Dear Friends,
Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
jyotsnasarabu wrote:
Studying the fruit fly, a household nuisance but a time-honored experimental subject, has enabled the secrets of how embryos develop to begin to be unraveled by scientists.
(A) Studying the fruit fly, a household nuisance but a time-honored experimental subject, has enabled the secrets of how embryos develop to begin to be unraveled by scientists.
(B) By the study of the fruit fly, a household nuisance and also a time-honored experimental subject, it was possible for the secrets of how embryos develop to begin to be unraveled by scientists.
(C) By studying a household nuisance but a time-honored experimental subject, the fruit fly enabled scientists to begin to unravel the secrets of how embryos develop.
(D) By studying the fruit fly, a household nuisance and also a time-honored experimental subject, the secrets of how embryos develop are beginning to be unraveled by scientists.
(E) The study of the fruit fly, a household nuisance but a time-honored experimental subject, has enabled scientists to begin to unravel the secrets of how embryos develop.
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 the fruit fly is a household nuisance but is also a time-honored experimental subject, and the study of the fruit fly has enabled scientists to begin to unravel the secrets of how embryos develop.
Concepts tested here: Meaning + Modifiers + Awkwardness/Redundancy• In a “phrase + comma + noun” construction, the phrase must correctly modify the noun; this is one of the most frequently tested concepts on GMAT sentence correction.
A: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the clause "Studying the fruit fly...has enabled the secrets"; the construction of this phrase illogically implies that
the secrets of how embryos develop studied the fruit fly; the intended meaning is that
scientists studied the fruit fly. Further, Option A uses the passive construction "to begin to be unraveled", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.
B: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "and also a time-honored experimental subject"; the use of "and also" fails to convey the needed sense of contrast, the fruit fly is a household nuisance
and is also also a time-honored experimental subject; the intended meaning is that
although the fruit fly is a household nuisance, it is also a time-honored experimental subject. Further, Option B uses the passive construction "to begin to be unraveled", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.
C: This answer choice incorrectly uses "By studying a household nuisance but a time-honored experimental subject" to modify "the fruit fly", illogically implying that
the fruit fly studied a
household nuisance; the intended meaning is that
scientists studied
the fruit fly; remember, in a “phrase + comma + noun” construction, the phrase must correctly modify the noun. Moreover, Option C further alters the meaning of the sentence through the clause "the fruit fly enabled scientists"; the construction of this clause incorrectly implies that
the fruit fly itself enabled scientists to begin to unravel the secrets of how embryos develop; the intended meaning is that
studying the fruit fly enabled scientists to begin to unravel the secrets of how embryos develop.
D: This answer choice incorrectly uses "By studying the fruit fly" to modify "the secrets", illogically implying that
the secrets of how embryos develop studied the fruit fly; the intended meaning is that
scientists studied the fruit fly. Moreover, Option D alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "and also a time-honored experimental subject"; the use of "and also" fails to convey the needed sense of contrast, the fruit fly is a household nuisance
and is also also a time-honored experimental subject; the intended meaning is that
although the fruit fly is a household nuisance, it is also a time-honored experimental subject. Additionally, Option D uses the passive construction "are beginning to be unraveled", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.
E: Correct. This answer choice uses the clause "The study of the fruit fly...has enabled scientists", conveying the intended meaning - that
scientists studied the
fruit fly, and
studying the fruit fly has enabled scientists to begin to unravel the secrets of how embryos develop. Moreover, Option E uses the phrase "but a time-honored experimental subject", conveying the intended meaning - that
although the fruit fly is a household nuisance, it is also a time-honored experimental subject. Further, Option E is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.
Hence, E is the best answer choice.To understand the concept of "Phrase Comma Subject" and "Subject Comma Phrase" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):
All the best!
Experts' Global Team
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