Dear Friends,
Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
flyinhair wrote:
The use of lie detectors is based on the assumption that lying produces emotional reactions in an individual that, in turn, create unconscious physiological responses.
(A) that, in turn, create unconscious physiological responses
(B) that creates unconscious physiological responses in turn
(C) creating, in turn, unconscious physiological responses
(D) to create, in turn, physiological responses that are unconscious
(E) who creates unconscious physiological responses in turn
Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:Understanding the intended meaning of this sentence is key to solving the question; the intended meaning of the crucial part of this sentence is that lying produces emotional reactions in an individual, and these reactions, in turn, create unconscious physiological responses.
Concepts tested here: Subject-Verb Agreement + Meaning + Awkwardness/RedundancyA: Correct. This answer choice correctly refers to the plural noun “reactions” with the plural verb “create”. Further, the sentence formed by Option A uses the phrase “emotional reactions…that…create”, conveying the intended meaning – that lying produces emotional reactions in an individual, and
as a result,
these reactions, in turn, create unconscious physiological responses. Additionally, Option A is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.
B: This answer choice incorrectly refers to the plural noun “reactions” with the singular verb “creates”.
C: The sentence formed by this answer alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “individual creating...unconscious physiological responses”; the construction of this phrase illogically implies that lying produces emotional reactions in an individual
who is at that time, in turn, creating unconscious physiological responses,
themselves; the intended meaning is that lying produces emotional reactions in an individual, and
these reactions, in turn, create unconscious physiological responses.
D: The sentence formed by this answer alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “to produce”; the use of the infinitive verb form (“to + base form of verb” – “to + create” in this sentence) incorrectly implies that lying produces emotional reactions in an individual
for the purpose of creating unconscious physiological responses; the intended meaning is that lying produces emotional reactions in an individual, and
as a result, these reactions, in turn, create unconscious physiological responses. Further, Option D uses the needlessly wordy phrase “physiological responses that are unconscious”, leading to awkwardness and redundancy.
E: The sentence formed by this answer alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “individual who creates”; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that lying produces emotional reactions in an individual who creates unconscious physiological responses,
themselves; the intended meaning is that the lying produces emotional reactions in an individual, and
these reactions, in turn, create unconscious physiological responses.
Hence, A is the best answer choice.All the best!
Experts' Global Team
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