Based on the writings of various long-dead pilgrims,

Question

Based on the writings of various long-dead pilgrims , textbook authors have painted a questionable portrait of the lifestyles of the Native American tribes that existed in America during the early colonization period.

(A) Based on the writings of various long-dead pilgrims
(B) Basing it on long-dead pilgrims' writings
(C) With writings of long-dead pilgrims used for a basis
(D) By the writings of long-dead pilgrims they used
(E) Using writings of long-dead pilgrims

Minheequang · Accepted Answer

IMO  E

Based on the writings of various long-dead pilgrims, textbook authors have painted a questionable portrait of the lifestyles of the Native American tribes that existed in America during the early colonization period.

(A) Based on the writings of various long-dead pilgrims -->  it wrongly means  textbook authors are based on ...  . Textbook authors are in active state, they can't be in a passive state 
(B) Basing it on long-dead pilgrims' writings -->   it  here is not clearly referred 
(C) With writings of long-dead pilgrims used for a basis -->  too wordy, ambiguous: to which is  basis  referred ? 
(D) By the writings of long-dead pilgrims they used --> it wrongly means: textbook authors paint portrait by the writing of long-dead pilgrims, turning the modifier to such a kind of painting equipment as paint brush, etc  
(E) Using writings of long-dead pilgrims --> correct modifier for the subject  textbook authors : an action parallel with the action in the main clause, meaning that the authors use the writing of pilgrim as material for their works

imanonymoususer · Answer

I believe most of us will boil down to A and E.

A is incorrect because authors are not "based on writings".. the modifier incorrectly modifies the authors.

IMO E

tenaman10 · Answer

OA:E ..
in A .."various" is redundant .

trainspotting · Answer

Certainly E for the sake of correct modifier...

DenisSh · Answer

Based on the writings of various long-dead pilgrims , textbook authors have painted a questionable portrait of the lifestyles of the Native American tribes that existed in America during the early colonization period.

(A) Based on the writings of various long-dead pilgrims -  wrong since authors are not based on sth. 
(B) Basing it on long-dead pilgrims' writings -  basing actually  what ?  
(C) With writings of long-dead pilgrims used for a basis -  wordy 
(D) By the writings of long-dead pilgrims they used -  authors have painted portrait by the writings? 
(E) Using writings of long-dead pilgrims -  the best answer

IMHO (E)

neeshpal · Answer

E

"using..." modifies "textbook authors"

prabir2001 · Answer

B,C and D are out on first sight.
A is ambiguous as textbook authors are not based on pligrim's writings.

E is the best option.

gmatbull · Answer

Based on the writings of various long-dead pilgrims, textbook authors have painted a questionable portrait of the lifestyles of the Native American tribes that existed in America during the early colonization period.

(A) Based on the writings of various long-dead pilgrims
(B) Basing it on long-dead pilgrims' writings
(C) With writings of long-dead pilgrims used for a basis
(D) By the writings of long-dead pilgrims they used
(E) Using writings of long-dead pilgrims

Textbook authors are not based on the writings of long-dead pilgrims, but rather, textbook authors 
use the writings of long-dead pilgrims to paint a questionable portrait of the lifestyles of the Native American tribes...

Option E, is thus the best answer.

deepakraam · Answer

B/w A & E,I chose option A bt the OA was option E

geturdream · Answer

(A)   Based on the writings   of various long-dead pilgrims-  textbook authors cannot be based on the writings. mispalced modifier. 
(B) Basing it on long-dead pilgrims' writings-- Idiomatically wrong 
(C) With writings of long-dead pilgrims used for a basis --  used for a basis is wrong 
(D) By the writings of long-dead pilgrims they used --  used by the writings is wrong 
(E) Using writings of long-dead pilgrims --  the textbook authors used writings of long-dead pilgrims, which is correct

sheetalsanjana · Answer

I think its ofcourse! "E"....can some1 tell wht the correct answer is?

smanuelitos · Answer

Hi all, is it clearly A, the modifier is the key

Cheers

sheetalsanjana · Answer

can anyone confirm the right ans pls?

skipjames · Answer

The authors are not based on the writings so A is out. D is just awkward as hell, out. Make that B,C and D. all out. Must be E which reads best and does not have the misplaced modifier.

I hope this helps. If you found it helpful, please give kudos.
Thanks,
Skip

seekmba · Answer

E it is.

A is incorrect because authors cannot be based on the writings.

Authors can use the writings.

subhashghosh · Answer

The answer is E. This type of error has been mentioned in Manhattan GMAT SC guide.

rajeevrks27 · Answer

E it is.
Based( verb-ed modifier or past participle modifier) needs to modify the noun subject i.e authors which is incorrect.
using(verb-ing mod or present participle clause )is clearly mod authors n hence correct.

divyakp · Answer

many would come down to A and E 
out of which E is the best answer

Akshay7Salunke · Answer

Most certainly (E) is the correct answer choice because first it is concise (

) and secondly because if you notice, the voice in this sentence is passive. So if we were to make this sentence active by replacing each of the given answer choices after the subject "textbook authors" it would be clearly evident which would be the correct choice. e.g. Textbook authors,using writing of long-dead pilgrims, have used.... The modifier clearly refers to the subject "Tectbook authors" All the other options are either too wordy or do not refer correctly to the subject! :lol:

Based on the writings of various long-dead pilgrims,

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Based on the writings of various long-dead pilgrims,

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