Of the twin supernovas, the most recently discovered is the largest

E..
since two things are involved and to maintain llism , larger and smaller are reqd...

I think D also cannot make a correct/complete sentence.
but the small one that... is not a sentence.

The things under comparison are just two supernovas. So the use of the superlatives, 'the most recently discovered and the largest' is ungrammatical. Drop A, B and C.
Between D and E, which both use the acceptable ‘the more recently discovered', the use of comparators such as larger and smaller are more appropriate. That is why E.

Of the twin supernovas, the most recently discovered is the largest, but it is the small one that has irrevocably altered astronomers’ ideas about the origins of the universe.

(A) the most recently discovered is the largest, but it is the small one
(B) the one most recently discovered is the largest, but it is the small one
(C) the most recently discovered is larger, but it is the smaller
(D) the more recently discovered one is the large one but the small one
(E) the more recently discovered is the larger, but it is the smaller one

"more" is appropriate here as we are talking about only 2 stars ( Refer to superlative & comparative types in a good SC book).

Since comparative form is used we use (er).

E

My first explanation finally ..

When we are using two items we ALWAYS use comparative form to show similarity/difference rather than the superlative form (used for more than two), so :

Of the twin supernovas, the most recently discovered is the largest, but it is the small one that has irrevocably altered astronomers’ ideas about the origins of the universe.

(A) the most recently discovered is the largest, but it is the small one
Superlative
(B) the one most recently discovered is the largest, but it is the small one
Superlative
(C) the most recently discovered is larger, but it is the smaller
Superlative
(D) the more recently discovered one is the large one but the small one
It is missing
(E) the more recently discovered is the larger, but it is the smaller one
Correct

Hi everyone,

The thread has interesting discussion, but it seems that there is still some confusion regarding how to arrive at the correct answer confidently.
Let me present my analysis from the meaning perspective.

Of the twin supernovas, the most recently discovered is the largest, but it is the small one that has irrevocably altered astronomers’ ideas about the origins of the universe.

Meaning Analysis:

Two supernovas have been discovered so far. The one discovered recently is larger from the one discovered earlier. But it is the smaller one that has impacted astronomers’ ideas about the origins of the universe.

Error Analysis:

Use of superlatives “most” and “largest” is incorrect because he sentence talks of only two supernovas. Hence, we need adjectives in comparative degree.

PoE:

(A) the most recently discovered is the largest, but it is the small one: Incorrect for the reason stated above.

(B) the one most recently discovered is the largest, but it is the small one: Incorrect: Same error as in choice A.

(C) the most recently discovered is larger, but it is the smaller: Incorrect.
1. Use of “most” is incorrect.
2. We need “one” after “smaller” to make the meaning clear. The choice seems to convey the recently discovered one is larger but at the same time it is smaller. Also “that” needs to be preceded by a noun for correct modification.

(D) the more recently discovered one is the large one but the small one: Incorrect.
1. Use of positive degree “large” and “small” is incorrect.
2. Verb for “the small one” is missing. We need a clause (SV pair) so that the use of relative pronoun clause “that has…” stands correct.

(E) the more recently discovered is the larger, but it is the smaller one: Correct.

Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Shraddha

Hi all!

Just simple question:

Do we say the most recently discovered? Or the more recently discovered?

What is the rule upon which one occur or not?

Thx you!

Hi Paris.

It depends on the context.
if you are comparing ONLY 2 things --> only comparative comparison "more recently discovered" works.
If you are comparing MORE than 2 things --> Superlative comparison "most recently discovered" works.

Hope it's clear.

Shoudn't the comparative degree be always accompanied by 'than'?
None of the answer choices have this.

In most cases a comparative adjective would be followed by "than", and would not take "the" before. But this usage is an exception:

The structure "THE + comparative adjective + OF + two entities" does not require "than".

Correct: Jack is THE older OF the two brothers.

Correct. The more recently discovered (one) is THE larger OF the twin supernovas .

With re-arrangement the structure becomes:
OF the twin supernovas the more recently discovered (one) is THE larger

Hi,

Since the statement starts with 'Out of the twin..', the most recently discovered...'. Usage of 'larger' is CORRECT in option E.
We do not need a 'than' here because it is very clear from the meaning that we mean that the most recently discovered is larger than the other one.

If the meaning is clear and 'larger' is unambiguously comparing two things, the sentence should be correct.

Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation to this question-

Concepts tested here: Comparisons + Awkwardness/Redundancy

• To draw a comparison, an adjective must be in the comparative or superlative form; the comparative forms are used to compare two elements, and superlative forms are used to compare more than two elements.

A:
1/ This answer choice incorrectly uses the superlative adjectives "most recently discovered" and "largest" to compare two things - "the twin supernovas"; remember, the comparative forms are used to compare two elements, and superlative forms are used to compare more than two elements.
2/ Option A incorrectly uses the absolute adjective "small" to draw a comparison; remember, to draw a comparison, an adjective must be in the comparative or superlative form; the comparative forms are used to compare two elements, and superlative forms are used to compare more than two elements.

B: Trap.
1/ This answer choice incorrectly uses the superlative adjectives "most recently discovered" and "largest" to compare two things - "the twin supernovas"; remember, the comparative forms are used to compare two elements, and superlative forms are used to compare more than two elements.
2/ Option B incorrectly uses the absolute adjective "small" to draw a comparison; remember, to draw a comparison, an adjective must be in the comparative or superlative form; the comparative forms are used to compare two elements, and superlative forms are used to compare more than two elements.
3/ Option B uses the needlessly wordy phrase "the one most recently discovered", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

C: Trap.
1/ This answer choice incorrectly uses the superlative adjective "most recently discovered" to compare two things - "the twin supernovas"; remember, the comparative forms are used to compare two elements, and superlative forms are used to compare more than two elements.

D:
1/ This answer choice incorrectly uses the absolute adjectives "large" and "small" to draw a comparison; remember, to draw a comparison, an adjective must be in the comparative or superlative form; the comparative forms are used to compare two elements, and superlative forms are used to compare more than two elements.

E: Correct.
1/ This answer choice correctly uses the comparative adjectives "more recently discovered", "larger", and "smaller" to compare two things - "the twin supernovas".
2/ Option E is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.

Hence, E is the best answer choice.

All the best!
Experts' Global Team