It seems likely that a number of astronomical phenomena, such as the

This SC is checking for redundancy and pronoun ambiguity. It has to be E.

each other and between are redundant.

C. are because of the interaction between two stars that orbit each other

C should read -> between two orbiting stars. or between x and y. The last one is tough here.

between and each other are redundant.

D uses "other". 2 reasons to reject D
a. "where" - used for geographical location. Unless the author has the abilty to watch the location of the phenomenon in the galaxy, this is not appropriate.
b. "other" is substandard.

E avoids redundancy and stays away from idiom. Clever !

Option 'C' is wrong because "a number of astronomical phenomena" is a noun and "caused by" or "due to" goes with a Noun. Had is been "The occurrence of astronomical phenomena" then "because of" would have been an acceptable solution. Verbs go with "because of".

I believe "caused by" is actually modifying "astronomical phenomena".[/quote][/quote]

I agree " caused by" modifies "astronomical phenomena" in real. Since " formation of nebulas" is given as an example of " astronomical phenomena", i wrote the other one in haste.


Regarding your doubt yes "poor" is an adjective. But it is a predicate adjective and was - linking verb.
Ask the question " why was suresh poor?" Ans- circumstances. So here "because of" is modifying the verb.
If u want to use here "due to" or "caused by" then the sentence should be " the poverty of suresh was due to circumstances". Ask the question " reason of suresh's poverty?" Ans - circumstances.so "due to" is successfully modifying noun. Actually in the other case " usage of "due to" would have been used to explain the reason behind the verb.

I read this concept in egmat zip file that contains approximately 30 concepts found somewhere in this club. It is too clear. U can browse in net and get it.

It seems likely that a number of astronomical phenomena, such as the formation of planetary nebulas, may be caused by the interaction where two stars orbit each other at close range.

A. may be caused by the interaction where two stars orbit each other (may and seem are redundant)
B. may be caused by the interaction between two stars that each orbit the other (again may and seem are redundant)

C. are because of the interaction between two stars that orbit each other ( between requires and)
D. are caused by the interaction of two stars where each is orbiting the other ( where is use for place eg; that is the home,where he lives)
E. are caused by the interaction of two stars orbiting each other[/quote]


I hope so this explanation helps.

Can you let me know exactly where you read this. I am trying to correlate with the following example: Suresh was poor because of circumstances.

This sentences seems to be correct to me, though here, "because of" modifies "poor", which is an adjective and not a verb; or are you suggesting the usage of "because of" is incorrect here?


I believe "caused by" is actually modifying "astronomical phenomena".

No. "Between" and "each other" are used in expressing separate ideas.

"Between" is used in defining the interaction, "interaction between ...," and "each other" is used in modifying the stars, "stars that orbit each other."

You have to really look at the logic of what's going on to determine what makes sense and what doesn't. Words that might be redundant in some contexts work fine in others. Also, if you think about it, that part of the sentence does express a logic meaning.

Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation to this question-

Concepts tested here: Pronouns + Idioms + Awkwardness/Redundancy

• "where" can only be used to refer to physical locations.
• "due to" is used to modify nouns, and "because of" is used to modify verbs and clauses.
• The idiomatic construction "caused by" can be used to modify nouns.

A:
1/ This answer choice incorrectly refers to the noun "interaction" with the pronoun "where"; please remember, "where" can only be used to refer to physical locations.
2/ The sentence formed by Option A redundantly uses "may be" alongside "likely", leading to awkwardness; this usage is redundant, as both terms convey a sense of uncertainty.

B:
1/ The sentence formed by this answer choice redundantly uses "may be" alongside "likely", leading to awkwardness; this usage is redundant, as both terms convey a sense of uncertainty.
2/ Option B uses the needlessly wordy phrase "that each orbit the other", leading to further awkwardness and redundancy.

C:
1/ This answer choice incorrectly and unidiomatically uses "because of" to refer to the noun "the interaction"; remember, "due to" is used to modify nouns, and "because of" is used to modify verbs and clauses.
2/ Option C uses the needlessly wordy phrase "that orbit each other", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

D:
1/ This answer choice incorrectly refers to the noun "interaction" with the pronoun "where"; please remember, "where" can only be used to refer to physical locations.
2/ Option D uses the needlessly wordy phrase "each is orbiting the other", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

E: Correct.
1/ This answer choice avoids the pronoun error seen in Options A and D, as it does not use the word "where".
2/ Option E correctly and idiomatically uses "caused by" to refer to the noun "interaction"; remember, the idiomatic construction "caused by" can be used to modify nouns.
3/ Option E is free of any awkwardness and redundancy.

Hence, E is the best answer choice.

All the best!
Experts' Global Team

For explanation on C why it is wrong check the following link.
https://www.manhattangmat.com/forums/sc- ... t7267.html

Shouldn't we use interaction between rather than interaction of? I thought interaction between is the correct usage.
AjiteshArun, Could you please clarify if both are acceptable usages?

Thanks

Hi anud33p,

Yes, both are acceptable.

Is it a rule that 'between' should ALWAYS be followed by an 'and'?

Posted from my mobile device

We could always go with something like:

Take a break between sections.

Hi Ben10512,

A number of is not really a reference to an actual number here. It is instead another way of saying some or many.

a number of astronomical phenomena ~ some/many astronomical phenomena

Clearly the doubt lies between C and E.

According to me we can easily eliminate C on the basis of the meaning specified.

In C, when we say 'a number of astronomical phenomena,...., are because of the interaction between two stars that orbit each other',

it gives a meaning that the number of astronomical phenomena, anywhere in the unvierse, are always caused by interaction of 2 particular stars [color=#00ffff](literally scientists have found the one source of all astronomical phenomena in the universe) that are orbiting each other. [/color]

This surely is not the intended meaning of the author.

He is clearly trying to emphasize that, in general, astronomical phenomena occur because of 2 stars interacting in the occurence area.

This meaning is clearly intended in E.

Hence that is why E seems to be the better choice, in my opinion.

Because of can only refer back to the verb/ verb clause. Eliminate C

As the use of likely conveys the probability of event. Usage of may along with likely is redundant. Eliminate A,B

Where generally refers to a place, it's usage in option D is incorrect as it wrongly points to interaction of two stars eliminate D

Option E is free of the above errors

Within C, is "between" and "each other" redundant?