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Even though they do not sting or bite, many people are surprised to le

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Even though they do not sting or bite, many people are surprised to le [#permalink] New post   09 Jun 2015, 20:38
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Even though they do not sting or bite, many people are surprised to learn that cicadas are benign creatures because they appear threatening.


A. many people are surprised to learn that cicadas are benign creatures because they appear threatening

B. many people are surprised to learn that cicadas are benign creatures ,who appear threatening

C. surprising to many people is to learn that cicadas are benign creatures because they appear threatening

D. cicadas appear threatening, therefore, many people are surprised to learn that they are benign

E. cicadas appear threatening, which causes many people to be surprised when learning that they are benign
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D
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Re: Even though they do not sting or bite, many people are surprised to le [#permalink] New post   09 Jun 2015, 20:51
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Now to think about it, what can the starting modifier "even though..." logically modify?
1) many people
2) OR surprising for many people
3) OR cicades?
Correct answer is 3). So options A), B) and C) are out.

D. cicades appear threatening , therefore many people are surprised to learn that they are benign
The use of "they" is inappropriate, as it can refer to either "cicades" or "people"!
However, the opening modifier has "they" which clearly modifies "cicades", so we know that "they" in 2nd part should also modify "cicades"

E. cicades appear threatening , which causes many people to be surprised when learning that they are benign
"which" appears to modify the entire clause "cicades appear threatening" however, that is NOT the function of "which". "which" can only and only modify the preceding noun. Never a clause!
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Re: Even though they do not sting or bite, many people are surprised to le [#permalink] New post   10 Jun 2015, 04:00
Agree with Patronus, 'they' is not completely accurate in the correct answer. All the othes are clearly flawed though.
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Re: Even though they do not sting or bite, many people are surprised to le [#permalink] New post   10 Jun 2015, 10:03
Hi,

D is best among the rest. Only D and E have cicades after the comma rightly modifying the first clause.

In E the which wrongly refers to threatening while being wordy as well. "when" does not refer to any specific time as well.

Both D and E have an ambiguous "they" which can refer to cicades as well as people.

Hence D is best among the rest.

Regards,
Dom
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Re: Even though they do not sting or bite, many people are surprised to le [#permalink] New post   11 Jun 2015, 00:05
Hi DominicRaj,

Rightly I picked the Option D. But for some reason, I dont like the Option D for at least two reasons

1. Therefore is being used as a Conjuctive adverb and hence the structure is wrong.

2. in the second part of the sentence 'They' is used; The word they can easily reflect the nearest noun People. I would repeat the word Cicades again.

what are your thoughts. No doubt Option D stands better.



dominicraj wrote:
Hi,

D is best among the rest. Only D and E have cicades after the comma rightly modifying the first clause.

In E the which wrongly refers to threatening while being wordy as well. "when" does not refer to any specific time as well.

Both D and E have an ambiguous "they" which can refer to cicades as well as people.

Hence D is best among the rest.

Regards,
Dom
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Re: Even though they do not sting or bite, many people are surprised to le [#permalink] New post   11 Jun 2015, 01:25
shriramvelamuri wrote:
Hi DominicRaj,

Rightly I picked the Option D. But for some reason, I dont like the Option D for at least two reasons

1. Therefore is being used as a Conjuctive adverb and hence the structure is wrong.

2. in the second part of the sentence 'They' is used; The word they can easily reflect the nearest noun People. I would repeat the word Cicades again.

what are your thoughts. No doubt Option D stands better.



dominicraj wrote:
Hi,

D is best among the rest. Only D and E have cicades after the comma rightly modifying the first clause.

In E the which wrongly refers to threatening while being wordy as well. "when" does not refer to any specific time as well.

Both D and E have an ambiguous "they" which can refer to cicades as well as people.

Hence D is best among the rest.

Regards,
Dom


Hi Shriramvelamuri,

I am not sure if using a conjuctive adverb "therefore" is wrong in the way it has been used.

For Eg. see this sentence:
The true mushroom itself is to a great extent a dung-borne species, therefore mushroom-beds are always liable to an invasion from other dung-borne forms.

But like I have mentioned previously, in option E the "which" reference and "when" reference is wrong and both D and E carry ambiguous "they".

So best among the rest is D. :)

Regards,
Dom.
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Re: Even though they do not sting or bite, many people are surprised to le [#permalink] New post   11 Jun 2015, 02:10
dominicraj wrote:
shriramvelamuri wrote:
Hi DominicRaj,

Rightly I picked the Option D. But for some reason, I dont like the Option D for at least two reasons

1. Therefore is being used as a Conjuctive adverb and hence the structure is wrong.

2. in the second part of the sentence 'They' is used; The word they can easily reflect the nearest noun People. I would repeat the word Cicades again.

what are your thoughts. No doubt Option D stands better.



dominicraj wrote:
Hi,

D is best among the rest. Only D and E have cicades after the comma rightly modifying the first clause.

In E the which wrongly refers to threatening while being wordy as well. "when" does not refer to any specific time as well.

Both D and E have an ambiguous "they" which can refer to cicades as well as people.

Hence D is best among the rest.

Regards,
Dom


Hi Shriramvelamuri,

I am not sure if using a conjuctive adverb "therefore" is wrong in the way it has been used.

For Eg. see this sentence:
The true mushroom itself is to a great extent a dung-borne species, therefore mushroom-beds are always liable to an invasion from other dung-borne forms.

But like I have mentioned previously, in option E the "which" reference and "when" reference is wrong and both D and E carry ambiguous "they".

So best among the rest is D. :)

Regards,
Dom.



Hi

I think that the sentence that you wrote above showing the use of therefore is a run-on sentence.
The sentence would be correct if the use of "AND "or a semi-colon is made before therefore.

I quote the following from MGMAT SC guide-

Conjunctive Adverb - A transition word or phrase that is used after a semicolon to help connect two
main clauses. Conjunctive adverbs are not true conjunctions.
Examples:
therefore, thus, consequently, however, nevertheless, furthermore, etc.
The general was stuck in traffic; therefore, the ceremony started late.

I hope you find the above helpful.

As far as the main SC question under discussion is considered, I think that the sentence is poorly constructed and confusing.

Kudos if you find the post helpful :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D
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Re: Even though they do not sting or bite, many people are surprised to le [#permalink] New post   03 Aug 2017, 23:07
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Re: Even though they do not sting or bite, many people are surprised to le [#permalink]
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