Last visit was: 14 Jul 2025, 14:27 It is currently 14 Jul 2025, 14:27
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
singh_satya
Joined: 20 May 2004
Last visit: 04 Jan 2008
Posts: 60
Own Kudos:
337
 [64]
Location: USA
Posts: 60
Kudos: 337
 [64]
4
Kudos
Add Kudos
59
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Most Helpful Reply
User avatar
ChrisLele
User avatar
Magoosh GMAT Instructor
Joined: 28 Nov 2011
Last visit: 27 Jul 2020
Posts: 295
Own Kudos:
4,739
 [25]
Given Kudos: 2
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 295
Kudos: 4,739
 [25]
15
Kudos
Add Kudos
10
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
General Discussion
User avatar
nzgmat
Joined: 18 Sep 2004
Last visit: 01 May 2005
Posts: 68
Own Kudos:
133
 [1]
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 68
Kudos: 133
 [1]
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
thesfactor
Joined: 19 Dec 2010
Last visit: 21 May 2011
Posts: 65
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 12
Posts: 65
Kudos: 56
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Although the lesser cornstalk borer is widely distributed, control of them is necessary only in the South.

(A) the lesser cornstalk borer is widely distributed, control of them is
(B) widely distributed, measures to control the lesser cornstalk borer are
(C) widely distributed, lesser cornstalk borer control is
(D) the lesser cornstalk borer is widely distributed, measures to control it are
(E) it is widely distributed, control of the lesser cornstalk borer is

The way I see it, this is a toss up between B and D
B is not correct because the clause before the comma has no noun.
Therefore it is D
User avatar
daagh
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 19 Feb 2007
Last visit: 16 Oct 2020
Posts: 5,264
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 422
Status: enjoying
Location: India
WE:Education (Education)
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 5,264
Kudos: 42,347
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
The reason for rejecting B is not the lack of a verb in the “ clause” before the comma; In fact, the part before the comma is not even a clause; it is an adjectival modifier phrase; In essence what is widely distributed is the pest lesser cornstcok borer. But in B, the modifier modifies ‘measures, rather than the pest. That is the reason to dump B
The answer is D becos of proper modification
User avatar
daagh
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 19 Feb 2007
Last visit: 16 Oct 2020
Posts: 5,264
Own Kudos:
42,347
 [3]
Given Kudos: 422
Status: enjoying
Location: India
WE:Education (Education)
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 5,264
Kudos: 42,347
 [3]
3
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
A classic case of mis-modification

(A) the lesser cornstalk borer is widely distributed, control of them is --- them has no referent

(B) widely distributed, measures to control the lesser cornstalk borer are ---
What is widely distributed is the insect’s young one, the lesser cornstcok borer, ( don’t try to analyze what lesser corn stock borer is ; It is the name given to a grub that bores into the bottom stem portion of the corn plant) and not the measures to control it. Wrong modification

(C) widely distributed, lesser cornstalk borer control is – same as in B control is not widely distributed. Wrong modification

(D) the lesser cornstalk borer is widely distributed, measures to control it are --- By using a differently structured sentence, what is widely distributed and what are necessary have been made amply clear. Correct choice

(E) it is widely distributed, control of the lesser cornstalk borer is --- it wrongly refers to control rather than insect

One question. Why is it tagged SV agreement?
User avatar
gautammalik
Joined: 20 Jul 2010
Last visit: 29 Jun 2012
Posts: 87
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 12
Status:Target MBA
Location: Singapore
GMAT 2: 640  Q49  V28
Posts: 87
Kudos: 64
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
singh_satya
Although the lesser cornstalk borer is widely distributed, control of them is necessary only in the South.

(A) the lesser cornstalk borer is widely distributed, control of them is
(B) widely distributed, measures to control the lesser cornstalk borer are
(C) widely distributed, lesser cornstalk borer control is
(D) the lesser cornstalk borer is widely distributed, measures to control it are
(E) it is widely distributed, control of the lesser cornstalk borer is

(A) - Incorrect - "them" should be it
(B) - Incorrect - "measure" are not "widely distributed"
(C) - Incorrect - changes the meaning
(D) - Correct
(E) - Incorrect - "control" is not "widely distributed"
avatar
hellscream
Joined: 13 Feb 2012
Last visit: 26 Sep 2021
Posts: 120
Own Kudos:
80
 [1]
Given Kudos: 109
GMAT 1: 720 Q49 V38
GPA: 3.67
GMAT 1: 720 Q49 V38
Posts: 120
Kudos: 80
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Although the lesser cornstalk borer is widely distributed, control of them is necessary only in the South.

(A) the lesser cornstalk borer is widely distributed, control of them is
There is no antecedent for them
(B) widely distributed, measures to control the lesser cornstalk borer are
wrong modifiers. " widely distributed" modifies "the lesser cornstalk borer".
(C) widely distributed, lesser cornstalk borer control is
Should be "lesser cornstalk borer 'S control" or " control OF lesser cornstalk borer "
(D) the lesser cornstalk borer is widely distributed, measures to control it are
Correct
(E) it is widely distributed, control of the lesser cornstalk borer is[/quote]
"It" here is ambiguous.
User avatar
Swoosh617
Joined: 19 Mar 2012
Last visit: 24 Aug 2015
Posts: 131
Own Kudos:
190
 [3]
Given Kudos: 13
Location: United States
Concentration: Finance, General Management
GMAT 1: 750 Q50 V42
GPA: 3.69
WE:Analyst (Mutual Funds and Brokerage)
3
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
monir6000
Although the lesser cornstalk borer is widely distributed, control of them is necessary only in the South.

(A) the lesser cornstalk borer is widely distributed, control of them is
Incorrect: "Lessor cornstalk borer" is singular, so "control of THEM" cannot be correct

(B) widely distributed, measures to control the lesser cornstalk borer are
Incorrect: This is saying that the "measures to control lesser cornstalk borer" are widely distributed, when the original sentence says that the "lesser cornstalk borer" itself is widely distributed.

(C) widely distributed, lesser cornstalk borer control is
Incorrect: Saying that "lesser cornstalk borer control" is widely distributed, when it should be the "lesser cornstalk borer" itself that is widely distributed.

(D) the lesser cornstalk borer is widely distributed, measures to control it are
Correct: "It" agrees with "lesser cornstalk borer" and "are" agrees with "measures"

(E) it is widely distributed, control of the lesser cornstalk borer is
Incorrect: Same reasoning as C
avatar
pavanpuneet
Joined: 26 Dec 2011
Last visit: 13 Feb 2014
Posts: 75
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 17
Posts: 75
Kudos: 139
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi ChrisLele

Can you please explain what is modifying what in this sentence. Measures is modifying the whole clause?
User avatar
ChrisLele
User avatar
Magoosh GMAT Instructor
Joined: 28 Nov 2011
Last visit: 27 Jul 2020
Posts: 295
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 2
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 295
Kudos: 4,739
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
@pavanpuneet,

In some of the incorrect answer choices there is faulty modification. In the correct answer, those errors in modification are omitted. For instance if we take answer choice (B), ...although widely distributed, the measures..., the measures, which comes directly after the comma, is being modified by the preceding phrase.

The correct answer (D) eliminates this error by making it clear in the subordinating clause that the borer is widely distributed, although the lesser cornstalk borer is widely distributed, measures... Unlike answer choice (B), 'measures' that comes after the comma is not being modified by anything in the preceding phrase. The reason is that preceding phrase already has a subject (the borer), that is clearly linked with 'widely distributed.'

Hope that helps remove any confusion :).
User avatar
daagh
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 19 Feb 2007
Last visit: 16 Oct 2020
Posts: 5,264
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 422
Status: enjoying
Location: India
WE:Education (Education)
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 5,264
Kudos: 42,347
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Much of the problem of this question will be cleared if, we understand that the lesser corn borer is a pest that bores in the lower part of the corn stem and eats away the soft tissues, breaking the plant into two and leading to the plant’s death eventually. This is such a major pest in the southern regions where some definitive control is required.

On the grammar side, the borer is a singular noun


(A) the lesser cornstalk borer is widely distributed, control of them is – ‘ borer’ is singular and ‘them’ is plural . Sub-pronoun mismatch.

(B) widely distributed, measures to control the lesser cornstalk borer are --- wrong modification, widely distributed things are not the measures but the borer.

(C) widely distributed, lesser cornstalk borer control is – what is widely distributed is not the borer control but the borer. Same as in B

(D) the lesser cornstalk borer is widely distributed, measures to control it are -- the correct choice.

(E) it is widely distributed, control of the lesser cornstalk borer is --- control is not widely distributed., the borer is ------same as in B and C
avatar
andy2502
Joined: 16 Jul 2015
Last visit: 10 May 2018
Posts: 19
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 31
Location: India
GMAT 1: 630 Q49 V27
GPA: 3.4
GMAT 1: 630 Q49 V27
Posts: 19
Kudos: 4
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
monir6000
Although the lesser cornstalk borer is widely distributed, control of them is necessary only in the South.
(A) the lesser cornstalk borer is widely distributed, control of them is
(B) widely distributed, measures to control the lesser cornstalk borer are
(C) widely distributed, lesser cornstalk borer control is
(D) the lesser cornstalk borer is widely distributed, measures to control it are
(E) it is widely distributed, control of the lesser cornstalk borer is

Hi,

What is the source of this question?

Per the concept of Parallelism: In Although X, Y form-> X and Y should be Parallel.

Option D states: Although the lessor cornstalk borer ...., measures to control.....
Here the bold and underlined parts should be parallel, which is not the case and hence I believe this should not be the correct choice.

Experts kindly let me know if my understanding is correct.
User avatar
sayantanc2k
Joined: 14 Dec 2013
Last visit: 09 Dec 2022
Posts: 2,395
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 26
Location: Germany
Schools:
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V47
WE:Corporate Finance (Pharmaceuticals and Biotech)
Expert
Expert reply
Schools:
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V47
Posts: 2,395
Kudos: 15,463
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
andy2502
monir6000
Although the lesser cornstalk borer is widely distributed, control of them is necessary only in the South.
(A) the lesser cornstalk borer is widely distributed, control of them is
(B) widely distributed, measures to control the lesser cornstalk borer are
(C) widely distributed, lesser cornstalk borer control is
(D) the lesser cornstalk borer is widely distributed, measures to control it are
(E) it is widely distributed, control of the lesser cornstalk borer is

Hi,

What is the source of this question?

Per the concept of Parallelism: In Although X, Y form-> X and Y should be Parallel.

Option D states: Although the lessor cornstalk borer ...., measures to control.....
Here the bold and underlined parts should be parallel, which is not the case and hence I believe this should not be the correct choice.

Experts kindly let me know if my understanding is correct.

"Although" is used to depict contrast between a dependent clause and an independent clause (the clause containing "although" is the dependent clause).
Although I am tired, I must go.
He did not score well, although he studied hard.

Similarly in option D, a dependent clause " Although the lesser cornstalk borer is widely distributed" is contrasted with an independent clause "measures to control it are necessary only in the South." Option D is alright.
avatar
andy2502
Joined: 16 Jul 2015
Last visit: 10 May 2018
Posts: 19
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 31
Location: India
GMAT 1: 630 Q49 V27
GPA: 3.4
GMAT 1: 630 Q49 V27
Posts: 19
Kudos: 4
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
sayantanc2k
andy2502
monir6000
Although the lesser cornstalk borer is widely distributed, control of them is necessary only in the South.
(A) the lesser cornstalk borer is widely distributed, control of them is
(B) widely distributed, measures to control the lesser cornstalk borer are
(C) widely distributed, lesser cornstalk borer control is
(D) the lesser cornstalk borer is widely distributed, measures to control it are
(E) it is widely distributed, control of the lesser cornstalk borer is

Hi,

What is the source of this question?

Per the concept of Parallelism: In Although X, Y form-> X and Y should be Parallel.

Option D states: Although the lessor cornstalk borer ...., measures to control.....
Here the bold and underlined parts should be parallel, which is not the case and hence I believe this should not be the correct choice.

Experts kindly let me know if my understanding is correct.

"Although" is used to depict contrast between a dependent clause and an independent clause (the clause containing "although" is the dependent clause).
Although I am tired, I must go.
He did not score well, although he studied hard.

Similarly in option D, a dependent clause " Although the lesser cornstalk borer is widely distributed" is contrasted with an independent clause "measures to control it are necessary only in the South." Option D is alright.


Thanks sayantanc2k for the reply. I understand that 'Although' is used to create a contrast and connects 2 clauses. However, I am not clear on whether there has to be parallelism between the 2 connected entities.

In the examples you quoted, I can notice parallelism between the two entities(refer bold highlighted below):

Although I am tired, I must go.
He did not score well, although he studied hard.

Similarly in the question above, I assume the choice should have been:

Although the lesser cornstalk borer is widely distributed, it has to be controlled only in the South.
User avatar
sayantanc2k
Joined: 14 Dec 2013
Last visit: 09 Dec 2022
Posts: 2,395
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 26
Location: Germany
Schools:
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V47
WE:Corporate Finance (Pharmaceuticals and Biotech)
Expert
Expert reply
Schools:
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V47
Posts: 2,395
Kudos: 15,463
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
andy2502

Thanks sayantanc2k for the reply. I understand that 'Although' is used to create a contrast and connects 2 clauses. However, I am not clear on whether there has to be parallelism between the 2 connected entities.

In the examples you quoted, I can notice parallelism between the two entities(refer bold highlighted below):

Although I am tired, I must go.
He did not score well, although he studied hard.

Similarly in the question above, I assume the choice should have been:

Although the lesser cornstalk borer is widely distributed, it has to be controlled only in the South.

This concept is not about parallelism, but about sentence structure. It is not required that the subject of the clauses be the same.

We went to play, although it was raining... correct.
avatar
jaisonsunny77
Joined: 05 Jan 2019
Last visit: 25 Aug 2021
Posts: 459
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 28
Posts: 459
Kudos: 378
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Although the lesser cornstalk borer is widely distributed, control of them is necessary only in the South.


(A) the lesser cornstalk borer is widely distributed, control of them is - the pronoun 'them' does not have a clear antecedent. Hence, eliminate (A)

(B) widely distributed, measures to control the lesser cornstalk borer are - this structure tells us that it is the 'measures' that are widely distributed. But logically, it is the "lesser cornstalk borer' that is widely distributed. (B) has a modifier error. Hence, eliminate (B)

(C) widely distributed, lesser cornstalk borer control is - this structure effectively makes 'lesser cornstalk borer' a noun modifier that modifies 'control', which is now the main subject that takes the modifier "although widely distributed". (C) introduces a modifier error. Hence, eliminate (C)

(D) the lesser cornstalk borer is widely distributed, measures to control it are - has no error in it. Hence, (D) is the right answer choice.

(E) it is widely distributed, control of the lesser cornstalk borer is - the pronoun 'it' has two possible antecedents: "control" and the "lesser cornstalk borer". Since 'it' has no clear unique antecedent, eliminate (E)
avatar
brianmontanaweb
Joined: 06 Apr 2022
Last visit: 03 Sep 2022
Posts: 116
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 22
Posts: 116
Kudos: 15
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
singh_satya
Although the lesser cornstalk borer is widely distributed, control of them is necessary only in the South.


(A) the lesser cornstalk borer is widely distributed, control of them is

(B) widely distributed, measures to control the lesser cornstalk borer are

(C) widely distributed, lesser cornstalk borer control is

(D) the lesser cornstalk borer is widely distributed, measures to control it are

(E) it is widely distributed, control of the lesser cornstalk borer is

A is eliminated because of "them"

B is incorrect because "widely distributed, measures to control..." doesn't make logical sense

C same issue as B

D is solid

E is incorrect because "control" is the new subject and E would be phrased as "control is widely distributed, control of"
User avatar
VerbalBot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 01 Oct 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 18,444
Own Kudos:
Posts: 18,444
Kudos: 953
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hello from the GMAT Club VerbalBot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.
Moderators:
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
7351 posts
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
235 posts