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Question

Hailed as a key discovery in the science of evolution, the fossils of a large scaly creature resembling both a fish and a land-animal provide evidence of a possible link in the evolutionary chain from water-based to land-based organisms.
(A)the fossils of a large scaly creature resembling both a fish and a land-animal provide evidence of

(E)the fossils of a large scaly creature resemble both a fish and a land-animal and provide evidence of

i want to discuss this question with these two choices. Please give your inputs.

venmic · Answer

my take on this would be

(A)the fossils of a large scaly creature resembling both a fish and a land-animal provide evidence of

the fossils [of a large scaly creature resembling both a fish and a land-animal] provide evidence of

--> The fossils PROVIDE evidence of whatever

(E)the fossils [of a large scaly creature resemble both a fish and a land-animal ] and provide evidence of

--> akward construction

aspirant2011 · Answer

force5 wrote:Hailed as a key discovery in the science of evolution, the fossils of a large scaly creature resembling both a fish and a land-animal provide evidence of a possible link in the evolutionary chain from water-based to land-based organisms.
(A)the fossils of a large scaly creature resembling both a fish and a land-animal provide evidence of

(E)the fossils of a large scaly creature resemble both a fish and a land-animal and provide evidence of

i want to discuss this question with these two choices. Please give your inputs.

My take is A is appropriate.

Hailed as a key discovery in the science of evolution, the fossils of a large scaly creature resembling both a fish and a land-animal provide evidence of a possible link in the evolutionary chain from water-based to land-based organisms.

The statement in blue modifies the creature.

Regards,

Pranay

crick · Answer

I will go with A here.

The key discovery in the sentence are the fossils of a creature which resembles both fish and land-animal. Hence resembling is correct usage.

Hailed as a key discovery in the science of evolution, the fossils of a large scaly creature resembling both a fish and a land-animal provide evidence .......

HSPA · Answer

fossils - provide .. both are plural.. so good

Creature = singlular = resembles

IMO: "A creature 'that' resembles both a fish and a dog"

Some connectivity in the original sentense and in options is missing.

First take: 640 (50M, 27V) - RC needs 300% improvement
Second take: coming soon..
Regards,
HSPA.

force5 · Answer

hi everyone...

I'm really on a fix on this one. Its again question that is not clear expression.

choice 1

the fossils of a large scaly creature resembling both a fish and a land-animal provide evidence of

I think its a good sentence and it doesn't have any grammatical error. The fossils ....provide evidence. Just one question i have here- what is resembling modifying? Is it modifying "creature" or is it modifying "fossils" What is the way of identifying it? If someone can please share....

(E)the fossils of a large scaly creature resemble both a fish and a land-animal and provide evidence of
this choice on the other hand makes "resemble" and "provide" parallel to "fossils". Again i can't rule this choice out because it isn't incorrect. Even if you see what do they mean -- fossils can Resemble something.... and provide evidence of something....

so which one to choose?

aspirant2011 · Answer

force5 wrote:hi everyone...

choice 1

the fossils of a large scaly creature resembling both a fish and a land-animal provide evidence of

I think its a good sentence and it doesn't have any grammatical error. The fossils ....provide evidence. Just one question i have here- what is resembling modifying? Is it modifying "creature" or is it modifying "fossils" What is the way of identifying it? If someone can please share....

If I read sentence logically then resembling modifies fossils

czarczar · Answer

force5 wrote:Hailed as a key discovery in the science of evolution, the fossils of a large scaly creature resembling both a fish and a land-animal provide evidence of a possible link in the evolutionary chain from water-based to land-based organisms.
(A)the fossils of a large scaly creature resembling both a fish and a land-animal provide evidence of

(E)the fossils of a large scaly creature resemble both a fish and a land-animal and provide evidence of

i want to discuss this question with these two choices. Please give your inputs.

My take is A is appropriate.

Hailed as a key discovery in the science of evolution, the fossils of a large scaly creature resembling both a fish and a land-animal provide evidence of a possible link in the evolutionary chain from water-based to land-based organisms.

The statement in blue modifies the creature.

Regards,

Pranay

bubbliiiiiiii · Answer

force5 wrote:Hailed as a key discovery in the science of evolution, the fossils of a large scaly creature resembling both a fish and a land-animal provide evidence of a possible link in the evolutionary chain from water-based to land-based organisms.
(A)the fossils of a large scaly creature resembling both a fish and a land-animal provide evidence of

(E)the fossils of a large scaly creature resemble both a fish and a land-animal and provide evidence of

i want to discuss this question with these two choices. Please give your inputs.

My take is A is appropriate.

Hailed as a key discovery in the science of evolution, the fossils of a large scaly creature resembling both a fish and a land-animal provide evidence of a possible link in the evolutionary chain from water-based to land-based organisms.

The statement in blue modifies the creature.

Regards,

Pranay

bubbliiiiiiii · Answer

Moreover, option E has wrong comparison. It compares the fossils with fish and a land animal. Thus, conveys wrong meaning.

gmat1978 · Answer

I have the same question about choice 1 mentioned below by force5. I am especially interested in the following - "how do we identify whether "resembling" is modifying the creature or fossils". Can anyone please help by providing couple of examples?

Thanks

force5 wrote:hi everyone...

I'm really on a fix on this one. Its again question that is not clear expression.

choice 1

the fossils of a large scaly creature resembling both a fish and a land-animal provide evidence of

I think its a good sentence and it doesn't have any grammatical error. The fossils ....provide evidence. Just one question i have here- what is resembling modifying? Is it modifying "creature" or is it modifying "fossils" What is the way of identifying it? If someone can please share....

ntamhane · Answer

Would go for A. As the subject the verb goes provide evidence goes correctly with the the subject fossils.

force5 · Answer

still waiting for an expert to answer..... i see some people still have some confusion.

sungoal · Answer

Hi force5,

"resembling both a fish and a land-animal" is a participial phrase because it is starting with the present participle "resembling". According to the Grammar rules Participial phrases always modify immediate noun preceding them if participial phrases are not separated from the nouns with a 'comma'.

So "resembling both a fish and a land-animal" is a modifier in this question

GMATGuruNY · Answer

force5 wrote:Hailed as a key discovery in the science of evolution, the fossils of a large scaly creature resembling both a fish and a land-animal provide evidence of a possible link in the evolutionary chain from water-based to land-based organisms.
(A)the fossils of a large scaly creature resembling both a fish and a land-animal provide evidence of

(E)the fossils of a large scaly creature resemble both a fish and a land-animal and provide evidence of

i want to discuss this question with these two choices. Please give your inputs.

My take is A is appropriate.

Hailed as a key discovery in the science of evolution, the fossils of a large scaly creature resembling both a fish and a land-animal provide evidence of a possible link in the evolutionary chain from water-based to land-based organisms.

The statement in blue modifies the creature.

Regards,

Pranay

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