V01-08

Question

Although genetic recombination ensures that only half the genetic material of a parent is represented in the offspring, some genetic lines may eventually die out entirely, even though there are numerous progeny.

A. Although
B. Conclusively
C. When
D. Because
E. If

Show Answer

Official Answer

D

A. Although 
B. Conclusively 
C. When
D. Because 
E. If

Bunuel · Answer

Official Solution:

Although genetic recombination ensures that only half the genetic material of a parent is represented in the offspring, some genetic lines may eventually die out entirely, even though there are numerous progeny.

A. Although
B. Conclusively
C. When
D. Because
E. If

Show Answer

Official Answer

D

A. Although 
B. Conclusively 
C. When
D. Because 
E. If

The underlined word must establish the proper logical relationship between the first part of the sentence and the later clauses. The facts among which a relationship must be stated are:
  
1. That  genetic recombination  permits only half of a parent’s  genetic material  to be  represented in the offspring ;
   
2. That  some genetic lines  may eventually not be passed on, despite a large number of progeny. If only half of a parent’s genetic material is present in any single offspring, it follows that some genetic lines may not be reproduced at all and could  eventually die out entirely . The relationship that should be stated in the sentence is, therefore, a causal relationship.
  
(A)  Although  makes the dying out of  some genetic lines  seem like an exception to a rule, and does not establish the appropriate cause-and-effect relationship between the parts of the sentence.
 
(B)  Conclusively  does not make sense in this context.
 
(C) The word  when  makes  genetic recombination  seem like a process that happens  sometimes , and so does not establish the appropriate logical relationship among parts of the sentence.
 
  (D) CORRECT.  This option correctly identifies the fact that  genetic recombination  is given as the  reason  that  some genetic lines may eventually die out entirely . (E)  If  makes  genetic recombination  seem like a conditional event and does not establish the appropriate logical relationship among parts of the sentence.

Answer: D

swanidhi · Answer

Understood all aspects except the usage of If here. Why couldn't this statement be a conditional case?
Is it because of the contrast that follows (even though) with the verb 'are'? 
Please explain. Thanks!

chetan2u · Answer

Hi,
two reasons..
the structure of the sentence is..
although..SOME FACT..., some genetic...

1)so it will be wrong to make a fact as a conditional clause..
2) there is no contrast and that is the reason A is not the choice,...
basically the first part is the reason or modifier of the second part, so "if" is unsuitable..

carma19 · Answer

In general, " Because " modifies or presents reasons (" why ") for  actions ; in this specific case, the correct answer choice is ( D ) since, the fact that  some genetic lines may eventually die out entirely  is explained by the fact that  genetic recombination ensures that only half the genetic material of a parent is represented in the offspring .

ayushgarg32 · Answer

The other day i was studying about the difference between although, even though, but and because, this site ' https://www.grammar-quizzes.com/9-1.html ' Clearly mentions the same. Although I was able to understand the difference and same thing I applied over here. Where did I go wrong, Kindly help..

fireagablast · Answer

This looks like a meaning problem.
Can honestly be interpreted two ways:

BECAUSE only half the genes get passed, some lineages die out.
ALTHOUGH half of the genes are guaranteed to be passed by each parent, some lineages still die out.

I can see it both way. I suppose you could make a stronger argument for "because". Tricky question.

kushalkh93 · Answer

This is a good question but if you look at it carefully '(D) Because  '  CANNOT  be the right answer., the first half says that ' genetic recombination ensures that only half the genetic material is transferred from parent to offspring ', which means that mathematically the amount of genetic material transferred can never be zero, it will be half of the parent but which CANNOT be zero.

Therefore, the cause and effect logic cannot apply to this question. Instead, the first part of the question is in contrast to the next part and hence, the correct answer should be '(A) Although  '

@bunnel  chetan2u  Please tell me if, and how, my interpretation is wrong.

GKomoku · Answer

it is also confusing to me a little bit between (A) and (D),  Bunuel  could you please explain a bit more?

Jayantm07 · Answer

Meaning problem here.
 Poor Quality

Agreed  kushalkh93

Because is used for something to hold true. There is no cause and effect here. There is a contrast in absolute terms.
Although is absolutely fine as stated by  kushalkh93

Please reply  Bunuel   chetan2u

professorchaos499 · Answer

So on the debate between "Although" and "Because". The phrase "only half" signifies that half is less. If "only" was not present, I can see how "Although" might work. 
Now regarding meaning, as some stated "half ensures the genetic line doesn't die out", it would if you continuously halve it.

ThePieMonster · Answer

Although is the correct answer. The sentence is grammatical incorrect if using because due to the nonrestrictive clause.

V01-08

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