The colorization of black-and-white films by computers is defended by

Hi Deepak,

I appreciate your analysis for the question. It shows how dedicated you are to learning and understanding. It also gives me a chance to understand where you may be faltering in your application of the concepts.

Please find my comments below:

Your analysis : Meaning : the process of colorization is defended by the film right owners as it increases their revenue .However , many others say that the technique degrades major art by linking the process to putting a lipstick on Greek Statue .

My comments:Your meaning analysis for the portion before the semi colon is almost correct. Almost because, the original sentence says “can increase their revenues” and not “increases their revenue”. I am sure you realize the difference between the two.

Your analysis: Error wise everything is ok , except the modifier " which " .it is supposed to modify the process , but it is placed far apart and cannot jump over the verb "degrades " to modify the noun " the process " .

My comments: Now your analysis of choice A is correct : “which” cannot jump over the verb “degrades” to refer to the noun “technique”. I think you meant “technique” when you wrote “process”, right? 
Moving on, since “which” typically modifies the preceding noun, in choices A, B, and C, the “which” modifier nonsensically ends up giving information about major works of art.

Your analysis of choice E: Now here comes the confusion : Option D /E both are verb+ing modifier ,which is supposed to modify preceding clause in this case -----
" that the technique degrades ......." and should make sense with the subject of the preceding clause .However , that is not the case here .

Part of the sentence with option E :
that the technique degrades major works of art , likening it to putting lipstick on a Greek statue .

meaning : techniques degrades the major works of art and technique links itself to putting the lipstick on a Greek statue . ------------- makes no sense at all .

OA : E


My comments: You are correct in your understanding of the comma + vebr-ing modifier. However, the point that you have missed is that the rule that the verb –ing modifier modifies the previous clause has to be applied in context. Accordingly, in this case, it modifies the clause “many others in the film industry, however, contend that the technique degrades major works of art”. Here, the verb –ing modifier gives us additional information about this clause. If you see the critics of the colorization hold the opinion that the colorization process degrades major works of art. Now the portion after the comma-- likening it to putting lipstick on a Greek statue—expands on their holding this particular opinion. So, a parallel is being drawn between the two situations--- colorization of black and white films and putting lipstick on a Greek statue--- with respect to how major works of art are being degraded in both cases.

Accordingly, we see that the verb –ing modifier “likening it to putting lipstick on a Greek statue” makes sense with the subject of the clause it modifies. The subject of that clause is “many others” who criticize the colorization technique. It is they who liken the technique to something. This sense also comes in when you read the original “which” modifier in choice A. Let’s revisit the same:


The colorization of black-and-white films by computers is defended by those who own the film rights, for the process can mean increased revenues for them; many others in the film industry, however, contend that the technique degrades major works of art, which they liken to putting lipstick on a Greek statue.

The “they” in the above sentence refers to the critics/ “many others” in this case.

Please visit/re-visit our in depth article on the concept to further solidify your understanding of the same. It is available at https://gmatclub.com/forum/usage-of-verb-ing-modifiers-135220.html#p1101074

Hope the above discussion helps!

Regards,
Neeti.