Imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869, the gypsy moth was us

A. Imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869, the gypsy moth was used by a
French scientist in an attempt at developing a strong strain of silk-producing
insects, crossing gypsy moths with adult silkworms.

First of all, the correct idiomatic usage is attempt TO, not attempt AT.
Second, the comma verb-ing seems to suggest that moth themselves are crossing the moths

B. Imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869, a French scientist was
attempting to develop a strong strain of silk-producing insects by crossing gypsy
moths with adult silkworms.

Scientist is being imported into Massachusetts - not correct

C. To cross gypsy moths with adult silkworms, in attempting the development of a
strong strain of silk-producing insects, a French scientist in 1869 imported the
gypsy moth into Massachusetts from Europe.

To cross..., in attempting...., a French Scientist - this sentence construction is awkward at best

D. The gypsy moth was imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869 by a
French scientist attempting to develop a strong strain of silk-producing insects by
crossing gypsy moths with adult silkworms.

CORRECT

E. In an attempt at the development of a strong strain of silk-producing insects, a
French scientist, importing the gypsy moth from Europe into Massachusetts in
1869 in order to cross gypsy moths and adult silkworms.

same idiomatic error stated in (A).
Also note that we have a fragment sentence. We only have the subject "a french scientist".

Typically, when we have the following construction, CLAUSE + COMMA + VERB-ing, the verb-ing modifier will describe the previous clause, or provide additional information about the action performed in this clause.

Take a simple example: "Tina tormented her German Shepherd for hours, tying its legs together and placing a delicious morsel of meat just beyond its snout." Here "tying" is providing additional information about the previous clause, telling us how Tina tormented her dog. The important thing to note is that it makes sense that Tina, the subject of the modified clause, is the one doing the tying here.

Contrast this example with what we have in (A), "The gypsy moth was used by a French scientist in an attempt at developing a strong strain of silk-producing insects, crossing gypsy moths with adult silkworms." Now "crossing" modifies the previous clause, but because the subject of that clause is "the gypsy moth" it sounds as though the gypsy moth is crossing gypsy moths with adult silkworms! Fine for a science fiction novel, but not for the GMAT. It makes far more sense to write that the French scientist is the one cross-breeding insects.

So we can eliminate (A) because its meaning is illogical.

I hope that helps!
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IMO D. Correct modifier and idiom

A - attempt at. Incorrect idiom
B - Imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869, a French scientist . Incorrect modifier
C - in attempting the development. Awkward construction IMO
E - In an attempt at. Incorrect idiom

A. Imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869, the gypsy moth was used by a French scientist in an attempt at developing a strong strain of silk-producing insects, crossing gypsy moths with adult silkworms. It's better to use infinitive of purpose "to develop" than "at developing"; participle "crossing" seems to be an adverbial modifier, which can modify the how the gypsy moth was used OR can illogically modify the entire preceding clause

B. Imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869, a French scientist was attempting to develop a strong strain of silk-producing insects by crossing gypsy moths with adult silkworms. "Imported..." is a misplaced modifier

C. To cross gypsy moths with adult silkworms, in attempting the development of a strong strain of silk-producing insects, a French scientist in 1869 imported the gypsy moth into Massachusetts from Europe. Inverted word order changes the meaning of the sentence; "To cross" is a dangling modifier; "in attempting the development" is wordy

D. The gypsy moth was imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869 by a French scientist attempting to develop a strong strain of silk-producing insects by crossing gypsy moths with adult silkworms. OK - modifiers are placed in a logical way; "attempting to develop" is precise

E. In an attempt at the development of a strong strain of silk-producing insects, a French scientist, importing the gypsy moth from Europe into Massachusetts in 1869 in order to cross gypsy moths and adult silkworms. Not a complete sentence; "in an attempt at the development" is wordy

A. Imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869, the gypsy moth was used by a
French scientist in an attempt at developing a strong strain of silk-producing
insects, crossing gypsy moths with adult silkworms. Incorrect idiom

B. Imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869, a French scientist was
attempting to develop a strong strain of silk-producing insects by crossing gypsy
moths with adult silkworms. Changes meaning - the scientist wasn't imported.

C. To cross gypsy moths with adult silkworms, in attempting the development of a
strong strain of silk-producing insects, a French scientist in 1869 imported the
gypsy moth into Massachusetts from Europe. Awkward construction

D. The gypsy moth was imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869 by a
French scientist attempting to develop a strong strain of silk-producing insects by
crossing gypsy moths with adult silkworms. Easy to dismiss since it has no punctuation in a long sentence, but the best answer among the choices available

E. In an attempt at the development of a strong strain of silk-producing insects, a
French scientist, importing the gypsy moth from Europe into Massachusetts in
1869 in order to cross gypsy moths and adult silkworms. Incorrect idiom

Imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869, the gypsy moth was used by a French scientist in an attempt at developing a strong strain of silk-producing insects, crossing gypsy moths with adult silkworms.

A. Imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869, the gypsy moth was used by a French scientist in an attempt at developing a strong strain of silk-producing insects, crossing gypsy moths with adult silkworms.
WRONG:- "Attempt at" is not as idiomatic as "Attempt to"

B. Imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869, a French scientist was attempting to develop a strong strain of silk-producing insects by crossing gypsy moths with adult silkworms.
WRONG:- Incorrect Placement of modifier make it seem that "A French scientist was imported"


C. To cross gypsy moths with adult silkworms, in attempting the development of a strong strain of silk-producing insects, a French scientist in 1869 imported the gypsy moth into Massachusetts from Europe.
WRONG:- Awkward and wordy with repetition of "gypsy moth". "in attempting" is not elegant.

D. The gypsy moth was imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869 by a French scientist attempting to develop a strong strain of silk-producing insects by crossing gypsy moths with adult silkworms.
CORRECT:- Perfect. Correct modifiers. correct meaning and composition.

E. In an attempt at the development of a strong strain of silk-producing insects, a French scientist, importing the gypsy moth from Europe into Massachusetts in 1869 in order to cross gypsy moths and adult silkworms.[/quote]
WRONG:- "Attempt at" is a awkward/wrong modifier "Attempt to" is better. "Importing" is the wrong tense.



_________________

A. Imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869, the gypsy moth was used by a French scientist in an attempt at developing a strong strain of silk-producing insects, crossing gypsy moths with adult silkworms.
B. Imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869, a French scientist was attempting to develop a strong strain of silk-producing insects by crossing gypsy moths with adult silkworms.
C. To cross gypsy moths with adult silkworms, in attempting the development of a strong strain of silk-producing insects, a French scientist in 1869 imported the gypsy moth into Massachusetts from Europe.
D. The gypsy moth was imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869 by a French scientist attempting to develop a strong strain of silk-producing insects by crossing gypsy moths with adult silkworms.
E. In an attempt at the development of a strong strain of silk-producing insects, a French scientist, importing the gypsy moth from Europe into Massachusetts in 1869 in order to cross gypsy moths and adult silkworms.

Imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869, the gypsy moth was used by a French scientist in an attempt at developing a strong strain of silk-producing insects, crossing gypsy moths with adult silkworms.

(A) Imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869, the gypsy moth was used by a French scientist in an attempt at developing a strong strain of silk-producing insects, crossing gypsy moths with adult silkworms.

(B) Imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869, a French scientist was attempting to develop a strong strain of silk-producing insects by crossing gypsy moths with adult silkworms.

(C) To cross gypsy moths with adult silkworms, in attempting the development of a strong strain of silk-producing insects, a French scientist in 1869 imported the gypsy moth into Massachusetts from Europe.

(D) The gypsy moth was imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869 by a French scientist attempting to develop a strong strain of silk-producing insects by crossing gypsy moths with adult silkworms.

(E) In an attempt at the development of a strong strain of silk-producing insects, a French scientist, importing the gypsy moth from Europe into Massachusetts in 1869 in order to cross gypsy moths and adult silkworms.
_________________

Imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869, the gypsy moth was used by a French scientist in an attempt at developing a strong strain of silk-producing insects, crossing gypsy moths with adult silkworms.

(A) Imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869, the gypsy moth was used by a French scientist in a attempt at developing a strong strain of silk-producing insects, crossing gypsy moths with adult silkworms.
- No information about "who imported the Gypsy Moth"
- "Attempt at" is an incorrect idiom


(B) Imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869, a French scientist was attempting to develop a strong strain of silk-producing insects by crossing gypsy moths with adult silkworms.
- A French scientist was not that imported into Massachusetts, but the Gypsy Moths was


(C) To cross gypsy moths with adult silkworms, in attempting the development of a strong strain of silk-producing insects, a French scientist in 1869 imported the gypsy moth into Massachusetts from Europe.
- Awkward


(D) The gypsy moth was imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869 by a French scientist attempting to develop a strong strain of silk-producing insects by crossing gypsy moths with adult silkworms.
- "Attempting" correctly modifies "A French scientist"
- "Attempting to" is correct idiom


(E) In an attempt at the development of a strong strain of silk-producing insects, a French scientist, importing the gypsy moth from Europe into Massachusetts in 1869 in order to cross gypsy moths and adult silkworms.
- Subject "A French scientist" does not have a Verb pair

C is wrong according to me for the below two reasons
1. A prepositional phrase "To cross gypsy moths with adult silkworms" should touch what it is modifying, but in option C it is followed by a modifier.
2. We don't know what the modifier "in attempting the development of a strong strain of silk-producing insects" is modifying. It can modify the previous phrase or the following clause. Completely wrong

Although Option D is in passive voice, it is the best choice

@Experts, please correct me if I am wrong. Thanks
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Hello pikolo2510,

I will be glad to help you out with this one.

In choice C, to cross is not a prepositional phrase because prepositions can only be followed by a noun. The phrase to cross is a to verb phrase, commonly used on GMAT SC to present the purpose/intent of an action.


Choice C is incorrect for many reasons.

i. The expression in attempting the development is not idiomatic. The better expression is in an attempt to develop.
ii. Choice C seems to suggest that the French scientists brought the gypsy moth to the US with the purpose to cross it with adult silkworms. But the context of the sentence clearly conveys that the gypsy moth was brought to the US with the purpose to develop a strong strain of silk-producing insects.


Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Shraddha
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Thanks for your reply Shraddha egmat

Your explanation did clear a few doubts in my head

But, I have the below two questions
1. What should follow / precede such verb phrases ? The noun / noun phrase it is modifying?
2. When we have construction such as "preposition +verbing" , do we consider them as verbing modifiers ? I have seen a GMATPrep example in which "preposition + verbing" are considered verbing modifiers.
3. Also can such "preposition +verbing" modifier modify "verb phrase"?

Please correct me if I am wrong.
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Hello pikolo2510,

Thank you for your query.


1. Generally, a to verb phrase is preceded by either a verb or noun entity.

Essentially, the structure is either S + V + to verb OR S + V + O + to verb

What precedes to verb will depend upon the verb in the to verb and the context of the sentence.

But we really need not worry about these nuances as the context of the sentence will help us to understand whether a to verb phrase has been used correctly in a sentence or not.



2. The construction that you are talking about is not possible because prepositions are ONLY followed by noun entities. They cannot be followed by a verb-ing modifier.

Probably, what you saw was the verb-ing noun form after the preposition.



Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Shraddha
_________________

GMATNinja,

Why option a is wrong?
Please help.

Imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869, the gypsy moth was used by a French scientist in an attempt at developing a strong strain of silk-producing insects, crossing gypsy moths with adult silkworms.




In an attempt at developing is not correct



Incorrect Modifier Imported into Massachusetts from Europe incorrectly modifies A French Scientist



Incorrect Modifier and In attempting the development part is not clear what its referring



Neat and Clean



Sentence lacks Verb

Hi,

I rejected choice C because the original sentence do not explicitly state who imported the moth, but we only know that the scientist used it. Can anyone help explain.

Thank you

Hello filmpaniti,

We hope this finds you well.

Having gone through the question and your query, we believe we can resolve your doubt.

Due to its use of the "comma + present participle ("verb+ing" - "crossing" in this sentence)" construction, Option A illogically implies that the gypsy moth was crossing gypsy moths with adult silkworms. When Option A conveys an incoherent or illogical meaning, we do not consider its meaning the intended meaning of the sentence. In such cases, the intended meaning of the sentence is the next logical and coherent meaning conveyed by one of the answer choices.

We hope this helps.
All the best!
Experts' Global Team
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(A) Imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869, the gypsy moth was used by a French scientist in an attempt at developing a strong strain of silk-producing insects, crossing gypsy moths with adult silkworms.
The meaning isn't perfect therefore out

(B) Imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869, a French scientist was attempting to develop a strong strain of silk-producing insects by crossing gypsy moths with adult silkworms.
The French scientist was never imported wrong meaning therefore out

(C) To cross gypsy moths with adult silkworms, in attempting the development of a strong strain of silk-producing insects, a French scientist in 1869 imported the gypsy moth into Massachusetts from Europe.
The meaning isn't perfectly portrayed therefore out

(D) The gypsy moth was imported into Massachusetts from Europe in 1869 by a French scientist attempting to develop a strong strain of silk-producing insects by crossing gypsy moths with adult silkworms.
The meaning is perfect therefore let us hang on to it

(E) In an attempt at the development of a strong strain of silk-producing insects, a French scientist, importing the gypsy moth from Europe into Massachusetts in 1869 in order to cross gypsy moths and adult silkworms.
French scientist can never be a insect wrong meaning therefore out

Therefore IMO D

Option D is changing the intended meaning. As in the original sentence gypsy moths is used(not imported) by the French scientist, but option D says that the gypsy moths is imported by the French scientist.
Please correct me If I am wrong.

I am a bit confused about
1- The Original sentence is the intended meaning or
2- The best and succinct written sentence is perfect.

Anyone please clarify my doubt.
Thanks In Advance.