Computational methods such as Bayesian network methods, based on lates

Here is my approach.

First to understand what the question is testing for :-

1) Subject-Verb Agreement : "Computation methods.." is plural . || Eliminate options A & E
2) Misplaced Modifiers : "prediction" is what is being made with "greater accuracy than ever before" || Eliminate C & D


Option B correctly captures the meaning .

A & E are out due to SV agreement error. D has pronoun error and 'make possible' is incorrect structure. Between B & C, I think B is better for 2 reasons. I) 'than ever before' modifier is incorrectly placed in C. II) have made is better usage than makes, as the changes have happened over the period of time. It is not a general rule.

Experts' Global Official Explanation:

Subject-verb Agreement + Meaning + Tenses + Verb Forms + Redundancy/Awkwardness

Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended core meaning of the sentence is that certain computational methods have made it possible to predict gene pathway development more accurately than ever before.

• The present perfect tense (marked by the use of the helping verb “has/have”) is used to describe events that concluded in the past but continue to affect the present.
• The simple present tense is used to indicate actions taking place in the current time frame, indicate habitual actions, state universal truths, and convey information that is permanent in nature.
• The infinitive verb form (“to + base form of verb"- "to + predict" in this sentence) is the preferred construction for referring to the purpose/intent of an action.

A. This answer choice incorrectly uses the singular verb “makes” to refer to the plural noun “methods”. Besides, this answer choice incorrectly uses simple present tense (see: “makes” rather than “have made”, in Choice B) for an action that happened in past and affects the present.

B. Correct. This answer choice correctly uses the plural verb “have made” to refer to the plural noun “methods. Further, Option B correctly uses “than ever before” to modify “with greater accuracy”, conveying the intended meaning of the sentence- that certain computational methods have made it possible to predict gene pathway development more accurately than ever before. Additionally, Option B is free of awkwardness and redundancy. Besides, this answer choice correctly used present perfect tense for an action that happened in past and affects the present. Additionally, Option B uses the infinitive verb form (“to + base form of verb” – “to + predict” to refer to the intent of the action “have made it possible”.

C. Trap. This answer choice incorrectly uses “than ever before” to modify “the development of gene pathways” rather than “with greater accuracy”, leading to an incoherent meaning; the intended meaning of the sentence is that certain computational methods have made it possible to predict gene pathway development more accurately than ever before. Besides, this answer choice incorrectly uses simple present tense (see: “makes” rather than “have made”, in Choice B) for an action that happened in past and affects the present.

D. This answer choice utilizes the needlessly wordy phrase “make possible the prediction of the development of gene pathways”, leading to awkwardness as well as a change in meaning. Besides, this answer choice incorrectly uses simple present tense (see: “makes” rather than “have made”, in Choice B) for an action that happened in past and affects the present. Further, Option D uses the noun phrase “the prediction…was before” to refer to the intent on the action “make possible”; please remember, the infinitive verb form (“to + base form of verb") is the preferred construction for referring to the purpose/intent of an action.

E. This answer choice incorrectly uses the singular verb “has made” to refer to the plural noun “methods”. Additionally, the phrase “more possible than ever before to predict with greater accuracy the development of gene pathways” is needlessly wordy, leading to awkwardness in this answer choice.

B is the best answer choice.

Experts' Global Video Explanation: