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teaserbae Two points here:

1) "exhibited" isn't a verb here. It's a past participle modifying "behavior." Since it is working like an adjective, it isn't a verb and doesn't have a tense. Notice that the behavior didn't do anything. In a similar vein, we might say "This is the kind of stove used in the best restaurants." This doesn't mean the stove was used in the past--it is currently being used.

2) Even if we did have a past tense verb, that wouldn't stop us from using a present tense verb elsewhere, since the two parts of the sentence are not parallel. (Even then, we can shift from past to present if the meaning requires it.) For instance, we might say "The guitar that Jimi Hendrix played at Woodstock is now on display in a museum."
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If you want to look at it from the perspective of pure grammar then:

So --> Conjunction

He was tired so he decided to sleep

Thus --> Adverb

He was tired and thus he decided to sleep: CORRECT

He was tired thus he decided to sleep: INCORRECT

I found this page to be pretty accurate in explaining this particular concept well: https://jakubmarian.com/so-thus-therefo ... n-english/

Having said so, I would pick an easier grammar rule to eliminate the answer options:

C & E have an "it" -> can it refer to "The type of behavior exhibited when an animal recognizes itself in a mirror"? Doesn't make it a clear referent so we can remove.

B & E have a "to be" -> we just need to say that is best studied as part of something

That would leave you with A & D and the only difference is the knowledge of the concept above. I would break the sentence this way:

SUBJECT : [The type of behavior exhibited when an animal recognizes itself in a mirror]

PREDICATE 1: comes within the domain of “theory of mind,”

AND

PREDICATE 2: thus is best studied as part of the field of animal cognition.


Hope this helps
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The type of behavior exhibited when an animal recognizes itself in a mirror comes within the domain of “theory of mind,” thus is best studied as part of the field of animal cognition.

(A) of “theory of mind,” thus is best
(B) “theory of mind,” and so is best to be
(C) of a “theory of mind,” thus it is best
(D) of “theory of mind” and thus is best
(E) of the “theory of mind,” and so it is best to be

OG Verbal 2017 New Question(Book Question: 296)

Does the start of (A) with "thus" creates a run on sentence? If yes, how? Because, starting the sentence with "thus" creates a dependent sentence.
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If thus is similar to consequently, why using consequently will be incorrect here? How do we know that we need 2 independent clauses, why cant we join it with consequenlty?
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lakshya14

Does the start of (A) with "thus" creates a run on sentence? If yes, how? Because, starting the sentence with "thus" creates a dependent sentence.


Hello lakshya14,

I am not sure whether you still have the same doubt, but here is my response anyway. :-)


The usage of "thus" in Choice A does not create a run-on sentence. What do we identify as a run-on sentence? When two independent clauses are connected by just a "comma", we identify the structure as a run-on sentence. But please note that in Choice A, the subject of the verb "is studied" is "The type of behavior". This subject has another verb in the non-underlined portion "comes". So here, we do not have two independent clauses connected by a comma. We have two verbs for the same subject; however, these two verbs are not connected by any connector. This mistake has been rectified in the correct answer choice D that uses "and" to do the job. This missing connector between the two verbs is the only error in Choice A.


Hope this helps. :-)
Thanks.
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dato10kokli
If thus is similar to consequently, why using consequently will be incorrect here? How do we know that we need 2 independent clauses, why cant we join it with consequenlty?



Hello dato10kokli,


Yes, "thus" means "consequently". However, none of these words are a connector or conjunction. These words are "effect/result" denoting words. But we need a conjunction between the two verbs "comes" and "is studied" because they both belong to the same subject "The type of behavior".

The correct answer Choice D also contains the word "thus" but it also carries the conjunction "and" the usage of which rectifies the error of Choice A.


Hope this helps. :-)
Thanks.
Shraddha
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dato10kokli
If thus is similar to consequently, why using consequently will be incorrect here? How do we know that we need 2 independent clauses, why cant we join it with consequenlty?
Hi dato10kokli, Independent clauses can start with words such as instead, consequently, thus, moreover, likewise, therefore, however and otherwise.

p.s. Our book EducationAisle Sentence Correction Nirvana discusses this aspect of Independent clauses . Have attached the corresponding section of the book, for your reference.
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The type of behavior exhibited when an animal recognizes itself in a mirror comes within the domain of “theory of mind,” thus is best studied as part of the field of animal cognition.

(A) of “theory of mind,” thus is best

-- We need a conjunction to connect two verbs -- this sentence is lacking one.

(B) “theory of mind,” and so is best to be

-- 'so is best' is incorrect

(C) of a “theory of mind,” thus it is best

-- We need a conjunction to connect two verbs -- this sentence is lacking one.

(D) of “theory of mind” and thus is best

(E) of the “theory of mind,” and so it is best to be

-- 'so is best' is incorrect

Answer is D. Clear and concise.
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teaserbae
Two things here:

1) "Exhibited" is not a verb in this sentence. It's a past participle modifying "behavior," so it's not indicating tense.

2) Even when we do have a past tense verb, it's fine to switch tenses as long as the meaning makes sense. For instance, "The manager demonstrated bad judgment and is now under review by the board."
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I have a query along similar lines. As per O.G "and thus..." is the beginning of the second clause. But the comma always precedes  FANBOYs to introduce an independent clause.
Hi Mayank, usually presence of a comma in such situations is more expected when there is a full clause after the FANBOYs conjunction.

Mayank has studied all the concepts and is now doing the assignments.
- comma before and is not as likely in this case, because there is no full clause after and (since the subject Mayank is not explicitly mentioned after and) .

Mayank has studied all the concepts, and he is now doing the assignments.
- comma before and is more likely in this case, because there is a full clause (along with the subject he explicitly mentioned) after and.

In any case, these are likely scenarios, at best. Presence/absence of a comma in such scenarios should never be the reason to choose/eliminate an answer choice.

Quote:
As per me "and" introduced parallelism b/w "comes" and "thus". Can you help where I am going wrong?  
This is not correct. Parallelism is between comes and is (both verbs). Note that thus is an adverb and cannot be parallel to a verb.
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I chose D, but confused with C, if we have word such as thus, although we do not need and right? So why and is needed on Option C?
Can somebody explain
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I chose D, but confused with C, if we have word such as thus, although we do not need and right? So why and is needed on Option C?
Can somebody explain
Hi junii, since C does not have an and, C is (what's called) a run-on sentence, which is always wrong - following two Independent clauses connected by just a comma:

1) The type of behavior exhibited when an animal recognizes itself in a mirror comes within the domain of a “theory of mind”
2) thus it is best studied as part of the field of animal cognition.

Run-on sentences are often tested on GMAT and test-takers should be very comfortable with spotting them, since they are always wrong. Our book EducationAisle Sentence Correction Nirvana discusses run-on sentences, their application and examples in significant detail. If you or someone is interested, PM me your email-id; I can mail the corresponding section.
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I have gone through the entire thread, but I'm still not understanding what is wrong w/ (B).

People are saying that 'to be' is redundant and the option is wordy. But there's clearly a meaning difference between (B) and (D).

best to be studied as X.... this suggests that the aptest choice is to study the type as X.

best studied as X.... suggests that the quality of the study would get affected if it is studied as X....best studied as X.

What am I missing?

Also, are we sure this is a 600 level question with such subtle differences between answer choices?
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harshbirajdar
I have gone through the entire thread, but I'm still not understanding what is wrong w/ (B).

People are saying that 'to be' is redundant and the option is wordy. But there's clearly a meaning difference between (B) and (D).

best to be studied as X.... this suggests that the aptest choice is to study the type as X.

best studied as X.... suggests that the quality of the study would get affected if it is studied as X....best studied as X.

What am I missing?

Also, are we sure this is a 600 level question with such subtle differences between answer choices?

Dear harshbirajdar
the overriding issue with option B is absence of Subject in the second clause. Verbs "comes" and "is" are not parallel because subject "The type of behavior" is only part of the first clause. The culprit is"comma" followed by conjunction "and".

The valid structures are
- X and Y (two verbs/nouns)
- X, and Y (two ICs)

(B) “theory of mind,” and so is best to be

If you have doubt that comma was utilized in quotes and thus could be eliminated, read the explanation provided by Mike
https://gmatclub.com/forum/the-type-of- ... l#p1700398
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Hi avigutman - on D, can the adverb "THUS" be dropped ?

Per my understanding, in D - adverb "THUS" CANNOT be dropped.

If the THUS is dropped - it means BOTH verbs [Comes and IS] are taking place at very same time and are independent of each other.

The "THUS" i believe is forcing dependancy : [Comes and IS] are taking place at very same time BUT IS is a result of Comes

Analogy :
I play tennis and thus am naturally fit [Both verbs are taking place simeltenously but Playing tennis is the REASON for me being naturally fit]
I play tennis and thus am naturally fit [I am fit NOT BECAUSE of tennis]

Thoughts ?
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jabhatta2
Hi avigutman - on D, can the adverb "THUS" be dropped ?

Per my understanding, in D - adverb "THUS" CANNOT be dropped.

If the THUS is dropped - it means BOTH verbs [Comes and IS] are taking place at very same time and are independent of each other.

The "THUS" i believe is forcing dependancy : [Comes and IS] are taking place at very same time BUT IS is a result of Comes

Analogy :
I play tennis and thus am naturally fit [Both verbs are taking place simeltenously but Playing tennis is the REASON for me being naturally fit]
I play tennis and thus am naturally fit [I am fit NOT BECAUSE of tennis]

Thoughts ?

I couldn’t have said it better myself. Well done!!!

Posted from my mobile device
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To cut the chase:
- C is just wrong, un necessary "a"
- B, D, E are grammatically correct but B and E are awkward: past participle is generally less preferred. “Thus X is best studied as…” > “Thus X is to be studied as…”
- Between A and D, A is not correct as we need conjunction to separate two clauses
- Answer = D

The key to solve this question is to understand:
- The sentence structure here can be dissected as: The type of behaviour … comes within the domain … thus is best studied as
- “Thus” here acts as conjunctive adverb (herefore, however, nevertheless, consequently, for example, on the other hand, moreover, besides, accordingly)
- The rule is we need to use “and”, or a semicolon in front of conjunctive adverb to separate two independent clauses – I think this is the crux of the question

Someone please correct me if I’m wrong.
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