Hello Everyone!
Let's tackle this question, one issue at a time, and narrow it down to the correct answer! First, here is the original question with the major differences between options highlighted in
orange:
Combining enormous physical strength with higher intelligence, the Neanderthals
appear as equipped for facing any obstacle the environment could put in their path, but their relatively sudden disappearance during the paleolithic era indicates that an inability to adapt to some environmental change led to their extinction.
(A)
appear as equipped for facing any obstacle the environment could put in their
path,
(B)
appear to have been equipped to face any obstacle the environment could put in their
path,
(C)
appear as equipped to face any obstacle the environment could put in their
paths,
(D)
appeared as equipped to face any obstacle the environment could put in their
path,
(E)
appeared to have been equipped for facing any obstacle the environment could put in their
path,
After a quick glance over the options, a few key differences stand out:
1. appear(ed) as / appear(ed) to have been
2. equipped for facing / equipped to face
3. path / pathsLet's start with #1 on our list: appear(ed) as / appear(ed) to have been. While this may look complicated, it's really just a matter of verb tense and meaning. Here is what each of these structures really means:
appear(ed) as --> present tense --> Neanderthals still exist and are equipped to face obstacles
appear(ed) to have been --> past tense --> Neanderthals don't still exist, but they were equipped for obstacles in the past
Since we know that the Neanderthals are extinct because of what's written later in the sentence, we know that we can rule out any sentences that suggest Neanderthals still exist in present day. Let's see how each option breaks down:
(A)
appear as equipped for facing any obstacle the environment could put in their path,
(B)
appear to have been equipped to face any obstacle the environment could put in their path,
(C)
appear as equipped to face any obstacle the environment could put in their paths,
(D)
appeared as equipped to face any obstacle the environment could put in their path,
(*While option D is technically past tense, it's not idiomatically correct to say "appeared as" in this case. Saying "appeared to have been" is clearer.)
(E)
appeared to have been equipped for facing any obstacle the environment could put in their path,
We can eliminate options A, C, & D because they place Neanderthals as alive in present day, which they are certainly not.
Next, let's tackle #2 on our list: equipped for facing / equipped to face. This is an issue of idioms! While the phrases "equipped to" and "equipped for" are both grammatically correct, there is a rule for what is allowed to come after them:
equipped to + VERB (Our new car is
equipped to drive in icy conditions.)
equipped for + NOUN (My family is well
equipped for a tornado.)
Let's see how the remaining options hold up against this rule:
(B) appear to have been
equipped to face any obstacle the environment could put in their path,
This is
CORRECT because it uses the structure equipped to + VERB correctly.
(E) appeared to have been
equipped for facing any obstacle the environment could put in their path,
This is
INCORRECT because it uses a verb after "equipped for," when the rule states that it can only be followed by a noun.
There you have it - option B is the correct choice!Don't study for the GMAT. Train for it.
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