Sentence Correction

The pattern of whisker spot on the face of a male lion, like human fingerprints, are a lifelong means of identification, since they are both unique and unchanging.

(A) like human fingerprints, are a lifelong means of identification, since they are both unique and unchanging

(B) like human fingerprints, is a lifelong means of identification, since it is both unique and unchanging

(C) like human fingerprints, is a means of identification for life, being both unique and unchanging

(D) since they are both unique and unchanging, are, like human fingerprints, are a means of identification for life

(E) both unique and unchanging, are, like human fingerprints, a lifelong means of identification

OA to be provided after.

Am stuck between B and C ... 'lifelong means of identification' doesn't chime well .. 'means of identification for life' seems correct but then the use of 'being' is questionable.

C

Great 50/50 and reasoning, however; whenever the you have the word "being" especially with a 50/50, then go with the other option that doesn't have being.

Also, "is a means of identification for life" in C is awkward where "is a lifelong means of identification" corrects the error and sounds more concise.

OA is B.

Also, "is a means of identification for life" in C is awkward where "is a lifelong means of identification" corrects the error and sounds more concise.

I eliminated C because I didn't think it properly conveyed the intended sense of the sentence.

C: "...is a means of identification for life, being both unique and unchanging". Here "being both unique and unchanging" is simply a statement of being - i.e. fingerprints are unique, and ALSO (non-causally) a means of ID for life.

B corrects this by connecting the characteristics of fingerprints "unique" and "unchanging" with their use as a means of ID for life with the construction "is an ID...SINCE, it is <adj>, <adj>".[/i]

B is right

Simple process of elimination

"The pattern" is subject requires "is". only (B) and (C) are in.

(C) has "being" etc ... eliminate.

(B) remains ...

Bidisha800 wrote:Simple process of elimination

"The pattern" is subject requires "is". only (B) and (C) are in.

(C) has "being" etc ... eliminate.

(B) remains ...

Thanks Bidisha. That was a good explanation.

-A

The pattern .. is.. so B & C in

C uses Being. Also 'means of identification for life, being both unique and unchanging'. unique and unchanging should refer to the pattern rather than the identification itself.
Hence C is very much wrong.

B it is.