The pattern of whisker spot on the face of a male lion, like human fin

Question

The pattern of whisker spots on the face of a male lion,  like human fingerprints, are a lifelong means of identification, since they are both unique and unchanging .

(A) like human fingerprints, are a lifelong means of identification, since they are both unique and unchanging
(B) like human fingerprints, is a lifelong means of identification, since it is both unique and unchanging
(C) like human fingerprints, is a means of identification for life, being both unique and unchanging
(D) since they are both unique and unchanging, are, like human fingerprints, are a means of identification for life
(E) both unique and unchanging, are, like human fingerprints, a lifelong means of identification

ruhi · Answer

The OA is correct.

C. seems as if the patterns identify "life" and are not means for "identification " of a lion.

Hope this helps.

Abhishek009 · Answer

Correct idiomatic usage is -

X like Y

Hence options (D) and (E) eliminated.

(D)  since  they are both unique and unchaning, like human fingerprints, are a means of identification for life
(E)  both  unique and unchanging, are like human fingerprints, a lifelong means of identification

The pattern  of whisker spots  on the face of a male lion  , like human fingerprints,    is or are   ? - Definitely Is " The Pattern " can never be pluarl...

Hence option (A) is eliminated.

(C) like human fingerprints, is  a means  of identification for life,  being  both unique and unchanging  - “being,” generally Incorrect on GMAT

Hence left with answer choice (B)

(B) like human fingerprints, is a lifelong means of identification, since it is both unque and unchanging

IMHO , OA is (B)

KarishmaB · Answer

Responding to a pm: Two issues with (C): (C) like human fingerprints, is a means of identification for life , - wrong. It is a lifelong means of identification. You are not trying to "identify life" in the lion using whisker spots as a means. Whiskey spots are a lifelong means of identification. being both unique and unchanging - use of "being" is incorrect here. Note that being is NOT ALWAYS incorrect on GMAT. "being" signifies a temporary condition. Check out details on "correct use of being on GMAT" here: https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/veritas-prep-resource-links-no-longer-available-399979.html#/2014/11 ... s-part-ii/

nahid78 · Answer

The pattern of whisker spots on the face of a male lion,   like human fingerprints, are a lifelong means of identification, since they are both unique and unchanging.

(A)
like human fingerprints, are a lifelong means of identification, since they are both unique and unchanging

(B)
like human fingerprints, is a lifelong means of identification, since it is both unique and unchanging

(C)
like human fingerprints, is a means of identification for life, being both unique and unchanging

(D)
since they are both unique and unchanging, like human fingerprints, are a means of identification for life

(E)
both unique and unchanging, are like human fingerprints, a lifelong means of identification

Nevernevergiveup · Answer

The pattern of whisker spots on the face of a male lion,   like human fingerprints, are a lifelong means of identification, since they are both unique and unchanging.

This sentence contains following aspects
1.  Pattern of whisker spots  is singular subject and needs a singular verb  is .
2.  human fingerprints  defines the  pattern of spots  not others.

(A)like human fingerprints,  are  a lifelong means of identification, since  they are  both unique and unchanging
 Plural verb  are  and pronoun  they  are used in place of singular verb and pronoun.

(B)like human fingerprints, is a lifelong means of identification, since it is both unique and unchanging
 All errors are resolved and is correct.
 
(C)like human fingerprints, is a means of identification  for life ,  being  both unique and unchanging
 means of identification   for life  defines the purpose wrongly and implies that 
pattern of spots is a means of identification for lion's life .
being is also used wrongly as a modifier.
And both unique and unchanging wrongly modifies identification for life instead of pattern.

(D)since  they are  both unique and unchanging,  like human fingerprints ,  are   a means of identification for life 
 Plural verb  are  and pronoun  they  are used in place of singular verb and pronoun.
 like human fingerprints  and means of identification for life are misplaced modifiers.
for life error repeats from C.

(E) both unique and unchanging, are like human fingerprints, a lifelong means of identification 
 both unique and unchanging wrongly modifies the pattern.
are like human fingerprints implies are as verb for singluar sibjectt pattern.
a lifelong means of identification defines fingerprints instead of pattern.

fauji · Answer

- The pattern - is singular, We can negate options A, D, and E as they are using "are" for pattern, which is incorrect, it should be singular.
- Between Option B and C, 'being' in option C makes it awkward, Option B looks better and clear in meaning.

IMO Option B

daagh · Answer

The pattern of whisker spot on the face of a male lion,  like human fingerprints, are a lifelong means of identification since they are both unique and unchanging.

(A) like human fingerprints, are a lifelong means of identification, since they are both unique and unchanging--- The pattern is the subject. 'Are' is the wrong verb. S.V agreement error. 
 
(B) like human fingerprints, is a lifelong means of identification, since it is both unique and unchanging---  The correct answer. 'It' refers to the pattern.

(C) like human fingerprints, is a means of identification for life, being both unique and unchanging ---  being as a modifier is a bad word ( meaning no more than a badly used word ) 
(D) since they are both unique and unchanging, are, like human fingerprints, are a means of identification for life ---  No referent for 'they'. The main verb 'are' is also wrong.  
(E) both unique and unchanging, are, like human fingerprints, a lifelong means of identification ---  'Are' is the wrong verb. S-V agreement error.  
 B is the correct choice.

philipssonicare · Answer

daagh 
Why is  being  wrong in C?
Is it the only problem with C?

daagh · Answer

philips
Simply because 'being' is used as a modifier.

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The pattern of whisker spot on the face of a male lion, like human fin

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The pattern of whisker spot on the face of a male lion, like human fin

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