NEW HERE? LEARN MORE
closeclose
Last visit was: 26 Apr 2024, 03:51 It is currently 26 Apr 2024, 03:51
Decision Tracker
My Rewards
New posts
New comers' posts

Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel

In some types of pine tree, a thick layer of needles protects the buds

SORT BY:
Date
Kudos
 1   2   3   4   
Tags:
Find Similar Topics 
Show Tags
Hide Tags
User avatar
enigma123
Senior Manager
Senior Manager
Joined: 25 Jun 2011
Status:Finally Done. Admitted in Kellogg for 2015 intake
Posts: 396
Own Kudos [?]: 16656 [186]
Given Kudos: 217
Location: United Kingdom
Concentration: International Business, Strategy
GMAT 1: 730 Q49 V45
GPA: 2.9
WE:Information Technology (Consulting)
Send PM
In some types of pine tree, a thick layer of needles protects the buds [#permalink] New post   Updated on: 11 Jun 2021, 00:51
24
Kudos
162
Bookmarks
00:00
A
B
C
D
E

Difficulty:

35% (medium)

Question Stats:

69% (01:49) correct 31% (01:57) wrong based on 15385 sessions
Hide Show timer Statistics
In some types of pine tree, a thick layer of needles protects the buds from which new growth proceeds; consequently they are able to withstand forest fires relatively well.


(A) a thick layer of needles protects the buds from which new growth proceeds; consequently they are able to withstand forest fires relatively well

(B) a thick needle layer protects buds from where new growth proceeds, so that they can withstand forest fires relatively well

(C) a thick layer of needles protect the buds from which new growth proceeds; thus, they are able to withstand relatively well any forest fires

(D) since the buds from which new growth proceeds are protected by a thick needle layer, consequently they can therefore withstand forest fires relatively well

(E) because the buds where new growth happens are protected by a thick layer of needles, they are able to withstand forest fires relatively easily as a result
ShowHide Answer
Official Answer
A

Originally posted by enigma123 on 10 Nov 2011, 14:28.
Last edited by Bunuel on 11 Jun 2021, 00:51, edited 1 time in total.
Edited the question.
Most Helpful Reply
User avatar
B
Nick90
Manager
Manager
Joined: 24 Apr 2014
Posts: 79
Own Kudos [?]: 195 [90]
Given Kudos: 21
Location: India
Concentration: Strategy, Operations
Schools: Schulich Sept '21 (I) ISB '20 (S)
GMAT 1: 730 Q50 V38
GPA: 4
WE:Information Technology (Computer Software)
Send PM
Reviews Badge
Re: In some types of pine tree, a thick layer of needles protects the buds [#permalink] New post   16 Jun 2016, 00:57
69
Kudos
21
Bookmarks
A vs. B: from which vs from where -----> from where is used from places and from which is used for items or things . From which is correct .

A vs. C a thick layer (singular) thus protects is needed .

A vs D D is passive . Also "therefore" used is redundant when since/because is used .

Thus A is the best answer.
User avatar
D
EMPOWERgmatVerbal
EMPOWERgmat Instructor
Joined: 23 Feb 2015
Posts: 1691
Own Kudos [?]: 14673 [48]
Given Kudos: 766
Send PM
Re: In some types of pine tree, a thick layer of needles protects the buds [#permalink] New post   27 Nov 2018, 18:12
23
Kudos
24
Bookmarks
Expert Reply
Hello Everyone!

Let's tackle this question, one thing at a time, and find the correct choice as quickly as possible! First, here is the original question, with the major differences between the options highlighted in orange:

In some types of pine tree, a thick layer of needles protects the buds from which new growth proceeds; consequently they are able to withstand forest fires relatively well.

(A) a thick layer of needles protects the buds from which new growth proceeds; consequently they are able to withstand forest fires relatively well
(B) a thick needle layer protects buds from where new growth proceeds, so that they can withstand forest fires relatively well
(C) a thick layer of needles protect the buds from which new growth proceeds; thus, they are able to withstand relatively well any forest fires
(D) since the buds from which new growth proceeds are protected by a thick needle layer, consequently they can therefore withstand forest fires relatively well
(E) because the buds where new growth happens are protected by a thick layer of needles, they are able to withstand forest fires relatively easily as a result

After a quick glance over the options, there are a few things we can focus on to narrow down our choices:

1. protects / protect / are protected by (verb tense & active/passive voice)
2. from which / from where / where (agreement)
3. consequently / so that / thus / they (conjunctions & punctuation)

Let's start with #1 on our list: verb tenses. This should be an easier grammar concept to focus on first, and it should narrow down a few options quickly. To do this, we need to make sure that the subjects and verbs agree in number, and we must also make sure to use active voice whenever possible (the GMAT does not like passive voice answers). Here is how each option breaks down:

(A) a thick layer of needles protects the buds from which new growth proceeds; consequently they are able to withstand forest fires relatively well -> GOOD (The singular subject "a thick layer" agrees with singular verb "protects," so let's keep this option for later!)

(B) a thick needle layer protects buds from where new growth proceeds, so that they can withstand forest fires relatively well --> GOOD (The subject and verb in this option are both singular, just like option A, so let's also keep this option for later!)

(C) a thick layer of needles protect the buds from which new growth proceeds; thus, they are able to withstand relatively well any forest fires --> INCORRECT (This is wrong because the singular subject (a thick layer) should have a singular verb. Instead, this sentence uses a plural verb (protect), which doesn't agree.)

(D) since the buds from which new growth proceeds are protected by a thick needle layer, consequently they can therefore withstand forest fires relatively well --> INCORRECT (This is wrong because it uses passive voice! It switches the subject and object of the sentence. The GMAT prefers active voice over passive voice whenever possible, so let's rule this out.)

(E) because the buds where new growth happens are protected by a thick layer of needles, they are able to withstand forest fires relatively easily as a result --> INCORRECT (This is wrong because it uses passive voice! It switches the subject and object of the sentence. The GMAT prefers active voice over passive voice whenever possible, so let's rule this out.)

We can eliminate options C, D, and E because they use the wrong verb tenses or passive voice.

Now that we have this narrowed down to just 2 options, let's take a closer look at #2 and #3 on our list to determine which is the better option:

(A) a thick layer of needles protects the buds from which new growth proceeds; consequently they are able to withstand forest fires relatively well

This is the CORRECT choice! It uses the correct phrasing "from which" to indicate that the growth comes from the buds, not from some location around the buds. It also uses the conjunction "consequently" to show a cause/effect relationship, and the semicolon is used correctly to split the two independent clauses up nicely.

(B) a thick needle layer protects buds from where new growth proceeds, so that they can withstand forest fires relatively well

This is INCORRECT for a couple reasons. First, the phrase "from where" is confusing to readers because it changes the meaning slightly. Instead of saying the growth comes from the buds themselves, this sentence says the buds happen to be in the same area where new growth appears on its own, which doesn't make sense. Second, the subordinating conjunction "so that" does NOT need a comma before it.

There you go - option A is the correct choice!


Don't study for the GMAT. Train for it.
User avatar
Divyadisha
Current Student
Joined: 18 Oct 2014
Posts: 680
Own Kudos [?]: 1763 [22]
Given Kudos: 69
Location: United States
GMAT 1: 660 Q49 V31
GPA: 3.98
Send PM
GMAT ToolKit User
Re: In some types of pine tree, a thick layer of needles protects the buds [#permalink] New post   16 Jun 2016, 09:05
16
Kudos
6
Bookmarks
AbdurRakib wrote:
In some types of pine tree, a thick layer of needles, protects the buds form which new growth proceeds; consequently they are able to withstand forest fires relatively well.

A) a thick layer of needles, protects the buds form which new growth proceeds; consequently they are able to withstand forest fires relatively well
B) a thick needle layer protects buds from where new growth proceeds, so that they can withstand forest fires relatively well
C) a thick layer of needles protect the buds from which new growth proceeds; thus, they are able to withstand relatively well any forest fires
D) since the buds from which new growth proceeds are protected by a thick layer needle layer, consequently they can therefore withstand forest fires relatively well
E) because the buds where new growth happens are protected by a thick layer of needles, they are able to withstand forest fires relatively easily as a result

OG 2017 New Question



There are two types of modifiers in the sentence- 'which' and 'where'

Where can only refer to place and not to thing. Hence 'where' can not refer to buds. B and E are out.

C) a thick layer of needles protect the buds from which new growth proceeds; thus, they are able to withstand relatively well any forest fires. 'withstand relatively well any forest fires' must be 'withstand forest fires relatively well '
D) In some types of pine tree,since the buds from which new growth proceeds are protected by a thick layer needle layer, consequently they can therefore withstand forest fires relatively well. run on sentence

A is the answer
User avatar
L
GMATNinja
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
Joined: 13 Aug 2009
Status: GMAT/GRE/LSAT tutors
Posts: 6921
Own Kudos [?]: 63671 [22]
Given Kudos: 1774
Location: United States (CO)
GMAT 1: 780 Q51 V46
GMAT 2: 800 Q51 V51
GRE 1: Q170 V170

GRE 2: Q170 V170
Send PM
Re: In some types of pine tree, a thick layer of needles protects the buds [#permalink] New post   20 Dec 2017, 12:21
12
Kudos
10
Bookmarks
Expert Reply
septwibowo wrote:

I remember your lesson about pronoun in two clauses : GMAT always follows a pattern that pronoun as a Subject in the second clause must have an antecedent in the form of Subject in the first clause.

Using this reasoning, I eliminated A and chose D. Is my reasoning wrong here?

Thank you!

Whoa, easy with the extreme language! I didn't say that the GMAT always follows that pattern, or that the subject in the second clause must refer back to the subject of the first clause. The idea is that if the subject of the second clause is a pronoun, it CAN refer back to the subject of the first clause -- even if there are a ton of other potential referents in the sentence.

Here's a variation on the example I used in the webinar:

    Cucumbers are more expensive than tomatoes in grocery stores in Western states, and they also taste like poo.

On the face of things, "they" looks ambiguous: the pronoun could refer to "states", "stores", "tomatoes", or "cucumbers." But this sort of construction appears occasionally on the GMAT, and the exam doesn't seem to have a problem with it: because "they" is the subject of the second clause, it CAN refer back to the subject of the first clause, with no worries about ambiguity.

But that doesn't mean that the 2nd subject ALWAYS refers back to the subject of the 1st clause. It certainly doesn't have to. It's just that in a sentence like my cucumber example, you don't really have to worry about pronoun ambiguity.

For anybody that didn't already suffer through it, the full webinar on pronouns is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhN_KU1bSKU

I hope this helps!
User avatar
L
ExpertsGlobal5
Experts' Global Representative
Joined: 10 Jul 2017
Posts: 5123
Own Kudos [?]: 4683 [7]
Given Kudos: 38
Location: India
GMAT Date: 11-01-2019
Send PM
Re: In some types of pine tree, a thick layer of needles protects the buds [#permalink] New post   08 Nov 2021, 08:19
5
Kudos
2
Bookmarks
Expert Reply
Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
enigma123 wrote:
In some types of pine tree, a thick layer of needles protects the buds from which new growth proceeds; consequently they are able to withstand forest fires relatively well.


(A) a thick layer of needles protects the buds from which new growth proceeds; consequently they are able to withstand forest fires relatively well

(B) a thick needle layer protects buds from where new growth proceeds, so that they can withstand forest fires relatively well

(C) a thick layer of needles protect the buds from which new growth proceeds; thus, they are able to withstand relatively well any forest fires

(D) since the buds from which new growth proceeds are protected by a thick needle layer, consequently they can therefore withstand forest fires relatively well

(E) because the buds where new growth happens are protected by a thick layer of needles, they are able to withstand forest fires relatively easily as a result


Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:
Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of this sentence is that in some types of pine trees, a thick layer of needles protects the buds from which new growth proceeds, and as a result, the pine trees are able to withstand forest fires relatively well.

Concepts tested here: Subject-Verb Agreement + Meaning + Pronouns + Redundancy/Awkwardness

• “where” is only used to refer to a physical location.

A: Correct. This answer choice correctly refers to the singular noun “layer” with the singular verb “protects”. Further, Option A uses the phrase “consequently, they are”, conveying the intended meaning – that in some types of pine trees, a thick layer of needles protects the buds from which new growth proceeds, and as a result, the pine trees are able to withstand forest fires relatively well. Additionally, Option A correctly refers to the noun “buds” with the “which” phrase “from which”. Besides, Option A is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.

B: Trap. This answer choice incorrectly refers to the noun “buds” with the pronoun phrase “from where”; please remember, “where” is only used to refer to a physical location. Further, Option B alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “so that”; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that in some types of pine trees, a thick layer of needles protects the buds from which new growth proceeds, in order to ensure that the pine trees are able to withstand forest fires relatively well; the intended meaning is that in some types of pine trees, a thick layer of needles protects the buds from which new growth proceeds, and as a result, the pine trees are able to withstand forest fires relatively well.

C: This answer choice incorrectly refers to the singular noun “layer” with the plural verb “protect”.

D: This answer choice redundantly uses “since”, “consequently”, and “therefore” alongside one another; this usage is redundant, as all three convey the same meaning. Further, Option D uses the passive voice construction “are protected”, leading to further awkwardness and redundancy.

E: This answer choice incorrectly refers to the noun “buds” with the pronoun phrase “from where”; please remember, “where” is only used to refer to a physical location. Further, Option E redundantly uses “because”, and “as a result” alongside each other; this usage is redundant, as both convey the same meaning. Additionally, Option E uses the passive voice construction “are protected”, leading to further awkwardness and redundancy.

Hence, A is the best answer choice.

All the best!
Experts' Global Team
General Discussion
avatar
smsaseem
Intern
Intern
Joined: 06 Apr 2015
Posts: 10
Own Kudos [?]: 78 [18]
Given Kudos: 352
Location: United States (NY)
Concentration: Technology, Finance
Schools: PT Fall"21 (A) Booth PT '21 (A)
GMAT 1: 700 Q49 V38
Send PM
Re: In some types of pine tree, a thick layer of needles protects the buds [#permalink] New post   27 Jul 2016, 21:26
14
Kudos
4
Bookmarks
First split - protects vs protect
Since in all the answer choices we are referring to “thick layer” hence the verb should be singular i.e. protects
Eliminate -> C

Second split - thick layer or needles vs thick needle layer
First one looks better to me as the sentence implies thick layer (it could also imply thick layer of “thin” needles here )
Eliminate -> B

Option to consider A, D and E
Option E -> where is generally used to refer to the geographical place and hence looks wrong to me when it modifies buds (in which could have been used).

Between A and D, whenever two independent clauses are joined by conjunctive adverb (consequently in this case) semi-colon is used. Hence D can be eliminated.

Option A looks best of all.
avatar
S
Konstantin1983
Senior Manager
Senior Manager
Joined: 02 Dec 2014
Posts: 307
Own Kudos [?]: 300 [0]
Given Kudos: 353
Location: Russian Federation
Concentration: General Management, Economics
GMAT 1: 640 Q44 V33
WE:Sales (Telecommunications)
Send PM
Re: In some types of pine tree, a thick layer of needles protects the buds [#permalink] New post   06 Aug 2016, 07:36
Ok per your analysis what is verb in D? Is it non-run-on sentence per your analysis?
User avatar
G
keats
Director
Director
Joined: 28 Nov 2014
Posts: 754
Own Kudos [?]: 1264 [2]
Given Kudos: 86
Concentration: Strategy
Schools: Fisher '19 (M$)
GPA: 3.71
Send PM
Reviews Badge
Re: In some types of pine tree, a thick layer of needles protects the buds [#permalink] New post   06 Aug 2016, 07:43
2
Kudos
Konstantin1983 wrote:
Ok per your analysis what is verb in D? Is it non-run-on sentence per your analysis?


In some types of pine tree, a thick layer of needles protects the buds from which new growth proceeds; consequently they are able to withstand forest fires relatively well.

Option D)

In some types of pine tree, since the buds from which new growth proceeds are protected by a thick layer needle layer, consequently they can therefore withstand forest fires relatively well

The structure that D follows is as below:
Prepositional Modifier, Since [Dependent Clause], Independent Clause

Also, the part in bold represents the subject-verb pair in both the clauses!
User avatar
L
abhimahna
Board of Directors
Joined: 18 Jul 2015
Status:Emory Goizueta Alum
Posts: 3600
Own Kudos [?]: 5426 [4]
Given Kudos: 346
Send PM
Reviews Badge
Re: In some types of pine tree, a thick layer of needles protects the buds [#permalink] New post   06 Aug 2016, 07:43
4
Kudos
Expert Reply
Konstantin1983 wrote:
Ok per your analysis what is verb in D? Is it non-run-on sentence per your analysis?


In D and E , I don't find any subject verb problem.

But remember, GMAC usually prefers sentences which are

1. in Active form
2. Clear and short(meaning Not Awkward)

Both D and E are in passive form while we have an answer choice in active form which is not incorrect grammatically and logically. Hence, A is preferred over D and E.

Also, E has 'where' and as per GMAC rules, where is used only for Places.

Always find the BEST answer out of those given, if not 100% accurate.

o, A is the BEST answer choice out of 5 given
User avatar
S
Mimster
Manager
Manager
Joined: 25 Jul 2015
Posts: 104
Own Kudos [?]: 491 [6]
Given Kudos: 52
Location: Thailand
Concentration: Entrepreneurship, Marketing
Schools: Anderson '19 (A$) Marshall '19 (A$) McDonough '19 (A$) Sloan '19 (D) Kellogg 1YR '18 (A) Kellogg '19 (M)
GMAT 1: 550 Q37 V28
GMAT 2: 660 Q47 V34
GMAT 3: 650 Q44 V35
GMAT 4: 680 Q49 V32
GMAT 5: 740 Q49 V42
GPA: 3.33
Send PM
Reviews Badge
Re: In some types of pine tree, a thick layer of needles protects the buds [#permalink] New post   14 Aug 2016, 08:13
4
Kudos
2
Bookmarks
AbdurRakib wrote:
In some types of pine tree, a thick layer of needles protects the buds from which new growth proceeds; consequently they are able to withstand forest fires relatively well.

A) a thick layer of needles protects the buds from which new growth proceeds; consequently they are able to withstand forest fires relatively well
B) a thick needle layer protects buds from where new growth proceeds, so that they can withstand forest fires relatively well
C) a thick layer of needles protect the buds from which new growth proceeds; thus, they are able to withstand relatively well any forest fires
D) since the buds from which new growth proceeds are protected by a thick layer needle layer, consequently they can therefore withstand forest fires relatively well
E) because the buds where new growth happens are protected by a thick layer of needles, they are able to withstand forest fires relatively easily as a result

OG 2017 New Question(Book Question: 739)


A) seems fine
B) POE SVA issue [a thick...] singular subject must agree with a singular verb [protects] not [protect]
C) POE Same issue as B
D) POE Since, consequently, therefore - makes the sentence very redundant.
E) POE [where from new growth happens] should be which because buds are not a place [relatively well as a result] sounds a lot more redundant than [relatively well]
User avatar
B
rishabhdxt
Manager
Manager
Joined: 27 Mar 2014
Posts: 52
Own Kudos [?]: 93 [5]
Given Kudos: 20
Schools: IIMA IIMB ISB '19
GMAT 1: 660 Q49 V30
Send PM
Re: In some types of pine tree, a thick layer of needles protects the buds [#permalink] New post   17 Oct 2016, 11:11
2
Kudos
3
Bookmarks
AbdurRakib wrote:
In some types of pine tree, a thick layer of needles protects the buds from which new growth proceeds; consequently they are able to withstand forest fires relatively well.

A) a thick layer of needles protects the buds from which new growth proceeds; consequently they are able to withstand forest fires relatively well
B) a thick needle layer protects buds from where new growth proceeds, so that they can withstand forest fires relatively well
C) a thick layer of needles protect the buds from which new growth proceeds; thus, they are able to withstand relatively well any forest fires
D) since the buds from which new growth proceeds are protected by a thick layer needle layer, consequently they can therefore withstand forest fires relatively well
E) because the buds where new growth happens are protected by a thick layer of needles, they are able to withstand forest fires relatively easily as a result

OG 2017 New Question(Book Question: 739)



In some types of pine tree, a thick layer of needles protects the buds from which new growth proceeds; consequently they are able to withstand forest fires relatively well.

A) a thick layer of needles protects the buds from which new growth proceeds; consequently they are able to withstand forest fires relatively well
Correct
B) a thick needle layer protects buds from where new growth proceeds, so that they can withstand forest fires relatively well
-- Use of where is wrong
C) a thick layer of needles protect the buds from which new growth proceeds; thus, they are able to withstand relatively well any forest fires
-- A thick layer(Singular)..... Protect(Plural) SV number agreement error
D) since the buds from which new growth proceeds are protected by a thick layer needle layer, consequently they can therefore withstand forest fires relatively well
-- Therefore is redundant
E) because the buds where new growth happens are protected by a thick layer of needles, they are able to withstand forest fires relatively easily as a result
-- use of where is wrong.

Am i correct , pls comment
avatar
S
Bowtye
Manager
Manager
Joined: 13 Nov 2014
Posts: 94
Own Kudos [?]: 113 [5]
Given Kudos: 28
GMAT 1: 740 Q50 V40
Send PM
Reviews Badge
Re: In some types of pine tree, a thick layer of needles protects the buds [#permalink] New post   25 Jan 2017, 11:00
4
Kudos
1
Bookmarks
AbdurRakib wrote:
In some types of pine tree, a thick layer of needles protects the buds from which new growth proceeds; consequently they are able to withstand forest fires relatively well.

A) a thick layer of needles protects the buds from which new growth proceeds; consequently they are able to withstand forest fires relatively well
B) a thick needle layer protects buds from where new growth proceeds, so that they can withstand forest fires relatively well
C) a thick layer of needles protect the buds from which new growth proceeds; thus, they are able to withstand relatively well any forest fires
D) since the buds from which new growth proceeds are protected by a thick layer needle layer, consequently they can therefore withstand forest fires relatively well
E) because the buds where new growth happens are protected by a thick layer of needles, they are able to withstand forest fires relatively easily as a result

OG 2017 New Question(Book Question: 739)


I think this is a rather decent questions because I initially disregarded option A only to come back and realize it is the best option.

Reasons:

A - Thought the semi colon was awkward at first but came to realize that 1) it is grammatically correct because the clause that follows in an independent clause 2) the ending of the sentence is very elegant

B - Changes the meaning. the original sentence states that the growth of the needs is a consequence not the reason why they grow

C - The ending of the sentence they are able to withstand relatively well any forest fires is incredibly awkward

D - D is even more awkward than C

E - What is the antecedent for they? very ambiguous. Also the ending easily as a result gives me nightmares.

Hope this helps. I know it helps me personally by writing out my explanations.
User avatar
B
RUSDI
Intern
Intern
Joined: 02 Feb 2017
Posts: 13
Own Kudos [?]: 23 [0]
Given Kudos: 59
Concentration: Entrepreneurship, Strategy
Schools: Insead Sept '17
Send PM
GMAT ToolKit User
Re: In some types of pine tree, a thick layer of needles protects the buds [#permalink] New post   24 Jun 2017, 21:03
I saw the "well" is moving around.
Can explain what's wrong with "withstand forest fires relatively well" and "withstand relatively well forest fires).
I thought "well" is an adjective, modifying the word forest fire.
Relatively is adverb, modifying well.
User avatar
L
GMATNinja
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
Joined: 13 Aug 2009
Status: GMAT/GRE/LSAT tutors
Posts: 6921
Own Kudos [?]: 63671 [7]
Given Kudos: 1774
Location: United States (CO)
GMAT 1: 780 Q51 V46
GMAT 2: 800 Q51 V51
GRE 1: Q170 V170

GRE 2: Q170 V170
Send PM
Re: In some types of pine tree, a thick layer of needles protects the buds [#permalink] New post   07 Jul 2017, 11:31
5
Kudos
2
Bookmarks
Expert Reply
RUSDI wrote:
I saw the "well" is moving around.
Can explain what's wrong with "withstand forest fires relatively well" and "withstand relatively well forest fires).
I thought "well" is an adjective, modifying the word forest fire.
Relatively is adverb, modifying well.


"Well" is an adverb here, modifying the verb phrase "withstand forest fires." "Well" is always an adverb, unless we're talking about health. (Example: "After a long struggle with hemorrhoids, Mike is well again." "Well" is an adjective in this case, describing Mike -- but you're very unlikely to see this usage on the GMAT.) Here's another example that gets into the difference between "good" (an adjective) and "well" (usually an adverb): https://gmatclub.com/forum/on-the-tourn ... 21371.html

In this question, the placement of "well" is clearer when it comes after "forest fires." In A, B, and D, it's clear that "well" modifies the entire phrase "withstand forest fires"; in C, it's a little bit less clear, because it's harder to figure out what, exactly, the pine trees withstand.

But the placement of "well" really isn't a big deal, to be honest. Notice that there's really no good reason to care about the placement of "well" in this question. C is the only answer choice that puts the word "well" in an awkward location, but C also has a terrible subject-verb error. So the placement of "well" really isn't the deciding factor.

I hope this helps!
avatar
B
atr0038
Intern
Intern
Joined: 11 Aug 2017
Posts: 25
Own Kudos [?]: 5 [0]
Given Kudos: 50
Location: United States
Schools: Duke '21 (I)
GPA: 3.4
Send PM
Re: In some types of pine tree, a thick layer of needles protects the buds [#permalink] New post   06 Dec 2017, 21:06
Can someone please help me understand what sentence correction topic "from which" applies to? As a native English speaker, I've spent hours trying to figure out why this is correct: "a thick layer of needles protects the buds from which new growth proceeds". I thought the phrase is "x protects y from z". I still don't understand what the buds are being protected from. Are the buds being protected from "which new growth proceeds"? If I said, "The armor protects the man from danger", that makes sense. If I said, "The armor protects the man from which new hope proceeds", the meaning of the sentence is not clear.
User avatar
G
septwibowo
Manager
Manager
Joined: 27 Dec 2016
Posts: 196
Own Kudos [?]: 184 [2]
Given Kudos: 285
Concentration: Marketing, Social Entrepreneurship
Schools: Yale '21 HBS '21 Darden '21 Wharton '21
GPA: 3.65
WE:Marketing (Education)
Send PM
Reviews Badge
Re: In some types of pine tree, a thick layer of needles protects the buds [#permalink] New post   10 Dec 2017, 22:56
2
Kudos
AbdurRakib wrote:
The Official Guide for GMAT Verbal Review 2017

Practice Question
Question No.: SC 739
Page: 696

In some types of pine tree, a thick layer of needles protects the buds from which new growth proceeds; consequently they are able to withstand forest fires relatively well.

(A) a thick layer of needles protects the buds from which new growth proceeds; consequently they are able to withstand forest fires relatively well

(B) a thick needle layer protects buds from where new growth proceeds, so that they can withstand forest fires relatively well

(C) a thick layer of needles protect the buds from which new growth proceeds; thus, they are able to withstand relatively well any forest fires

(D) since the buds from which new growth proceeds are protected by a thick layer needle layer, consequently they can therefore withstand forest fires relatively well

(E) because the buds where new growth happens are protected by a thick layer of needles, they are able to withstand forest fires relatively easily as a result


Dear GMATNinja , need your help here.

I remember your lesson about pronoun in two clauses : GMAT always follows a pattern that pronoun as a Subject in the second clause must have an antecedent in the form of Subject in the first clause.

Using this reasoning, I eliminated A and chose D. Is my reasoning wrong here?

Thank you!
User avatar
L
GMATNinja
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
Joined: 13 Aug 2009
Status: GMAT/GRE/LSAT tutors
Posts: 6921
Own Kudos [?]: 63671 [2]
Given Kudos: 1774
Location: United States (CO)
GMAT 1: 780 Q51 V46
GMAT 2: 800 Q51 V51
GRE 1: Q170 V170

GRE 2: Q170 V170
Send PM
Re: In some types of pine tree, a thick layer of needles protects the buds [#permalink] New post   20 Dec 2017, 12:12
2
Kudos
Expert Reply
atr0038 wrote:
Can someone please help me understand what sentence correction topic "from which" applies to? As a native English speaker, I've spent hours trying to figure out why this is correct: "a thick layer of needles protects the buds from which new growth proceeds". I thought the phrase is "x protects y from z". I still don't understand what the buds are being protected from. Are the buds being protected from "which new growth proceeds"? If I said, "The armor protects the man from danger", that makes sense. If I said, "The armor protects the man from which new hope proceeds", the meaning of the sentence is not clear.

Sure, you could say that "x protects y from z." You could also say "new growth proceeds from buds" -- so then it would be completely fine to say "the buds from which new growth proceeds."

In other words: there's no reason to assume that the word "from" has anything at all to do with "protects" in this particular construction.

I hope this helps!
User avatar
B
longhaul123
Manager
Manager
Joined: 03 Jul 2017
Status:IF YOU CAN DREAM IT, YOU CAN DO IT
Posts: 147
Own Kudos [?]: 33 [0]
Given Kudos: 27
Location: India
Concentration: Finance, International Business
Send PM
Re: In some types of pine tree, a thick layer of needles protects the buds [#permalink] New post   02 Jan 2018, 00:40
I could narrow down the options to A and B , I thought A cannot be the answer because of the use of which. here which can refer to what?? can someone help me with this. Thank you
User avatar
L
GMATNinja
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
Joined: 13 Aug 2009
Status: GMAT/GRE/LSAT tutors
Posts: 6921
Own Kudos [?]: 63671 [1]
Given Kudos: 1774
Location: United States (CO)
GMAT 1: 780 Q51 V46
GMAT 2: 800 Q51 V51
GRE 1: Q170 V170

GRE 2: Q170 V170
Send PM
Re: In some types of pine tree, a thick layer of needles protects the buds [#permalink] New post   06 Jan 2018, 14:19
1
Kudos
Expert Reply
longhaul123 wrote:
I could narrow down the options to A and B , I thought A cannot be the answer because of the use of which. here which can refer to what?? can someone help me with this. Thank you

A couple of related examples:

  • The city in which I live has more than 120 breweries. --> "in which I live" describes the city; in other words, I live in a certain city, and it has more than 120 breweries
  • The website for which I write SC explanations was created by a friendly Ukrainian genius. --> "for which I write SC explanations" describes "the website"; in other words, I write SC explanations for a certain website, and that website was created by a friendly Ukrainian genius ;)

On to the answer choice (A)...
Quote:
In some types of pine tree, a thick layer of needles protects the buds from which new growth proceeds; consequently they are able to withstand forest fires relatively well.

Using the same logic as my examples above, "from which new growth proceeds" describes "the buds." In other words, new growth proceeds from the buds -- and the sentence is telling us that a thick layer of needles protects those buds.

I also address this issue -- somewhat indirectly -- in this post: https://gmatclub.com/forum/in-some-type ... l#p1984130

I hope this helps!
GMAT Club Bot
gmatclubot
Re: In some types of pine tree, a thick layer of needles protects the buds [#permalink]
06 Jan 2018, 14:19
 1   2   3   4   
Moderators:
GMATNinja
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
6921 posts
GMATNinjaTwo
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
238 posts

Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group | Emoji artwork provided by EmojiOne
Main navigation
GMAT Resources
Partners
MBA Resources
www.gmac.com|www.mba.com | | GMAT Club Rules | Terms and Conditions