Using modern radio-carbon techniques, fossils unearthed from

Yes from me as Its a very standard type question Modifier with action in the beginning must be followed with a person. Sure for a first timer a higher rating but for one who knows the basics definitely sub 600

Any suggestion Why B can't be ?

I somehow find this "accurately with near zero chances of error" awkward

The issue with B is:
1) Who is the doer of the action? Nowhere its mentioned that "who" is using the techniques.

Whereas E uses an active speech, mentioning the "scientists" as the subject performing the actions.

IMO its a 620-ish question.

The problem is testing initial modifier. The doer of the action(Using modern radio-carbon techniques) is missing.
IMO, yes it is sub 600 level as the concept tested is very common and mechanical.
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"with near zero chances of error"

why is chances plural and this sounds really weird. can an expert opine on whether this is correct english? I would suggest "with A near zero CHANCE of error"

Answer choice E

Initial modifier, in this case "Using", should correctly modify "Scientists".

Only Choice E, does that.

For excellent clarity on Initial Modifiers, I highly recommend Ron Purewal's, Manhattan prep studyhall video from 12th May 2011 ( great coincidence, exactly 7 years ago!!)

Thanks,
Gym
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A- it conveys fossils using radio carbon technique
Fossils can't use them , scientist can so A is out

D is out for same reason as A

B- it conveys fossils unearthed result in radio carbon technique with zero error
Not intended meaning so out

Between choices C and E
C- scientist dating fossils can use radio carbon technique

E-using radio carbon technique scientist can date fossils with zero error

E is better than C as it conveys intended meaning and using correctly modifies scientist in choice E

So E is answer

Give kudos for answer

Posted from my mobile device

Only scientists can use the technique so not has to be between C and E

Christmas compromises the meaning so it's E.

I agree that it's sub 600

Hi ,
Here in option A we have no information who has done the work and also emphasis is in Fossils in passive voice.
A is definitely incorrect as fossils cannot use techniques to date themselves.
My doubt is:
1)As per OA which E we have scientists in that option how we know scientists have done that. There is no one-one mapping they can be archaeologists etc.
2)Having said that, I think B should be correct answer as it emphasizes on fossils and replicated A with removing errors of modifier i.e, fossils unearthed by using modern techniques

Using modern radio-carbon techniques, fossils unearthed from the ruins of the Mohenjodaro-Harappa civilization can be accurately dated with near zero chances of error.

A. Using modern radio-carbon techniques, fossils unearthed from the ruins of the Mohenjodaro-Harappa civilization can be accurately dated with near zero chances of error.

B. Fossils unearthed from the ruins of the Mohenjodaro-Harappa civilization can be accurately dated, using modern radio-carbon techniques with near zero chances of error.

C. Dating fossils unearthed from the ruins of Mohenjodaro-Harappa civilization accurately, scientists can use modern radio-carbon techniques.

D. Using modern radio-carbon techniques, fossils unearthed from the ruins of Mohenjodaro-Harappa civilization can be accurately dated by a scientist with near zero chances of error.

E. Using modern radio-carbon technique, scientists can date fossils unearthed from the ruins of Mohenjodaro-Harappa civilization accurately with near zero chances of error.

In this though Option E looks to be grammatically correct compared to others. But this option adds "scientists" who would use this techniques for dating, whereas original sentence just provide general info and doesn't talk about who would do this. SO I see there is a change in meaning.

WOuld someone pls clarify how we can opt for option E when it changes the meaning or original sentence itself.

Hey abhik1502 ,

The rule is simple. You need to understand that Meaning change is NOT ALLOWED whenever you have an answer choice which is both grammatically and logically correct. But if you don't have any such answer choice, you can get to a right answer that changes the meaning.

Does that make sense?
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Thanks a lot for the reply abhimahna !

A. Using modern radio-carbon techniques, fossils unearthed from the ruins of the Mohenjo Daro-Harappa civilization can be accurately dated with near zero chances of error.

B. Fossils unearthed from the ruins of the Mohenjo Daro-Harappa civilization can be accurately dated, using modern radio-carbon techniques with near zero chances of error. "scientists missing"

C. Dating fossils unearthed from the ruins of Mohenjodaro-Harappa civilization accurately, scientists can use modern radio-carbon techniques.

D. Using modern radio-carbon techniques, fossils unearthed from the ruins of Mohenjodaro-Harappa civilization can be accurately dated by a scientist with near zero chances of error.

E. Using modern radiocarbon technique, scientists can date fossils unearthed from the ruins of Mohenjodaro-Harappa civilization accurately with near zero chances of error.


Only E is error free.
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All the experts out there ,

egmat , daagh , mikemcgarry , Bunuel

Isn't "Meaning" of utmost importance in GMAT SC? I was of the belief that in worst scenarios , we could compromise on grammar but never on our meaning .

I am of the opinion C,D,E are outright wrong as they introduce a new Do-er "Scientists".
Option B, though awkward, presents the intended meaning correcting the modifier error from option A.

It uses a passive voice and the Verb-ing modifier after the comma represents the action of the preceding clause and not the result of it.

Am I missing anything?

Also , Please explain if it is OK to add a new Do-er (Even archaeologists could have used the technique and not the scientists) in the correct answer choice when the nature of the doer is unknown in choice A.

Thanks much in advance!,
Cheers

Hey Sushil_Sali15 ,

Did you get a chance to look at the explanation I have given here?

Yes, it is okay to add a new doer if you don't have any option that is grammatically correct, provided your new doer makes sense with the overall meaning of the sentence.

Does that make sense?
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Hi abhimahna ,

Could you please help me understand why choice B is wrong ? None of the other replies talk about it specifically.

"Scientists" missing cant be a deterministic error right, when the nature of Doer isn't known and when we want to focus on the action done, Passive voice could be used as is done by choice B.

Appreciate your time!

Hey Sushil_Sali15 ,

B is wrong for the incorrect usage of "Comma, ING" rule.

Whenever you have an ing modifier after the comma, it means you are either telling the result of the previous clause or modifying the entire previous clause. But that is not the intention here. "using XYZ..." should modify the doer who is using those tools.

Does that make sense?
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Using modern radio-carbon techniques, fossils unearthed from the ruins of the Mohenjodaro-Harappa civilization can be accurately dated with near zero chances of error.

Here the modifier "Using modern radio-carbon techniques" refers to scientists.
This eliminates A, B, C, D.

Correct choice: E.

Even if answer choice E being correct interns of modifier, how come only 'mohenjodaro- harappa' correct . should not be ' the' before it.