Cytokines

This topic has expert replies
User avatar
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 37
Joined: Sat Sep 07, 2013 8:37 pm
Thanked: 2 times

Cytokines

by shobhitk » Sat Jul 05, 2014 2:26 am
The cytokines of the immune system, acting as signalers to adjacent cells, can provoke dangerous inflammation; the resultant autoimmune disease, characterized by cartilage and bone that become damaged although they are not actually attacked by the immune system, are known as "rheumatoid arthritis."

A) cartilage and bone that become damaged although they are not actually attacked by the immune system, are
B) cartilage and bone that become damaged although they are not actually attacked by the immune system, is
C) cartilage and bone that become damaged although the immune system does not actually attack them, are
D) damaged cartilage and bone although the immune system does not actually attack them, are
E) damaged cartilage and bone although they are not actually attacked by the immune system, is

OA: B

Why not E?

How come "that become..." just doesn't refer to bone? Is there a rule for such questions?

[spoiler][/spoiler]
Source: — Sentence Correction |

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
Elite Legendary Member
Posts: 10392
Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pm
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Thanked: 2867 times
Followed by:511 members
GMAT Score:800

by [email protected] » Mon Jul 07, 2014 7:39 am
Hi shobhitk,

While this is a longer SC prompt that includes some "upper-level" vocabulary, it's still designed around the same patterns that standard GMAT SCs use.

1) Verbs - The sentence refers to "....the resultant autoimmune disease.....______ known as rheumatoid arthritis." Since we're dealing with A disease, we have a singular subject, so we need the verb "is." Eliminate A, C and D.

2) Modification/Intent - The difference between answers B and E is the placement of the word "damaged", which is essentially a modifier. There's a logic/intent issue behind this idea. "Damage" doesn't occur on its own; it's always caused by something. Answer B explains that the damage was caused; Answer E implies that damage was just "there." Eliminate E.

Final Answer: B

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Contact Rich at [email protected]
Image

• Page 1 of 1