EMPOWERgmatVerbal wrote:
Pack 5, Question 2 of 5:
Cacti, like other drought-tolerant plants, can survive with little rain because of having the ability of retaining moisture through modified structures, such as spines and thick stems; however, when there is rain, their wide, shallow root systems allow them to absorb water quickly throughout a large area.
A. rain because of having the ability of retaining
B. rain because they are able to retain
C. rain, in their ability to retain
D. rain, having their ability to retain
E. rain, due to having the ability of retaining
Correct answer: B
A: Incorrect because of idiom and modifier. Idiom error: the correct idiom is ability + infinitive,
not "ability of." Modifier error: "because of having the ability" is awkward and does not clearly attribute the ability to the cacti.
B: Correct. (B) clearly states that "they" (cacti) have an ability to retain moisture.
C: Incorrect. Modifier error: "In" does not explain the cause/effect relationship between the cacti's ability to retain moisture and their ability to survive with little rain.
D: Incorrect. Modifier error: "Having their" is awkward and unnecessarily includes the possessive "their."
E: Incorrect. Idiom error, as in A. Modifier error: "Due to"
must be followed by a noun construction; therefore, (E) is wrong as "due to" is followed by the clause "having the ability of retaining."
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