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Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
noboru wrote:
A star will compress itself into a white dwarf, a neutron star, or a black hole after it passes through a red giant stage, depending on mass.
(A) A star will compress itself into a white dwarf, a neutron star, or a black hole after it passes through a red giant stage, depending on mass.
(B) After passing through a red giant stage, depending on its mass, a star will compress itself into a white dwarf, a neutron star, or a black hole.
(C) After passing through a red giant stage, a star’s mass will determine if it compresses itself into a white dwarf, a neutron star, or a black hole.
(D) Mass determines whether a star, after passing through the red giant stage, will compress itself into a white dwarf, a neutron star, or a black hole.
(E) The mass of a star, after passing through the red giant stage, will determine whether it compresses itself into a white dwarf, a neutron star, or a black hole.
Choice A: In Option A, we see a case of distorted meaning, arising from the incorrect placement of a modifier; as the modifying phrase "depending on mass" follows the noun "red giant stage", it appears to modify the "red giant stage" rather than modifying "the star". Thus, the sentence conveys that the star's post-compression form is dependent on its mass during the red star stage, rather than its original mass as a star. Therefore, Option A is incorrect.
Choice B: In Option B, the phrase “depending on its mass” is found between two commas; this placement is a major error, as this phrase conveys information critical to the meaning of the sentence. And only extraneous information can be placed between two commas. Thus, Option B is incorrect.
Choice C: In Option C, the modifying phrase "After passing through a red giant stage" incorrectly modifies the noun "a star's mass". As per the intended meaning of the sentence, the star is supposed to pass through a red giant stage. However, as per this construction “a star’s mass” will pass through the red giant stage. Thus, Option C alters the meaning of the sentence; therefore, it is incorrect.
Choice D: In Option D, the phrase "after passing through the red giant stage" correctly modifies the noun "star". Moreover, this option correctly conveys the meaning of the sentence, after passing through a red giant stage, a star will compress itself a white dwarf, a neutron star, or a black hole, and which of these three it shall become depends on the star's mass.
Choice E: Option E repeats the same error as Option C.; the phrase "after passing through the red giant stage" modifies "The mass of the star". Thus, Option E is incorrect.
Hence, D is the best answer choice. To understand the concept of “Avoiding Pronoun Ambiguity on GMAT”, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):
To understand the concept of “Extra Information between Two Commas on GMAT”, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):
All the best!
Experts' Global Team