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Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
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Recently documented examples of neurogenesis, the production of new brain cells, include the brain growing in mice when placed in a stimulating environment or neurons increasing in canaries that learn new songs.
(A) the brain growing in mice when placed in a stimulating environment or neurons increasing in canaries that
(B) mice whose brains grow when they are placed in a stimulating environment or canaries whose neurons increase when they
(C) mice's brains that grow when they are placed in a stimulating environment or canaries' neurons that increase when they
(D) the brain growth in mice when placed in a stimulating environment or the increase in canaries' neurons when they
(E) brain growth in mice that are placed in a stimulating environment or an increase in neurons in canaries that
Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of the crucial part of this sentence is that brain growth in mice that are placed in a stimulating environment and an increase in neurons in canaries that learn new songs are examples of the action, neurogenesis.
Concepts tested here: Meaning + Modifiers• "when" is only used to refer to a point in time.
A: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "the brain growing in mice"; the construction of this phrase illogically implies that
the brains of the mice placed in a stimulating environment is an example of neurogenesis; the intended meaning is that
the growth of the brains of mice that are placed in a stimulating environment is an example of neurogenesis. Further, Option A incorrectly uses "when" to refer to "mice"; please remember, "when" is only used to refer to a point in time.
B: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrases "mice whose brains grow" and "canaries whose neurons increase"; the construction of these phrases illogically suggests
those mice whose brains grow when the mice are placed in stimulating environments and
those canaries whose neurons increase when the canaries learn new songs are examples of neurogenesis; the intended meaning is that
the growth of the brains of mice that are placed in a stimulating environment and
the increase in neurons of canaries that learn new songs are examples of neurogenesis.
C: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrases "mice's brains that grow" and "canaries' neurons that increase"; the construction of these phrases illogically suggests
the brains of the mice placed in a stimulating environment and
the neurons of canaries that learn new songs are examples of neurogenesis; the intended meaning is that
the growth of the brains of mice that are placed in a stimulating environment and
the increase in neurons of canaries that learn new songs are examples of neurogenesis.
D: This answer choice incorrectly uses "when" to refer to "mice" and "canaries"; please remember, "when" is only used to refer to a point in time.
E: Correct. This answer choice uses the phrases "brain growth in mice" and "an increase in neurons in canaries", conveying the intended meaning - that
the growth of the brains of mice that are placed in a stimulating environment and
the increase in neurons of canaries that learn new songs are examples of neurogenesis. Further, Option E avoids the modifier error seen in Options A and D, as it does not use the word "when".
Hence, E is the best answer choice.All the best!
Experts' Global Team