white dwarf, a neutron star, or a black hole

[real2008]

A star will compress itself into a white dwarf, a neutron star, or a black hole after it passes through a red giant stage, depending on mass.
(A) A star will compress itself into a white dwarf, a neutron star, or a black hole after it passes through a red giant stage, depending on mass.
(B) After passing through a red giant stage, depending on its mass, a star will compress itself into a white dwarf, a neutron star, or a black hole.
(C) After passing through a red giant stage, a star’s mass will determine if it
compresses itself into a white dwarf, a neutron star, or a black hole.
(D) Mass determines whether a star, after passing through the red giant stage, will compress itself into a white dwarf, a neutron star, or a black hole.
(E) The mass of a star, after passing through the red giant stage, will determine whether it compresses itself into a white dwarf, a neutron star, or a black hole.

OA is D But what is wrong in A?

[kc_raj]

IMO A has modifier too far away "depending on mass" its not clear weather it is modifying red giant stage or a star?

[pratyush.mathur]

What's the problem with E?

[gmat_dest]

Please read E into the sentence. Sounds illogical.
The mass of a star does not pass through any stage.
It is the star which passes through a stage.

[mbadrew]

A--the segment of the sentence"depending on mass" is modifying the preceding phrase "red giant stage".

B--The star compresses itself based on its mass. The star doesn't compress the mass.

C--A star's mass doesn't pass through the red giant stage. The star itself passes through the red giant stage.

D--perfectly written sentence.

E--Again, the mass doesn't pass through the red giant stage, but the star itself passes through the red giant stage.

This question tests your ability to identify logical construction of a sentence. Definitely a 700 range question.

[aman.kr.jha]

@mbadrew

hey mbadrew, can you please explain in detail why option B is wrong.

thanks
Aman

[sriven]

IMO: Option B does not clarify that Star is passing through .. and depending on Star's mass....
Though option D sounds wordy it is correct.

[mbadrew]

@mbadrew

hey mbadrew, can you please explain in detail why option B is wrong.

thanks
Aman

OK, if you read the sentence, "After passing through the red giant stage, depending on its mass". Here the "its" is referring to the red giant mass and not the star. So, this is not a good choice. Remember, clauses separated by commas always modify preceding clauses or phrases. So if you read the sentence, it seems as if the mass belongs to the red giant stage and the star is compressing the mass. Very awkward and illogical.

I hope this clarifies

[atrayee345]

(A) Modifier errors
(B) Modifier error
(C) This makes the reader believe that the star's mass passed through the red giant stage.
(D) This choice clearly mentions that the star passes through the red giant stage and this decision is determined by the mass of the star. This choice is correct.
(E) This makes the reader believe that the star's mass passed through the red giant stage. Same error as in choice C.Hence (d).