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It is called a sea, but the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest

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EMPOWERgmatVerbal

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18 Jun 2019, 12:17

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priyanshu14

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Hello Everyone!

Let's tackle this question, one issue at a time, and figure out the easiest way to get to the right answer! Before we dive in, here is the original question with any major differences between the options highlighted in orange:

It is called a sea, but the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth, which covers more than four times the surface area of its closest rival in size, North America's Lake Superior.

(A) It is called a sea, but the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth, which covers
(B) Although it is called a sea, actually the landlocked Caspian is the largest lake on Earth, which covers
(C) Though called a sea, the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth, covering
(D) Though called a sea but it actually is the largest lake on Earth, the landlocked Caspian covers
(E) Despite being called a sea, the largest lake on Earth is actually the landlocked Caspian, covering

After a quick glance over the options, we see that there are a few places where we can focus our attention:

1. The modifier in the beginning: It is / Although / Though / Despite
2. Placement of the word "actually"
3. The modifier at the end: which covers / covering / covers

Since we're dealing with modifiers, let's do a quick check to make sure all the modifiers are placed directly before or after the word(s) they're referring to. This is one of the most common modifier errors on the GMAT, so it's a good place to start:

(A) It is called a sea, but the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth, which covers
This is INCORRECT because the modifier "which covers more than four times..." is placed next to "Earth," which is NOT what it's supposed to modify! This means we have a misplaced modifier, which is a big no-no on the GMAT!

(B) Although it is called a sea, actually the landlocked Caspian is the largest lake on Earth, which covers
Again, this is INCORRECT because it suggests that the modifier should be tied to Earth, rather than the Caspian, which it should be referring to.

(C) Though called a sea, the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth, covering
This is OKAY because when you begin a modifier with an -ing word, it's now modifying the entire phrase, rather than just the subject closest to it.

(D) Though called a sea but it actually is the largest lake on Earth, the landlocked Caspian covers
This is INCORRECT because we have a misplaced modifier and some terribly awkward wording. The modifier "but it actually is the largest lake on Earth" seems to be in the wrong place - it would make more sense to put it directly after "the landlocked Caspian" to make it clear that's what it's referring to. By removing the comma before "but," it also sounds like a run-on sentence, rather than a modifier.

(E) Despite being called a sea, the largest lake on Earth is actually the landlocked Caspian, covering
This is OKAY because when you begin a modifier with an -ing word, it's now modifying the entire phrase, rather than just the subject closest to it.

We can eliminate options A, B, and D because they have problems with misplaced, confusing, and poorly written modifiers.

Now that we only have to focus on options C and E, let's focus on any overly wordy or confusing phrasing:

(C) Though called a sea, the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth, covering
This is CORRECT! Starting with "Though" is clear and concise, and it makes a bit more sense to place the Caspian first in the next clause because it creates a clearer contrast to " called a sea."

(E) Despite being called a sea, the largest lake on Earth is actually the landlocked Caspian, covering
This is INCORRECT for a couple reasons. First, the GMAT prefers writers avoid the "being + verb" combination whenever possible. It's overly wordy, and there is almost always a better way to phrase it. Second, it makes more sense to put the Caspian first in the next phrase. The modifier in the beginning is "Despite being called a sea," and whatever comes next should be what is called a sea - the Caspian.

There you have it - option C is our best choice!

Don't study for the GMAT. Train for it.

Dear team,
I agree with the point that option c is best suitable option.
But I hav. Ea doubt regarding the use of though. "Though" is used with structure "though + subject + verb". And here "Though called a sea", subject+verb structure is missing. Kindly suggest.
Also, I have read the structure details of "though" modifier in Ultimate GRammar book.
bb generis GMATNinja
Thanks in advance

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Hello priyanshu14!

The word "Though" isn't always used in that format. You can certainly say "Though + noun + verb" OR "Though + verb + noun" and both would be correct, depending on the situation. Since the phrase beginning with "though" is a MODIFIER in this case, it can be worded either way because the noun used in these phrases isn't the subject. Here are some examples to show you can do both:

Though + noun + verb:
Though Susan was late to the party, she apologized profusely to the hosts.
Subject = she / Verb = apologized

Though + verb + noun:
Though caused by an earthquake, the foundation crack was bound to happen eventually because the building is over 300 years old.
Subject = the foundation crack / Verb = was bound

I hope that helps!

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31 Jan 2020, 00:12

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Why is the usage of which wrong here? I thought 'which' can jump over 'on Earth' and modify the largest lake. Wont it make sense to say that the largest lake on Earth covers fours times the surface area?

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31 Jan 2020, 07:18

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DiyaDutta

Hello DiyaDutta,

Thank you for the query.

Yes, you are correct in saying that which can jump over on Earth to modify the largest lake. However, this sentence does not present just the description of the largest lake on Earth. This sentence presents the explanation for the clause: the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth. It describes the fact as to how Caspian is the largest lake.

Hence, we need a clause modifier, not just a noun modifier.

Hope this helps.

Thanks.
Shraddha

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Hi everyone,

I am wondering for answer E, is the phrase "Despite being called a sea," every a correct?
From my understanding Despite must be followed by a noun.
If it is a valid phrase then is "being" a gerund and "called" is acting as a past particle?
Can a gerund be followed by a past or present participle?

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09 May 2020, 21:34

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daagh GMATNinja egmat GMATNinjaTwo

Can you give some clarity on the usage of 'which/that'. Ideally 'which/that' should modify the noun just preceding them, but I have read that they can jump a few words to modify a noun that is a bit further away.

Do we go by meaning and logic to ensure non-ambiguity, or is there a grammar rule that we can follow?

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27 May 2020, 09:14

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Argp

Check out this article, particularly "usage #4: "that" as a modifier (the “touch rule" and its exceptions)". That should help you a bit!

shen0150

Sure, "being" can function as a noun (a gerund, if you like the jargon). And "called" is really just an -ed modifier here, so "being called" has the same structure as "being lazy" in the following example (borrowed from this article: “Being” is not the enemy):

"Charles’s favorite activities include eating and being lazy."
In both cases, we have "being + modifier", where "being" functions as a noun. There is nothing inherently wrong with that or with putting something like that after "despite".

Notice also, that (C) and (E), beyond the use of "despite being," have different meanings.

Take another look at (C):

Though called a sea, the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth
The opening modifier, "called a sea" is describing the Caspian. Makes sense. Moreover, "though" is telling us that we're about to get some kind of logical contrast. And we do. Even though the Caspian is called a sea, it's a lake. Perfectly logical contrast - the Caspian is called one thing, but it's actually something else.

Now look at (E):

"Despite being called a sea, the largest lake on Earth is actually the landlocked Caspian..."
Now the phrase "despite being called a sea" is describing the "largest lake on Earth." This isn't wrong, necessarily, but it's less clear, as we haven't yet identified the largest lake on Earth.

Worse, "despite" is again setting up the expectation of a logical contrast. But this isn't what we get. In essence, this version says that although the largest lake is called a sea, it's actually the Caspian. This makes no sense. The surprise isn't that the lake has the name "Caspian," it's that even though we call it a sea, it's a lake. So even if you were unsure about the usage of "despite being" you can eliminate (E) on the basis of logic.

I hope that helps!

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13 Jun 2020, 09:56

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ashdah

It is called a sea, but the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth, which covers more than four times the surface area of its closest rival in size, North America's Lake Superior.

ashdah

(A) It is called a sea, but the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth, which covers

"which" is referring to Earth in this answer choice, which is illogical.

ashdah

(B) Although it is called a sea, actually the landlocked Caspian is the largest lake on Earth, which covers

"which" is referring to Earth in this answer choice, which is illogical.

Adverb "actually" is placed incorrectly. It should be placed to demonstrate that although Caspian is called a sea, Caspian is actually a lake.

ashdah

Correct. The modifiers are logical. The adverb "actually" is placed correctly, demonstrating the contrast that although Caspian is called a sea, it is actually a lake. We only have one independent clause, so there is no comma splice error.

ashdah

(D) Though called a sea but it actually is the largest lake on Earth, the landlocked Caspian covers

The Official Explanation doesn't mention this, but this answer choice is a comma splice. We have two independent clauses joined by a comma.

I'm not sure the pronoun "it" is used effectively here either. Is "it" referring to 'sea,' 'lake' or 'Caspian'?

ashdah

(E) Despite being called a sea, the largest lake on Earth is actually the landlocked Caspian, covering

Modifier error. The opening clause needs to modify Caspian, not "the largest lake."

The final clause "covering more than four time the surface area..." should be modifying "largest lake," not Caspian.

Modifier errors.

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14 Feb 2021, 16:16

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It is called a sea, but the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth, which covers more than four times the surface area of its closest rival in size, North America's Lake Superior.

(A) It is called a sea, but the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth, which covers X

What is “it” referring to? Unclear.

(B) Although it is called a sea, actually the landlocked Caspian is the largest lake on Earth, which covers X

“it” is referring to what? Also, the placement of ‘actually’ is wrong…should follow ‘is’. The third error is ‘which’ seems to be modifying Earth OR “actually the landlocked Caspian is the largest lake on Earth”…that’s wrong.

(C) Though called a sea, the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth, covering CORRECT

(D) Though called a sea but it actually is the largest lake on Earth, the landlocked Caspian covers X

“but it” is wrong

(E) Despite being called a sea, the largest lake on Earth is actually the landlocked Caspian, covering X

“being” is wrong

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21 May 2021, 04:12

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Why are options D and E incorrect? I can't get a solid reason to eliminate them

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21 May 2021, 04:53

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Jizzy

Why are options D and E incorrect? I can't get a solid reason to eliminate them

Many posts on pervious two pages answer your query. Have you read the thread? For example, this post or this post or this post ?

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21 May 2021, 09:15

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Bunuel

Jizzy

Why are options D and E incorrect? I can't get a solid reason to eliminate them

Many posts on pervious two pages answer your query. Have you read the thread?

I'm new to gmatclub, wasn't aware that the thread had a 2nd page. I'll go through the posts. Thanks Bunuel.

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12 Dec 2022, 09:14

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KarishmaB
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(A) It is called a sea, but the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth, which covers
(B) Although it is called a sea, actually the landlocked Caspian is the largest lake on Earth, which covers

Would like to understand why verb-ing "covering" is preferred over "which". I think "which" can refer to lake, so there are no errors meaning-wise. I wouldn't want to reject basis pronoun ambiguity. Why A and B are logically incorrect?

(D) Though called a sea but it actually is the largest lake on Earth, the landlocked Caspian covers - Can you help me understand sentence structure of D?
Though called a sea (subordinate clause) + but + it is largest lake (clause) > Can I consider it a clause?

Thank you for your help

KarishmaB

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14 Dec 2022, 04:09

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Sneha2021

In options (A) and (B), 'which' modifies 'Caspian' but is far away from it. It is next to 'Earth,' another noun it can modify grammatically (not logically though).
comma + verb-ing modifies the subject of the previous clause. So in options (C) and (E), 'covering' modifies the subject of the previous clause, 'Caspian.' That is better.

Option (D) uses two connectors 'though' and 'but' needlessly. We need only one to show contrast.
Also, it joins two independent clauses with a comma.

IC1 - Though called a sea, it actually is the largest lake on Earth ('Though called a sea' is a phrase. It has no verb. In passive, a verb needs helping verb too e.g. It is called a sea - passive)

IC2 - the landlocked Caspian covers more than ...

Option (E) is incorrect too.
'Despite being called a sea' should modify the Caspian, not the largest lake on Earth. It makes sense to say that 'Caspian is actually the largest lake,' not 'the largest lake is actually Caspian'

Hence (C) works.

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19 Jan 2023, 14:15

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KarishmaB GMATNinja AjiteshArun
In option "C", having the main subject and verb between two commas doesn't make it non-essential? Is this allowed? What am i missing?

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19 Jan 2023, 21:33

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ujaliverma

KarishmaB GMATNinja AjiteshArun
In option "C", having the main subject and verb between two commas doesn't make it non-essential? Is this allowed? What am i missing?

(C) Though called a sea, the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth, covering more than four times the surface area of its closest rival in size, North America's Lake Superior.

For something to be a non-essential modifier, it needs to be a modifier first. You are talking about the main clause here, which is not a modifier.
Also, the main clause is not separated from the 'rest of the sentence' using comma. The main clause is the main sentence. The other parts are separated using commas.

Though called a sea - a non finite clause using conjunction 'though'
It starts the sentence and is separated from the main clause with a comma.

the landlocked Caspian is actually the largest lake on Earth - the main clause

covering more than four times the surface area of its closest rival in size, North America's Lake Superior - comma + verb-ing modifier at the end of the sentence. It modifies Caspian.

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20 Jan 2023, 02:43

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KarishmaB many thanks! This definitely helps.

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16 Mar 2023, 01:25

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Hi,

Confusion —> Why should which refer to The Caspian. The largest lake on earth covers more than……why is this statement incorrect?

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03 Apr 2023, 13:07

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Noida

Hi,

Confusion —> Why should which refer to The Caspian. The largest lake on earth covers more than……why is this statement incorrect?

Yeah, the "which" in (A) isn't flat-out wrong. It's just that the construction in (C) is more clear and less open to interpretation.

In (A), the reader must first decide that the "which" goes with "largest lake" and not with "Earth". That doesn't make the "which" wrong, but why make the reader choose, when (C) offers a less ambiguous option?

If we skip over "Earth" and decide that the "which" phrase modifies the "largest lake," the reader still has another decision to make: Is the Caspian the largest lake on Earth? Or is it the largest OF the lakes that cover more than four times the surface area of its closest rival in size? In other words, is it a restrictive or nonrestrictive modifier? Based on the logic and the structure, we can figure that out pretty quickly -- but again, the "-ing" modifier in (C) is clearer.

Lastly, starting the sentence with "though" in (C) immediately gives the reader the necessary context and makes it easy to figure out the intended meaning: "even though it's called a sea, the Caspian is actually the largest lake." (A) uses a "but" instead, and basically conveys the same meaning -- but setting up the contrast right away with "though" just makes (C) a bit simpler and easier to follow.

(A) isn't terrible and doesn't violate any clear-cut rules, but (C) is definitely a better option.

I hope that helps!

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