Hi
e-Gmat Team,
I have read the article, and have tried to apply the same in couple of questions.I completely agree that the noun modifers can modify slightly far away nouns, however looking at the questions from the
OG, I believe, we have a simple rule for validating whether noun modifier is modifying closest noun or slightly far away noun.
e.g 1
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.
Here, Verb is Covers, pronoun - which.. possible antecedent -> largest lake on Earth or Earth..
Please note that going by
e-gmat theory, ON EARTH cant be placed anywhere else.. since it is modifying largest lake. Hence, i believe it is perfectly ok to write this construction. However,
OG specifically says that which is referring to Earth, and hence incorrect.
So, Rule - > if by looking at verb,one cannot decipher whether it is modifying closest noun or slightly away noun, then it is ambiguous and hence incorrect,
e.g 2
Out of America’s fascination with all things antique have grown a market for bygone styles of furniture and fixtures that are bringing back the chaise lounge, the overstuffed sofa, and the daw-footed bathtub.
Here, also "are bringing" is verb. Possible antecedents are furniture and fixtures or bygone styles of furniture and fixtures -> ambiguous -> incorrect. Chose option, which resolves this ambiguity.
e.g 3
Although she had been known as an effective legislator first in the Texas Senate and later in the United States House of Representatives, Barbara Jordan did not become a nationally recognized figure until 1974, when she participated in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, which were televised nationwide.
same theory goes for above example.
Above stated rule goes perfectly fine with Relative Pronouns(noun modifiers).
Bottom Line - Verb of the Relative clause will give you sure shot way of figuring out the noun. In case, any ambiguities, resolve it. Of course,, meaning has to stay same and logical.
Please correct me if I am wrong.
Thanks
H