Dear Friends,
Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
goodyear2013 wrote:
The auk, which nests on the rocky ledges of sea cliffs, lays an egg that is extremely pointed and so, if accidentally kicked, will roll in a circle rather than straight over the edge.
The auk, which nests on the rocky ledges of sea cliffs, lays an egg that is extremely pointed
The auk, which nests on the rocky ledges of sea cliffs, lays an extremely pointed egg
The auk's egg, the auk being a bird that nests on the rocky ledges of sea cliffs, is extremely pointed
The egg of the auk – a bird that nests on the rocky ledges of sea cliffs – are extremely pointed
The egg of the auk – a bird that nests on the rocky ledges of sea cliffs – is extremely pointed
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 auk is a bird that nests on the rocky ledges of sea cliffs, and its egg is extremely pointed, so if the egg is kicked the egg will roll in a circle rather than straight over the edge.
Concepts tested here: .Subject-Verb Agreement + Meaning + Awkwardness/Redundancy• “being” is only to be used when it is part of a noun phrase or represents the passive continuous verb tense; the use of passive continuous must be justified in the context.
A:1/ The sentence formed by this answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "lays an egg that is extremely pointed"; the parallelism between "lays" and "will roll" illogically implies that of
the auk is accidentally kicked, it will roll in a circle rather than straight over the edge; the intended meaning is that if
the egg of the auk is accidentally kicked, it will roll in a circle rather than straight over the edge.
2/ Option A uses the needlessly wordy phrase "an egg that is extremely pointed", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.
B: Trap.
1/ The sentence formed by this answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "lays an extremely pointed egg"; the parallelism between "lays" and "will roll" illogically implies that of
the auk is accidentally kicked, it will roll in a circle rather than straight over the edge; the intended meaning is that if
the egg of the auk is accidentally kicked, it will roll in a circle rather than straight over the edge.
C:1/ This answer choice incorrectly uses the word 'being", leading to awkwardness and redundancy; remember, “being” is only to be used when it is part of a noun phrase or represents the passive continuous verb tense; the use of passive continuous must be justified in the context.
D:1/ This answer choice incorrectly refers to the singular noun "egg" with the plural verb 'are".
E: Correct.1/ This answer choice correctly refers to the singular noun "egg" with the singular verb "is".
2/ The sentence formed by Option E uses the phrase "is extremely pointed"; the parallelism between "is" and "will roll" conveys the intended meaning - that if
the egg of the auk is accidentally kicked, it will roll in a circle rather than straight over the edge.
3/ Option E is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.
Hence, E is the best answer choice.To understand the use of "Being" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):
All the best!
Experts' Global Team