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the fruit fly

by lukaswelker » Tue Apr 01, 2014 2:57 am
Hey Guys, here is the question.

Studying the fruit fly, a household nuisance but a time-honored experimental subject, has enabled the secrets of how embryos develop to begin to be unraveled by scientists.

"¢By studying the fruit fly, a household nuisance and also a time-honored experimental subject, the secrets of how embryos develop are beginning to be unraveled by scientists.
"¢The study of the fruit fly, a household nuisance but a time-honored experimental subject, has enabled scientists to begin to unravel the secrets of how embryos develop.

Why is the first option not the correct one? ( the other 3 were easily dismissed)
Many thanks
Lukas
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by GMATGuruNY » Tue Apr 01, 2014 6:58 am
Studying the fruit fly, a household nuisance but a time-honored experimental subject, has enabled the secrets of how embryos develop to begin to be unraveled by scientists.

A. Studying the fruit fly, a household nuisance but a time-honored experimental subject, has enabled
the secrets of how embryos develop to begin to be unraveled by scientists.

B. By the study of the fruit fly, a household nuisance and also a time-honored experimental subject,
it was possible for the secrets of how embryos develop to begin to be unraveled by scientists.

C. By studying a household nuisance but a time-honored experimental subject, the fruit fly enabled
scientists to begin to unravel the secrets of how embryos develop.

D. By studying the fruit fly, a household nuisance and also a time-honored experimental subject, the
secrets of how embryos develop are beginning to be unraveled by scientists.

E. The study of the fruit fly, a household nuisance but a time-honored experimental subject, has
enabled scientists to begin to unravel the secrets of how embryos develop.
A: Studying the fruit fly has enabled the secrets to begin.
Here, the conveyed meaning is nonsensical.
Since it is not possible for THE SECRETS to have an ABILITY, it is not possible that studying HAS ENABLED the secrets.
Eliminate A.

B: By the study of the fruit fly...
The purpose of this by-modifier is to explain how it became possible to learn the secrets of embryos.
When a by-modifier serves to convey HOW an action is performed, the correct construction is by + VERBing.
Incorrect: By wise investments, John made millions.
Correct: By INVESTING wisely, John amassed millions.
Thus, by THE STUDY is incorrect.
Eliminate B.

C: By studying a household nuisance, the fruit fly enabled scientists.
D: By studying the fruit fly, the secrets are beginning.
When an introductory modifier is composed of preposition + VERBing, the agent of the VERBing action must be the SUBJECT OF THE FOLLOWING CLAUSE.
Here, C implies that the FRUIT FLY is studying, while D implies that THE SECRETS are studying.
Neither meaning makes sense.
Eliminate C and D.

The correct answer is E.
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