Technological advances may make it possible to build robots that

Question

Technological advances may make it possible to build robots  that resemble human  dexterity, adaptability, and sensory capabilities.

(A) that resemble human
(B) that resemble human beings as far as 
(C) that resemble human beings in terms of 
(D) resembling human beings regarding their
(E) resembling human

Please explain the answer. Thanks in advance!!

tarunk31 · Accepted Answer

Technological advances may make it possible to build robots that resemble human dexterity, adaptability, and sensory capabilities

Here robots can only resemble human beings in terms of certain capabilities. It is wrong to say that robots resemble human capabilities. Therefore A is wrong.

a. that resemble human

Robots are equated with human capabilities rather than human beings. Eliminate

b. that resemble human beings as far as

as far as is a conjunction and may mean to the extent/degree that

So what follows "as" should be a clause. For example following would have been correct.

Technological advances may make it possible to build robots that resemble human beings as far as dexterity, adaptability, and sensory capabilities are concerned.

c. that resemble human beings in terms of

in terms of A, B, and C is a prepositional modifier modifying resemble and in a it is restricting the scope of resemblance. Correct.

d. resembling human beings regarding their

Here resembling modifier seems to suggest that there are robots presently that resemble human beings. But we are only talking about a future probability here. Here regarding is modifying human beings rather than the action resemble. Eliminate.

e. resembling human

Here resembling modifier seems to suggest that there are robots presently that resemble human beings.
Also, Robots are equated with human capabilities rather than human beings. Eliminate.

sayantanc2k · Answer

Yes, "human" can be an adjective, but the issue is that robots cannot resemble capabilities. ( resemble  means  to look like .)

chetan2u · Answer

Hi,

1) after ROBOT , we require pronoun that and clause modifying robots. .
a present participle resembling is not better than relative clause
 2) Next is the meaning- 
robots are being compared to three different activities-dexterity, adaptability, and sensory capabilities- of human beings..
a)A and E do not parallel the three items converting them into {human dexterity}, {adaptability}, and {sensory capabilities}..
b)"IN TERMS OF" is the best to list out this three items
c) In D two verb+ings are used back to back and is not better than "in terms of"

C

ExpertsGlobal5 · Answer

Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation to this question-

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 technological advances may make it possible to build robots that are like human beings in the context of dexterity, adaptability, and sensory capabilities.

Concepts tested here: Meaning + Comparisons + Verb Forms

• A comparison can only be made between similar things.
• Information that is permanent in nature is best conveyed through the simple present tense.

A:  Trap. This answer choice incorrectly compares "robots" to "dexterity, adaptability, and sensory capabilities"; remember, a comparison can only be made between similar things.

B:  This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "as far as"; the construction of this phrase leads to an incoherent meaning; the intended meaning is that technological advances may make it possible to build robots that are like human beings in the context of dexterity, adaptability, and sensory capabilities.

C:   Correct.  This answer choice uses the phrase "in terms of", conveying the intended meaning - that technological advances may make it possible to build robots that are like human beings in the context of dexterity, adaptability, and sensory capabilities. Further, Option C avoids the pronoun ambiguity seen in Option D, as it uses no pronouns. Additionally, Option C correctly uses the simple present tense verb "resemble" to refer to information that is permanent in nature. Besides, Option D correctly compares "robots" with "human beings".

D:  This answer choice suffers from pronoun ambiguity, as it is unclear whether "their" refers to "robots" or "human beings". Further, Option D incorrectly uses the present participle ("verb+ing" - "resembling" in this sentence) to refer to information that is permanent in nature; remember, information that is permanent in nature is best conveyed through the simple present tense.

E:  This answer choice incorrectly compares "robots" to "dexterity, adaptability, and sensory capabilities"; remember, a comparison can only be made between similar things. Further, Option E incorrectly uses the present participle ("verb+ing" - "resembling" in this sentence) to refer to information that is permanent in nature; remember, information that is permanent in nature is best conveyed through the simple present tense.

Hence, C is the best answer choice.

To understand the concept of "Simple Tenses" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATNTtugB9fM

All the best!
Experts' Global Team

thangvietname · Answer

d is wrong because "their" in unclear , refer to unclear noun.

GMATDemiGod · Answer

Here is how I solved this

Testing:
1. Comparison
2. Structure

Technological advances may make it possible to build  robots  that resemble human dexterity, adaptability, and sensory capabilities

a. that resemble  human 
b. that resemble  human beings  as far as 
c. that resemble  human beings  in terms of 
d. resembling  human beings  regarding their
e. resembling  human

1) A/e eliminated based on improper comparison
2) D eliminate -- that + clause better -- here robots are not doing the action of resembling
3) Eliminate b -- as far as -- does not make sense here

arrive at C

oldest · Answer

in choice A, can "human" be an adjective that modifies the 3 capabilities: resemble human dexterity, adaptability, and sensory capabilities?

EducationAisle · Answer

What a cheeky question from GMAC.....

Original sentence says:  ….robots that resemble human dexterity, adaptability, and sensory capabilities .

So,  robots  are compared with  characteristics  (dexterity, adaptability, and sensory capabilities). That's an illogical comparison;  robots  can be compared with  humans ,  capabilities/characteristics  of robots can be compared with  capabilities/characteristics  of robots, but we can't  mix and match , because it is not an  apples to apples  comparison. So, A and E are out.

dixitraghav · Answer

Dear Expert . Pls confirm why option d is not right .

DmitryFarber · Answer

dixitraghav , the problem is with the word "regarding." You can look at this as an idiom or a meaning issue. We don't say "A is similar to B regarding X." "In terms of" makes it clear that we are going to show the way in which A and B are similar. "Regarding" works more like "about": "I wrote to the contractor regarding the missed deadline."

Another problem is that when we see the phrase "humans regarding their," it creates the expectation that we are talking about humans regarding (looking at) something of theirs. Since that's not the intended meaning, this is confusing.

arvind910619 · Answer

I have a question regarding E 
If we have in terms of in option e as well will it be correct ?
Please help

abhimahna · Answer

Hi  arvind910619  ,

Yes, in that scenario option E will be correct.

robots resembling humans in terms of X, Y and Z.

prathameshrathi · Answer

________________________________________
isnt C wordy??

garimamittal · Answer

That after robots in option(C). that is used for singular. than how come it is correct?

chetan2u · Answer

That is singular when it is used as a ‘determiner’, and those is the plural. 
That is my book. 
Those are my books.

But here that is used as a ‘relative pronoun’, and it, along with who/which, can be used for both singular and plural forms. 
So both of the following are correct. 
The book that is lying on table is mine. 
The books that are lying on table are mine.

GMATNinja · Answer

"Wordy" is a subjective term that doesn't really mean much on the GMAT. Far more important: which answer choice actually makes the most sense logically? Check out  chetan2u  's explanation of the meaning  here , and let us know if that doesn't clear your doubts.

chetan2u  covered this nicely too, but if you want a long-winded rant about the many uses of the word that, check out  this article , or there's a video on "that"  here .

I hope this helps!

patto · Answer

HI  DmitryFarber   GMATNinja , would you please explain why as far as in B is incorrect? thank you

DmitryFarber · Answer

patto  "As far as" by itself can't introduce a set of traits, because "far" doesn't logically describe those traits. We might say " as far as  dexterity, adaptability, and sensory capabilities  are concerned ," but by itself, "as far as" doesn't make sense with that list.

NCC · Answer

Since this is an official question, I am trying to reason out each option.
Can anyone please explain Option D?

Technological advances may make it possible to build robots that

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Technological advances may make it possible to build robots that

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