Technological advances may make it possible to build robots that

Hi,

1) after ROBOT , we require pronoun that and clause modifying robots..
a present participle resembling is not better than relative clause
2) Next is the meaning-
robots are being compared to three different activities-dexterity, adaptability, and sensory capabilities- of human beings..
a)A and E do not parallel the three items converting them into {human dexterity}, {adaptability}, and {sensory capabilities}..
b)"IN TERMS OF" is the best to list out this three items
c) In D two verb+ings are used back to back and is not better than "in terms of"

C

Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation to this question-

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 technological advances may make it possible to build robots that are like human beings in the context of dexterity, adaptability, and sensory capabilities.

Concepts tested here: Meaning + Comparisons + Verb Forms

• A comparison can only be made between similar things.
• Information that is permanent in nature is best conveyed through the simple present tense.

A: Trap. This answer choice incorrectly compares "robots" to "dexterity, adaptability, and sensory capabilities"; remember, a comparison can only be made between similar things.

B: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "as far as"; the construction of this phrase leads to an incoherent meaning; the intended meaning is that technological advances may make it possible to build robots that are like human beings in the context of dexterity, adaptability, and sensory capabilities.

C: Correct. This answer choice uses the phrase "in terms of", conveying the intended meaning - that technological advances may make it possible to build robots that are like human beings in the context of dexterity, adaptability, and sensory capabilities. Further, Option C avoids the pronoun ambiguity seen in Option D, as it uses no pronouns. Additionally, Option C correctly uses the simple present tense verb "resemble" to refer to information that is permanent in nature. Besides, Option D correctly compares "robots" with "human beings".

D: This answer choice suffers from pronoun ambiguity, as it is unclear whether "their" refers to "robots" or "human beings". Further, Option D incorrectly uses the present participle ("verb+ing" - "resembling" in this sentence) to refer to information that is permanent in nature; remember, information that is permanent in nature is best conveyed through the simple present tense.

E: This answer choice incorrectly compares "robots" to "dexterity, adaptability, and sensory capabilities"; remember, a comparison can only be made between similar things. Further, Option E incorrectly uses the present participle ("verb+ing" - "resembling" in this sentence) to refer to information that is permanent in nature; remember, information that is permanent in nature is best conveyed through the simple present tense.

Hence, C is the best answer choice.

To understand the concept of "Simple Tenses" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):



All the best!
Experts' Global Team

d is wrong because "their" in unclear , refer to unclear noun.

Here is how I solved this

Testing:
1. Comparison
2. Structure

Technological advances may make it possible to build robots that resemble human dexterity, adaptability, and sensory capabilities

a. that resemble human
b. that resemble human beings as far as
c. that resemble human beings in terms of
d. resembling human beings regarding their
e. resembling human

1) A/e eliminated based on improper comparison
2) D eliminate -- that + clause better -- here robots are not doing the action of resembling
3) Eliminate b -- as far as -- does not make sense here

arrive at C

in choice A, can "human" be an adjective that modifies the 3 capabilities: resemble human dexterity, adaptability, and sensory capabilities?

What a cheeky question from GMAC.....

Original sentence says: ….robots that resemble human dexterity, adaptability, and sensory capabilities.

So, robots are compared with characteristics (dexterity, adaptability, and sensory capabilities). That's an illogical comparison; robots can be compared with humans, capabilities/characteristics of robots can be compared with capabilities/characteristics of robots, but we can't mix and match, because it is not an apples to apples comparison. So, A and E are out.

Dear Expert . Pls confirm why option d is not right .

dixitraghav, the problem is with the word "regarding." You can look at this as an idiom or a meaning issue. We don't say "A is similar to B regarding X." "In terms of" makes it clear that we are going to show the way in which A and B are similar. "Regarding" works more like "about": "I wrote to the contractor regarding the missed deadline."

Another problem is that when we see the phrase "humans regarding their," it creates the expectation that we are talking about humans regarding (looking at) something of theirs. Since that's not the intended meaning, this is confusing.

I have a question regarding E
If we have in terms of in option e as well will it be correct ?
Please help

Hi arvind910619 ,

Yes, in that scenario option E will be correct.

robots resembling humans in terms of X, Y and Z.

________________________________________
isnt C wordy??

That after robots in option(C). that is used for singular. than how come it is correct?

That is singular when it is used as a ‘determiner’, and those is the plural.
That is my book.
Those are my books.

But here that is used as a ‘relative pronoun’, and it, along with who/which, can be used for both singular and plural forms.
So both of the following are correct.
The book that is lying on table is mine.
The books that are lying on table are mine.

"Wordy" is a subjective term that doesn't really mean much on the GMAT. Far more important: which answer choice actually makes the most sense logically? Check out chetan2u 's explanation of the meaning here, and let us know if that doesn't clear your doubts.


chetan2u covered this nicely too, but if you want a long-winded rant about the many uses of the word that, check out this article, or there's a video on "that" here.

I hope this helps!

HI DmitryFarber GMATNinja, would you please explain why as far as in B is incorrect? thank you

patto "As far as" by itself can't introduce a set of traits, because "far" doesn't logically describe those traits. We might say "as far as dexterity, adaptability, and sensory capabilities are concerned," but by itself, "as far as" doesn't make sense with that list.

Since this is an official question, I am trying to reason out each option.
Can anyone please explain Option D?