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mgmat problem

by pradeepkaushal9518 » Thu May 27, 2010 10:19 am
Scientists have recently discovered that the ultrathin, layered construction of a butterfly's wings, the same as the one making some butterflies shimmer via the phenomenon of iridescence, are enabling the insect to control how much heat energy is absorbed by its wings and how much is reflected away.

A. wings, the same as the one making some butterflies shimmer via the phenomenon of iridescence, are enabling
B. wings, which is the same one that makes some butterflies shimmer via the phenomenon of iridescence, that also enables
C. wings is the same as the one that makes some butterflies shimmer via the phenomenon of iridescence, enabling
D. wings-the same construction that makes some butterflies shimmer via the phenomenon of iridescence-also enables
E. wings-of the same construction that makes some butterflies shimmer via the phenomenon of iridescence-also enable
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by Osirus@VeritasPrep » Thu May 27, 2010 10:32 am
I would choose D

A- "are enabling" is incorrect

B- I think the "which" is being used incorrectly here. It is attempting to modify "the layered construction", but it is placed next to wings.

C- This one was tough. I think this is incorrect because of "enabling". In this answer choice, it changes the meaning of the sentence.

D- Correct

E- this is just awkard. The "of the same construction" after the dash seems weird and is not the best way to state that clause.
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by thephoenix » Thu May 27, 2010 10:38 am
a) sub verb agreement error d) and e) are wrong for also
b/n B and C imo B
very tough one
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by Osirus@VeritasPrep » Thu May 27, 2010 10:43 am
thephoenix wrote:a) sub verb agreement error d) and e) are wrong for also
b/n B and C imo B
very tough one
I think B is a fragment. The "that also enables" makes what comes after it a dependent clause. There is no working verb prior to that, so as it stands, that sentence is a fragment. I could be wrong though. We really need an expert for this one...lol
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by thephoenix » Thu May 27, 2010 10:48 am
i am all messed now
can't we eliminate B for comma that type construction
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by thephoenix » Thu May 27, 2010 10:49 am
ah!
i think apart from that B has another issue comma that , its always wrong in GMAT
hey orisus
can u comment something on this
now i wud like to change my ans and that will be i don't know which option is correct
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by gmatmachoman » Thu May 27, 2010 10:51 am
pradeepkaushal9518 wrote:Scientists have recently discovered that the ultrathin, layered construction of a butterfly's wings, the same as the one making some butterflies shimmer via the phenomenon of iridescence, are enabling the insect to control how much heat energy is absorbed by its wings and how much is reflected away.

A. wings, the same as the one making some butterflies shimmer via the phenomenon of iridescence, are enabling
B. wings, which is the same one that makes some butterflies shimmer via the phenomenon of iridescence, that also enables
C. wings is the same as the one that makes some butterflies shimmer via the phenomenon of iridescence, enabling
D. wings-the same construction that makes some butterflies shimmer via the phenomenon of iridescence-also enables
E. wings-of the same construction that makes some butterflies shimmer via the phenomenon of iridescence-also enable
Thx Pheonix bhai!

layered construction : main subject : singular

enables : verb : singular

"which" should refer back to layered construction and NOT the wings as in A

Pick D.

Usage of B is wrong, becox of improper placeing of "which" and "that"

Trick here is to identify the "subject and the corresponding Verb
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by thephoenix » Thu May 27, 2010 10:52 am
Scientists have recently discovered that the ultrathin[spoiler], layered construction of a butterfly's wings, the same as the one making some butterflies shimmer via the phenomenon of iridescence,[/spoiler] also enables the insect to control how much heat energy is absorbed by its wings and how much is reflected away.
if we remove the hidden part then does this make sense
Scientists have recently discovered that the ultrathin also enables the insect to control how much heat energy is absorbed by its wings and how much is reflected away.
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by Osirus@VeritasPrep » Thu May 27, 2010 10:52 am
thephoenix wrote:ah!
i think apart from that B has another issue comma that , its always wrong in GMAT
hey orisus
can u comment something on this
now i wud like to change my ans and that will be i don't know which option is correct
I don't think its necessarily the comma usage that's wrong. The two issues I see are the lack of a working verb, and two back to back modifiers (the which clause is a modifier, and the "that also enables" is a modifier)
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by thephoenix » Thu May 27, 2010 10:55 am
IMO which is correctly refering to the layered constructed as it is followed by singular verb IS had it been refering to wings then the verb should have been are
am i wrong in clamimin above statement
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by Osirus@VeritasPrep » Thu May 27, 2010 10:57 am
thephoenix wrote:IMO which is correctly refering to the layered constructed as it is followed by singular verb IS had it been refering to wings then the verb should have been are
am i wrong in clamimin above statement
According to the MGMAT SC guide, they believe that which can only modify the word that is immediately in front of it. If this is the case, then which is modifying butterfly's wings.
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by thephoenix » Thu May 27, 2010 10:58 am
one more question
what is the same construction
IMO its a noun modifier and therefore should modify the noun to which it is attached
so y in D as per u guys its not modifying wings
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by Osirus@VeritasPrep » Thu May 27, 2010 11:05 am
thephoenix wrote:one more question
what is the same construction
IMO its a noun modifier and therefore should modify the noun to which it is attached
so y in D as per u guys its not modifying wings
By using the dashes, what follows is able to modify the entire clause that preceeds it. The two ways to modify an entire clause is to use the dashes like they did in choice D, or to use a comma and use a gerund. An example of this is in choice C when it says " of iridescence, enabling the insect to control how much heat energy is absorbed by its wings and how much is reflected away. "

The only problem with that choice is that by having "enabling the insect..." modify the entire clause in front of it, that in effect, changes the meaning of the sentence.
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by thephoenix » Thu May 27, 2010 11:11 am
thanks orisus and govi
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by gmatpill » Thu May 27, 2010 11:37 am
Scientists have recently discovered that the ultrathin, layered construction of a butterfly's wings, the same as the one making some butterflies shimmer via the phenomenon of iridescence, are enabling the insect to control how much heat energy is absorbed by its wings and how much is reflected away.

A. wings, the same as the one making some butterflies shimmer via the phenomenon of iridescence, are enabling
B. wings, which is the same one that makes some butterflies shimmer via the phenomenon of iridescence, that also enables
C. wings is the same as the one that makes some butterflies shimmer via the phenomenon of iridescence, enabling
D. wings-the same construction that makes some butterflies shimmer via the phenomenon of iridescence-also enables
E. wings-of the same construction that makes some butterflies shimmer via the phenomenon of iridescence-also enable
I surprisingly got to the answer D within 30 seconds. Let me show you how.

Step 1) Identify multiple commas---this is not a "laundry list" but rather several descriptive phrases. "Ultrathin" and "layered" are just words that describe "CONSTRUCTION."

Step 2) The phrase "the same as the one making some butterflies shimmer" actually describes the "CONSTRUCTION of a butterfly's wings"---NOT "wings" by itself.

Step 3) Cut the fluff:
"Scientists have recently discovered that the ultrathin, layered construction[spoiler] of a butterfly's wings[/spoiler], the same as the one making some butterflies shimmer via the phenomenon of iridescence, are enabling the insect to control how much heat energy is absorbed by its wings and how much is reflected away. "

Construction are enabling? Doesn't make sense! So you know (A) is wrong.

It should be:

"Scientists have recently discovered that the ultrathin, layered construction[spoiler] of a butterfly's wings[/spoiler], the same as the one making some butterflies shimmer via the phenomenon of iridescence, enables the insect to control how much heat energy is absorbed by its wings and how much is reflected away. "

Step 4) Browse through the answer choices--but don't read them from the beginning---look at the last few words: that also enables, enabling, also enables, also enable...

Which ones make sense? The "construction" of these guys (where "construction" is singular) ENABLES.
You must use "ENABLES"---so either (B) or (D).

Step 5) Note (B) has the extra word "that"---unnecessary. Also, it uses the word "which"---this implies the phrase describes "wings" when structurally the phrase really describes the "construction of the wings"--not the "wings."

Therefore, (D) is the answer.

If you know how to strategically approach questions like these, you can most efficiently answer them in as little time as possible.

Study less. Score higher. Notice my explanation does not use any fancy grammar vocabulary.
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