Thu Apr 12, 2012 12:33 am
While studying the genetic makeup of corn, a new class of mutant genes was discovered by Barbara McClintock,a discovery which led to greater understanding of cell differentiation.
A. a new class of mutant genes was discovered by Barbara McClintock, a discovery which led
B. a new class of mutant genes in corn were discovered by Barbara McClintock, leading
C. Barbara McClintock discovered a new class of mutant genes, and it led
D. Barbara McClintock discovered a new class of mutant genes, a discovery that led
E. Barbara McClintock, who discovered a new class of mutant genes, leading

[spoiler]OA: D[/spoiler]

Is it neccessary for the underlined sentence to begin with Barbara McClintock

If we had a answer choice, will it be correct:
*a new class of mutant genes was discovered by Barbara McClintock, a discovery that led

though I could eliminate wrong answer choices for other reasons

A- which with out comma before
B- class... were (Sub-Verb disagreement), should be was
C- Looks like 2 seperate ideas .
Barbara McClintock discovered a new class of mutant genes
and Barbara McClintock led to greater understanding of cell differentiation
Also it refers to person here Barbara McClintock which is Incorrect
D- OK
E-Sentence fragment as no stand alone verb
if we remove modifier the sentence is like
Barbara McClintock leading to greater understanding of cell differentiation.
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Source: — Sentence Correction |

by avik.ch » Thu Apr 12, 2012 12:42 am
While studying the genetic makeup of corn : an adverb of time. An adverb modifies the action that the subject perform.
At the same time, "studying" is an adjective ( a participle) so it must refer a noun

For the above reason, the sentence should have a logical subject - a subject who perform the action that the adverb modifies. Here the logical subject is "Barbara McClintock".

Hope this helps !!
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by Bill@VeritasPrep » Thu Apr 12, 2012 7:00 am
As you said, the underlined portion must begin with Barbara McClintock, leaving us with C, D, and E.

C--what is "it?"

D--works; "a discovery" modifies "a new class..."

E--the modifier "leading..." is ambiguously placed. Since it's participial, it can modify the noun before the comma ("a new class...") or the subject ("Barbara McClintock"), neither of which makes much sense.
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by GMAT Kolaveri » Thu Apr 12, 2012 8:13 am
abcgmat wrote: A. a new class of mutant genes was discovered by Barbara McClintock, a discovery which led
B. a new class of mutant genes in corn were discovered by Barbara McClintock, leading
C. Barbara McClintock discovered a new class of mutant genes, and it led
D. Barbara McClintock discovered a new class of mutant genes, a discovery that led
E. Barbara McClintock, who discovered a new class of mutant genes, leading

[spoiler]OA: D[/spoiler]
While studying (opening modifier)--> what follows next must be the subject (Barabara Mc)
C -> what does it refer to? no clear antecedent.
D -> clear and the meaning shines thro'.
E -> Babara Mc,..., leading doesnt make sense
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by GmatKiss » Fri Apr 13, 2012 2:53 am
IMO: D

While studying the genetic makeup of corn, a new class of mutant genes was discovered by Barbara McClintock,a discovery which led to greater understanding of cell differentiation.

A. a new class of mutant genes was discovered by Barbara McClintock, a discovery which led
B. a new class of mutant genes in corn were discovered by Barbara McClintock, leading
C. Barbara McClintock discovered a new class of mutant genes, and it led
D. Barbara McClintock discovered a new class of mutant genes, a discovery that led
E. Barbara McClintock, who discovered a new class of mutant genes, leading
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