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555-605 (Medium)|   Grammatical/Rhetorical Construction|   Pronouns|                        
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In California, a lack of genetic variation in the Argentine ant has 19 Jan 2021, 16:31
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The Official Guide for GMAT Review 2017

Practice Question
Question No.: SC 747
Page: 698
In California, a lack of genetic variation in the Argentine ant has allowed the species to spread widely; due to their being so genetically similar to one another, the ants consider all their fellows to be a close relative and thus do not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limits the spread of this species in its native Argentina.

(A) due to their being so genetically similar to one another, the ants consider all their fellows to be a close relative and thus do not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limits

(B) due to its being so genetically similar the ant considers all its fellows to be a close relative and thus does not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limit

(C) because it is so genetically similar, the ant considers all its fellows to be a close relative and thus does not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limits

(D) because they are so genetically similar to one another, the ants consider all their fellows to be close relatives and thus do not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limit

(E) because of being so genetically similar to one another, the ants consider all their fellows to be a close relative and thus do not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limits

Show Spoiler
https://www.nytimes.com/2000/05/30/science/observatory.html

Nothing quite that creepy is going on in California, but the state has been overrun by a species of ant that, researchers say, has essentially formed a single giant colony from San Diego to San Francisco and beyond. The researchers, from the University of California at San Diego, discovered a lack of genetic variation in the insect, the Argentine ant, which has allowed the species to spread to nooks and crannies up and down the state, particularly in coastal areas.

Individual ants are so close genetically, the researchers report in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, that they consider all their fellows to be close relatives and thus do not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony death matches that limit the ants in their native Argentina.

The Argentine Ant

(A) Subject-Verb (struggles that limits); Noun-Noun (fellows … a close relative)

(B) Comparison (similar); Noun-Noun (fellows … a close relative)

(C) Comparison (similar); Subject-Verb (struggles that limits);

(D) CORRECT

(E) Subject-Verb (struggles that limits); Noun-Noun (fellows … a close relative)

First glance

The answer choices begin with either due to or because of. Generally-accepted grammar rules state that due to is used with nouns or noun phrases and because of is used with clauses, though the distinction can sometimes be a judgment call.

For this reason, perhaps, the GMAT does not appear to test this issue formally; the Official Guide explanations for all problems dealing with because of vs. due to do not address these differences. Therefore, ignore this issue.

Issues

(1) Subject-Verb: struggles that limits

The original sentence says the following: the kind of struggles that limits the spread of this species. The word that, when preceded by a noun, is a noun modifier. In this case, it is referring to the noun just before, struggles: the struggles limit the spread of the species. Answer (A) pairs a plural noun with a singular verb; eliminate it. Also eliminate answers (C) and (E), which repeat this error.

(2) Noun-Noun: fellows … a close relative

The original sentence contains the language the ants consider all their fellows to be a close relative.

All their fellows cannot be a single relative; rather, they would be close relatives. Eliminate choices (A), (B), and (E) for this error.

(3) Comparison: similar

If one thing is similar to another, it is necessary to include the another portion of the comparison. Answers (B) and (C) do not actually indicate what the ant is similar to. (Note: it is possible to omit the separate mention of another if a plural construction is used. For example, this is correct: The twins are so similar! Since there are two twins, the comparison is to each other.)

The Correct Answer

Correct answer (D) properly pairs the plural noun struggles with the plural verb limit and the plural noun fellows with the plural description close relatives.

Note: this correct answer contains a tempting trap that might cause someone to cross it off. The plural pronoun they appears not to match the singular Argentine ant mentioned at the beginning of the sentence. It’s true that this pronoun does not go with this noun; rather, it goes with the plural word ants that appears after the pronoun they.


Is the pronoun "they" in answer d referring to "the ants" that follow the comma?:

(D) because they are so genetically similar to one another, the ants consider all their fellows to be close relatives and thus do not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limit

if the answer is affirmative, would the sentence be ok even without the first independent clause?, e.g:

Because they are so genetically similar to one another, the ants consider all their fellows to be close relatives and thus do not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limit the spread of this species in its native Argentina.

Can anyone help me to clarify this? I'm asking because I don't know if you can use a pronoun before using a noun
Show more
Good question, giovannisumano. The short answer is yes, a valid sentence may place a pronoun in an introductory phrase or clause, ahead of the noun in the main clause. And yes, the sentence in question would be fine without the first independent clause. The only aspect that would need a little tweaking is the ants, since we would expect the article the in such a context to refer to a specific type of ant. The clearest truncated sentence might appear thus:

Because they are so genetically similar to one another, Argentine ants consider all their fellows to be close relatives and thus do not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limit the spread of this species in its native Argentina.

Of course, most of the time, the noun will appear before the pronoun that refers to it, but there are exceptions. You have to consider whether the sentence conveys a clear meaning, however it may be written.

I hope that helps. Good luck with your studies.

- Andrew
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In California, a lack of genetic variation in the Argentine ant has 19 Jan 2021, 16:52
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giovannisumano
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The Official Guide for GMAT Review 2017

Practice Question
Question No.: SC 747
Page: 698
In California, a lack of genetic variation in the Argentine ant has allowed the species to spread widely; due to their being so genetically similar to one another, the ants consider all their fellows to be a close relative and thus do not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limits the spread of this species in its native Argentina.

(A) due to their being so genetically similar to one another, the ants consider all their fellows to be a close relative and thus do not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limits

(B) due to its being so genetically similar the ant considers all its fellows to be a close relative and thus does not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limit

(C) because it is so genetically similar, the ant considers all its fellows to be a close relative and thus does not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limits

(D) because they are so genetically similar to one another, the ants consider all their fellows to be close relatives and thus do not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limit

(E) because of being so genetically similar to one another, the ants consider all their fellows to be a close relative and thus do not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limits

Show Spoiler
https://www.nytimes.com/2000/05/30/science/observatory.html

Nothing quite that creepy is going on in California, but the state has been overrun by a species of ant that, researchers say, has essentially formed a single giant colony from San Diego to San Francisco and beyond. The researchers, from the University of California at San Diego, discovered a lack of genetic variation in the insect, the Argentine ant, which has allowed the species to spread to nooks and crannies up and down the state, particularly in coastal areas.

Individual ants are so close genetically, the researchers report in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, that they consider all their fellows to be close relatives and thus do not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony death matches that limit the ants in their native Argentina.

The Argentine Ant

(A) Subject-Verb (struggles that limits); Noun-Noun (fellows … a close relative)

(B) Comparison (similar); Noun-Noun (fellows … a close relative)

(C) Comparison (similar); Subject-Verb (struggles that limits);

(D) CORRECT

(E) Subject-Verb (struggles that limits); Noun-Noun (fellows … a close relative)

First glance

The answer choices begin with either due to or because of. Generally-accepted grammar rules state that due to is used with nouns or noun phrases and because of is used with clauses, though the distinction can sometimes be a judgment call.

For this reason, perhaps, the GMAT does not appear to test this issue formally; the Official Guide explanations for all problems dealing with because of vs. due to do not address these differences. Therefore, ignore this issue.

Issues

(1) Subject-Verb: struggles that limits

The original sentence says the following: the kind of struggles that limits the spread of this species. The word that, when preceded by a noun, is a noun modifier. In this case, it is referring to the noun just before, struggles: the struggles limit the spread of the species. Answer (A) pairs a plural noun with a singular verb; eliminate it. Also eliminate answers (C) and (E), which repeat this error.

(2) Noun-Noun: fellows … a close relative

The original sentence contains the language the ants consider all their fellows to be a close relative.

All their fellows cannot be a single relative; rather, they would be close relatives. Eliminate choices (A), (B), and (E) for this error.

(3) Comparison: similar

If one thing is similar to another, it is necessary to include the another portion of the comparison. Answers (B) and (C) do not actually indicate what the ant is similar to. (Note: it is possible to omit the separate mention of another if a plural construction is used. For example, this is correct: The twins are so similar! Since there are two twins, the comparison is to each other.)

The Correct Answer

Correct answer (D) properly pairs the plural noun struggles with the plural verb limit and the plural noun fellows with the plural description close relatives.

Note: this correct answer contains a tempting trap that might cause someone to cross it off. The plural pronoun they appears not to match the singular Argentine ant mentioned at the beginning of the sentence. It’s true that this pronoun does not go with this noun; rather, it goes with the plural word ants that appears after the pronoun they.


Is the pronoun "they" in answer d referring to "the ants" that follow the comma?:

(D) because they are so genetically similar to one another, the ants consider all their fellows to be close relatives and thus do not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limit

if the answer is affirmative, would the sentence be ok even without the first independent clause?, e.g:

Because they are so genetically similar to one another, the ants consider all their fellows to be close relatives and thus do not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limit the spread of this species in its native Argentina.

Can anyone help me to clarify this? I'm asking because I don't know if you can use a pronoun before using a noun
Good question, giovannisumano. The short answer is yes, a valid sentence may place a pronoun in an introductory phrase or clause, ahead of the noun in the main clause. And yes, the sentence in question would be fine without the first independent clause. The only aspect that would need a little tweaking is the ants, since we would expect the article the in such a context to refer to a specific type of ant. The clearest truncated sentence might appear thus:

Because they are so genetically similar to one another, Argentine ants consider all their fellows to be close relatives and thus do not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limit the spread of this species in its native Argentina.

Of course, most of the time, the noun will appear before the pronoun that refers to it, but there are exceptions. You have to consider whether the sentence conveys a clear meaning, however it may be written.

I hope that helps. Good luck with your studies.

- Andrew
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Thank you very much for your clear explanation Andrew, I think it's gonna help other students like me too.
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Thank you very much for your clear explanation Andrew, I think it's gonna help other students like me too.
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Glad to hear it, giovannisumano. You might want to take a look at this official question that employs a prepositional phrase with a pronoun ahead of its referent in the main clause. (There is nothing like proof positive to back up a notion.)

- Andrew
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Hi Experts, MartyTargetTestPrep GMATNinja

For the beginning portion of B and C, is there ever a time you can make a comparison like that? "because it is so similar, [...]"

Or is it always incomplete? The OG explanation states that words that express comparisons require either a plural object (with an optional expression of things being compared) or a singular object. Therefore, considering option B and C compare "the ant," which is singular, it needs an explicit object
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Hi Experts, MartyTargetTestPrep GMATNinja

For the beginning portion of B and C, is there ever a time you can make a comparison like that? "because it is so similar, [...]"

Or is it always incomplete? The OG explanation states that words that express comparisons require either a plural object (with an optional expression of things being compared) or a singular object. Therefore, considering option B and C compare "the ant," which is singular, it needs an explicit object
Show more
I think it's safe to say that any time you're making a comparison, you need at least two entities. Tim can be similar to Joe. But writing "Tim is similar," without noting anyone he's similar to, is just nonsense.

So, yes, you can kill (B) and (C) on this basis alone -- you can't have a comparison with just one kind of ant.

That said, you want to be careful about converting this into a rule in your mind. While I'd be surprised if you encountered such a construction in a correct answer on the GMAT, it's theoretically possible to create a sentence in which the phrase "because [singular noun] is similar" is fine. For example:

    "Tim's sister, Jane, often tries to sneak into the tiger enclosure at the zoo; because Tim is similar, his wife had him fitted for a shock collar."

Though I don't love this sentence, I'm not sure it's WRONG, exactly -- we can use context to figure out that Tim is similar to his sister. If I saw something comparable on the GMAT, I wouldn't treat it as an error. Notice that my example is different from (B) and (C) above, in which no other entity is mentioned.

So don't get carried away and try to establish a universal rule based on this question. Instead, treat it as yet another example of why it's dangerous to go on auto-pilot. You always want to be engaged with the logic and context of whatever specific example you're evaluating.

I hope that helps!
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Is "the kind of ... struggles" plural?? How come??
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In California, a lack of genetic variation in the Argentine ant has Updated on: 19 Apr 2021, 04:36
Originally posted by mSKR on 18 Apr 2021, 20:21.
Last edited by mSKR on 19 Apr 2021, 04:36, edited 1 time in total.
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Is "the kind of ... struggles" plural?? How come??
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You need to check which part makes sense meaningwise

In California, a lack of genetic variation in the Argentine ant has allowed the species to spread widely; due to their being so genetically similar to one another, the ants consider all their fellows to be a close relative and thus do not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limits the spread of this species in its native Argentina.

(D) because they are so genetically similar to one another, the ants consider all their fellows to be close relatives and thus do not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limit


To determine the difference, you can ask questions :(different context would have different meanings). in this context:
1.)
Ask question what limit the spread of this species?
meaningwise: kind can not limit the spread .It doesn't make sense with kind.

2.) Engage in what?
Engage in kind
or engage in struggles/
( kind of just happens to be modifier)
engage in struggles make sense; not engage in kind.

Example:
I am engaged in physical exercise that can reduce weight--make sense
now I modify it, but core remain same
I am engaged in type of physical exercise that can reduce weight--make sense
I am engaged in typeS of physical exercise that can reduce weight--make sense


Other context:
You have to give me colors that are not same-
you have to give me colors of a pen that are not same--> here meaning focus on colors not on pens.


I hope it helps.
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jerrywu
The Official Guide for GMAT Review 2017

Practice Question
Question No.: SC 747
Page: 698
In California, a lack of genetic variation in the Argentine ant has allowed the species to spread widely; due to their being so genetically similar to one another, the ants consider all their fellows to be a close relative and thus do not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limits the spread of this species in its native Argentina.

(A) due to their being so genetically similar to one another, the ants consider all their fellows to be a close relative and thus do not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limits

(B) due to its being so genetically similar the ant considers all its fellows to be a close relative and thus does not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limit

(C) because it is so genetically similar, the ant considers all its fellows to be a close relative and thus does not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limits

(D) because they are so genetically similar to one another, the ants consider all their fellows to be close relatives and thus do not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limit

(E) because of being so genetically similar to one another, the ants consider all their fellows to be a close relative and thus do not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limits

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sayantanc2k Here, can we use the "because vs due to split"? I am almost certain that I am missing something!
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Here, can we use the "because vs due to split"? I am almost certain that I am missing something!
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Hi Aditya, I am wondering whether you are confusing this with because of vs due to split, since both are prepositions.

because and due to are not really comparable, since while because is a subordinating conjunction, due to is a preposition.

p.s. Our book EducationAisle Sentence Correction Nirvana discusses because of vs due to, its application and examples in significant detail. If you or someone is interested, PM me your email-id; I can mail the corresponding section.
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Here, can we use the "because vs due to split"? I am almost certain that I am missing something!
Hi Aditya, I am wondering whether you are confusing this with because of vs due to split, since both are prepositions.

because and due to are not really comparable, since while because is a subordinating conjunction, due to is a preposition.

p.s. Our book EducationAisle Sentence Correction Nirvana discusses because of vs due to, its application and examples in significant detail. If you or someone is interested, PM me your email-id; I can mail the corresponding section.
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EducationAisle Thanks for the clarification. While I understand that the split I mentioned here is different from "because of vs due to", I am not sure whether the usage of "due to" in the way it has been done in options (A) and (B) can ever be correct
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Hello,

I am struggling to understand the official explanation of this question. The official explanation says that ‘similar’ require either a plural object, with an optional expression of the entities being compared , or a singular object, in which case this explicit comparison is required. ‘ it’s being so genetically similarly’ , without explicit comparison, is incorrect.

Can the experts please help me understand this concept of the use of similar

Thanks

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Hello,

I am struggling to understand the official explanation of this question. The official explanation says that ‘similar’ require either a plural object, with an optional expression of the entities being compared , or a singular object, in which case this explicit comparison is required. ‘ it’s being so genetically similarly’ , without explicit comparison, is incorrect.

Can the experts please help me understand this concept of the use of similar

Thanks

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Hi Surabhi, from what I read of the official explanation, it means that we can either say:

i) One ant is similar to other ant(s)
- It is clear that we are comparing the similarity of one ant with other ant(s)

Or

ii) The ants are similar
- The comparison/similarity among various ants is implied

However, we cannot just say: One ant is similar (as is the case in option B and D in the sentence under consideration)!

The reason is that there is nothing to compare the similarity of this one ant with!
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Thanks Educationaisle for the quick response
I am not clear then why is option D correct then ? Because it has ‘they’ are so genetically similar to one another. Here we have plural , so we don’t need ‘ one another’ ?

Is it that with singular we absolutely need an object and with plural we may / may not have an object.

Is this the correct way of understanding?

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psurabhi
Thanks Educationaisle for the quick response
I am not clear then why is option D correct then ? Because it has ‘they’ are so genetically similar to one another. Here we have plural , so we don’t need ‘ one another’ ?
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Isn't this what the official explanation says: ‘similar’ requires a plural object, with an optional expression of the entities being compared.

So, option D uses this optional expression ("to one another") perhaps for additional clarity.
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This is a good question, because one can learn the psyche of GMAT through this. Is this a GPREP question? If it is so, it seals any doubt that we have regarding the use of ‘consider to be’ as an authenticated idiom. If GPREP prefers to use ‘consider to be’ in all the five choices or even in its OA, then we must take it. However, who can confirm, that this is indeed a GPREP or official question? ‘Outside GMAT domain, ‘consider to be’ is accepted all over the world, but that may be irrelevant to us in GMAT.

Therefore, D springs to life once again. In B, the version drops out the phrase ‘to one another’ which is essential to point out that the comparison is extended to all the ants in Argentina and not limited to two of them or two species of them.

This wobbly question changes track often from singular in the beginning to plural in the middle and then back to singular in the end. If it is a genuine GPREP or official question, it is a beautiful one. If not, it is a dubious one.
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Hi daagh

How about between "due to" and "because" ?
Or both are correct?
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In California, a lack of genetic variation in the Argentine ant has 17 Jul 2021, 08:11
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Teitsuya
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This is a good question, because one can learn the psyche of GMAT through this. Is this a GPREP question? If it is so, it seals any doubt that we have regarding the use of ‘consider to be’ as an authenticated idiom. If GPREP prefers to use ‘consider to be’ in all the five choices or even in its OA, then we must take it. However, who can confirm, that this is indeed a GPREP or official question? ‘Outside GMAT domain, ‘consider to be’ is accepted all over the world, but that may be irrelevant to us in GMAT.

Therefore, D springs to life once again. In B, the version drops out the phrase ‘to one another’ which is essential to point out that the comparison is extended to all the ants in Argentina and not limited to two of them or two species of them.

This wobbly question changes track often from singular in the beginning to plural in the middle and then back to singular in the end. If it is a genuine GPREP or official question, it is a beautiful one. If not, it is a dubious one.

Hi daagh

How about between "due to" and "because" ?
Or both are correct?
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Sadly, our wonderful brother daagh is no longer with us.

As mentioned in this post, "due to" can only modify a noun, not a verb.

In (B), it looks like "due to its being so genetically similar" is trying to modify the verb phrase "the ant considers". In (A), it looks like "due to their being so genetically similar to one another" is trying to modify the verb phrase "the ants consider". In both cases, the usage of "due to" is problematic.

I hope that helps!
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Teitsuya
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In California, a lack of genetic variation in the Argentine ant has 17 Jul 2021, 09:13
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GMATNinja
Teitsuya
daagh
This is a good question, because one can learn the psyche of GMAT through this. Is this a GPREP question? If it is so, it seals any doubt that we have regarding the use of ‘consider to be’ as an authenticated idiom. If GPREP prefers to use ‘consider to be’ in all the five choices or even in its OA, then we must take it. However, who can confirm, that this is indeed a GPREP or official question? ‘Outside GMAT domain, ‘consider to be’ is accepted all over the world, but that may be irrelevant to us in GMAT.

Therefore, D springs to life once again. In B, the version drops out the phrase ‘to one another’ which is essential to point out that the comparison is extended to all the ants in Argentina and not limited to two of them or two species of them.

This wobbly question changes track often from singular in the beginning to plural in the middle and then back to singular in the end. If it is a genuine GPREP or official question, it is a beautiful one. If not, it is a dubious one.

Hi daagh

How about between "due to" and "because" ?

Or both are correct?
Sadly, our wonderful brother daagh is no longer with us.

As mentioned in this post, "due to" can only modify a noun, not a verb.

In (B), it looks like "due to its being so genetically similar" is trying to modify the verb phrase "the ant considers". In (A), it looks like "due to their being so genetically similar to one another" is trying to modify the verb phrase "the ants consider". In both cases, the usage of "due to" is problematic.

I hope that helps!
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What a sad news!
I used to DM him a long time ago:(
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Ashish632
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In California, a lack of genetic variation in the Argentine ant has 20 Jul 2021, 22:15
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daagh . I know you are not here with us to read all these posts anymore , but to answer your question -this is an official GMAT retired question as this has appeared in OG 2017 and 2020.We will meet soon , but not today .
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In California, a lack of genetic variation in the Argentine ant has 21 Jul 2021, 09:03
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In California, a lack of genetic variation in the Argentine ant has allowed the species to spread widely; due to their being so genetically similar to one another, the ants consider all their fellows to be a close relative and thus do not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limits the spread of this species in its native Argentina.

(A) due to their being so genetically similar to one another, the ants consider all their fellows to be a close relative and thus do not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limits

(B) due to its being so genetically similar the ant considers all its fellows to be a close relative and thus does not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limit

(C) because it is so genetically similar, the ant considers all its fellows to be a close relative and thus does not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limits

(D) because they are so genetically similar to one another, the ants consider all their fellows to be close relatives and thus do not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limit

(E) because of being so genetically similar to one another, the ants consider all their fellows to be a close relative and thus do not engage in the kind of fierce intercolony struggles that limits


This question can be easily solved using just SV agreement.

Here we are searching for another independent clause due to the semicolon ; - hence B is out

(A) Struggles that limits - incorrect SVA
(C) struggles that limits - incorrect SVA
(E) struggles that limits - incorrect SVA
(D) Correct ans
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In California, a lack of genetic variation in the Argentine ant has 23 Sep 2021, 11:18
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In non-underline part, there are Argentina ant and its species.
Does it make sense to use the ants (plural) that refer to Argentina ant (Singular) ?

We cannot use “they” to refer to Jacky.

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