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Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
Gnpth wrote:
Over a range of frequencies from 100 to 5,000 hertz, monkeys and marmosets have a hearing sensitivity remarkably similar to humans, above which the sensitivity begins to differ.
(A) Over a range of frequencies from 100 to 5,000 hertz, monkeys and marmosets have a hearing sensitivity remarkably similar to humans
(B) Compared to humans, the hearing sensitivity of monkeys and marmosets are remarkably similar over a range of frequencies from 100 to 5,000 hertz
(C) Compared to humans over a range of frequencies from 100 to 5,000 hertz, the hearing sensitivity of monkeys and marmosets is remarkably similar
(D) The hearing sensitivity of monkeys and marmosets, when compared to humans over a range of frequencies from 100 to 5,000 hertz, is remarkably similar
(E) The hearing sensitivity of monkeys, marmosets, and humans is remarkably similar over a range of frequencies from 100 to 5,000 hertz
Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of this sentence is that the hearing sensitivity of monkeys, marmosets, and humans is remarkably similar over a range of frequencies from 100 to 5,000 hertz, and above this range, the sensitivity begins to differ.
Concepts tested here: Subject-Verb Agreement + Meaning + Modifiers + Comparisons• A comparison can only be made between similar things.
• "who/whose/whom/which/where", when preceded by a comma, refer to the noun just before the comma.
A:1/ This answer choice incorrectly modifies "humans" with the phrase "above which the sensitivity begins to differ", illogically implying that the hearing sensitivity of monkeys, marmosets, and humans begins to differ above
humans; the intended meaning is that the hearing sensitivity of monkeys, marmosets, and humans begins to differ above
the range of frequencies from 100 to 5,000 hertz; remember, "who/whose/whom/which/where", when preceded by a comma, refer to the noun just before the comma.
2/ Option A incorrectly compares "a hearing sensitivity" to "humans"; remember, a comparison can only be made between similar things.
B: 1/ This answer choice incorrectly refers to the singular noun "the hearing sensitivity" with the plural verb 'are".
2/ Option B incorrectly compares "a hearing sensitivity" to "humans"; remember, a comparison can only be made between similar things.
C:1/ This answer choice incorrectly compares "a hearing sensitivity" to "humans"; remember, a comparison can only be made between similar things.
D:1/ This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "when compared to humans"; the use of "when" incorrectly implies that the hearing sensitivity of monkeys and marmosets is remarkably similar,
at the point in time when compared to humans over a range of frequencies from 100 to 5,000 hertz; the intended meaning is that the hearing sensitivity of monkeys, marmosets, and humans is,
as a matter of fact, remarkably similar over a range of frequencies from 100 to 5,000 hertz.
2/ Option D incorrectly compares "hearing sensitivity of monkeys and marmosets" to "humans"; remember, a comparison can only be made between similar things.
E: Correct.1/ This answer choice correctly refers to the singular noun "The hearing sensitivity" with the singular verb "is".
2/ Option E uses the phrase "is remarkably similar over a range of frequencies from 100 to 5,000 hertz" and correctly refers to "100 to 5,000 hertz" with the phrase "above which the sensitivity begins to differ", conveying the intended meaning - that the hearing sensitivity of monkeys, marmosets, and humans is,
as a matter of fact, remarkably similar over a range of frequencies from 100 to 5,000 hertz, and above
this range the sensitivity begins to differ.
3/ Option E correctly compares the hearing sensitivity of monkeys with that of marmosets and of humans.
Hence, E is the best answer choice.To understand the concept of "Which", "Who", "Whose", and "Where" on GMAT you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):
All the best!
Experts' Global Team