Last visit was: 24 Apr 2024, 04:22 It is currently 24 Apr 2024, 04:22

Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
SORT BY:
Date
CR Moderator
Joined: 14 Dec 2013
Posts: 2413
Own Kudos [?]: 15266 [179]
Given Kudos: 26
Location: Germany
Schools:
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V47
WE:Corporate Finance (Pharmaceuticals and Biotech)
Send PM
Most Helpful Reply
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
Joined: 13 Aug 2009
Status: GMAT/GRE/LSAT tutors
Posts: 6917
Own Kudos [?]: 63652 [58]
Given Kudos: 1773
Location: United States (CO)
GMAT 1: 780 Q51 V46
GMAT 2: 800 Q51 V51
GRE 1: Q170 V170

GRE 2: Q170 V170
Send PM
Experts' Global Representative
Joined: 10 Jul 2017
Posts: 5123
Own Kudos [?]: 4683 [3]
Given Kudos: 38
Location: India
GMAT Date: 11-01-2019
Send PM
GMAT Club Legend
GMAT Club Legend
Joined: 03 Oct 2013
Affiliations: CrackVerbal
Posts: 4946
Own Kudos [?]: 7625 [1]
Given Kudos: 215
Location: India
Send PM
Re: Though being tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered speci [#permalink]
1
Kudos
Top Contributor
Though being tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered species of catfish lessens their vulnerability with thickened bones and armor plates on their sides.


A. Though being tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered species of catfish lessens their vulnerability with thickened bones and armor plates on their sides. The sentence is referring to one recently discovered species of catfish. In this case, the plural pronoun, “their” cannot be used.

B. Though tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered species of catfish has thickened bones and armor plates on its sides that lessen its vulnerability. The modifier “Tiny, blind, and translucent” is correctly referring to the recently discovered species of catfish and the correct pronoun has been used.

C. A recently discovered species of catfish has thickened bones and armor plates on its sides that lessen their vulnerability, though tiny, blind, and translucent. The sentence is referring to one recently discovered species of catfish. In this case, the plural pronoun, “their” cannot be used.

D. Thickened bones and armor plates on their sides lessen the vulnerability of a recently discovered species of catfish that is tiny, blind, and translucent. The sentence is referring to one recently discovered species of catfish. In this case, the plural pronoun, “their” cannot be used.

E. Tiny, blind, and translucent, thickened bones and armor plates on its sides lessen the vulnerability of a recently discovered species of catfish. The modifier “Tiny, blind, and translucent” is referring to the recently discovered species of catfish. In this option, it seems like the modifier is referring to “thickened bones”.

- Nitha Jay
General Discussion
Retired Moderator
Joined: 04 Aug 2016
Posts: 391
Own Kudos [?]: 337 [4]
Given Kudos: 144
Location: India
Concentration: Leadership, Strategy
GPA: 4
WE:Engineering (Telecommunications)
Send PM
Re: Though being tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered speci [#permalink]
4
Kudos
I feel the answer is b?

A. Though being tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered species of catfish lessens their vulnerability with thickened bones and armor plates on their sides.
B. Though tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered species of catfish has thickened bones and armor plates on its sides that lessen its vulnerability.
C. A recently discovered species of catfish has thickened bones and armor plates on its sides that lessen their vulnerability, though tiny, blind, and translucent.
D. Thickened bones and armor plates on their sides lessen the vulnerability of a recently discovered species of catfish that is tiny, blind, and translucent.
E. Tiny, blind, and translucent, thickened bones and armor plates on its sides lessen the vulnerability of a recently discovered species of catfish.


OE please?
Board of Directors
Joined: 11 Jun 2011
Status:QA & VA Forum Moderator
Posts: 6072
Own Kudos [?]: 4689 [4]
Given Kudos: 463
Location: India
GPA: 3.5
WE:Business Development (Commercial Banking)
Send PM
Re: Though being tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered speci [#permalink]
4
Bookmarks
sayantanc2k wrote:
Though being tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered species of catfish lessens their vulnerability with thickened bones and armor plates on their sides.

A. Though being tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered species of catfish lessens their vulnerability with thickened bones and armor plates on their sides.
B. Though tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered species of catfish has thickened bones and armor plates on its sides that lessen its vulnerability.
C. A recently discovered species of catfish has thickened bones and armor plates on its sides that lessen their vulnerability, though tiny, blind, and translucent.
D. Thickened bones and armor plates on their sides lessen the vulnerability of a recently discovered species of catfish that is tiny, blind, and translucent.
E. Tiny, blind, and translucent, thickened bones and armor plates on its sides lessen the vulnerability of a recently discovered species of catfish.


Though tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered species of catfish has thickened bones and armor plates on its sides that lessen its vulnerability.

Correct answer must be (B)
avatar
Intern
Intern
Joined: 16 Jun 2016
Posts: 22
Own Kudos [?]: 13 [2]
Given Kudos: 44
Concentration: Accounting
GMAT 1: 640 Q51 V24
GMAT 2: 730 Q51 V37
Send PM
Re: Though being tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered speci [#permalink]
2
Kudos
sayantanc2k wrote:
Though being tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered species of catfish lessens their vulnerability with thickened bones and armor plates on their sides.

A. Though being tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered species of catfish lessens their vulnerability with thickened bones and armor plates on their sides.
B. Though tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered species of catfish has thickened bones and armor plates on its sides that lessen its vulnerability.
C. A recently discovered species of catfish has thickened bones and armor plates on its sides that lessen their vulnerability, though tiny, blind, and translucent.
D. Thickened bones and armor plates on their sides lessen the vulnerability of a recently discovered species of catfish that is tiny, blind, and translucent.
E. Tiny, blind, and translucent, thickened bones and armor plates on its sides lessen the vulnerability of a recently discovered species of catfish.



Hello Sayantanc2k,
Both thickened bones and armor plates lessen the vulnerability of catfish. Is it ok to use that to refer both of them (thick bones and armor plates) as it is used in Option C?

Thank you.
CR Moderator
Joined: 14 Dec 2013
Posts: 2413
Own Kudos [?]: 15266 [1]
Given Kudos: 26
Location: Germany
Schools:
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V47
WE:Corporate Finance (Pharmaceuticals and Biotech)
Send PM
Re: Though being tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered speci [#permalink]
1
Bookmarks
Expert Reply
sachin0890 wrote:
sayantanc2k wrote:
Though being tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered species of catfish lessens their vulnerability with thickened bones and armor plates on their sides.

A. Though being tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered species of catfish lessens their vulnerability with thickened bones and armor plates on their sides.
B. Though tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered species of catfish has thickened bones and armor plates on its sides that lessen its vulnerability.
C. A recently discovered species of catfish has thickened bones and armor plates on its sides that lessen their vulnerability, though tiny, blind, and translucent.
D. Thickened bones and armor plates on their sides lessen the vulnerability of a recently discovered species of catfish that is tiny, blind, and translucent.
E. Tiny, blind, and translucent, thickened bones and armor plates on its sides lessen the vulnerability of a recently discovered species of catfish.



Hello Sayantanc2k,
Both thickened bones and armor plates lessen the vulnerability of catfish. Is it ok to use that to refer both of them (thick bones and armor plates) as it is used in Option C?

Thank you.


The relative pronoun "that" can refer to plural antecedents. Run a search "that" in OG, and you will find plenty of such usages.
avatar
Intern
Intern
Joined: 16 Jun 2016
Posts: 22
Own Kudos [?]: 13 [0]
Given Kudos: 44
Concentration: Accounting
GMAT 1: 640 Q51 V24
GMAT 2: 730 Q51 V37
Send PM
Re: Though being tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered speci [#permalink]
sayantanc2k wrote:
sachin0890 wrote:
sayantanc2k wrote:
Though being tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered species of catfish lessens their vulnerability with thickened bones and armor plates on their sides.

A. Though being tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered species of catfish lessens their vulnerability with thickened bones and armor plates on their sides.
B. Though tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered species of catfish has thickened bones and armor plates on its sides that lessen its vulnerability.
C. A recently discovered species of catfish has thickened bones and armor plates on its sides that lessen their vulnerability, though tiny, blind, and translucent.
D. Thickened bones and armor plates on their sides lessen the vulnerability of a recently discovered species of catfish that is tiny, blind, and translucent.
E. Tiny, blind, and translucent, thickened bones and armor plates on its sides lessen the vulnerability of a recently discovered species of catfish.



Hello Sayantanc2k,
Both thickened bones and armor plates lessen the vulnerability of catfish. Is it ok to use that to refer both of them (thick bones and armor plates) as it is used in Option C?

Thank you.


The relative pronoun "that" can refer to plural antecedents. Run a search "that" in OG, and you will find plenty of such usages.




Thank You for the reply.

Please have a look at the following post,
created-in-1945-to-reduce-poverty-210087.html

Some of the respondents such as Economist GMAT tutor say that that cannot be used to refer plural.
I am totally confused regarding usage of that. Please explain when we can use that to refer plural and to refer singular.

Thank you,
Sachin
CR Moderator
Joined: 14 Dec 2013
Posts: 2413
Own Kudos [?]: 15266 [18]
Given Kudos: 26
Location: Germany
Schools:
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V47
WE:Corporate Finance (Pharmaceuticals and Biotech)
Send PM
Re: Though being tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered speci [#permalink]
9
Kudos
9
Bookmarks
Expert Reply
sachin0890 wrote:
sayantanc2k wrote:
sachin0890 wrote:


Hello Sayantanc2k,
Both thickened bones and armor plates lessen the vulnerability of catfish. Is it ok to use that to refer both of them (thick bones and armor plates) as it is used in Option C?

Thank you.


The relative pronoun "that" can refer to plural antecedents. Run a search "that" in OG, and you will find plenty of such usages.




Thank You for the reply.

Please have a look at the following post,
created-in-1945-to-reduce-poverty-210087.html

Some of the respondents such as Economist GMAT tutor say that that cannot be used to refer plural.
I am totally confused regarding usage of that. Please explain when we can use that to refer plural and to refer singular.

Thank you,
Sachin


Uses of pronoun "that":

1. as a demonstrative pronoun:
1a. as adjectives: That pen is mine.
1b. as copy: The car you gifted me is older than that standing outside (creates a copy of car).

2. as a relative pronoun:
I wanted to buy the house that was destroyed by earthquake yesterday.
I do not like dogs that bark.

The usage 1a and 1b can only be singular - for plural "those" is required:
That pens are mine... wrong
The cars you gifted me is older than that standing outside ...wrong

The usage 2 is applicable for both singular and plural. (the second example above is plural).

The question in this thread uses "that" as a relative pronoun (type 2) - hence plural usage is alright.
The question in your link uses "that" as a demonstrative pronoun (type 1b) - hence plural usage is wrong.
avatar
Intern
Intern
Joined: 16 Jun 2016
Posts: 22
Own Kudos [?]: 13 [1]
Given Kudos: 44
Concentration: Accounting
GMAT 1: 640 Q51 V24
GMAT 2: 730 Q51 V37
Send PM
Re: Though being tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered speci [#permalink]
1
Bookmarks
Uses of pronoun "that":

1. as a demonstrative pronoun:
1a. as adjectives: That pen is mine.
1b. as copy: The car you gifted me is older than that standing outside (creates a copy of car).

2. as a relative pronoun:
I wanted to buy the house that was destroyed by earthquake yesterday.
I do not like dogs that bark.

The usage 1a and 1b can only be singular - for plural "those" is required:
That pens are mine... wrong
The cars you gifted me is older than that standing outside ...wrong

The usage 2 is applicable for both singular and plural. (the second example above is plural).

The question in this thread uses "that" as a relative pronoun (type 2) - hence plural usage is alright.
The question in your link uses "that" as a demonstrative pronoun (type 1b) - hence plural usage is wrong.[/quote]


Thank you very much for the help.
I will try some more questions based on usage of that.
Intern
Intern
Joined: 15 Aug 2017
Posts: 6
Own Kudos [?]: 6 [0]
Given Kudos: 4
Send PM
Re: Though being tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered speci [#permalink]
hi all, is "a species of xxx" always singular? thanks for anyone's help
VP
VP
Joined: 12 Dec 2016
Posts: 1030
Own Kudos [?]: 1779 [0]
Given Kudos: 2562
Location: United States
GMAT 1: 700 Q49 V33
GPA: 3.64
Send PM
Re: Though being tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered speci [#permalink]
pronoun "that" is fine in this question. test takers should know this important trick pattern in gmat.
e-GMAT Representative
Joined: 02 Nov 2011
Posts: 4344
Own Kudos [?]: 30781 [1]
Given Kudos: 634
GMAT Date: 08-19-2020
Send PM
Re: Though being tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered speci [#permalink]
1
Kudos
Expert Reply
jtankx90 wrote:
hi all, is "a species of xxx" always singular? thanks for anyone's help




Hello jtankx90,


I am not sure if you still have this doubt. Here is the answer nonetheless. :-)


Yes, the phrase "a species of xxx" is always singular because the articles "a" and "an" are used only with singular noun entities.


Hope this helps. :-)
Thanks.
Shraddha
e-GMAT Representative
Joined: 02 Nov 2011
Posts: 4344
Own Kudos [?]: 30781 [1]
Given Kudos: 634
GMAT Date: 08-19-2020
Send PM
Re: Though being tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered speci [#permalink]
1
Kudos
Expert Reply
chesstitans wrote:
pronoun "that" is fine in this question. test takers should know this important trick pattern in gmat.




Hello chesstitans,


You have highlighted one of the most crucial points with regard to the correct usage of the relative pronoun modifier that and other noun modifiers.

I just want to add here that we have authored an article named Noun Modifiers can Modify slightly far away noun on the very same topic that explains when noun modifiers can modify a noun that is slightly far away from it. The article can be accessed through the following link:
https://gmatclub.com/forum/noun-modifiers-can-modify-slightly-far-away-noun-135868.html



Hope this helps. :-)
Thanks.
Shraddha
Verbal Forum Moderator
Joined: 08 Dec 2013
Status:Greatness begins beyond your comfort zone
Posts: 2101
Own Kudos [?]: 8808 [1]
Given Kudos: 171
Location: India
Concentration: General Management, Strategy
GPA: 3.2
WE:Information Technology (Consulting)
Send PM
Though being tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered speci [#permalink]
1
Kudos
Though being tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered species of catfish lessens their vulnerability with thickened bones and armor plates on their sides.


A. Though being tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered species of catfish lessens their vulnerability with thickened bones and armor plates on their sides. - pronoun issue - Use of the plural pronoun their is incorrect in both the instances. The antecedent of their at both places is the singular noun species.

B. Though tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered species of catfish has thickened bones and armor plates on its sides that lessen its vulnerability. - Correct

C. A recently discovered species of catfish has thickened bones and armor plates on its sides that lessen their vulnerability, though tiny, blind, and translucent. --The plural pronoun their doesn’t agree with the singular antecedent species ; meaning change -- contrast is lost -The way though tiny… translucent is placed in the sentence, it fails to convey the intended contrast. The placement of this phrase makes it difficult to establish that these qualities belong to this particular species of catfish.

D. Thickened bones and armor plates on their sides lessen the vulnerability of a recently discovered species of catfish that is tiny, blind, and translucent. --The plural pronoun their doesn’t agree with the singular antecedent species. -- Pronoun issue - The plural pronoun their doesn’t agree with the singular antecedent species. ; meaning changes as no contrast word is present

E. Tiny, blind, and translucent, thickened bones and armor plates on its sides lessen the vulnerability of a recently discovered species of catfish. -- illogical meaning; modifier issue -- The opening modifiers tiny, blind, and translucent illogically modifies the subject of the following main clause thickened bones and armor plates.


Answer B
Manager
Manager
Joined: 04 Apr 2015
Posts: 233
Own Kudos [?]: 134 [0]
Given Kudos: 269
GMAT 1: 650 Q49 V31
GPA: 3.59
Send PM
Re: QOTD: Though being tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered [#permalink]
Though being tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered species of catfish lessens their vulnerability with thickened bones and armor plates on their sides.

Five seconds scan of the answer
Its vs their
whole sentence underline :so modifier Issue
bonus tip: Fish is used so :it can be singular or plural look for other clues to make out



A. Though being tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered species of catfish lessens their vulnerability with thickened bones and armor plates on their sides.
Catfish lessens the vulnerability totally illogical

B. Though tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered species of catfish has thickened bones and armor plates on its sides that lessen its vulnerability. correct

C. A recently discovered species of catfish has thickened bones and armor plates on its sides that lessen their vulnerability, though tiny, blind, and translucent.
catfish is used as singular :so their is wrong

D. Thickened bones and armor plates on their sides lessen the vulnerability of a recently discovered species of catfish that is tiny, blind, and translucent.
repeats the error of option C :both their and its cannot be used
also the verb is after catfish indicates its use as singular


E. Tiny, blind, and translucent, thickened bones and armor plates on its sides lessen the vulnerability of a recently discovered species of catfish.
Big modifier error :bones and Armour plates aren't tiny and blind ,but the fish is
Manager
Manager
Joined: 10 Apr 2018
Posts: 187
Own Kudos [?]: 446 [0]
Given Kudos: 115
Location: United States (NC)
Send PM
Re: QOTD: Though being tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered [#permalink]
Structure Analysis:

Though being tiny, blind, and translucent,

a recently discovered species of catfish lessens their vulnerability with

thickened bones and armor plates on their sides.

Meaning Analysis:

The sentence presents contrast about a recently discovered species of catfish. Although this species is tiny, blind and translucent, it has certain features that helps it overcome these shortcomings.

Error Analysis:

SV: There is only one SV pair and it makes perfect sense and agrees in number.

Tenses : The sentence presents a factual information about the species and hence a simple present tense is used correctly used to convey the fact.

Pronoun: “Their” refers to singular “Species” so we have Pronoun Antecedent number agreement.

Modifier : Opening Modifier Though being XYZ, correctly modifies and refers to Species. Although "being" used in construction of modifier is unnecessary.

Parallelism

Comparison

Idiom

Meaning: There is slight meaning error that could be corrected . Species lessens species’ something with XYZ. All we know that Species has certain features and these features help it lessen the vulnerability.

Other



Spotted Errors:

Pronoun Error

Meaning error: Structure used is Species lessens species’ something with XYZ. It can be worded better.

Redundancy Error: The word being can be used as a subject or as part of a continuous tense verb in passive voice. Use of being as a modifier is not required in the sentence. The opening adjectives makes it very clear that these are the features of a certain species of catfish.

Answer Choice Analysis:

A. Though being tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered species of catfish lessens their vulnerability with thickened bones and armor plates on their sides.

Incorrect : For the reasons pointed out in error analysis

B. Though tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered species of catfish has thickened bones and armor plates on its sides that lessen its vulnerability.

Correct : Sentence Corrects all the errors .


C. A recently discovered species of catfish has thickened bones and armor plates on its sides that lessen their vulnerability, though tiny, blind, and translucent.

Incorrect : Pronoun Error

The way though tiny… translucent is placed in the sentence, it fails to convey the intended contrast. The placement of this phrase makes it difficult to establish that these qualities belong to this particular species of catfish.


D. Thickened bones and armor plates on their sides lessen the vulnerability of a recently discovered species of catfish that is tiny, blind, and translucent.

Incorrect :Pronoun Error with their AND By removing the contrast word , the sentence no longer presents any contrast as is intended by original sentence.


E. Tiny, blind, and translucent, thickened bones and armor plates on its sides lessen the vulnerability of a recently discovered species of catfish.

Incorrect :Tiny, blind and translucent act as noun modifier illogically modifying the subject of the main clause. and by removing the contrast word , the sentence no longer presents any contrast as is intended by original sentence.
Director
Director
Joined: 06 Jan 2015
Posts: 738
Own Kudos [?]: 1586 [0]
Given Kudos: 579
Location: India
Concentration: Operations, Finance
GPA: 3.35
WE:Information Technology (Computer Software)
Send PM
Re: Though being tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered speci [#permalink]
Quote:
Though being tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered species of catfish lessens their vulnerability with thickened bones and armor plates on their sides.


B. Though tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered species of catfish has thickened bones and armor plates on its sides that lessen its vulnerability.



HI GMATNinja, mikemcgarry, MagooshExpert (Carolyn), GMATGuruNY, EducationAisle, generis

Here Though tiny, blind, and translucent is it not modifying a recently discovered
Magoosh GMAT Instructor
Joined: 30 Oct 2017
Posts: 234
Own Kudos [?]: 398 [2]
Given Kudos: 20
Send PM
Re: Though being tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered speci [#permalink]
2
Kudos
Expert Reply
NandishSS wrote:
Quote:
Though being tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered species of catfish lessens their vulnerability with thickened bones and armor plates on their sides.


B. Though tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered species of catfish has thickened bones and armor plates on its sides that lessen its vulnerability.



HI GMATNinja, mikemcgarry, MagooshExpert (Carolyn), GMATGuruNY, EducationAisle, generis

Here Though tiny, blind, and translucent is it not modifying a recently discovered

Hi NandishSS,

Happy to help :) Here, "tiny, blind, and translucent" has to modify a noun, so it will logically modify the nearest noun. "A recently discovered" is not a noun -- the next noun is "species of catfish". "Recently discovered" is also modifying "species of catfish". So all of these modifiers are modifying "species of catfish" :)

Hope that helps! :)
-Carolyn
GMAT Club Bot
Re: Though being tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered speci [#permalink]
 1   2   3   
Moderators:
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
6917 posts
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
238 posts

Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group | Emoji artwork provided by EmojiOne