For the best extraction of the flavor of saffron threads, it

(A) For the best extraction of the flavor of saffron threads, it should be soaked in liquid after being pounded - Incorrect - it = singular, saffron threads =plural

(B) To best extract their flavor, saffron threads should be soaked in liquid after pounding - Incorrect = Unidiomatic
(C) The best way to extract the flavor from saffron threads is soaking them in liquid after being pounded - Incorrect - Tense problem
(D) The best way to extract the flavor from saffron threads is to soak them in liquid after pounding them - Correct
(E) The flavor of saffron threads can best be extracted by soaking it in liquid after pounding it - Incorrect - it = singular, saffron threads =plural

Correct answer must be (D) , errors highlighted in red...

For the best extraction of the flavor of saffron threads, it should be soaked in liquid after being pounded with a mortar and pestle.

(A) For the best extraction of the flavor of saffron threads, it should be soaked in liquid after being pounded

I do not know what "it" refers to here. Eliminate.

(B) To best extract their flavor, saffron threads should be soaked in liquid after pounding

(Saved for now)... seems okay to me...

(C) The best way to extract the flavor from saffron threads is soaking them in liquid after being pounded

(being pounded)?

(D) The best way to extract the flavor from saffron threads is to soak them in liquid after pounding them
(No problems)...

(E) The flavor of saffron threads can best be extracted by soaking it in liquid after pounding it
(it again refers to what?) eliminate.

Now I was stuck between D and B, chose B and started crying

Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation to this question-



Choice A: This answer choice uses the singular pronoun "it" to refer to the plural noun "saffron threads". Thus, this answer choice is incorrect.

Choice B: This answer choice does not have any subject for the verb "pounding" to act upon; for this reason, the sentence is incomplete. Additionally, this answer choice uses the possessive pronoun "their" to refer to the noun "saffron threads". Thus, this answer choice is incorrect.

Choice C: This answer choice repeats the missing subject error found in option B. Thus, this answer choice is incorrect.

Choice D: This answer choice maintains proper pronoun use and its application leads to a complete sentence. Thus, this answer choice is correct.

Choice E: This answer choice repeats the error seen in Option A. Thus, this answer choice is incorrect.

Hence, D is the best answer choice.

All the best!
Experts' Global Team

(A) For the best extraction of the flavor of saffron threads, it should be soaked in liquid after being pounded - Wrong: 1) Verb 2) Pronoun
(B) To best extract their flavor, saffron threads should be soaked in liquid after pounding - Wrong: 1) Meaning
(C) The best way to extract the flavor from saffron threads is soaking them in liquid after being pounded - Wrong: 1) 2 Verb issues
(D) The best way to extract the flavor from saffron threads is to soak them in liquid after pounding them - Correct
(E) The flavor of saffron threads can best be extracted by soaking it in liquid after pounding it - Wrong: 1) Pronoun

@experts generis daagh ExpertsGlobal5 could you please provide links to some reading material on this rule:

Answer B is wrong because: "Additionally, this answer choice uses the possessive pronoun "their" to refer to the noun "saffron threads". Thus, this answer choice is incorrect. "

Also, I thought the GMAC let go of this rule. Would this still be a valid reason to eliminate B?

(A) For the best extraction of the flavor of saffron threads, it should be soaked in liquid after being pounded
(1) Pronoun error – “it” can’t refer back to the plural “saffron threads”

(B) To best extract their flavor, saffron threads should be soaked in liquid after pounding
(1) modifier error – “to best extract their flavor” can only be followed by a person/thing; who or what can best extract their flavor? TY CrackVerbalGMAT but can’t a non-person extract their flavor (perhaps a machine that’s able to do so?) (2) who or what is “pounding”

(C) The best way to extract the flavor from saffron threads is soaking them in liquid after being pounded
(1) who or what is “being pounded”

(D) The best way to extract the flavor from saffron threads is to soak them in liquid after pounding them
best option

(E) The flavor of saffron threads can best be extracted by soaking it in liquid after pounding it
(1) Pronoun error – “it” can’t refer back to the plural “saffron threads”

For the best extraction of the flavor of saffron threads, it should be soaked in liquid after being pounded with a mortar and pestle.

(A) For the best extraction of the flavor of saffron threads, it should be soaked in liquid after being pounded
(B) To best extract their flavor, saffron threads should be soaked in liquid after pounding
(C) The best way to extract the flavor from saffron threads is soaking them in liquid after being pounded
(D) The best way to extract the flavor from saffron threads is to soak them in liquid after pounding them
(E) The flavor of saffron threads can best be extracted by soaking it in liquid after pounding it

The mistake in the original sentence is the pronoun 'it' which refers to the plural noun 'saffron threads'
A INCORRECT as explained above
B INCOR the modifier pounding cant refer to the subject saffron threads
C INCOR the modifier being pounded is not paralleled with the modifier soaking
D CORRECT pounding is prarallel with to soak
E incor wrong pronoun

Posted from my mobile device

Please explain if their is correctly used in option B or not. Why B is wrong?

Posted from my mobile device

To score well on GMAT, Abhishek is working hard.

Clearly, the opening infinitive phrase "To score well on GMAT" modifies "Abhishek", thereby correctly indicating that Abhishek intends to score well on GMAT.

B says:

To best extract their flavor, saffron threads....

Again, the opening infinitive phrase "To best extract their flavor" modifies "saffron threads", thereby incorrectly indicating that saffron threads intend to extract their own flavor.

Hello AbhishekDhanraJ72,

We hope this finds you well.

To answer your query, Option B incorrectly uses "To best extract their flavor" to modify "saffron threads", illogically implying that the saffron threads take the action of extracting flavor; remember, in a “phrase + comma + noun” construction, the phrase must correctly modify the noun; this is one of the most frequently tested concepts on GMAT sentence correction.

To understand the concept of "Phrase Comma Subject" and "Subject Comma Phrase" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):



All the best!
Experts' Global Team

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