Dear Friends,
Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
sondenso wrote:
Japanese researchers are producing a series of robots that can identify human facial expressions, to which they will then respond; their goal is primarily creating a robot that will empathize with us.
(A) expressions, to which they will then respond; their goal is primarily creating
(B) expressions, then responding to them; primarily to create
(C) expressions and then respond to them; the researchers' primary goal is to create
(D) expressions as well as giving a response to them; their primary goal is creation of
(E) expressions and responding to them; primarily, the researchers' goal is creating
Concepts tested here: Pronouns + Verb Forms + Grammatical Construction• A pronoun and its derivatives can only have one referent in a sentence.
• Information that is permanent in nature is best conveyed through the simple present tense.
• Semicolons and the “comma + conjunction” construction are used to link two independent clauses; commas are used to link an independent clause with a dependent one; comma cannot be used to join two independent clauses.
• For referring to the intent/purpose of an action, the infinitive verb form ("to + base form of verb") is the preferred construction.
A:1/ This answer choice incorrectly uses the pronoun "they" to refer to "robots" and "their" to refer to "Japanese researchers"; remember, a pronoun and its derivatives can only have one referent in a sentence.
2/ Option A uses the present participle ("verb+ing" - "creating" in this case) to refer to the intent behind the action "their goal is"; remember, for referring to the intent/purpose of an action, the infinitive verb form ("to + base form of verb") is preferred over the present participle ("verb+ing" - "creating" in this case).
B:1/ This answer choice incorrectly uses the present participle ("verb+ing" - "responding" in this case) to refer to information that is permanent in nature; remember, information that is permanent in nature is best conveyed through the simple present tense.
2/ Option B incorrectly uses a semicolon to join the dependent clauses "then responding to them" and "primarily to create a robot that will empathize with us"; remember, semicolons and the “comma + conjunction” construction are used to link two independent clauses; commas are used to link an independent clause with a dependent one; comma cannot be used to join two independent clauses.
C: Correct.1/ This answer choice correctly uses the sole pronoun "them" to refer exclusively to the noun "expressions".
2/ Option C correctly uses the simple present tense verb "respond" to refer to information that is permanent in nature.
3/ Option C correctly uses a semicolon to join the independent clauses "Japanese researchers are producing...them" and "the researchers' primary goal is...us".
4/ Option C uses the infinitive verb form ("to + base form of verb" - "to + create") to refer to the intent behind the action "the researchers' primary goal is"
D:1/ This answer choice incorrectly uses the pronoun "them" to refer to "expressions" and "their" to refer to "Japanese researchers"; remember, a pronoun and its derivatives can only have one referent in a sentence.
2/ Option D incorrectly uses the present participle ("verb+ing" - "giving" in this case) to refer to information that is permanent in nature; remember, information that is permanent in nature is best conveyed through the simple present tense.
3/ Option D uses the noun phrase "creation of a robot that will empathize with us" to refer to the intent behind the action "their primary goal is"; remember, for referring to the intent/purpose of an action, the infinitive verb form ("to + base form of verb") is the preferred construction.
E:1/ This answer choice incorrectly uses the present participle ("verb+ing" - "responding" in this case) to refer to information that is permanent in nature; remember, information that is permanent in nature is best conveyed through the simple present tense.
2/ Option E uses the present participle ("verb+ing" - "creating" in this case) to refer to the intent behind the action "the researchers' goal is"; remember, for referring to the intent/purpose of an action, the infinitive verb form ("to + base form of verb") is preferred over the present participle ("verb+ing" - "creating" in this case).
Hence, C is the best answer choice.To understand the concept of "Simple Tenses" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):
To understand the concept of "Infinitive" versus "Present Participle" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):
To understand the use of punctuation on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~10 minutes):
All the best!
Experts' Global Team