Pulsar!

[gmat_perfect]

Although the first pulsar, or rapidly spinning collapsed star, to be sighted was in the summer of 1967 by graduate student Jocelyn Bell, it had not been announced until February, 1968.

(A) Although the first pulsar, or rapidly spinning collapsed star, to be sighted was in the summer of 1967 by graduate student Jocelyn Bell, it had not been announced until February, 1968.
(B) Although not announced until February, 1968, in the summer of 1967 graduate student Jocelyn Bell observed the first pulsar, or rapidly spinning collapsed star, to be sighted.
(C) Although observed by graduate student Jocelyn Bell in the summer of 1967, the discovery of the first sighted pulsar, or rapidly spinning collapsed star, had not been announced before February, 1968.
(D) The first pulsar, or rapidly spinning collapsed star, to be sighted was observed in the summer of 1967 by graduate student Jocelyn Bell, but the discovery was not announced until February, 1968.
(E) The first sighted pulsar, or rapidly spinning collapsed star, was not announced until February, 1968, while it was observed in the summer of 1967 by graduate student Jocelyn Bell.

[spoiler]OA: D[/spoiler]

[uwhusky]

Unfortunately I can identify the right answer, but I do need more practice on non-restrictive modifiers before I can list out reasons why others are wrong.

But I'll give it a shot anyway.

A: I think A is almost correct, except that the "it" in "it had not been announced..." is ambiguous and cannot refer to pulsar.

B: The construction of the second clause is incorrect. "in the summer of 1967 graduate student Jocelyn Bell observed the first pulsar", adverbial of time (in the summer of 1967) should go in the back of the phrase, and the clause should be made into passive with "the first pulsar" as the subject. The appositive would also have to be moved. I think there are way too many construction issues with B.

C: "the discovery of the first sighted pulsar" is incorrectly constructed, "first sighted pulsar" like B should be the subject.

E: This one I might have the most problem explaining. "it" is ambiguous, and I know "while" is wrong, but I am not sure if it's wrong because of its incorrect usage as conjunction, or that it's wrong because it incorrectly modifies February, 1968.

[paes]

very simple.

A, C : out, issue :'had been'

E: meaning of the sentence
The first sighted pulsar, <> was not announced,

It was discovery not pulsar that was announced.

B : dangling modifier

Although not announced until February, <> // discovery should come here

[uwhusky]

Referring to MGMAT SC on page ~109, I think the tense issue at A, "had not been announced until..." is actually correct.

As stated in the book: "do not use past perfect tense if it's not followed by a simple past verb, except when a date or a time reference is used"

Example:

"By 1945, the United States had been at war for several years."

[paes]

Referring to MGMAT SC on page ~109, I think the tense issue at A, "had not been announced until..." is actually correct.

As stated in the book: "do not use past perfect tense if it's not followed by a simple past verb, except when a date or a time reference is used"

Example:

"By 1945, the United States had been at war for several years."

Thanks to point out the rule.

[SaraiGMAXonline]

Hi Guys,

Let's now look at every issue that comes into play here. Remember, the more ways you have of identifying a wrong answer, the fast you can solve future problems!

Although the first pulsar, or rapidly spinning collapsed star, to be sighted was in the summer of 1967 by graduate student Jocelyn Bell, it had not been announced until February, 1968.

(A) Although the first pulsar, or rapidly spinning collapsed star, to be sighted was in the summer of 1967 by graduate student Jocelyn Bell, it had not been announced until February, 1968.

Two important errors arise here!

1. The subject and verb of the first clause (the dependent clause) do not make sense.

"The pulsar.... was in the summer." A star is not something that happens, so there is an error in the logical meaning here.

2. "until February" is a time modifier that forces the past simple!

There are several key words (such as ago, last, in, on....) that point to a specific, finite point in time in the past. "Until" is one of these words, and when you see "until" in the time modifier, you must use past simple (in this case "was", not the past perfect "had been").

(B) Although not announced until February, 1968, in the summer of 1967 graduate student Jocelyn Bell observed the first pulsar, or rapidly spinning collapsed star, to be sighted.

Subject-Modifier Error! The sentences begins with a past participle ("announced"), which is a descriptive word (passive voice) that is derived from a verb. Since the sentence begins with a description, the subject (in this case Jocelyn) is what is described. So the sentence, as it is written, literally mean that Jocelyn was announced, a sentence that is of course illogical.

(C) Although observed by graduate student Jocelyn Bell in the summer of 1967, the discovery of the first sighted pulsar, or rapidly spinning collapsed star, had not been announced before February, 1968.

1. Subject-Modifier Error! The sentence literally says that the discovery was observed. (See B) But it is the pulsar, not the discovery that is supposed to be "observed".

2. "Until February" requires the past simple 'was'. (See A.)

(D) The first pulsar, or rapidly spinning collapsed star, to be sighted was observed in the summer of 1967 by graduate student Jocelyn Bell, but the discovery was not announced until February, 1968.

Correct: The pulsar was observed, but the discover was not announced until February.

(E) The first sighted pulsar, or rapidly spinning collapsed star, was not announced until February, 1968, while it was observed in the summer of 1967 by graduate student Jocelyn Bell.

1. Clause Structure Error: Here the sentence says that the pulsar was not announced, while it [?] was observed. But the intended meaning was that the pulsar was observed, but not announced.

2. Ambiguous Pronoun! Since "it" in "it was observed" can just as easily refer to "pulsar" as it can to "star," the pronoun is ambiguous.

Hope that helps!

Best,
Sarai

[spoiler]OA: D[/spoiler][/quote]

[gmat_perfect]

Hi Guys,

Let's now look at every issue that comes into play here. Remember, the more ways you have of identifying a wrong answer, the fast you can solve future problems!

Although the first pulsar, or rapidly spinning collapsed star, to be sighted was in the summer of 1967 by graduate student Jocelyn Bell, it had not been announced until February, 1968.

(A) Although the first pulsar, or rapidly spinning collapsed star, to be sighted was in the summer of 1967 by graduate student Jocelyn Bell, it had not been announced until February, 1968.

Two important errors arise here!

1. The subject and verb of the first clause (the dependent clause) do not make sense.

"The pulsar.... was in the summer." A star is not something that happens, so there is an error in the logical meaning here.

2. "until February" is a time modifier that forces the past simple!

There are several key words (such as ago, last, in, on....) that point to a specific, finite point in time in the past. "Until" is one of these words, and when you see "until" in the time modifier, you must use past simple (in this case "was", not the past perfect "had been").

(B) Although not announced until February, 1968, in the summer of 1967 graduate student Jocelyn Bell observed the first pulsar, or rapidly spinning collapsed star, to be sighted.

Subject-Modifier Error! The sentences begins with a past participle ("announced"), which is a descriptive word (passive voice) that is derived from a verb. Since the sentence begins with a description, the subject (in this case Jocelyn) is what is described. So the sentence, as it is written, literally mean that Jocelyn was announced, a sentence that is of course illogical.

(C) Although observed by graduate student Jocelyn Bell in the summer of 1967, the discovery of the first sighted pulsar, or rapidly spinning collapsed star, had not been announced before February, 1968.

1. Subject-Modifier Error! The sentence literally says that the discovery was observed. (See B) But it is the pulsar, not the discovery that is supposed to be "observed".

2. "Until February" requires the past simple 'was'. (See A.)

(D) The first pulsar, or rapidly spinning collapsed star, to be sighted was observed in the summer of 1967 by graduate student Jocelyn Bell, but the discovery was not announced until February, 1968.

Correct: The pulsar was observed, but the discover was not announced until February.

(E) The first sighted pulsar, or rapidly spinning collapsed star, was not announced until February, 1968, while it was observed in the summer of 1967 by graduate student Jocelyn Bell.

1. Clause Structure Error: Here the sentence says that the pulsar was not announced, while it [?] was observed. But the intended meaning was that the pulsar was observed, but not announced.

2. Ambiguous Pronoun! Since "it" in "it was observed" can just as easily refer to "pulsar" as it can to "star," the pronoun is ambiguous.

Hope that helps!

Best,
Sarai

[spoiler]OA: D[/spoiler]

[/quote]


Thanks for your reply.

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