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Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
quiet888 wrote:
Like any star of similar mass would do, once the Sun has exhausted the hydrogen in its core, it expands into a red giant, eventually ejecting its outer envelope of gases to become a white dwarf.
(A) Like any star of similar mass would do, once the Sun has exhausted the hydrogen in its core, it expands into a red giant, eventually ejecting
(B) Like any star of similar mass, once the hydrogen in the Sun's core is exhausted, then it expands into a red giant and eventually ejects
(C) As in the case of any star of similar mass, once the hydrogen in the Sun's core is exhausted, it will expand into a red giant, and eventually ejecting
(D) As any star of similar mass would, once the hydrogen in the Sun's core is exhausted it will expand into a red giant and will eventually eject
(E) As would be the case with any star of similar mass, once the Sun exhausts the hydrogen in its core, it will expand into a red giant and eventually eject
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 as would be the case with any star of similar mass, once the Sun exhausts the hydrogen in its core, it will expand into a red giant and eventually eject its outer envelope of gases to become a white dwarf.
Concepts tested here: Comparison + Tenses + Verb Forms + Awkwardness/Redundancy• “like” is used for comparing nouns, “as” is used for comparing actions/clauses, and “such as” is used for giving examples.
• The introduction of present participle ("verb+ing"- “ejecting” in this case) after comma generally leads to a cause-effect relationship.
• The simple future tense is used to refer to future actions.
• The simple present tense is used to indicate actions taking place in the current time frame, indicate habitual actions, state universal truths, and convey information that is permanent in nature.
A: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "eventually ejecting...white dwarf"; the use of the present participle ("verb+ing" - "ejecting" in this sentence) incorrectly implies that the sun will eventually eject its outer envelope of gases to become a white dwarf
because it will expand into a red giant; the intended meaning is that the sun will expand into a red giant, and
as a separate action eject its outer envelope of gases to become a white dwarf; please remember, the introduction of the present participle ("verb+ing"- “ejecting” in this case) after comma generally leads to a cause-effect relationship. Further, Option A incorrectly uses "Like" to compare the clauses "any star of similar mass would do" and "it expands into a red giant"; please remember, “like” is used for comparing nouns, and “as” is used for comparing actions/clauses. Additionally, Option A incorrectly uses the simple present tense verb "expands" to refer to future action; please remember, the simple future tense is used to refer to future actions, and the simple present tense is used to indicate actions taking place in the current time frame, indicate habitual actions, state universal truths, and convey information that is permanent in nature.
B: This answer choice incorrectly uses the simple present tense verbs "expands" and "ejects" to refer to future actions; please remember, the simple future tense is used to refer to future actions, and the simple present tense is used to indicate actions taking place in the current time frame, indicate habitual actions, state universal truths, and convey information that is permanent in nature. Further, Option B redundantly uses the phrase "once the hydrogen...exhausted" alongside "then", leading to awkwardness and redundancy; this usage is redundant, as both terms refer to a point in time in the future. Additionally, Option B uses the passive voice construction "once the hydrogen in the Sun's core is exhausted", leading to further awkwardness and needless wordiness.
C: This answer choice incorrectly uses the present participle ("verb+ing" - "ejecting" in this sentence) to refer to an action that will take place in the future; please remember, the simple future tense is used to refer to actions that will take place in the future.
D: This answer choice fails to form a complete sentence, as the helping word "would" has no active verb to act upon. Further, Option D uses the passive voice construction "once the hydrogen in the Sun's core is exhausted", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.
E: This answer choice uses the phrase "and eventually eject", conveying the intended meaning - that the sun will expand into a red giant, and
as a separate action eject its outer envelope of gases to become a white dwarf. Moreover, Option E correctly uses the helping word "would" to act upon the active verb "be". Further, Option E correctly uses the simple future tense verbs "will expand" and "will...eject" to refer to actions that will take place in the future. Additionally, Option E correctly uses "As" to compare the clauses "would be the case with any star of similar mass" and it will expand into a red giant...white dwarf". Besides, Option E is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.
Hence, E is the best answer choice.To understand the concept of "Comma + Present Participles for Cause-Effect Relationships" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~3 minutes):
To understand the concept of "Simple Tenses" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):
To understand the concept of "Like" vs "As" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):
All the best!
Experts' Global Team