Roughly one-half of the worlds population, including virtually all of

Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation to this question-

Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:
Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of this sentence is that roughly one-half of the world's population, a figure that includes virtually all of East and Southeast Asia, is wholly dependent on rice as its staple food.

Concepts tested here: Meaning + Grammatical Construction + Idioms + Awkwardness/Redundancy

• The “noun + as + noun” construction” is a correct idiomatic construction used to describe the role played by a noun.

A: This answer choice incorrectly uses the "noun ("rice") + to be + noun ("its staple food")" construction rather than the "noun + as + noun" construction to refer to the role played by "rice" as a "staple food"; please remember, the “noun + as + noun” construction” is a correct idiomatic construction used to describe the role played by a noun. Further, Option A redundantly uses "including" alongside "also"; this usage is redundant, as both terms convey a sense of inclusion.

B: Correct. This answer choice acts upon the independent noun phrase "one-half of the world's population" with the active verb "is" to form a complete thought, leading to a complete sentence. Further, Option B uses the phrase "including virtually all of East and Southeast Asia", conveying the intended meaning - that roughly one-half of the world's population, a figure that includes virtually all of East and Southeast Asia, is wholly dependent on rice as its staple food. Additionally, Option B correctly uses the idiomatic construction "noun ("rice") + as + noun ("its staple food")" to refer to the role played by "rice" as a "staple food". Besides, Option B is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.

C: This answer choice fails to form a complete sentence; as "wholly dependent...staple food" is a noun modifier phrase, there is no verb to act upon the subject "one-half of the world's population". Further, Option C alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "virtually all of East and Southeast Asia as well"; the omission of the word "including" incorrectly implies that roughly one-half of the world's population and all of East and Southeast Asia is wholly dependent on rice as its staple food; the intended meaning is that roughly one-half of the world's population, a figure that includes virtually all of East and Southeast Asia, is wholly dependent on rice as its staple food.

D: This answer choice fails to form a complete sentence; as "being wholly dependent...staple food" is a noun modifier phrase, there is no verb to act upon the subject "one-half of the world's population".

E: This answer choice incorrectly uses the "noun ("rice") + to be + noun ("its staple food")" construction rather than the "noun + as + noun" construction to refer to the role played by "rice" as a "staple food"; please remember, the “noun + as + noun” construction” is a correct idiomatic construction used to describe the role played by a noun. Further, Option E redundantly uses "includes" alongside "also"; this usage is redundant, as both terms convey a sense of inclusion.

Hence, B is the best answer choice.

All the best!
Experts' Global Team
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A: "Also" is Redundant, "to be" is wrong form used for "is"
C: "virtually all of East and Southeast Asia as well" Changes the Meaning of original sentence
D: "Which" is unnecessary "Being" is awkward
E: "to be" is wrong form used

B is correct.

Roughly one-half of the world’s population, including virtually all of East and Southeast Asia also, is wholly dependent on rice to be its staple food.

A. including virtually all of East and Southeast Asia also, is wholly dependent on
rice to be
B. including virtually all of East and Southeast Asia, is wholly dependent on rice as
C. virtually all of East and Southeast Asia as well, wholly dependent on rice as - awkward and also missing verb
D. which includes virtually all of East and Southeast Asia’s, being wholly dependent on rice as
E. which includes virtually all of East and Southeast Asia also, is wholly dependent
on rice to be

Can someone tell me what is "including" modifying here?
As a verbing i guess it modifies the previous clause, however, I think "Roughly one-half of the world's population" is just a phrase and not a clause, as it does not have subject and verb pair(until i am missing something). I am trying to find out how will a Verb-Ing modifier work in structure like this?

Experts, please guide.

Hi chetan2u, daagh /

Is the any difference between "including" and "which includes"...??

Please assist.
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Here are my thoughts on this.

First problem: Dependont on X AS (Correct) not Dependent on X TO BE (wrong) Eliminate A & E.
Second Problem: Missing verb C & D. There's no verb in D or C. So B is the only option that has a verb and has no errors.
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There is no verb in option C.
B is a perfect answer choice.

incorrect usage of also in the modifier


Error free

Missing verb in sentence

Incorrect usage of the possesive form and of 'being'

unnecessary use of also in the modifier part. Incorrect use of the infinitive to be

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