GMATGuruNY wrote:When you post an SC, please underline the tested portion

ardz24 wrote:The 32 species that make up the dolphin family are closely related to whales and in fact include the animal known as the killer whale, which can grow to be 30 feet long and is famous for its aggressive hunting pods.

(A) include the animal known as the killer whale, which can grow to be 30 feet long and is
(B) include the animal known as the killer whale, growing as big as 30 feet long and
(C) include the animal known as the killer whale, growing up to 30 feet long and being
(D) includes the animal known as the killer whale, which can grow as big as 30 feet long and is
(E) includes the animal known as the killer whale, which can grow to be 30 feet long and it is

Generally, the agent of a COMMA + VERBing modifier must be the nearest preceding SUBJECT.
B and C: The 32 species...include the animal known as the killer whale, growing
Here, COMMA + growing seems to refer to the 32 species -- the nearest preceding subject -- implying that the SPECIES are GROWING.
Not the intended meaning.
The intended meaning of the original sentence is that THE KILLER WHALE can GROW.
Eliminate B and C.

In D and E, includes (singular) does not agree with the 32 species (plural).
Eliminate D and E.

The correct answer is A.