GMATGuruNY wrote:

anksm22 wrote:Scientists have observed large concentrations of heavy-metal deposits in the upper twenty centimeters of Baltic Sea sediments, which are consistent with the growth of industrial activity there.

(A) Baltic Sea sediments, which are consistent with the growth of industrial activity there
(B) Baltic Sea sediments, where the growth of industrial activity is consistent with these findings
(C) Baltic Sea sediments, findings consistent with its growth of industrial activity
(D) sediments from the Baltic Sea, findings consistent with the growth of industrial activity in the area
(E) sediments from the Baltic Sea, consistent with the growth of industrial activity there

OA: Scientists have observed large concentrations of heavy-metal deposits in the upper twenty centimeters of sediments from the Baltic Sea, findings consistent with the growth of industrial activity in the area.

Here, the phrase in red is a SUMMATIVE MODIFIER.
A summative modifier is composed of COMMA + ABSTRACT NOUN + OTHER WORDS.
The purpose of a summative modifier is to SUM UP the preceding clause.
In the OA, what scientists have observed is summed up as FINDINGS CONSISTENT WITH THE GROWTH OF INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY IN THE AREA.

Mo2men wrote:

Here, the phrase in red is a SUMMATIVE MODIFIER.
A summative modifier is composed of COMMA + ABSTRACT NOUN + OTHER WORDS.
The purpose of a summative modifier is to SUM UP the preceding clause.
In the OA, what scientists have observed is summed up as FINDINGS CONSISTENT WITH THE GROWTH OF INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY IN THE AREA.

Dear Mitch,
The definition of 'Abstract Noun' is that something that CANNOT be seen, heard, touched, tasted or smelled (such as event, policy...etc)

However, I feel that 'findings' violates the rule of 'Abstract noun' as I can see and touch the sediments. Can you elaborate pls?

GMATGuruNY wrote:

Mo2men wrote:

Here, the phrase in red is a SUMMATIVE MODIFIER.
A summative modifier is composed of COMMA + ABSTRACT NOUN + OTHER WORDS.
The purpose of a summative modifier is to SUM UP the preceding clause.
In the OA, what scientists have observed is summed up as FINDINGS CONSISTENT WITH THE GROWTH OF INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY IN THE AREA.

Dear Mitch,
The definition of 'Abstract Noun' is that something that CANNOT be seen, heard, touched, tasted or smelled (such as event, policy...etc)

However, I feel that 'findings' violates the rule of 'Abstract noun' as I can see and touch the sediments. Can you elaborate pls?

The first word of a summative modifier must be an abstract noun.
This constraint does not apply to nouns in the modified clause.
In the OA, the first word of the summative modifier -- findings -- is an abstract noun.
Since the noun sediments is in the modified clause, it need not be abstract.

Mo2men wrote:Thanks Mitch
II can't understand how 'findings' is abstract noun. findings is something 'seen' so it should not be considered abstract.
Where I get wrong in my understanding?