Sentence Correction

Hi folks! Here's a new SC question. Try your hand at applying the process to solve this one. We will post the complete solution after we see some of your responses.

Once considered the ninth planet in the solar system, Pluto was discovered in 1930, lost its planetary status in 2006, which prompted the International Astronomical Union (IAU) to create a new definition for the term 'planet', and is now categorized as just one out of 70,000 icy objects in the Kuiper Belt measuring 100 kilometers across or more.

A. Once considered the ninth planet in the solar system, Pluto was discovered in 1930, lost its planetary status in 2006, which prompted the International Astronomical Union (IAU) to create a new definition for the term 'planet', and is now categorized as just one out of 70,000 icy objects in the Kuiper Belt measuring

B. Discovered in 1930 and once considered the ninth planet in the solar system, Pluto lost its planetary status in 2006, a development that prompted the International Astronomical Union (IAU) to create a new definition for the term 'planet', and is now categorized as just one out of 70,000 icy objects in the Kuiper Belt that measure

C. Discovered in 1930, Pluto, once considered the ninth planet in the solar system, lost its planetary status in 2006, a development prompting the International Astronomical Union (IAU) to create a new definition for the term 'planet', now categorized as just one out of 70,000 icy objects in the Kuiper Belt to measure

D. Pluto, discovered in 1930 and once considered the ninth planet in the solar system, lost its planetary status in 2006, a development that prompted the International Astronomical Union (IAU) to create a new definition for the term 'planet', is now categorized as just one out of 70,000 icy objects in the Kuiper Belt to measure

E. Discovered in 1930 and once considered the ninth planet in the solar system, Pluto lost its planetary status in 2006, prompted the International Astronomical Union (IAU) to create a new definition for the term 'planet', and is now categorized as just one out of 70,000 icy objects in the Kuiper Belt that measure


Regards,
The e-GMAT Team

Hi Folks,

Thank you for the responses. You have correctly identified that the correct answer is option B. However, none of you provided a detailed analysis for the question. The detailed analysis helps us learn in much more effective manner than just writing the correct answer choice. So here comes the detailed solution of this question.


Once considered the ninth planet in the solar system, Pluto was discovered in 1930, lost its planetary status in 2006, which prompted the International Astronomical Union (IAU) to create a new definition for the term 'planet', and is now categorized as just one out of 70,000 icy objects in the Kuiper Belt measuring 100 kilometers across or more.

SENTENCE STRUCTURE

"¢ Once considered the ninth planet in the solar system, Pluto
o was discovered in 1930,
o lost its planetary status in 2006,
"¢ which prompted the International Astronomical Union (IAU) to create a new definition for the term 'planet',
o and is now categorized as just one out of 70,000 icy objects in the Kuiper Belt measuring 100 kilometers across or more.




"¢ This sentence tells us three things about Pluto, which was once considered the ninth planet in the solar system. These three things are:
1. Pluto was discovered in 1930.
2. It lost its planetary status in 2006.
a. This event prompted the IAU to create a new definition for the term 'planet'.
3. And it is now categorized as just one out of 70,000 icy objects in the Kuiper Belt measuring 100 kilometers or more.



Error Analysis

Modifier Error
1. The modifier 'which' seems to modify the clause "Pluto lost its planetary status in 2006". This is incorrect since 'which' can modify only a noun not a clause.
2. The verb-ing modifier 'measuring' can modify either of the two nouns:
a. Kuiper Belt
b. 70,000 icy objects (the verb-ing modifier can jump over the prepositional phrase 'in the Kuiper Belt' to modify the preceding noun.)


PoE

A. Incorrect for the reasons stated above.

B. Correct Answer
1. "A development...... the term 'planet'" is a noun + noun modifier. In this modifier:
a. A development- Noun (refers to the Pluto losing its planetary status)
b. That prompted..... term 'planet'- Noun Modifier (Provides additional information about the noun)
2. The plural verb 'measure' ensures that the relative pronoun 'that' unambiguously refers to the plural noun '70,000 icy objects'.

C. Incorrect
Meaning Error
1. Since there is no helping verb associated with the verb 'categorized', it acts as a verb-ed modifier in this option and incorrectly modifies 'planet'. Now the sentence conveys the meaning that the term 'planet' is categorized as something.
2. This option conveys the meaning that Pluto was categorized as something to measure 100 kilometers. This is illogical since the original sentence states that it was categorized as one of the objects that measure 100 kilometers.

D. Incorrect.
1. Sentence Structure Error: The two verbs 'lost' and 'is categorized' are not connected properly.
2. Meaning Error: This option has the same meaning error as pointed out in the second part of option C.

E. Incorrect.
Meaning Error: The meaning conveyed by the verb 'prompted' is illogical. This option conveys the meaning that Pluto prompted the IAU to create a new definition for the term 'planet'. This is illogical, since Pluto did not prompt the IAU; the action of Pluto losing its planetary status did.



Thanks.
Deepak