I got it wrong, but explanation by GMATNinja helped me understand it well. I am writing here what I could absorb
kimmyg wrote:
As an actress and, more importantly, as a teacher of acting, Stella Adler was one of the most influential artists in the American theater, who trained several generations of actors including Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro.
Structure: [Modifier], and [Modifier] <underlined portion> [Example] and [Example]
The use of "and" after the first modifier restricts the placement of a third modifier in parallel. We have no option, but to mention the subject after the second modifier.
Quote:
(A) Stella Adler was one of the most influential artists in the American theater, who trained several generations of actors including
Stella Adler, the subject, follows the two modifiers in parallel. Correct.
who modifies American theater, which is incorrect
including must follow the generations of actors. However, the sentence gives examples of the people. Incorrect
(A) is incorrect
Quote:
(B) Stella Adler, one of the most influential artists in the American theater, trained several generations of actors who include
Stella Adler, the subject, follows the two modifiers in parallel. Correct.
trained modifies Stella Adler. Correct
include must follow examples of generations. However, portion not underlined gives examples of people. Incorrect
(B) is incorrect
Quote:
(C) Stella Adler was one of the most influential artists in the American theater, training several generations of actors whose ranks included
Stella Adler, the subject, follows the two modifiers in parallel. Correct.
training modifies the whole clause
Stella Adler was one of the most influential artists in the American theater. While this is different from (A) or (B), this still makes sense, as training other actors is something that contributes to Stella Adler being an influential artist
generations of actors whose ranks included follows the examples of "ranks". Correct
We can keep (C) for now.
Quote:
(D) one of the most influential artists in the American theater was Stella Adler, who trained several generations of actors including
Third modifier in parallel, even when "and" separates the first two. This goes against what we discussed in the beginning, and thus, is incorrect.
Again, like (A) and (B), examples of people are mentioned, while examples of generations were expected. Incorrect.
Quote:
(E) one of the most influential artists in the American theater, Stella Adler, trained several generations of actors whose ranks included
Mistake of third modifier in parallel. Same as (D). Incorrect
generations of actors whose ranks included follows the examples of "ranks". Correct
Therefore, (C) is the best option