Dear Friends,
Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
soxy_topacio wrote:
The list of animals that exhibits a preference of either using the right or the left hand (i.e. claw, paw, or foot) has been expanded to include the lower vertebrates.
A. exhibits a preference of wither using the right or the left hand (i.e. claw, paw, or foot) has been expanded to include
B. exhibits the preference to use either the right or the left hand (i.e. claw, paw, or foot) has been expanded and includes
C. exhibit a preference in either using the right or the left hand (i.e. claw, paw, or foot) has been expanded to include
D. exhibit a preference for using either the right or the left hand (i.e. claw, paw, or foot) has been expanded to include
E. exhibit the preference as to either using the right or the left hand (i.e. claw, paw, or foot) has been expanded and includes
Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:
Understanding the intended meaning is the key to solving this question; the intended meaning of this sentence is that the list of animals that exhibit a preference for using either the right or the left hand (i.e. claw, paw, or foot) has been expanded to include the lower vertebrates.
Concepts tested here: Subject-Verb Agreement + Meaning + Idioms• “neither A nor B” and “either A or B” are idiomatic uses and are only used when referring to two elements; A and B must be parallel.
• The infinitive verb form ("to + base form of verb" - "to + include" in this sentence) is the preferred construction for referring to the purpose or intent of an action.
A: This answer choice incorrectly refers to the plural noun "animals" with the singular verb "exhibits". Further, Option A fails to maintain parallelism between A ("using the right hand") and B ("the left hand") in the idiomatic construction "either A or B"; remember, “neither A nor B” and “either A or B” are idiomatic uses and are only used when referring to two elements; A and B must be parallel.
B: This answer choice incorrectly refers to the plural noun "animals" with the singular verb "exhibits". Further, Option B alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "and includes"; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that the list of animals has been expanded, and
as a separate action includes the lower vertebrates; the intended meaning is that the list of animals has been expanded
for the purpose of including the lower vertebrates.
C: This answer choice fails to maintain parallelism between A ("using the right hand") and B ("the left hand") in the idiomatic construction "either A or B"; remember, “neither A nor B” and “either A or B” are idiomatic uses and are only used when referring to two elements; A and B must be parallel.
D: Correct. This answer choice correctly refers to the plural noun "animals" with the plural verb "exhibit". Further, Option D uses the infinitive verb form ("to + base form of verb" - "to + include" in this sentence), conveying the intended meaning - that the list of animals has been expanded
for the purpose of including the lower vertebrates; remember, the infinitive verb form ("to + base form of verb" - "to + include" in this sentence) is the preferred construction for referring to the purpose or intent of an action. Additionally, Option D maintains parallelism between A ("the right") and B ("the left hand") in the idiomatic construction "either A or B".
E: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "and includes"; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that the list of animals has been expanded, and
as a separate action includes the lower vertebrates; the intended meaning is that the list of animals has been expanded
for the purpose of including the lower vertebrates. Further, Option E fails to maintain parallelism between A ("using the right hand") and B ("the left hand") in the idiomatic construction "either A or B"; remember, “neither A nor B” and “either A or B” are idiomatic uses and are only used when referring to two elements; A and B must be parallel.
Hence, D is the best answer choice.To understand the concept of "Either-Or" and "Neither-Nor" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):
All the best!
Experts' Global Team