According to recent genetic analyses comparing the genetic

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION




THE PROMPT

• Meaning?
Genetic analyses of different types of berries found that:
1) Red berries contain more total antioxidants than non-red berries contain; and
2) Red berries contain less of a bad enzyme than non-red berries contain.

THE OPTIONS


• fatal pronoun error: no antecedent at all for "they."
No logical antecedent exists for "they."
True, a few of the preceding nouns are plural, but not one of them can think.
This instance is 100 percent fatal.
→ Pronoun ambiguity occurs when more than one noun can be a logical antecedent for the pronoun.
→ A "stranded" pronoun, on the other hand, occurs when the pronoun has no antecedent at all.
We have a stranded pronoun.
ELIMINATE A


• do not switch from passive ("antioxidants are found") to active voice ("red berries have") in the same sentence.

• if we must repeat the subject of the first clause to keep things clear, and that subject is attached to a verb, then we are facing a second independent clause.
When the conjunction and joins two independent clauses, a comma must precede the word and.
(The comma is the reader's signal that a new sentence is beginning.)

• absurd comparison - antioxidants are compared to non-red berries
This options means: More antioxidants are found in red berries than non-red berries are found in red berries.
This construction error is one of the most difficult to spot.

If you do not understand this concept, practice writing your own simple sentence to use as a template for those SC questions in which you must assess the comparison.
→ Wrong: More gold is found in rivers than mines.
This sentence erroneously states that we find more gold in rivers than we find mines in rivers.
→ Correct: More gold is found in rivers than in mines.
Try to write your own little incorrect and correct sentences. Keep them short.

ELIMINATE B


• the pronoun that makes no sense.
→ LHS of comparison: Red berries have more antioxidants
than
→ RHS of comparison: [antioxidants] of non-red berries
Red berries have more antioxidants than antioxidants OF non-red berries?
To make this comparison parallel, we would need to say, "The total antioxidant level in red berries is higher than that in non-red berries."

See options A and D, both of which correctly use a verb to maintain comparison parallelism.
Options A and D correctly state that Red berries have more antioxidants than non-red berries do.

• this THAT is supposed to be a "copy" pronoun but fails because singular copy that does not match plural referent antioxidants.
→ we need: ... red berries have more total antioxidants than those in non-red berries . . .
→ the words that and those can function as a different copy [which sounds oxymoronic] of a noun.
When that and those serve this function, the pronouns must match whatever noun they are "making a copy of."

Can you replace the that or those with the exact same word each is copying? Yes? Then the usage is correct. [There are other problems in this sentence. This problem is by far the easiest basis upon which to eliminate.]

→ Correct: I like paintings by Matisse better than those by Renoir.
→ I like paintings by Matisse better than [I like] paintings by Renoir.

→ Correct: The customer service at Southwest Airlines is better than that at Delta Airlines.
→ The customer service at Southwest Airlines is better than the customer service at Delta Airlines.

• I would avoid the comparison verb issue.
If you can eliminate on a glaring and straightforward error, do so.
ELIMINATE C


• I do not see any errors
Compared to Thing XYZ, thing ABC has more of one good thing and less of one bad thing.

• Is "than do non-red berries" awkward?
No.
The construction is somewhat formal, commonly used in high end publications, and reader friendly.
By "reader friendly," I mean that the placement of do creates a correct comparison but does not interrupt the flow of "red berries have more of X .... and less of Y."
KEEP


• verb meaning is wrong
→ we can say that antioxidants are found in greater amounts in red berries than in non-red berries, but we cannot say that "antioxidants ARE MORE."
More is a comparative adjective here. It needs a noun. More what?
We could say, "Antioxidants are more plentiful in red berries than in non-red berries."
We could also say, "There are more antioxidants in red berries than in non-red berries."

In other words, to convey higher concentrations or levels of something, we do not say that they are more.

• their is ambiguous or without a logical antecedent.
Does their refer to antioxidants, non-red berries or to red berries?
Logically, their seems to refer to red berries.
Do not eliminate this answer on this basis on the first pass.
Use this possible hiccup as a tiebreaker if you need the latter.
ELIMINATE E

The answer is D.

COMMENTS

ash124 , L0S3R , yasharoraa , and DashingNightmare2 , welcome to SC Butler.
I am always glad to see people post; everyone else, don't be shy.

And what a great sample we have of posters from the slightly more seasoned Butler crew.

These answers range from very good to outstanding.
In fact, I see a lot of outstanding analysis.
Better yet, many of the approaches different from one another.
Big Hint: subsequent aspirants, read this whole thread.
You'll benefit from that 3-5 minutes.

Nice work. Stay safe, everyone.

Understand the question and identify the errors:
According to recent genetic analyses comparing the genetic makeup of different types of berries, red berries have more total antioxidants than do non-red berries and less of an enzyme they think causes joint inflammation in humans.
Modifier is fine
'they' is the problem.

A) red berries have more total antioxidants than do non-red berries and less of an enzyme they think causes
Incorrect

B) more antioxidants are found in red berries than non-red berries and red berries have less of an enzyme thought to cause
comparison issue: more antioxidants with non-red berries

C) red berries have more total antioxidants than that of non-red berries and have less of an enzyme thought to cause
'That' is singular but antioxidants are singular

D) red berries have more total antioxidants than do non-red berries and less of an enzyme thought to cause
Better

E) antioxidants are more in red berries than in non-red berries and less of their enzymes are thought to cause
'their' is the issue

Answer: D

(D) is the answer IMO


A) red berries have more total antioxidants than do non-red berries and less of an enzyme they think causes

"They" has no referent - Eliminate

B) more antioxidants are found in red berries than non-red berries and red berries have less of an enzyme thought to cause

Illogical comparison : more antioxidants are found in red berries than non-red berries found in red berries

C) red berries have more total antioxidants than that of non-red berries and have less of an enzyme thought to cause

What pronoun "that" refers to Total antioxidants ? Makes no much sense - Eliminate

D) red berries have more total antioxidants than do non-red berries and less of an enzyme thought to cause

Have and do are parallel- smooth comparison
No Ambiguous pronouns
All good

E) antioxidants are more in red berries than in non-red berries and less of their enzymes are thought to cause
Comparison is fine
Pronoun "their" has no clear referent (red berries/ non-red berries??)

My process of elimination:

A:
1) Ambiguous pronoun THEY – logically this pronoun should refer to Analysts, which is not available in the sentence.

B:
1) In order to have an unambiguous comparison, THAN should be followed by preposition IN
2) For two independent clauses, Comma + AND should be used
3) Why change to unnecessary passive voice

C:
1) Incorrect structure of comparison. You never say “Bill has more money than that of Jack”. The correct version would be “Bill has more money than do Jack”
2) No need to repeat the main verb HAVE again, simple structure: have X and Y

D: Correct

E:
1) For two independent clauses, Comma + AND should be used
2) Ambiguous pronoun THEIR

My answer is (D). It took me 02:08. I got stuck between (C) and (D) for a while.

(A) What is the antecedent of "they" in "they think"? red berries, antioxidants, or non-red berries? None makes sense.

(B) With a few exceptions, passive voice is not as straightforward as active voice. The switch between passive and active voice, as in this sentence, is even worse.

(C) "antioxidants" is plural, so "that" in ”that of non-red berries“ is definitely wrong.
(But how about changing "that" to "those"? Is it okay to write:
Red berries have more total antioxidants than those of non-red berries.
I am not sure but it is probably incorrect because it can be interpreted as
EITHER
Red berries have more total antioxidants than Red berries have those of non-red berries.
OR
Red berries have more total antioxidants than those of non-red berries have total antioxidants.
Neither makes sense. The original sentence "Red berries have more total antioxidants than those of non-red berries." can also be eliminated for ambiguity.
)

(E) Convoluted sentence with twisted meaning.

According to recent genetic analyses comparing the genetic makeup of different types of berries, red berries have more total antioxidants than do non-red berries and less of an enzyme they think causes joint inflammation in humans.

A) red berries have more total antioxidants than do non-red berries and less of an enzyme they think causes -> "they" don't have a precedent to refer. Incorrect.

B) more antioxidants are found in red berries than non-red berries and red berries have less of an enzyme thought to cause -> more antioxidants are compared to non-red berries, Incorrect.

C) red berries have more total antioxidants than that of non-red berries and have less of an enzyme thought to cause -> "that" of is incorrect. We can't use "that of" for "total antioxidants".

D) red berries have more total antioxidants than do non-red berries and less of an enzyme thought to cause -> Comparison is better. Let's keep it.

E) antioxidants are more in red berries than in non-red berries and less of their enzymes are thought to cause -> Same as B. Incorrect.

So, I think D.

A) red berries have more total antioxidants than do non-red berries and less of an enzyme they think causes
This is a complete mess and doesn't make much sense

B) more antioxidants are found in red berries than non-red berries and red berries have less of an enzyme thought to cause
The comparision between the berries should happen which isn't correctly established therefore out

C) red berries have more total antioxidants than that of non-red berries and have less of an enzyme thought to cause
Addition of have in the second half is unnecessary and is distorting the meaning therefore out

D) red berries have more total antioxidants than do non-red berries and less of an enzyme thought to cause
This is the intended meaning therefore let us hang on to it

E) antioxidants are more in red berries than in non-red berries and less of their enzymes are thought to cause
Their isn't providing the right meaning therefore out


Therefore IMO D

A) red berries have more total antioxidants than do non-red berries and less of an enzyme they think causes -> "they" doesn't have a referrant. Incorrect.

B) more antioxidants are found in red berries than non-red berries and red berries have less of an enzyme thought to cause -> than "in" non-red berries. Comparison needs to be done between antioxidants content between the berries. Incorrect.

C) red berries have more total antioxidants than that of non-red berries and have less of an enzyme thought to cause -> that (singular) trying to refer to antioxidants(plural) - SVA issue - Incorrect.

D) red berries have more total antioxidants than do non-red berries and less of an enzyme thought to cause -> No issues. Correct.

E) antioxidants are more in red berries than in non-red berries and less of their enzymes are thought to cause -> "their" is referring to antioxidants or berries? -> Let's say, referring to antioxidants doesn't make sense so it's referring to berries - so is it red berries or non-red berries? Unclear referrant. Incorrect.

Ans. D.
_________________

Statement: According to recent genetic analyses comparing the genetic makeup of different types of berries, red berries have more total antioxidants than do non-red berries and less of an enzyme they think causes joint inflammation in humans.
Meaning: Red berries have more total antioxidants and less enzyme than do non-red berries.

A) red berries have more total antioxidants than do non-red berries and less of an enzyme they think causes - Incorrect
Missing antecedent for "they", who does they refer to? We don't know the answer, hence incorrect.

B) more antioxidants are found in red berries than non-red berries and red berries have less of an enzyme thought to cause - Incorrect
Incorrect comparison between antioxidants and non-red berries, comparison should be between antioxidants of red berries and antioxidants of non-red berries

C) red berries have more total antioxidants than that of non-red berries and have less of an enzyme thought to cause - Incorrect
"that" is used to refer to singular, a better way to write could have been "than those in non-red berries"

D) red berries have more total antioxidants than do non-red berries and less of an enzyme thought to cause - Correct
Correct comparison between antioxidants and no ambiguity in the latter part of the sentence

E) antioxidants are more in red berries than in non-red berries and less of their enzymes are thought to cause - Incorrect
"their" is ambiguous, could refer to red or non-red berries or even antioxidants
Also, this one subtly changes the meaning, in the earlier and the correct choices the red berries have less enzymes that causes inflammation in humans. However, this choice says that a lower proportion of enzymes of red berries cause inflammation.
This doesn't really cause an issue here, but please notice such changes of meaning, can save the day in some places.

Hope this helps.

According to recent genetic analyses comparing the genetic makeup of different types of berries, red berries have more total antioxidants than do non-red berries and less of an enzyme they think causes joint inflammation in humans.


A) red berries have more total antioxidants than do non-red berries and less of an enzyme they think causes

we have they here, only plural nouns present are red berries and antioxidants but none of these 2 make sense. Eliminate A

B) more antioxidants are found in red berries than non-red berries and red berries have less of an enzyme thought to cause
Lets focus on comparison here
more antioxidants are found in red berries than non-red berries
antioxidant than non-red berries, Incorrect. Eliminate B

C) red berries have more total antioxidants than that of non-red berries and have less of an enzyme thought to cause
That refers to what? antioxidants? but then we would need those instead of that. Eliminate C

D) red berries have more total antioxidants than do non-red berries and less of an enzyme thought to cause
All of the issue mentioned above are removed in this option. Correct


E) antioxidants are more in red berries than in non-red berries and less of their enzymes are thought to cause
Multiple issues in this option
1. their refers to what?
2. if we are using enzymes are , that means here enzymes are countable, hence we will need fewer instead of less.
Eliminate E

hence IMO, D is the answer

According to recent genetic analyses comparing the genetic makeup of different types of berries, red berries have more total antioxidants than do non-red berries and less of an enzyme they think causes joint inflammation in humans.


A) red berries have more total antioxidants than do non-red berries and less of an enzyme they think causes Incorrect

they refers to who and have no precedent

B) more antioxidants are found in red berries than non-red berries and red berries have less of an enzyme thought to cause Incorrect

comma splice problem

C) red berries have more total antioxidants than that of non-red berries and have less of an enzyme thought to cause Incorrect

'do' is better uses than 'that of'

D) red berries have more total antioxidants than do non-red berries and less of an enzyme thought to cause Correct

E) antioxidants are more in red berries than in non-red berries and less of their enzymes are thought to cause Incorrect

comma splice problem
less singular whereas are plural
_________________

According to recent genetic analyses comparing the genetic makeup of different types of berries, red berries have more total antioxidants than do non-red berries and less of an enzyme they think causes joint inflammation in humans.


A) red berries have more total antioxidants than do non-red berries and less of an enzyme they think causes - They doesn't have any antecedent

B) more antioxidants are found in red berries than non-red berries and red berries have less of an enzyme thought to cause - Tense has been changed.

C) red berries have more total antioxidants than that of non-red berries and have less of an enzyme thought to cause - Use of that is incorrect. Incorrect Comparison. Even if that refers to antioxidants, than also Plural pronoun was required.

D) red berries have more total antioxidants than do non-red berries and less of an enzyme thought to cause- Correct

E) antioxidants are more in red berries than in non-red berries and less of their enzymes are thought to cause - Meaning is completely changed.

D is the correct answer I believe.

A - 'They' does not any antecedent
B - Comparison is wrong. 'Than'
C - 'That of' is incorrect. That is not necessary here, if added I think 'That in' would be a better choice
D - Corrects all errors mentoned
E - No clear antecedent for 'Their'

You can find the official explanation by clicking here.
_________________