another example

During and immediately after the California gold
rush, the way for a merchant to generate the
most profit was to move a limited amount of
scarce goods to San Francisco as quickly as
possible, rather than to carry larger loads more
slowly, determining the design of the clipper
ship



(A) to carry larger loads more slowly,
determining
(B) to carry larger loads more slowly, a
situation that determined
(C) carry larger loads more slowly, which
determined
(D) slowly carry larger loads which determined
(E) carrying larger loads more slowly, and this
was a situation in determining

The OA is b and I marked A

The modifier used in both the question are not identical.

According to the teachings of the Buddhist and
Hindu religions, attaining nirvana is to enter a
state of supreme liberation, leaving behind the
desires that perpetuate the cycle of death and
rebirth.
(A) attaining nirvana is to enter
(B) to attain nirvana is entering
(C) to attain nirvana is
(D) to attain nirvana is to enter
(E) attaining nirvana is to be entering

I got the correct OA D

a participle phrase modifies the whole clause - generally an adverb of manner or an adverb of result.

I killed a snake, using a stick.
My cousin took extra class in every semester in the college, graduating in three years

Some useful link :

https://www.beatthegmat.com/past-partici ... 01365.html
https://www.beatthegmat.com/comma-with-e ... 85064.html
https://www.beatthegmat.com/comma-with-v ... tml#423388
https://www.beatthegmat.com/baby-emergin ... 12847.html

During and immediately after the California gold
rush, the way for a merchant to generate the
most profit was to move a limited amount of
scarce goods to San Francisco as quickly as
possible, rather than to carry larger loads more
slowly, determining the design of the clipper
ship

(A) to carry larger loads more slowly,
determining
(B) to carry larger loads more slowly, a
situation that determined
(C) carry larger loads more slowly, which
determined
(D) slowly carry larger loads which determined
(E) carrying larger loads more slowly, and this
was a situation in determining

The OA is b and I marked A

an abstract noun stands for the idea expressed in the preceeding clause. Refer Og-12 #83.

https://www.manhattangmat.com/forums/pos ... tml#p35386

Hope this helps !!