Dear Friends,
Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
jerrywu wrote:
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
Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended core meaning of this sentence is that because Argentine ants 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.
Concepts tested here: Subject-Verb Agreement + Meaning + Awkwardness/Redundancy• “being” is only to be used when it is part of a noun phrase or represents the passive continuous verb tense; the use of passive continuous must be justified in the context.
A: This answer choice incorrectly refers to the plural verb "struggles" with the singular verb "limits". Further, Option A alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "consider all their fellows to be a close relative"; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that the Argentine ants consider all their fellows to
collectively be a
singular close relative; the intended meaning is that the Argentine ants consider each of their fellows an
individual close relation. Additionally, Option A is awkward and needlessly wordy due to its use of the word "being"; please remember, “being” is only to be used when it is part of a noun phrase or represents the passive continuous verb tense; the use of passive continuous must be justified in the context.
B: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the clause "the ant considers all its fellows to be a close relative"; the construction of this phrase illogically implies that the
species the Argentine Ant considers all its fellows a
singular close relative; the intended meaning is that all
individual Argentine ants consider all their fellows an
individual close relation. Additionally, Option B is awkward and needlessly wordy due to its use of the word "being"; please remember, “being” is only to be used when it is part of a noun phrase or represents the passive continuous verb tense; the use of passive continuous must be justified in the context.
C: This answer choice incorrectly refers to the plural verb "struggles" with the singular verb "limits". Further, Option C alters the meaning of the sentence through the clause "the ant considers all its fellows to be a close relative"; the construction of this phrase illogically implies that the
species the Argentine Ant considers all its fellows a
singular close relative; the intended meaning is that all
individual Argentine ants consider all their fellows an
individual close relation.
D: Correct. This answer choice correctly refers to the plural verb "struggles" with the plural verb "limit". Further, Option D uses the clause "the ants consider all their fellows to be close relatives", conveying the intended meaning - that all
individual Argentine ants consider all their fellows an
individual close relation. Additionally, Option D is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.
E: This answer choice incorrectly refers to the plural verb "struggles" with the singular verb "limits". Further, Option E alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "consider all their fellows to be a close relative"; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that the Argentine ants consider all their fellows to
collectively be a
singular close relative; the intended meaning is that the Argentine ants consider each of their fellows an
individual close relation. Additionally, Option E is awkward and needlessly wordy due to its use of the word "being"; please remember, “being” is only to be used when it is part of a noun phrase or represents the passive continuous verb tense; the use of passive continuous must be justified in the context.
Hence, D is the best answer choice.To understand the use of "Being" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):
All the best!
Experts' Global Team