OG12 and GMATPrep conflicting question

[GMATMadeEasy]

GMATPrep: (I hhave this question in my GMATPrep2)

Studying the fruit fly, a household nuisance but a time-honored experimental subject, has enabled the secrets of how embryos develop to begin to be unraveled by scientists.

A) Studying the fruit fly, a household nuisance but a time-honored experimental subject, has enabled the secrets of how embryos develop to begin to be unraveled by scientists.

B) By the study of the fruit fly, a household nuisance and also a time-honored experimental subject, it was possible for the secrets of how embryos develop to begin to be unraveled by scientists.

C) By studying a household nuisance but a time-honored experimental subject, the fruit fly enabled scientist to begin to unravel the secrets of how embryos develop.

D) By studying the fruit fly, a household nuisance and also a time-honored experimental subject, the secrets of how embryos develop are beginning to be unraveled by scientist.

E) The study of the fruit fly, a household nuisance but a time-honored experimental subject, has enabled scientist to begin to unravel the secrets of how embryos develop.
OA is E; pay attention to the part i correct answer: The study of the fruit fly, a household nuisance but a time-honored experimental subject;here appositive used refers to fly not to household.

Now look at this question OG12:

In 1713, Alexander Pope began his translation of the Iliad. a work that taking him seven years until
completion. and that literary critic Samuel Johnson,Pope's contemporary, pronounced the greatest
translation in any language.

(A) his translation of the Iliad, a work that, taking him seven years until completion, and that
literary critic Samuel Johnson, Pope's contemporary, pronounced
(8) his translation of the Iliad, a work that took him seven years to complete and that literary critic Samuel Johnson, Pope's contemporary,pronounced
(C) his translation of the Iliad, a work that had taken seven years to complete and that literary critic Samuel Johnson, Pope's contemporary,pronounced it as
(D) translating the Iliad, a work that took seven years until completion and that literary critic
Samuel Johnson, Pope's contemporary, pronounced it as
(E) translating the Iliad, a work that had taken seven years to complete and literary critic Samuel
Johnson, Pope's contemporary, pronounced it

OA is B;appositive used refers to translation of Iliad not to Iliad.

Also option D in OG question is rejected by saying that a work refers here to Iliad not to translation of Iliad.

I am a bit confused. even if context and logic are to be used, some guiding rule at least would be helpful ?

[e-GMAT]

Hi GMATMadeEasy,

The study of the fruit fly, a household nuisance but a time-honored experimental subject, has enabled scientist to begin to unravel the secrets of how embryos develop.

In this sentence, the modifier modifies the fruit fly. It describes the fruit fly.
It would not make sense for this modifier to modify the study itself. Study of fruit fly is not a household nuisance. Thus, in this sentence the context is such that the modification is absolutely clear.

Now consider the following sentence:
The study of the fruit fly, an investigation that began hundred years back, has enabled scientist to begin to unravel the secrets of how embryos develop.

Now the modifier modifies the study itself. It implies that study of fruit fly began 100 years back. Thus, as you can the context of the sentence determines what is being modified by the modifier.

As far as OG12 goes, the correct answer choice is in the same style as the modified sentence above. In this choice it makes complete sense for the modifier to modify Translation of the Iliad.

Thanks,

Payal

[lunarpower]

first, note that basically any modifier that can refer to a NOUN can also refer to a construction of the form NOUN1 + prep + NOUN2.
in other words --
if you see "NOUN1 + prep + NOUN2 + , + noun modifier", then the modifier may modify either of the two nouns. this is not considered "ambiguous", as long as the modifier may be assigned to one of the nouns by the reasonable application of common sense (as is the case in these two examples).

--

second, note that appositive modifiers are much more flexible than is suggested by only these two examples. for instance, see here:
https://www.beatthegmat.com/modifier-con ... tml#366042