Imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869, the gypsy m

Question

Imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869, the gypsy moth was used by a French scientist in an attempt at developing a strong strain of silk-producing insects, crossing gypsy moths with adult silkworms.

A. Imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869, the gypsy moth was used by a French scientist in an attempt at developing a strong strain of silk-producing insects, crossing gypsy moths with adult silkworms.

B. Imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869, a French scientist was attempting to develop a strong strain of silk-producing insects by crossing gypsy moths with adult silkworms.

C. To cross gypsy moths with adult silkworms, in attempting the development of a strong strain of silk-producing insects, a French scientist in 1869 imported the gypsy moth into Massachusetts from Europe.

D. The gypsy moth was imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869 by a French scientist attempting to develop a strong strain of silk-producing insects by crossing gypsy moths with adult silkworms.

E. In an attempt at the development of a strong strain of silk-producing insects, a French scientist, importing the gypsy moth from Europe into Massachusetts in 1869 in order to cross gypsy moths and adult silkworms.

Source: Gmatprep
OA D

I have a question about option A. In this option apart from idiom( attempt at) is there any other error.

neptune28 · Answer

I agree with the answer. However, I still think the "correct" answer is too long and has a "run on" quality to it. I also don't care for the choice of the word "imported." Inserting "who was" before "attempting" would help as well.

Anyway, to answer your question.

The only other obvious error is not using "by" before "crossing." So, unlike how it is in baseball, two strikes and you're out!

Rich.C@EMPOWERgmat.com · Answer

Hi rakeshd347,

There are 2 "problems" with the original sentence (counting the Idiom that you've noticed):

1) Idiom: "attempt to....<infinitive>"

2) The phrase "...the gypsy moth was used by a scientist..." sounds odd in this context (since the gypsy moth is not an inanimate object).

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Contact Rich at [email protected]

sahilchaudhary · Answer

A. Imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869, the gypsy moth was used by a French scientist in an attempt at developing a strong strain of silk-producing insects, crossing gypsy moths with adult silkworms.

B. Imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869, a French scientist was attempting to develop a strong strain of silk-producing insects by crossing gypsy moths with adult silkworms.

C. To cross gypsy moths with adult silkworms, in attempting the development of a strong strain of silk-producing insects, a French scientist in 1869 imported the gypsy moth into Massachusetts from Europe.

D. The gypsy moth was imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869 by a French scientist attempting to develop a strong strain of silk-producing insects by crossing gypsy moths with adult silkworms.

E. In an attempt at the development of a strong strain of silk-producing insects, a French scientist, importing the gypsy moth from Europe into Massachusetts in 1869 in order to cross gypsy moths and adult silkworms.

The answer is D

Sahil Chaudhary
If you find this post helpful, please take a moment to click on the "Thank" icon.
https://www.sahilchaudhary007.blocked

mevicks · Answer

rakeshd347 wrote: I have a question about option A. In this option apart from idiom( attempt at) is there any other error.

There is also a modifier issue in the original sentence; crossing is modifying Moth here.

After removing the warmups and prepositional phrases statement A is reduced to:
Moth was used ... crossing gypsy moths with adult silkworms

This erroneous sentence is trying to convey that the crossing is done by the moth (but infact it is the scientist and not the moth who has performed the act of "crossing"!)

richachampion · Answer

I think in Option A there is a pure grammar issue -

A. Imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869, the gypsy moth was used by a French scientist in an attempt at developing a strong strain of silk-producing insects, crossing gypsy moths with adult silkworms.

Verb+Ing modifier "crossing" modifies the action of the preceding clause and make sense with the subject of that clause, which is "the gypsy moth"

This creates a Nonsensical meaning as if the gypsy moth itself was crossing the gypsy moth with adult silkworms.

Does this all make sense?

AbdurRakib · Answer

richachampion wrote:I think in Option A there is a pure grammar issue -

A. Imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869, the gypsy moth was used by a French scientist in an attempt at developing a strong strain of silk-producing insects, crossing gypsy moths with adult silkworms.

Verb+Ing modifier "crossing" modifies the action of the preceding clause and make sense with the subject of that clause, which is "the gypsy moth"

This creates a Nonsensical meaning as if the gypsy moth itself was crossing the gypsy moth with adult silkworms.

Does this all make sense?

Cool

I agreed about what you've said.

COMMA+VerbING modifies the action of the preceding clause and "the gypsy moth" is the agent of the ING action.

Choose how you want to prepare

Get Ready for GMAT Test Day Faster with Live Online Classes

Target Test Prep EA OnDemand

Sep 6 to Dec 6, 2026

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869, the gypsy m

GMAT/MBA Expert

Chicago Booth

GMAT Course Reviews

Admissions Consulting Reviews

FREE GMAT PREP RESOURCES

GMAT PREP DEAL TRACKER