Embedded in the back cover, biometric data, electronic fingerprints, p

In my opinion, the best way to understand what modifies what is to Understand what the author is trying to convey. Try to understand the meaning of the sentence.

Let us note that structurally "embedded in the back cover" cannot modify "containing blah" since following an adjectival past participle modifier such as "embedded …," you will need to place a noun immediately after the comma. Per se, The sentence structure is wrong in B. By comparison, "the embedded …," phrase in E modifies a computer chip unquestionably.

Embedded in the back cover, biometric data, electronic fingerprints, pictures of the holder, and a wireless RFID transmitter contained in a computer chip have been inserted in every new U.S. passport since 2007.

This question checks the

Clarity, Usage of modifiers, and SVA

Meaning:

A computer chip is embedded in the back cover
The back cover contains biometric data, electronic fingerprints, pictures of the holder, and a wireless RFID transmitter
Every new passport has a computer chip since 2007

POE

A. Embedded in the back cover, biometric data, electronic fingerprints, pictures of the holder, and a wireless RFID transmitter contained in a computer chip have
Subject verb disagreement and Meaning ambiguity
B. A computer chip, embedded in the back cover, containing biometric data, electronic fingerprints, pictures of the holder, and a wireless RFID transmitter has
Here embedded and containing are used as modifiers but it is not connected with any conjuction, So it makes embedded an action verb which causes meaning ambiguity
C. A computer chip embedded in the back cover and containing picture of the holder, biometric data and electronic fingerprints, and a wireless RFID transmitter have
Subject-verb disagreement
D. Embedded in the back cover, a computer chip containing biometric data, electronic fingerprints, pictures of the holder, and a wireless RFID transmitter have
Subject-verb disagreement
E. Embedded in the back cover, a computer chip containing biometric data, electronic fingerprints, pictures of the holder, and a wireless RFID transmitter has Correct

I'm sorry if this question sounds stupid but In option B Can't we say that if containing biometric data is modifying embedded in back cover then we can ask ourself what is embedded in back cover and the answer is computer chip so in-directly its correctly modifying it. Is it like nouns can be modified only directly?

Hi experts .
Please explain the difference between B and E
B also seems fine to me .
I am lost on this one .


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daagh sir, can a VERB-ED modifier preceded by a comma not modify a noun?
In option B, can't "embedded in the back cover" modify "A computer chip"?

sandman

True an 'ed' modifier preceded by a comma can modify the noun just in front. However, in the given choice, apart from 'embedded,' 'containing' also modifies the computer chip. When there are more than one modifier, it is essential to separate them with a conjunction such as 'and.'

B is therefore structurally faulty.

how are we eliminating C here?
A computer chip embedded in the back cover and containing picture of the holder, biometric data and electronic fingerprints, and a wireless RFID transmitter have
does not above sentence make sense? I mean is there any SVA error?

Hi rkdhardubey,

Let's remove the fluff and check the core of the sentence in C

A computer chip have ( so an SV error exists).

Regards,
Sumit

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Hi Arvind,

Hope you are good.

Your high radar should immediately detect 2 back to back modifiers modifying the same noun ( without any conjuction in between). Same is the case with B





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What is the statement trying to convey?

The Computer Chip is being Inserted in every new U.S. passport since 2007.
A lot of stuff mentioned is embedded in the back cover, but is contained in the computer chip.

A: SVA issue. Have?
B: 2 modifiers one after the other are mentioned without a conjunction separating them.
C: Note that this option has 2 modifiers, but is separated by a conjunction. But sad that there is no Subject Verb Agreement. A Computer Chip have?
D: Simple SVA issue. A computer Chip Have?
E: All modifiers are in place, SVA is also perfect. E is the correct answer.

Roughly 90% of folks are choosing (B) or (E). Good job. Let's compare (B) and (E).



(B) and (E) are very similar, but the beginning of the sentence switches up the order of modifiers a bit.

If you're a GMATNinja or VeritasPrepBrian disciple, like myself, you would probably ask yourself: "Self, from a meaning perspective, what changes when we start the sentence with 'Embedded in the back cover' vs 'A computer chip'?"

In (B), the list of "containing data, electronic fingerprints, ....etc" could be modifying "the back cover" rather than "a computer chip."

(E) clarifies what the list is modifying by saying the computer chip is containing biometric data, electronic fingerprints, etc.

Hi experts! I've selected E by eliminating other alternatives, but couldnt understand the last comma before "and".
Doesn't it transform into a new independent clause?

Embedded in the back cover, a computer chip containing biometric data, electronic fingerprints, pictures of the holder, and a wireless RFID transmitter has been inserted in every new U.S. passport since 2007

Like this, it took me time to understand if the RFID transmitter is also emedded in the black cover, which would change the verb to "have". This is clearly not true, it is the Computer Chip that contains wireless RFID transmitter.
Can someone explain me why this comma is on the sentence? Thank you!!

Embedded in the back cover, a computer chip containing A, B, C, and D has been inserted in every new U.S. passport.

We need the last comma because we're listing several things that the computer chip contains.

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