Studying the fruit fly, a household nuisance but a time-honored experi

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 the fruit fly is a household nuisance but is also a time-honored experimental subject, and the study of the fruit fly has enabled scientists to begin to unravel the secrets of how embryos develop.

Concepts tested here: Meaning + Modifiers + Awkwardness/Redundancy

• In a “phrase + comma + noun” construction, the phrase must correctly modify the noun; this is one of the most frequently tested concepts on GMAT sentence correction.

A: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the clause "Studying the fruit fly...has enabled the secrets"; the construction of this phrase illogically implies that the secrets of how embryos develop studied the fruit fly; the intended meaning is that scientists studied the fruit fly. Further, Option A uses the passive construction "to begin to be unraveled", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

B: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "and also a time-honored experimental subject"; the use of "and also" fails to convey the needed sense of contrast, the fruit fly is a household nuisance and is also also a time-honored experimental subject; the intended meaning is that although the fruit fly is a household nuisance, it is also a time-honored experimental subject. Further, Option B uses the passive construction "to begin to be unraveled", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

C: This answer choice incorrectly uses "By studying a household nuisance but a time-honored experimental subject" to modify "the fruit fly", illogically implying that the fruit fly studied a household nuisance; the intended meaning is that scientists studied the fruit fly; remember, in a “phrase + comma + noun” construction, the phrase must correctly modify the noun. Moreover, Option C further alters the meaning of the sentence through the clause "the fruit fly enabled scientists"; the construction of this clause incorrectly implies that the fruit fly itself enabled scientists to begin to unravel the secrets of how embryos develop; the intended meaning is that studying the fruit fly enabled scientists to begin to unravel the secrets of how embryos develop.

D: This answer choice incorrectly uses "By studying the fruit fly" to modify "the secrets", illogically implying that the secrets of how embryos develop studied the fruit fly; the intended meaning is that scientists studied the fruit fly. Moreover, Option D alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "and also a time-honored experimental subject"; the use of "and also" fails to convey the needed sense of contrast, the fruit fly is a household nuisance and is also also a time-honored experimental subject; the intended meaning is that although the fruit fly is a household nuisance, it is also a time-honored experimental subject. Additionally, Option D uses the passive construction "are beginning to be unraveled", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

E: Correct. This answer choice uses the clause "The study of the fruit fly...has enabled scientists", conveying the intended meaning - that scientists studied the fruit fly, and studying the fruit fly has enabled scientists to begin to unravel the secrets of how embryos develop. Moreover, Option E uses the phrase "but a time-honored experimental subject", conveying the intended meaning - that although the fruit fly is a household nuisance, it is also a time-honored experimental subject. Further, Option E is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.

Hence, E is the best answer choice.

To understand the concept of "Phrase Comma Subject" and "Subject Comma Phrase" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):



All the best!
Experts' Global Team

E also.

E) The study ...... has enabled scientists to begin to unravel the secrets of how embryos develop.

Was thinking between D & E

Opted for E coz I thought that D is in passive voice. Any other explanation on why D is wrong? Views appreciated!

A, B, C are definitely wrong due to ambiguity, akward sentence structure, etc.

Modifier problem

a household nuisance cannot study about the house fly.

B,C,D are passive at their best

E is active and the winner

It is important to note that SC that are fully underlined tend to be either D or E.

I thought the ordering of alternatives was random (computerised). But if you have noticed this trend, thanks for sharing.

A similar trend I noticed in Quant section. Whenever there is a problem that requires substitution of answer choices, the answer is likely to be D or E.

best,
parsifal

Can someone explain me whether this is a case where an article can be omitted??
If it is not, and as far as I know it is certainly not, option E seems incorrect..

Studying the fruit fly, a household nuisance but a time-honored experimental subject, has enabled the secrets of how embryos develop to begin to be unraveled by scientists.

A) Studying the fruit fly, a household nuisance but a time-honored experimental subject, has enabled the secrets of how embryos develop to begin to be unraveled by scientists. - plain awkward

B) By the study of the fruit fly, a household nuisance and also a time-honored experimental subject, it was possible for the secrets of how embryos develop to begin to be unraveled by scientists. - 'and also' is redundant

C) By studying a household nuisance but a time-honored experimental subject, the fruit fly enabled scientist to begin to unravel the secrets of how embryos develop. - the study enables the scientist not the fruit fly

D) By studying the fruit fly, a household nuisance and also a time-honored experimental subject, the secrets of how embryos develop are beginning to be unraveled by scientist. - 'and also' is redundant

E) The study of the fruit fly, a household nuisance but a time-honored experimental subject, has enabled scientist to begin to unravel the secrets of how embryos develop.

E is the answer .
but isnt ---> "to begin to unravel" sounding awkward ?

As per my understanding , "and also " is not Reduandant on it's own . It is redundant only if it is used along with "both" . But by itself , it cannot be ruled out as Redundant . I have seen some official questions where "and also" appears in the correct answer ( can't recall the question though) .
Both X and also Y --- only this format is outright redundant and can be ruled out as incorrect . But in this particular question "and also" is incorrect cos it doesn't conform to the intended meaning (contrast) and not cos of redundancy

Jyothi

Just adding one point :

Good point @gmacforjyoab;
Option A)Studying the fruit fly, a household nuisance but a time-honored experimental subject, has enabled
the secrets of how embryos develop to begin to be unraveled by scientists.

Studying the fruit fly, a household nuisance..., => Here the appositive is referring back to whole thing 'Studying the fruit fly' ... as if 'Studying' is some adj describing fruit fly ... SO wrong

Option D also commits the same mistake...

rather we should say The study of the Fruit fly,a household nuisance.... --> as in option E

I will be glad if someone can give some more examples from OG or gmatprep where 'v-ing+noun+appositive' becomes bad construction

Hi Sujit2k7 ,

I guess the appositive here is an concrete appositive and hence it doesnt have to refer to studying , rather can refer to the immediate noun preceding the appositive. Hence the issue here is not due to incorrect reference of the appositive.
Perhaps you might want to check this link and a couple of posts by RON on the same topic on manhattan forum .
www.manhattangmat.com/forums/post35386.html#p35386

Feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

-Jyothi

Dear sujit2k7,
The default for any noun-modifier is the Modifier Touch Rule. See this post on modifiers.
https://magoosh.com/gmat/2013/modifiers- ... orrection/
Thus, in the structure [gerund][noun, object of gerund][modifier] it would be perfectly natural for the modifier to modify the noun it touches. There is absolutely nothing wrong with (A) in this regard.
Reflecting on Confucius, the great Chinese philosopher, grants us insights into ....
Properly cooking Brussels sprouts, a member of the cabbage family, is not as hard as ...
This is such a standard and correct form that I can't imagine anything in the OG in which this would be wrong. In this question, choice (A) has other problems, chiefly its passive structure, but the placement of the appositive is flawless.

In many constructions, if the object or predicate of the gerund is relatively short, then having modifier modify the gerund would also be perfectly acceptable,
Reading Shakespeare, a laudable habit in and of itself, can teach one about ....
Jogging up and down stairs, an exercise made famous in Rocky, does less harm to ....
These are all correct. I'm not sure what your question is --- does this answer your question?

Mike

Wow Mike ...thanks for correcting me...
Still i have one doubt we have seen examples how GMAT tricks on "lowering interest rates" v/s "lowering of interest rates"
Is not in the same way "Studying the fruit fly" is different from "Study of fruit fly"

Dear sujit2k7
Notice ---
lowering interest rates = good
studying fruit flies = good
but
a lowering of interest rates = bad
a studying of fruit flies = bad
Now, what's very curious about this juxtaposition, the verb "to study" has a noun form "a study", but the verb "to lower" doesn't have a corresponding noun form "a lower" --- the closest noun would be something like "decrease" or "decline"
a study of fruit flies = good
a decrease in interest rates = good
Does all this make sense?
Mike

The options are C, D and E are all wrong with the singular use of scientist. Someone please edit the options.
With "Scientists" the option E is a clear choice.

A) Studying the fruit fly, a household nuisance but a time-honored experimental subject, has enabled the secrets of how embryos develop to begin to be unraveled by scientists. Wrong - "develop to begin to be unraveled" is wordy and imprecise; the inverted word order also makes the sentence imprecise.

B) By the study of the fruit fly, a household nuisance and also a time-honored experimental subject, it was possible for the secrets of how embryos develop to begin to be unraveled by scientists. Wrong - dangling modifier "by the study of the...."; "was" changes the meaning of the sentence, as it is no longer ongoing into the present; "begin to be unraveled by" is wordy.

C) By studying a household nuisance but a time-honored experimental subject, the fruit fly enabled scientist to begin to unravel the secrets of how embryos develop. Wrong - illogical in general; the fruit fly cannot study itself; furthermore, fruit fly cannot enable scientists anything

D) By studying the fruit fly, a household nuisance and also a time-honored experimental subject, the secrets of how embryos develop are beginning to be unraveled by scientist. Wrong - dangling modifier; verb tense changes the meaning of the sentence in that "are beginning" indicates progressive action instead of something ongoing or an eternal state.

E) The study of the fruit fly, a household nuisance but a time-honored experimental subject, has enabled scientist to begin to unravel the secrets of how embryos develop. Best answer - "the study" is the subject instead of a opening modifier and infinitives "to begin to unravel" properly convey purpose.

IMO E.