The first science-fiction novel,Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein,

Question

The first science-fiction novel,Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, actually contains very little science,  but it masterfully explores the social and moral repercussions of what might happen  if certain scientific advances were possible.

a. but it masterfully explores the social and moral repercussions of what might happen

b. but it explores in a masterful way the social and moral repercussions of what might happen

c. but, exploring the social and moral repercussions, it masterfully considers what might happen

d. but it masterfully explores repercussions, social and moral in nature, of what might happen

e. but it masterfully explores what are the social and moral repercussions

sagarsir · Answer

--- lost information... Explores social and moral repercussions of "what might happen" if.. INCORRECT

Kudos.. If you like!!

perfervid89 · Answer

Can someone explain why the answer is A and not E.

I feel A is redundant

but it masterfully explores the social and moral repercussions of what might happen  if

repercussions and what might happen if mean the same thing.

E eliminates this redundancy, so shouldn't it be the more appropriate answer?

dominicraj · Answer

OE:
Choice A. This is the most concise, precise, and correct choice. 
Choice B is wordy, using the phrase in a masterful way instead of masterfully. 
Choice C uses awkward word order that requires the addition of a verb (considers) because explores is moved to before the subject. 
Choice D is wordy as the result of moving social and moral from their position directly before the noun they modify.
Choice E awkwardly places what are after explores and deletes the important idea of possibility conveyed by of what might happen.

Anigr16 · Answer

OE:
Choice A. This is the most concise, precise, and correct choice.
Choice B is wordy, using the phrase in a masterful way instead of masterfully.
Choice C uses awkward word order that requires the addition of a verb (considers) because explores is moved to before the subject.
Choice D is wordy as the result of moving social and moral from their position directly before the noun they modify.
Choice E awkwardly places what are after explores and deletes the important idea of possibility conveyed by of what might happen.
_________________

We already have "If" after the underlined part. Doesn't that express the idea of possibility? 
"what might happen" and "If" seems redundant to me.

dominicraj · Answer

Hi,

"If" on the GMAT is used as a conditional statement....

AS per the meaning of this sentence..

In Option A we notice that the novel will explore something and its consequences.. if .. something was possible.. so conditional

In option E: we notice that the sentence wrongly uses "are" for something that is conditional....Kindly note that "it might happen"..Hence instead "might be" /"could be"will be more appropriate in the same place. Hence it changes meaning.

As far as redundancy is concerned...assume the sentence is" but it masterfully explores the social and moral repercussions".. Does it capture the notion that "it is a possibility of what can happen in future"?

Hope its clear.

Regards,
Dom.

Anigr16 · Answer

Ya got it now.

Thanks  dominicraj ..!!

SeregaP · Answer

I chose A, because:

B in a materful way blabla - wordy
C strange word order, I'd prefer A
D change of meaning
E wrong use of clause conditions

nks2611 · Answer

the answer is A , masterfully correctly modifies explore ,clear and concise
option .B is wordy
option C. comma+ing wrongly modifies previous clause
option D. changes meaning ,noun phrase wrongly modifies repercussions .
option E . the verb are is unnecessary in sentence and also it represents repercussions as moral and social

please correct me if i am wrong in analyzing the options !
i like to critique my reasoning

akash.tripathi · Answer

The first science-fiction novel,Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, actually contains very little science, but it masterfully explores the social and moral repercussions of what might happen if certain scientific advances were possible.

In Option C I can sense that verb+ing modifier incorrectly modifies previous clause. And clause here is "actually contains very little science"

Am I right or wrong ? rajat  daagh

WaterFlowsUp ,  Abhishek009 ,

ExpertsGlobal5 · Answer

Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation to this question-

Choice A:  This answer choice is the most concise one and conveys the intended meaning of the sentence. Thus, this answer choice is correct.

Choice B:  This answer choice uses the phrase "in a masterful way" in place of the adjective "masterfully", making the sentence needlessly wordy. Thus, this answer choice is not a very good one.

Choice C:  This answer choice is rather awkwardly constructed; this answer choice introduces a new verb, "considered", to serve as the main verb acting upon the subject "The first science-fiction novel" and conveys the idea of exploring social and moral repercussions through a modifying phrase acting upon "considered". Through these changes, this answer choice slightly changes the meaning of the sentence and makes the sentence needlessly wordy. Thus, this answer choice is incorrect.

Choice D:  This answer choice is needlessly wordy because it modifies the noun "repercussions" with the phrase "social and moral in nature", rather than utilizing the phrase "explores the social and moral repercussions". Thus, this answer choice is not a very good one.

Choice E:  This answer choice incorrectly uses the simple present verb "are" to refer to a conditional statement. In doing so, this answer choice also changes the meaning of the sentence by omitting the sense of ambiguity conveyed by the phrase "what might happen". Thus, this answer choice is incorrect.

Hence, A is the best answer choice.

All the best!
Experts' Global Team

VerbalBot · Answer

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The first science-fiction novel,Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein,

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The first science-fiction novel,Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein,

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