Dr. Tonegawa won the Nobel Prize for discovering how the body can constantly change its genes to fashion a seeming unlimited number of antibodies, each specifically targeted at an invading microbe or foreign substance.
(A) seeming unlimited number of antibodies, each specifically targeted at
(B) seeming unlimited number of antibodies, each targeted specifically to
(C) seeming unlimited number of antibodies, all specifically targeted at
(D) seemingly unlimited number of antibodies, all of them targeted specifically to
(E) seemingly unlimited number of antibodies, each targeted specifically at
OA is E
Hi, all.
Try this one plz. Is the "each targeted specifically at" a "absolute phrase"? If it is, I wonder why it uses "targeted", not "targeting" ? I think "target" should be used in a active voice, not passive voice. Anyone correct me?
OG Qs. About "absolute phrase"
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- Tani
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The first issue in this problem is "each" versus "all". By using "all" you would imply that all of the antibodies were targeting the same microbe or foreign substance. "Each" allows the individual antibodies to have separate targets. Eliminate C and D.
The second issue is "targeted to" versus "targeted at". The latter is idiomatically correct. Eliminate B.
The third issue is the placement of "specifically". The original implies that it is the targeting that is specific, when in fact the antibody is directed at a specific invader. Eliminate A - E wins.
The second issue is "targeted to" versus "targeted at". The latter is idiomatically correct. Eliminate B.
The third issue is the placement of "specifically". The original implies that it is the targeting that is specific, when in fact the antibody is directed at a specific invader. Eliminate A - E wins.
Tani Wolff
- rx_11
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Tani Wolff - Kaplan wrote:The first issue in this problem is "each" versus "all". By using "all" you would imply that all of the antibodies were targeting the same microbe or foreign substance. "Each" allows the individual antibodies to have separate targets. Eliminate C and D.
The second issue is "targeted to" versus "targeted at". The latter is idiomatically correct. Eliminate B.
The third issue is the placement of "specifically". The original implies that it is the targeting that is specific, when in fact the antibody is directed at a specific invader. Eliminate A - E wins.
Thanks very much, Tani
But would you explain why we use "targeted" in E, not "targeting"?
Moreover, is "each targeted specifically at......" an absolute phrase?
Regards.
Rx
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my answer would be that using 'targeting' might illogically modify Towengo the NP winner.But would you explain why we use "targeted" in E, not "targeting"?
I dont know what you mean by 'absolute phrase'. If you meant that it is not a relative phrase, then NO. It is a relative clause modifying antibodies.Moreover, is "each targeted specifically at......" an absolute phrase?
- rx_11
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Hi, ov25
I don't think it is a relative clause. It should be a "absolute phrase", which is a modifier that attaches to a sentence or a noun, with no conjunction and contains no verb.
I don't think it is a relative clause. It should be a "absolute phrase", which is a modifier that attaches to a sentence or a noun, with no conjunction and contains no verb.
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In this case, I think Option A,B and C can be eliminated as "seeming" is modifying "unlimited". An Adjective can never modify another adjective. Hence, we need an adverb here. Thus, we need seemingly. In between option D and E, D is illogical as "all of them targeted specifically to " implies all targeted at single foreign substance.Further, targeted at is preferred over targeted to. Hence option E.
- uwhusky
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I don't think you fully understood active and passive sentence construction. An active/passive sentence must have a transitive verb, and in this case, an absolute "phrase" by definition does not contain a verb and therefore is not a sentence.rx_11 wrote: Try this one plz. Is the "each targeted specifically at" a "absolute phrase"? If it is, I wonder why it uses "targeted", not "targeting" ? I think "target" should be used in a active voice, not passive voice. Anyone correct me?
In addition, we should concentrate on the choices available, not how we could make the sentence better.
Yep.
- sachin_yadav
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Hi All,Tani Wolff - Kaplan wrote:The first issue in this problem is "each" versus "all". By using "all" you would imply that all of the antibodies were targeting the same microbe or foreign substance. "Each" allows the individual antibodies to have separate targets.
After reading all the options the best answer is E, but if the options are:-
seemingly unlimited number of antibodies, all targeted specifically at
or
seemingly unlimited number of antibodies, all of them targeted specifically at
then which one is the best option. Some say if "all of them" exists then second one is correct.
https://www.beatthegmat.com/dr-tonegawa- ... 53447.html
Can anyone please put some light on this small topic ?
Thanks
Sachin
- sachin_yadav
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Thank you so much Tani. I really appreciate for your reply.Tani Wolff - Kaplan wrote:"all of them" is not incorrect, but it is wordy. I would not expect the test to ask you to chose between those alternatives.
Regards
Sachin