Dear Friends,
Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
thanhmaitran wrote:
Having been named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter, the asteroid named Ida, in the middle of the belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter, was discovered in 1884.
(A) Having been named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter, the asteroid named Ida, in the middle of the belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter, was discovered in 1884.
(B) Discovered in 1884, the asteroid lda, named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter, is in the middle of the belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter.
(C) In the middle of the belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter, the asteroid lda, discovered in 1884 and named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter.
(D) The asteroid Ida, named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter and discovered in 1884, is in the middle of the belt of asteroids to orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter.
(E) Ida, an asteroid discovered in 1884 and which was named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter, is in the middle of the belt of asteroids to orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter.
Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:Understanding the intended meaning of the sentence is key to solving this question; the intended meaning is that the asteroid lda was discovered in 1984 and then named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter, and the asteroid is in the middle of the belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter.
Concepts tested here: Meaning + Verb Forms + Tenses + Grammatical Construction• The infinitive verb form (“to + base form of verb” – “to + orbit” in this sentence) is the preferred construction for referring to the intent/purpose of an action.
A: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “Having been named...”; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that the asteroid Ida was
first named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter,
and then discovered in 1984; the intended meaning is that the asteroid Ida was
first discovered in 1984,
and then named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter.
B: Correct. This answer choice acts upon the independent subject “the asteroid Ida” with the active verb “is” to form a complete thought, leading to a complete sentence. Further, Option B uses the phrase “named for”, conveying the intended meaning – the asteroid Ida was
first discovered in 1984,
and then named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter. Moreover, Option B uses the phrase “that orbit”, conveying the intended meaning – that the asteroid Ida is in the middle of
that specific belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter.
C: This answer choice fails to form a complete sentence; as “discovered” and “named” are both modifiers, there is no active verb to act upon the subject “the asteroid lda”.
D: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “to orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter”; the use of the infinitive verb form (“to + base form of verb” – “to + orbit” in this sentence) illogically implies that the asteroid Ida is in the middle of the belt of asteroids
for the purpose of orbiting the Sun between Mars and Jupiter; the intended meaning is that the asteroid Ida is in the middle of
that specific belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter; remember, the infinitive verb form (“to + base form of verb” – “to + orbit” in this sentence) is the preferred construction for referring to the intent/purpose of an action.
E: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “to orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter”; the use of the infinitive verb form (“to + base form of verb” – “to + orbit” in this sentence) illogically implies that the asteroid Ida is in the middle of the belt of asteroids
for the purpose of orbiting the Sun between Mars and Jupiter; the intended meaning is that the asteroid Ida is in the middle of
that specific belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter; remember, the infinitive verb form (“to + base form of verb” – “to + orbit” in this sentence) is the preferred construction for referring to the intent/purpose of an action.
Hence, B is the best answer choice.All the best!
Experts' Global Team