GMAT Club World Cup 2022 (DAY 8): Modern optical telescopes can detect

Question

Modern optical telescopes can detect stars at great distances;  however, they cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them because of their strong gravitational fields, making them  invisible to the telescopes.

A. however, they cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them because of their strong gravitational fields, making them

B. black holes, however, are undetectable to these telescopes, because their gravitational fields are so strong that light particles are unable to escape from them, making them

C. however, these telescopes cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them due to their strong gravitational fields and thus

D. these telescopes, however, cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them due to their strong gravitational fields and making them

E. they, however, cannot detect black holes, because their gravitational fields are so strong that light particles are unable to escape from them, making them

Thank you  sayantanc2k  for the question!!!

V36-04

Bunuel · Answer

GMAT CLUB Official Explanation:

A. The pronoun “they” refers to telescopes whereas the pronouns “them” and “their” refers to Black holes. Such usage is grammatically wrong - in a sentence all they / them / their must refer to the same antecedent.

B. Correct.  The pronouns “them” and “their” both refer to “black holes”. Moreover the pronoun “them” and “their” are not ambiguous: “them” cannot refer to “light particles” because of the part “light particles are unable to escape from them” and “them” cannot refer to “telescopes” either because of the part “making them invisible to the telescopes”. Thus the only sensible antecedent for “them” (and hence for “their”) is “black holes”.

C. The phrase “due to” must be used with a noun, not a verb. Here it is wrongly used with the verb “are (unable to escape)” - in such situations “because of” must be used instead.
The construction implies that the light particles are invisible to the telescopes, whereas the correct implication is that the black holes are invisible to the telescopes.

D. The phrase “due to” must be used with a noun, not a verb. Here it is wrongly used with the verb “are (unable to escape)” - in such situations “because of” must be used instead.
A verb “are” is wrongly used in parallel to a participle “making”.

E. The pronoun “they” refers to telescopes whereas the pronouns “them” and “their” refer to Black holes. Such usage is grammatically wrong - in a sentence all they / them / their must refer to the same antecedent.

NextGenNerd · Answer

Correct Answer : Choice B

A. however, they cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them because of their strong gravitational fields, making them - Wrong : Pronoun ambiguity between they and them.

B. black holes, however, are undetectable to these telescopes, because their gravitational fields are so strong that light particles are unable to escape from them, making them - Correct choice . No pronoun ambiguity issue and By making "black holes" the subject, the comma -ing modifier at the end makes sense too.

C. however, these telescopes cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them due to their strong gravitational fields and thus - Wrong - apart from other issues , the starting construction is incorrect. however should come after a noun like the rest of the answer choices

D. these telescopes, however, cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them due to their strong gravitational fields and making them- due to is modifying an action,
[color=#9e0039]

E. they, however, cannot detect black holes, because their gravitational fields are so strong that light particles are unable to escape from them, making them- Wrong : pronoun ambiguity between they and their

mainbhiankit · Answer

I think the issue here is pronoun ambiguity.

Option A says:

While the first pronoun refers to the telescope, the pronouns later refer to the black holes. This could be written in a clearer way, and I think that's the issue we're dealing with in option A. Hence, it's incorrect.

Let's take a look at the other options:

The subject is changed to black holes. The verb is plural and is in agreement with the subject. The pronouns make sense and refer to black holes. I think this is what we're looking for. Let's hold on to it and eliminate the rest before marking this.

The thing that stands out the most to me is the glaring 'due to', which is incorrect.

Same as option C. The 'due to' is a big no here.

The error is similar to option A. The subject is the modern telescopes and the pronouns later on in the sentence seem to refer to the telescopes, which is illogical and distorts the meaning.

Hence, the correct answer is option B.

Iotaa · Answer

A. however, they cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them because of their strong gravitational fields, making them: they has to be close to main subject.  Reject

B. black holes, however, are undetectable to these telescopes, because their gravitational fields are so strong that light particles are unable to escape from them, making them: Hold it.  looks fine

C. however, these telescopes cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them due to their strong gravitational fields and thus:  reject

D. these telescopes, however, cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them due to their strong gravitational fields and making them:  reject

E. they, however, cannot detect black holes, because their gravitational fields are so strong that light particles are unable to escape from them, making them: Remove the ambiguous from option A.  Correct

E is the correct answer

Archit3110 · Answer

with use of ; we need an IC

A. however, they cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them because of their strong gravitational fields, making them  them adjective error

B. black holes, however, are undetectable to these telescopes, because their gravitational fields are so strong that light particles are unable to escape from them, making them  correct option

C. however, these telescopes cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them due to their strong gravitational fields and thus  same as A

D. these telescopes, however, cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them due to their strong gravitational fields and making them  same as A

E. they, however, cannot detect black holes, because their gravitational fields are so strong that light particles are unable to escape from them, making them  meaning issue

OPTION B is correct

Kinshook · Answer

Modern optical telescopes can detect stars at great distances; 
 however, they cannot detect black holes,
 because light particles are unable to escape from them because of their strong gravitational fields, 
making them  invisible to the telescopes.

There is pronoun ambiguity in the sentence since it is NOT clear what  them , their & them   are referring to, whether they are referring to optical telescopes or black holes.
Incorrect

In the sentence, their, them & them are referring correctly to the subject black holes. The sentence conveys the intended meaning of the sentence that gravitation fields of black holes are so strong that light particles are unable to escape from black holes, making black holes invisible to the optical telescopes.
Correct

and thus invisible to the telescopes  is not a complete clause
Usage of  due to  is also incorrect
Incorrect

There is pronoun ambiguity in the sentence since it is NOT clear what  them , their & them   are referring to, whether they are referring to optical telescopes or black holes.
Usage of  due to  is also incorrect
Incorrect

There is pronoun ambiguity in the sentence since it is NOT clear what  their , them & them   are referring to, whether they are referring to optical telescopes or black holes.
Incorrect

IMO B

neetib · Answer

A. however,  they  cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from  them  because of their strong gravitational fields, making  them .OUT

B. black holes, however, are undetectable to these telescopes, because  their  gravitational fields are so strong that light particles are unable to escape from  them , making  them OUT

C. however, these telescopes cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them due to their strong gravitational fields and thus CORRECT

D. these telescopes, however, cannot detect black holes, because light particles  are unable  to escape from them due to their strong gravitational fields and  making  them NOT PARALLEL .OUT

E.  they , however, cannot detect black holes, because  their  gravitational fields are so strong that light particles are unable to escape from  them,  making  them OUT

OA:C

LeopardLiu · Answer

B is the winner 
A. however, they cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them because of their strong gravitational fields, making them
 Unclear. ambiguous  
B. black holes, however, are undetectable to these telescopes, because their gravitational fields are so strong that light particles are unable to escape from them, making them
 their & them clearly refer back to black holes. Hence correct 
C. however, these telescopes cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them due to their strong gravitational fields and thus 
 unclear 
D. these telescopes, however, cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them due to their strong gravitational fields and making them
 ambiguous  
E. they, however, cannot detect black holes, because their gravitational fields are so strong that light particles are unable to escape from them, making them
 ambiguous

sunitapandey · Answer

IMO A

A. however, they cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them because of their strong gravitational fields, making them - Howver +IC meaning is also clear.

B. black holes, however, are undetectable to these telescopes, because their gravitational fields are so strong that light particles are unable to escape from them, making them - ambiguous anteceedent for them
 
 C. however, these telescopes cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them due to their strong gravitational fields and thus - Ambiguos anteceedent for Them

D. these telescopes, however, cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them due to their strong gravitational fields and making them- due to is modifying an action, 
  
E. they, however, cannot detect black holes, because their gravitational fields are so strong that light particles are unable to escape from them, making them - what does 'them ' refers to.

$!vakumar.m · Answer

Answer D captures the correct meaning

Fido10 · Answer

A. however, they cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them because of their strong gravitational fields, making them 
This is an independent clause because it comes after a semi-colon, and this clause cannot begin with however, wrong answer
 B. black holes, however, are undetectable to these telescopes, because their gravitational fields are so strong that light particles are unable to escape from them, making them 
This is the correct choice, 
 C. however, these telescopes cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them due to their strong gravitational fields, and thus 
This is an independent clause because it comes after a semi-colon, and this clause cannot begin with however, wrong answer
 D. these telescopes, however, cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them due to their strong gravitational fields and making them 
usage of due to here is not correct when replaced by caused by, the sentence does not make sense, Wrong answer
 E. they, however, cannot detect black holes, because their gravitational fields are so strong that light particles are unable to escape from them, making them 
"their" ha no clear antecedant, it could either refer to they (telescopes) or to black holes, Wrong answer

rajtare · Answer

A. however, they cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them because of their strong gravitational fields, making them - Incorrect as them can refer to both black holes and telescope

B. black holes, however, are undetectable to these telescopes, because their gravitational fields are so strong that light particles are unable to escape from them, making them - Correct

C. however, these telescopes cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them due to their strong gravitational fields and thus - Incorrect as them can refer to both black holes and telescope

D. these telescopes, however, cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them due to their strong gravitational fields and making them
Incorrect as them can refer to both black holes and telescope
E. they, however, cannot detect black holes, because their gravitational fields are so strong that light particles are unable to escape from them, making them
Incorrect as them can refer to both black holes and telescope

soudipsengupta · Answer

A. however, they cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them because of their strong gravitational fields, making them
  INCORRECT  . When a pronoun is used to refer to an antecedent, it is important to maintain uniformity of the antecedent it refers to within the sentence. Here 'they' in the beginning seem to refer to telescopes, and 'them' and 'their' refer to black holes. That is not correct pronoun use.

B. black holes, however, are undetectable to these telescopes, because their gravitational fields are so strong that light particles are unable to escape from them, making them
  CORRECT  . No pronoun issue, no faulty usage of 'due to'.

C. however, these telescopes cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them due to their strong gravitational fields and thus
  INCORRECT  . Use of 'due to' after 'particles are unable to escape from them' is inaccurate. 'Due to' must modify a noun, not an action.

D. these telescopes, however, cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them due to their strong gravitational fields and making them
  INCORRECT  . Use of 'due to' after 'particles are unable to escape from them' is inaccurate. 'Due to' must modify a noun, not an action.

E. they, however, cannot detect black holes, because their gravitational fields are so strong that light particles are unable to escape from them, making them
  INCORRECT  . When a pronoun is used to refer to an antecedent, it is important to maintain uniformity of the antecedent it refers to within the sentence. Here 'they' in the beginning seem to refer to telescopes, and 'them' and 'their' refer to black holes. That is not correct pronoun use.

Dwiti88 · Answer

Modern optical telescopes can detect stars at great distances;  however, they cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them because of their strong gravitational fields, making them  invisible to the telescopes.

A. however, they cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them because of their strong gravitational fields, making them
- This is incorrect. Use of the pronoun they after is incorrect as there is no clear antecedent.The meaning of the sentence is ambiguous

B. black holes, however, are undetectable to these telescopes, because their gravitational fields are so strong that light particles are unable to escape from them, making them
 This is the correct choice. here the use of black holes before however has corrected the meaning issue.And the  their  and  them  used in the later part of the sentence have a clear antecedent black holes  
C. however, these telescopes cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them due to their strong gravitational fields and thus
 This is incorrect.here the use of due to is incorrect 
D. these telescopes, however, cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them due to their strong gravitational fields and making them
 This is incorrect. Here the use of due to is incorrect 
E. they, however, cannot detect black holes, because their gravitational fields are so strong that light particles are unable to escape from them, making them
 This is incorrect.here again the use of pronouns is making the meaning of the sentence ambiguous.

ThomasK · Answer

A. however, they cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them because of their strong gravitational fields, making them -- who does they refer to--stars or telescopes?

B. black holes, however, are undetectable to these telescopes, because their gravitational fields are so strong that light particles are unable to escape from them, making them - ambiguous anteceedent for them

C. however, these telescopes cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them due to their strong gravitational fields and thus -- antecedent of them is unclear

D. these telescopes, however, cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them due to their strong gravitational fields and making them- due to is modifying an action,
[color=#9e0039]

E. they, however, cannot detect black holes, because their gravitational fields are so strong that light particles are unable to escape from them, making them --  antecedents for they and them are not clear

FazliddinKD · Answer

Modern optical telescopes can detect stars at great distances;  however, they cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them because of their strong gravitational fields, making them  invisible to the telescopes.

A. however,  they  cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from  them  because of  their  strong gravitational fields, making  them  -   Wrong   - Pronoun ambiguity

B.  black holes, however, are undetectable to these telescopes, because their gravitational fields are so strong that light particles are unable to escape from them, making them -   Correct

C. however, these telescopes cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them due to their strong gravitational fields  and thus  -   Wrong    - second part, after and, is fragment

D. these telescopes, however, cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them due to their strong gravitational fields and  making them  -   Wrong   - || issume

E.  they , however, cannot detect black holes, because  their  gravitational fields are so strong that light particles are unable to escape from  them , making  them  -   Wrong   - Pronoun ambiguity

acf840 · Answer

Pronoun error question. Correct option is B.

A. however, they cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them because of their strong gravitational fields, making them - They: telescopes, their black holes - Incorrect

B. black holes, however, are undetectable to these telescopes, because their gravitational fields are so strong that light particles are unable to escape from them, making them - ambiguous anteceedent for them

C. however, these telescopes cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them due to their strong gravitational fields and thus - Them referring to the telescopes, can not relate to the object of the verb - Incorrect

D. these telescopes, however, cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them due to their strong gravitational fields and making them - same as C - Incorrect

E. they, however, cannot detect black holes, because their gravitational fields are so strong that light particles are unable to escape from them, making them - same as A, they their referring to different nouns - Incorrect

S1905 · Answer

A. however, they cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from  them because of their  strong gravitational fields, making them - INCORRECT

B.  black holes , however, are undetectable to these telescopes, because  their  gravitational fields are  so strong that  light particles are unable to escape from  them , making  them  - CORRECT

C. however, these telescopes cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them  due to their  strong gravitational fields  and thus - INCORRECT

D. these telescopes, however, cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them  due to their  strong gravitational fields  and making them - INCORRECT

E.  they , however, cannot detect black holes, because  their  gravitational fields are  so strong that  light particles are unable to escape from  them , making  them - INCORRECT

winterschool · Answer

Modern optical telescopes can detect stars at great distances; however, they cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them because of their strong gravitational fields, making them invisible to the telescopes.

A. however, they cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them because of their strong gravitational fields, making them  Incorrect

pronoun ambiguity - them refers to what? black holes or telescopes

B. black holes, however, are undetectable to these telescopes, because their gravitational fields are so strong that light particles are unable to escape from them, making them  Correct

better than all other choices - 'black holes ' is the subject and their refers to 'black holes '

C. however, these telescopes cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them due to their strong gravitational fields and thus  Incorrect

same as A

D. these telescopes, however, cannot detect black holes, because light particles are unable to escape from them due to their strong gravitational fields and making them  Incorrect

pronoun ambiguity and parallelism issue

E. they, however, cannot detect black holes, because their gravitational fields are so strong that light particles are unable to escape from them, making them  Incorrect

meaning issue - 'telescopes' main subject and 'their ' refers to 'telescopes' that is illogical

GMAT Club World Cup 2022 (DAY 8): Modern optical telescopes can detect

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Sentence Correction (SC - EA only) Questions

GMAT Club World Cup 2022 (DAY 8): Modern optical telescopes can detect

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards