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Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
sondenso wrote:
In some species of cricket, the number of chirps per minute used by the male for attracting females rise and fall in accordance with the surrounding temperature, and they can in fact serve as an approximate thermometer.
(A) for attracting females rise and fall in accordance with the surrounding temperature, and they can in fact serve
(B) for attracting females rises and falls in accordance with the surrounding temperature, which can in fact serve
(C) in attracting females rise and fall in accordance with the surrounding temperature, in fact possibly serving
(D) to attract females rises and falls in accordance with the surrounding temperature, and it can in fact serve
(E) to attract females rises and falls in accordance with the surrounding temperature, in fact possibly serving
Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended core meaning of this sentence is that the number of chirps per minute used by the male cricket to attract females rises and falls in accordance with the surrounding temperature, and this number can in fact serve as an approximate thermometer.
Concepts tested here: Subject-Verb Agreement + Pronouns + Meaning + Modifiers + Verb Forms • For referring to the purpose/intent of an action, the infinitive verb form ("to + base form of verb" – “to + attract” in this case) is preferred over the present participle ("verb+ing" - "attracting" in this case).
• "who/whose/whom/which/where", when preceded by a comma, refers to the noun just before the comma.
A: This answer choice incorrectly refers to the singular noun "number" with the plural verbs "rise" and "fall". Further, Option A incorrectly refers to the singular noun "number" with the plural pronoun "they". Additionally, Option A uses the present participle ("verb+ing" - "attracting" in this case) to refer to the purpose of the action "used"; remember, for referring to the purpose/intent of an action, the infinitive verb form ("to + base form of verb") is preferred over the present participle ("verb+ing" - "attracting" in this case).
B: This answer choice incorrectly refers to "the surrounding temperature" with "which can in fact serve", illogically implying that
the surrounding temperature can serve as an approximate thermometer; the intended meaning is that
the number of chirps per minute used by the male cricket to attract females can serve as an approximate thermometer; remember, "who/whose/whom/which/where", when preceded by a comma, refer to the noun just before the comma. Further, Option B uses the present participle ("verb+ing" - "attracting" in this case) to refer to the purpose of the action "used"; remember, for referring to the purpose/intent of an action, the infinitive verb form ("to + base form of verb") is preferred over the present participle ("verb+ing" - "attracting" in this case).
C: This answer choice incorrectly refers to the singular noun "number" with the plural verbs "rise" and "fall". Further, Option C alters the meaning of the phrase through the construction "in fact possibly serving"; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that the number of chirps
practically serves as an approximate thermometer; the intended meaning is that the number of chirps
can serve as an approximate thermometer. Further, Option C uses the present participle ("verb+ing" - "attracting" in this case) to refer to the purpose of the action "used"; remember, for referring to the purpose/intent of an action, the infinitive verb form ("to + base form of verb") is preferred over the present participle ("verb+ing" - "attracting" in this case).
D: Correct. This answer choice correctly refers to the singular noun "number" with the singular verbs "rises" and "falls" and the singular pronoun "it". Further, Option C uses the clause "and it can in fact serve", conveying the intended meaning - that the
number of chirps
can serve as an approximate thermometer. Additionally, Option D uses the infinitive verb form ("to + base form of verb" - "to + attract" in this sentence) to refer to the purpose of the action "used".
E: Trap. This answer choice alters the meaning of the phrase through the construction "in fact possibly serving"; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that the number of chirps
practically serves as an approximate thermometer; the intended meaning is that the number of chirps
can serve as an approximate thermometer.
Hence, D is the best answer choice.To understand the concept of "Infinitive" versus "Present Participle" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):
To understand the concept of "Which", "Who", "Whose", and "Where" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):
All the best!
Experts' Global Team