The auk, which nests on the rocky ledges of sea cliffs, lays

Can some expert please explain how E is correct?
And why are A/B wrong ?

Why is C incorrect? please provide some explanation

My explanation for E as correct answer:


This option has meaning ambiguity as it is unclear on what is kicked, bird or the egg.


In this option, the subject is The auk, however, the author wanted to describe the Auk's egg and so, making the egg as the subject is more direct. Furthermore, there seems to be slight meaning change in
lays an egg that is extemely pointed vs lays an extremely pointed egg


This sentence is wordy in my opinion especially the part "being a bird that nests"


S-V error, egg...are so not correct


In this sentence, the egg is made the subject of the sentence. the sentence in between explains the auk and finally S-V is also corrected.

If you think that "if" is ambiguous then why not claim that "that" is ambiguous as well? The word "egg" comes closer to the word "if" so if "if" were referring to the "bird" then it would be incorrect but since "if" refers to the "egg", it is correct usage in my opinion. I think its more to do with the better form of writing than the usage of "if".
Experts? please advice?
GMATNinja, Any Opinions?

In option E:
The egg of the auk ??? a bird that nests on the rocky ledges of sea cliffs ??? is extremely pointed.
"That" is a relative pronoun, and "That" as a relative pronoun can only refer to non-living things.
IMHO this seems incorrect.
Please clarify where I am going wrong.
Due Regards.

There is no such rule. 'That' routinely refers to animals and, in fact, even people though GMAT prefers 'who' for people.

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 the auk is a bird that nests on the rocky ledges of sea cliffs, and its egg is extremely pointed, so if the egg is kicked the egg will roll in a circle rather than straight over the edge.

Concepts tested here: .Subject-Verb Agreement + Meaning + Awkwardness/Redundancy

• “being” is only to be used when it is part of a noun phrase or represents the passive continuous verb tense; the use of passive continuous must be justified in the context.

A:
1/ The sentence formed by this answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "lays an egg that is extremely pointed"; the parallelism between "lays" and "will roll" illogically implies that of the auk is accidentally kicked, it will roll in a circle rather than straight over the edge; the intended meaning is that if the egg of the auk is accidentally kicked, it will roll in a circle rather than straight over the edge.
2/ Option A uses the needlessly wordy phrase "an egg that is extremely pointed", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

B: Trap.
1/ The sentence formed by this answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "lays an extremely pointed egg"; the parallelism between "lays" and "will roll" illogically implies that of the auk is accidentally kicked, it will roll in a circle rather than straight over the edge; the intended meaning is that if the egg of the auk is accidentally kicked, it will roll in a circle rather than straight over the edge.

C:
1/ This answer choice incorrectly uses the word 'being", leading to awkwardness and redundancy; remember, “being” is only to be used when it is part of a noun phrase or represents the passive continuous verb tense; the use of passive continuous must be justified in the context.

D:
1/ This answer choice incorrectly refers to the singular noun "egg" with the plural verb 'are".

E: Correct.
1/ This answer choice correctly refers to the singular noun "egg" with the singular verb "is".
2/ The sentence formed by Option E uses the phrase "is extremely pointed"; the parallelism between "is" and "will roll" conveys the intended meaning - that if the egg of the auk is accidentally kicked, it will roll in a circle rather than straight over the edge.
3/ Option E is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.

Hence, E is the best answer choice.

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



All the best!
Experts' Global Team