Official Explanation

Sentence structure of Original Sentence

• Clause 1: Although Robonaut 2, the next generation humanoid robot built by NASA for space exploration, can be controlled by its fellow astronauts in space or a crew on earth,
• Clause 2: it can complete certain tasks all on its own, becoming better suited for some dangerous projects than its human counterpart.

Meaning of Original Sentence

• The sentence presents contrast (as is evident through the use of 'although').
• The sentence presents contrasting information about Robonaut 2.
• Robonaut 2 is the next generation humanoid robot.
• It can be controlled by astronauts in space or a crew on earth.
• However, it can perform certain functions all by itself.
• This ability makes this robot better suited for some dangerous exploration jobs than the human astronauts.

Errors in the Original Sentence

• Clause 1: Although Robonaut 2, the next generation humanoid robot built by NASA for space exploration, can be controlled by its fellow astronauts in space or a crew on earth,
• Clause 2: it can complete certain tasks all on its own, becoming better suited for some dangerous projects than its human counterpart.

1. All the SV pairs are accounted for – “Robonaut 2- can be controlled” & “it can complete”.
2. Since the sentence presents general information about the capability of Robonaut 2, both the verbs are correctly written in simple present tense.
3. Pronouns “it” and “its” correctly refers to Robonaut 2.
4. Noun phrase “the next generation humanoid robot” correctly refers to Robonaut 2. Verb-ed modifier “built” correctly refers to the preceding noun entity “the… robot”. Comma + Verb-ing modifier “becoming…” correctly presents the result of the preceding clause.
5. “Robonaut 2… can be controlled” and “it can complete…” maintains the parallelism. Again parallelism is maintained
6. The structure and the meaning of the sentence are also correct. Hence, there are no errors in this sentence.

Answer Choice Analysis

A. Although Robonaut 2, the next generation humanoid robot built by NASA for space exploration, can be controlled by its fellow astronauts in space or a crew on earth, it can complete certain tasks all on its own, becoming better suited for some dangerous projects than its human counterpart.
Correct choice.

B. Even though capable of completing certain tasks all on its own by becoming better suited for some dangerous projects than its human counterpart, Robonaut 2 is the next generation humanoid robot built by NASA for space exploration, controlled by his fellow astronauts in space or a crew on earth.
Error 1 – Per the original sentence, the contrasting points are - Robonaut 2 can be controlled and it can perform a few tasks on its own. Per this choice, the contrasting points are – Robonaut 2 is capable of completing few tasks on its own and it is a Humanoid robot.
Error 2 – Per the original sentence, “becoming better…” presents the result of the Robonaut 2 being capable of doing certain tasks on its own. This choice says that the robot can perform certain tasks on its own by becoming better suited. This is absolutely illogical.
Error 3 – Usage of controlled is incorrect. If it is a verb with “is” understood before it, then the two verbs “is” and “(is) controlled” are not connected properly. If it is a verb-ed modifier, then it refers to the preceding noun entity “space exploration”. Both the usages are incorrect.

C. Capable of completing certain tasks on its own and becoming better suited for some dangerous projects than its human counterpart, Robonaut 2, the next generation humanoid robot built by NASA for space exploration, can be controlled by his fellow astronauts in space or a crew on earth.
Error 1 – This choice has an unintended parallel list – “completing” and “becoming”. This distorts the intended meaning.
Error 2 – The choice does not express the intended contrast.

D. The next generation humanoid robot built by NASA for space exploration, Robonaut 2, although can complete certain tasks all on its own and become better suited for some dangerous projects than its human counterpart, but is controlled by his fellow astronauts in space or a crew on earth.
Error 1 - This choice has an unintended parallel list – “can complete” and “(can) become”. This distorts the intended meaning.
Error 2 – The contrast presented by “but” is not the intended contrast.
Error 3 – Per this choice, “but” connects two entities in the list. Hence, use of comma before “but” is not correct.

E. Although Robonaut 2 is the next generation humanoid robot built by NASA for space exploration, it can be controlled by his fellow astronauts in space or a crew on earth, and can also complete certain tasks all on its own, becoming better suited for some dangerous projects than its human counterpart.
Error 1 – The contrasting points per this choice are – Robonaut 2 is the next generation robot and it can be controlled.
Error 2 – This choice has an unintended list – “can be controlled” and “can also complete”. This distorts the intended meaning.

Take Away

1: When you read the original sentence, make sure you understand the intended meaning. For example, if there is a contrast in the sentence, then understand the contrasting elements.
2: The correct sentence should have correct sentence structure. For example, if there is a list of elements, it should be connected properly.

Regards,

Shraddha
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A] meaning and structure look fine (Although Robonaut,..modf.........can be controlled by its fellow astronauts in space OR a crew on earth, it can........,becoming..modf.
B] Contrast is required b/w completing tasks completed on its own and those controlled by crew or astronauts ; this choice has incorrect contrast
C] no contrast presented , meaning change
D] 'Although..but' construction is wrong. Moreover, can complete certain tasks all on its own and become better suited for some dangerous projects --are erroneously presented as two separate ideas
E] this choice has incorrect contrast . So meaning change.
IMO A

IMO:A
Although Robonaut 2, the next generation humanoid robot built by NASA for space exploration, can be controlled by its fellow astronauts in space or a crew on earth, it can complete certain tasks all on its own, becoming better suited for some dangerous projects than its human counterpart.
(NO ERROR)
A. Although Robonaut 2, the next generation humanoid robot built by NASA for space exploration, can be controlled by its fellow astronauts in space or a crew on earth, it can complete certain tasks all on its own, becoming better suited for some dangerous projects than its human counterpart. (CORRECT)

B. Even though capable of completing certain tasks all on its own by becoming better suited for some dangerous projects than its human counterpart, Robonaut 2 is the next generation humanoid robot built by NASA for space exploration ,( FANBOYS reqd) controlled by his fellow astronauts in space or a crew on earth. (INCORRECT)

C. Capable of completing certain tasks on its own and becoming better suited for some dangerous projects than its human counterpart(MEANING CHANGED), Robonaut 2, the next generation humanoid robot built by NASA for space exploration, can be controlled by his fellow astronauts in space or a crew on earth.(INCORRECT)

D. The next generation humanoid robot built by NASA for space exploration, Robonaut 2[/color(MEANING CHANGED)][color=#ff0000](NO SUB-VERB PAIR), although can complete certain tasks all on its own and become better suited for some dangerous projects than its human counterpart, but is controlled by his fellow astronauts in space or a crew on earth.(INCORRECT)


E. Although Robonaut 2 is the next generation humanoid robot built by NASA for space exploration, it can be controlled by his fellow astronauts in space or a crew on earth, and can also complete certain tasks all on its own, becoming better suited for some dangerous projects than its human counterpart.
(MEANING CHANGED AS CONTRASTING PAIR CHANGED) (INCORRECT)

@Moksh, Thanks for your detailed response. You were able to figure out correctly why choice A is correct and why Choice E is incorrect. Even though you were able to pin point one error in each of the choices BCD, I would suggest that when you are in preparation/learning mode, you should try to find as many errors as you can so that you are well prepared and skilled enough for the test. So make sure that you thoroughly review the explanations for Choices BCD in my official explanation above.
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First of all great job @kuttingchai detailing out the sentence structure. Splitting the sentence into its clauses helps with identification of roles of various entities in the sentence.
Now coming to your question regarding choice C - you are correct that the intended meaning has changed in this sentence. In fact it has changed in two ways as detailed out the official explanation above. Please review that explanation clearly and let me know if you have any questions about choice C.
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Hi Sinner1706,

First of all, thank you for a vey sweet opening address. Both of us found it very cute.
Now let's talk about this question. This certainly is a one-off official question, not something we come across frequently. Well, let’s take a look at this one.

Diesel engines burn as much as 30% less fuel than gasoline engines of comparable size, as well as emitting far less carbon dioxide gas and far fewer of the other gasses that have been implicated in global warming.

Meaning Analysis:

The sentence means that diesel engines burn about 30% less fuel than gasoline engines of the same size. Also, the diesel engines emit far less carbon dioxide and far fewer of those gases that are said to result in global warming.

Error Analysis:
• The verb-ing modifier preceded comma “emitting” correctly modifies the preceding clause by presenting the result of the modified clause.
• Use of “fewer” is correct because the number of gases that result in global warming can be counted.
• There is no error in this sentence.

PoE:

A of comparable size, as well as emitting far less carbon dioxide gas and far fewer of the other gasses that have: Correct for the reasons stated above.

B of comparable size, as well as emit far less carbon dioxide gas and far fewer of the other gasses having: Incorrect.
a. The phrase “as well as” is not followed by a verb. It is considered unidiomatic.
b. Use of “having been implicated” is incorrect. This modifier suggests that the action is already done.

C of comparable size, and also they emit far fewer carbon dioxide and other gasses that have: Incorrect. Usage of “fewer” is incorrect.

D that have a comparable size, and also they emit far fewer of the other gasses having: Incorrect.
a. There is no mention of carbon dioxide emission.
b. Repeats the same error of “having..” as in Choice B.

E that have a comparable size, as well as emitting far fewer of the other gasses having: Incorrect. Repeats both the errors of Choice D.

Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Shraddha
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Hi Shradhha,
Having serious confusion

For B : You've said that "The phrase “as well as” is not followed by a verb" But it's followed by the verb 'emit' I guess...Please clarify.
“having been implicated” and "that have been implicated" both suggest that the action is already done I think...Your thoughts please!

Please help me understand these!
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Hi Debayan,

Let me rephrase what I wrote as reasons for Choice B to be incorrect.

1. The first reason why Choice B is incorrect that verbs are not used "as well as". This is a standard way of using "as well as". Becaue we have a verb followed by "as well as", this choice stands incorrect.
2. "that have been implicated" is not teh same thing as saying "having been implicated". The first phrase modifes the preceding noun in that it gives additional information about the entity modified. The second phrase, however, presents an action completed on the entiry modified. This expression suggests that some others gases were implicated in global warming but they are not implicated any more. This is certainly not the intended meaning.

Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Shraddha
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Hi eski,
In the example that you have provided, "to dance" is not a verb. It's a "to verb" or an ifnitive. The verb in the sentence is "likes" which does not occur after "as well as".

Thanks.
Shraddha
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Hi HKHR,
Thank you for the post.


‘Although’ is usually followed by a clause, but there are exceptions where it is followed only by a modifier. However, this sentence does not contain any exception. Here, ‘although’ is followed by a clause. So, it should be followed by a noun + verb combination.
Let’s do the sentence structure for the given sentence to find out:

• Although Robonaut 2,
• the next generation humanoid robot built by NASA for space exploration,
o can be controlled by its fellow astronauts in space or a crew on earth,
• it can complete certain tasks all on its own,
o becoming better suited for some dangerous projects than its human counterpart.


In this sentence ‘Robonaut 2’ is the noun and ‘can be controlled’ is the verb. The phrase ‘the next……. exploration’ acts as a modifier and provides additional information about the Robonaut 2. So, the sentence basically is:

• Although Robonaut 2 can be controlled by its fellow astronauts …….

Since this phrase provides additional information it is not the part of the main sentence. We can make sense of the sentence even after omitting it. You can find a number of official questions in which a modifier is placed between the noun that follows ‘although’ and the verb.



Let’s consider the correct answer for Q#132 OG13:


OFFICIAL QUESTION

• Although heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved during the previous year, appear less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins- they are often green and striped, or have plenty of bumps and bruises- heirlooms are more flavorful and thus in increasing demand.

Can you spot the noun, verb and the modifier in the above sentence? Please try to do so before you move on to the explanation part.


EXPLANATION

• Although heirloom tomatoes,
• grown from seeds saved during the previous year,
o appear less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins-
• they are often green and striped, or have plenty of bumps and bruises-
• heirlooms are more flavorful and thus in increasing demand.


In the above sentence:

heirloom tomatoes- noun
appear- verb
grown from seeds saved during the previous year- additional information about heirloom tomatoes (modifier)


TAKE AWAYS

It is true that ‘although’ is usually followed by a noun + verb pair, but it is possible for a modifier to be placed between the subject and the verb.


Hope the above discussion helps!
Regards,

Deepak
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