Herman Pontzer did the first ever comparative measurements of the bone

Question

Herman Pontzer did the first ever comparative measurements of the bone structure of variety of African apes,  which showed that human bone structure is essentially the same as that of an ape’s, having the exception of human pelvis that in becoming shorter, broader, and more bowl shaped supported  erect posture and efficient bipedal locomotion.

A. which showed that human bone structure is essentially the same as that of an ape’s, having the exception of human pelvis that in becoming shorter, broader, and more bowl shaped supported
B. which showing that human bone structure is essentially the same as an ape, showed the exception of human pelvis that became shorter, broader, and more bowl shaped, supporting
C. which showed that human bone structure is essentially the same as that of an ape, with the exception of human pelvis that has become shorter, broader, and more bowl shaped to support
D. a study showing that human bone structure is essentially the same as that of an ape, and it had an exceptional human pelvis that became shorter, broader, and more bowl shaped, supporting
E. a study that showed that human bone structure is essentially the same as an ape’s, the only exception being the human pelvis that became shorter, broader, and more bowl shaped and supported

KarishmaB · Accepted Answer

Yes, use of 'which' is correct here. Check this official question: https://gmatclub.com/forum/although-she ... 50729.html "the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, which were televised nationwide." Hearings were televised nationwide so 'which' refers to hearings. "on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon" tells you which hearings. When the noun is followed by prepositional phrases describing the noun, 'which' cannot follow the noun immediately. It still does refer back to the noun. In the original sentence, "measurements of the bone structure of variety of African apes, which showed that..." Measurements showed... so 'which' refers to 'measurements'. Also, no issues with "comma + with" Check this official question: https://gmatclub.com/forum/visitors-to- ... 51789.html

Gmatisking · Answer

Official Explanation

Meaning of sentence
Herman Pontzer did comparative measurements of the bone structure of variety of African Apes.
The measurement showed that human bone structure is essentially the same as that of African ape.
But there was an exception. The human pelvis became shorter, broader, and more bowl shaped.
Reason: To support erect posture and bipedal locomotion.

Error Analysis:
1. There is no Subject-Verb Error. All pairs are correct.
2. There is no pronoun and modifier issue.
3. There is comparison error in main sentence..human bone structure is essentially same as that of ape’s...this part of sentence says human bone structure is same as bone structure of ape's bone structure that is completely illogical. Intended comparison is between human bone structure and ape bone structure but this comparison is not correctly presented in sentence.
4. "having the exception" and "in becoming" are wordy.

There is no other error in sentence.

POE:

a.which showed that human bone structure is essentially same as that of ape’s, having the exception of human pelvis that in becoming shorter, broader, and more bowl shaped supported -- Incorrect-As mentioned in error Analysis

b.which showing that human bone structure is essentially same as ape, showed the exception of human pelvis that became shorter, broader, and more bowl shaped, supporting--

Illogical comparison. Human Bone Structure is compared with Ape.
"which showing and showed the exception of" are awkward.

c.which showed that human bone structure is essentially same as that of ape, with the exception of human pelvis that has become shorter, broader, and more bowl shaped to support

Correct Comparison.
Human Bone Structure is compared with Bone Structure of Ape.
"With the exception" is correct idiom
The relative pronoun "WHICH" logically and grammatically refers to measurement because these measurements only showed the bone structure of both the living objects. Because of difference in measurements, the sentence presents intended comparison. All the preceding nouns till "measurements" actually suggest illogical meaning.

d.a study showing that human bone structure is essentially same as that of ape, and it had an exceptional human pelvis that became shorter, broader, and more bowl shaped, supporting

"IT had an exceptional human pelvis" --What had human pelvis ?
Exceptional means extra ordinary. It is very different than saying that exception. This choice changes meaning of sentence and hence incorrect.

e.a study that showed that human bone structure is essentially same as ape’s, the only exception being the human pelvis that became shorter, broader, and more bowl shaped and supported

Observe the list created here. Unintended parallel list changes the meaning of sentence and hence it is incorrect.

nemshah · Answer

Approach - Which Vs Study --> the correct Modifier --> Not low hanging

The same as an Ape's vs Same as that of an Ape vs Same as that of an Ape's --> Meaning Derived --> Low hanging. Eliminated A and B.

It had an exceptional human pelvis? The study had??? --> D is out

'And Supported' What is this parallel too? The study that 'Showed' and 'Supported' --> Makes no sense. 
E is out,

ashutosh61293 · Answer

nemshah, how do we identify that it was study.. that showed ..and supported 
I mean how do we know the 'supported'verb was for study or human pelvis?

Posted from my mobile device

HarshaBujji · Answer

I'm a bit confused with the usage of which in this sentence. Please Correct me if I'm wrong: Which is used as a modifier for a non-restrictive phrase and it adds more information about the preceding noun.

Will it modify the entire clause??

Will it modify the entire clause??

devtashrey · Answer

GMATNinja   VeritasKarishma  egmat kindly assist here with a thorough explanation.
Issue - usage of which and modifier issue
Thank you

ArindamLucky · Answer

GMATNinja 
 VeritasKarishma

I remember you had mentioned that which preceded by a comma will refer back to the nearest noun . As per OA which refers to apes. How is this correct? can you explain ?

sharmisthamona2 · Answer

Which can refer to preceding noun?.
How is this ok to refer back to far away noun here.
 egmat

Posted from my mobile device

Harshjha001 · Answer

GMATNinja   VeritasKarishma

Can you please let me know if usage of "which" is correct here .
Also can we use "with" after comma ?

In one of the solutions i had read that usage of "with" after comma is not a good practise .

MBAB123 · Answer

For all those wondering about the usage of which in option C - Which here can refer back to measurements as there is no other optimal way to place of the bone structure of variety of African apes. Which ideally should refer to back to the nearest noun but this is not an airtight rule. Especially when used after a comma, the usage of which becomes highly contextual.

I'm no expert but there are only few rules of the english language that are black and white. (notice here that the that does not refer to language but to rules). Hope this helps!

HarshaBujji · Answer

Thanks Karishma for clarifying. Now, It makes sense.

ayushgmatclub1 · Answer

I think WHICH can refer back to pervious nouns by jumping over the prepositions. Here we have a series of OFs, that is,  comparative measurements  of  the bone structure  of  variety  of  African apes 
so which can jump over all these OFs and refer to the main noun (first of the series) -  comparative measurements .

Hope this helps

Crytiocanalyst · Answer

A. which showed that human bone structure is essentially the same as that of an ape’s, having the exception of human pelvis that in becoming shorter, broader, and more bowl shaped supported
supported isn't the right usage since pelvis still supports the erect position till date

B. which showing that human bone structure is essentially the same as an ape, showed the exception of human pelvis that became shorter, broader, and more bowl shaped, supporting
showing isn't the right usage since it has already occured the study is showcasing it's result coupled with the usage of showed after the xomma is errorneous which distorts the event timeline therefore out

C. which showed that human bone structure is essentially the same as that of an ape, with the exception of human pelvis that has become shorter, broader, and more bowl shaped to support
The tenses are perfect and the meaning too is perfect therefore let us hang on to it

D. a study showing that human bone structure is essentially the same as that of an ape, and it had an exceptional human pelvis that became shorter, broader, and more bowl shaped, supporting
which is required however let us not dwell deep into that and still consider some other better reason to eleminate the inclusion of it in the passage gives us a meaning as though the study had a pelvis which isn't the case it's human that had the pelvis therefore without further adeu let us kick it out

E. a study that showed that human bone structure is essentially the same as an ape’s, the only exception being the human pelvis that became shorter, broader, and more bowl shaped and supported
and supported isn't the right usage since it distorts the requisite meaning 
Therefore IMO C

sakkul26 · Answer

GMATNinja 
Pleas help

I can bear with "which" rule but usage of "to support" in option C suggests that human pelvis has an in built intension to support erect posture. The intended meaning is not clearly conveyed.

VerbalBot · Answer

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Herman Pontzer did the first ever comparative measurements of the bone

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Herman Pontzer did the first ever comparative measurements of the bone

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