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Unlike elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's

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vishu1414
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Unlike elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's [#permalink] New post   22 Dec 2012, 20:15
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Unlike elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line, marathon times are calculated using a computer chip attached to each competitor's shoe.

(A) Unlike elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line,

(B) Besides elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line,

(C) With the exception of elite runners, times for whom are calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line,

(D) Unless the runner is elite, in which case the time is calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line,

(E) With the exception being elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line,

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Correct Answer: D

This problem features Modifier errors in answer choices A, B, C, and E, as the introductory modifying phrase in each attempts to modify the subject of the sentence, 'marathon times', with 'elite runners'.

This comparison is illogical and invalid, as runners and marathon times cannot be compared or contrasted with each other.

Answer choice D, which employs an independent clause ('unless the runner is elite') at the beginning of the sentence instead of a modifier, is correct.
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Unlike elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's [#permalink] New post   01 Feb 2013, 13:50
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vishu1414 wrote:
Unlike elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line, marathon times are calculated using a computer chip attached to each competitor's shoe.
A) Unlike elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line,
B) Besides elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line,
C) With the exception of elite runners, times for whom are calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line,
D) Unless the runner is elite, in which case the time is calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line,
E) With the exception being elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line,


The part of the sentence beyond the underlined section begins with "marathon times" ----- any comparison is illogical here, because we are not comparing something else to "marathon times."

(A) Unlike elite runner ... marathon times = illogical
(B) Besides elite runners ... marathon times = illogical
The "besides" literally means on the side of something --- it is used metaphorically to separate one member from a group of similar members "Besides Harding and Ford, all 20th century US Presidents served at least one full term.", "Besides Technetium and Promethium, the first 83 elements all have stable isotopes", etc.

(C) & (E) both have passive structure ---- (E) in particular is a wordy monstrosity. Both also contain an illogical construction --- the construction, With the exception of A, B ... B has to be a category or group that includes A ---- if we drop the intervening relative clause, we get
(C) With the exception of elite runners, ..... marathon times ...
(E) With the exception being elite runners, ..... marathon times ...
Again, the sentence compares "elite runner" to "marathon times", an illogical comparison.

(D) has an active structure that is efficient, direct, and powerful. Of the five answers, it's the only that completely avoids an illogical comparison. That's why it's the best.

Mike :-)
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Re: Unlike elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's [#permalink] New post   23 Dec 2012, 01:46
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vishu1414 wrote:
Unlike elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line, marathon times are calculated using a computer chip attached to each competitor's shoe.

A) Unlike elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line,
B) Besides elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line,
C) With the exception of elite runners, times for whom are calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line,
D) Unless the runner is elite, in which case the time is calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line,
E) With the exception being elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line,

Not sure why
Show Spoiler
D
?


A direct comparsion has to be made between times, reason being that "marathon times" follows the underlined part.
A, B and E are straightaway eliminated in that they are comparing runners with times. Illogical and disastrous.
C goes beyond all this stuff and considers the "runners" "times".
D makes the right comparison, comparing the two times. D says that till the moment the runner is elite, marathon times are calculated.

Hope that will help.
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Re: Unlike elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's pi [#permalink] New post   01 Jun 2013, 12:08
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2)Unlike elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line, marathon times are calculated using a computer chip attached to each competitor's shoe.

(A)Unlike elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line,
(B)Besides elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line,
(C)With the exception of elite runners, times for whom are calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line,
(D)Unless the runner is elite, in which case the time is calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line,
(E)With the exception being elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line,

This one is a case of absolute phrase.
Runners and marathon times cannot be compared, D correctly uses an indipendent clause instead of a modifier.

Correct answer: D
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Re: Unlike elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's pi [#permalink] New post   07 Jun 2013, 10:39
Can you please help understand why D wouldn't be a run on sentence since it has two IC (the runner is.., marathon times are) separated without FANBOYS?

Not sure whether Unless is playing role similar to Although.

Zarrolou wrote:
2)Unlike elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line, marathon times are calculated using a computer chip attached to each competitor's shoe.

(A)Unlike elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line,
(B)Besides elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line,
(C)With the exception of elite runners, times for whom are calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line,
(D)Unless the runner is elite, in which case the time is calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line,
(E)With the exception being elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line,

This one is a case of absolute phrase.
Runners and marathon times cannot be compared, D correctly uses an indipendent clause instead of a modifier.

Correct answer: D
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Re: Unlike elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's pi [#permalink] New post   07 Jun 2013, 11:12
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Can you please help understand why D wouldn't be a run on sentence since it has two IC (the runner is.., marathon times are) separated without FANBOYS?

Not sure whether Unless is playing role similar to Although.



"Unless the runner is elite, " this is not an IC. It has no meaning taken on its own.

Moreover all the other options incorrectly compare elite runners to "marathon times".
(A)Unlike elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line,
(B)Besides elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line,
(C)With the exception of elite runners, times for whom are calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line,
(E)With the exception being elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line,
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Re: Unlike elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's [#permalink] New post   25 Feb 2016, 20:28
vishu1414 wrote:
Unlike elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line, marathon times are calculated using a computer chip attached to each competitor's shoe.

A) Unlike elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line,
B) Besides elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line,
C) With the exception of elite runners, times for whom are calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line,
D) Unless the runner is elite, in which case the time is calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line,
E) With the exception being elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line,

Not sure why
Show Spoiler
D
?


the meaning of the sentence:
if the runner is not elite, the marathon times are calculated using smth.
if the runner is elite - then the time is calculated differently. so basically, we compare how the times are calculated.

A - can't be - compares elite runners with marathon times.
B - besides - out right away.
C - exception of - better exception for - so not good.
D = same as the intended meaning.
E - exception being - wordy. neither of the cases where being is used correctly is present here. so can't be correct.

D for me.
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Re: Unlike elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's [#permalink] New post   27 Feb 2019, 02:03
In A B C and E ‘marathon times’ is modified by ‘elite runners’. This is not a valid comparison, runners can’t be compared or contrasted with amounts of time.

So D is left as the only logical choice
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Re: Unlike elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's [#permalink] New post   07 Mar 2020, 23:02
mikemcgarry wrote:
vishu1414 wrote:
Unlike elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line, marathon times are calculated using a computer chip attached to each competitor's shoe.
A) Unlike elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line,
B) Besides elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line,
C) With the exception of elite runners, times for whom are calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line,
D) Unless the runner is elite, in which case the time is calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line,
E) With the exception being elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's pistol to the finish line,

fameatop wrote:
Hi Mike, Can u kindly tell, what are errors in incorrect options.

The part of the sentence beyond the underlined section begins with "marathon times" ----- any comparison is illogical here, because we are not comparing something else to "marathon times."

(A) Unlike elite runner ... marathon times = illogical
(B) Besides elite runners ... marathon times = illogical
The "besides" literally means on the side of something --- it is used metaphorically to separate one member from a group of similar members "Besides Harding and Ford, all 20th century US Presidents served at least one full term.", "Besides Technetium and Promethium, the first 83 elements all have stable isotopes", etc.

(C) & (E) both have passive structure ---- (E) in particular is a wordy monstrosity. Both also contain an illogical construction --- the construction, With the exception of A, B ... B has to be a category or group that includes A ---- if we drop the intervening relative clause, we get
(C) With the exception of elite runners, ..... marathon times ...
(E) With the exception being elite runners, ..... marathon times ...
Again, the sentence compares "elite runner" to "marathon times", an illogical comparison.

(D) has an active structure that is efficient, direct, and powerful. Of the five answers, it's the only that completely avoids an illogical comparison. That's why it's the best.

Mike :-)


The questions seems that it is comparing time but the meaning from the question stem seems to point that unlike how the time is calculated in sprints.., the time for marathon ... The sentence that time is calculated differently for elite runners make no sense in real world. Such questions are trap because one needs to put their mind away while solving them :?
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Re: Unlike elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's [#permalink] New post   16 Apr 2020, 03:12
Options (A),(B),(C) and (E) each compares "runners" with "marathon times" - this is an illogical comparison.

(D) makes sense. Hence, (D) is the right choice.
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Unlike elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's [#permalink] New post   12 Nov 2020, 14:41
VeritasKarishma

Hello VeritasKarishma a prompt question the OE of the test says that "Unless the runner is elite" is an independent clause, but isn't unless used for subordinate clauses? I'm a little bit confused.
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Re: Unlike elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's [#permalink] New post   17 Nov 2020, 00:50
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UNSTOPPABLE12 wrote:
VeritasKarishma

Hello VeritasKarishma a prompt question the OE of the test says that "Unless the runner is elite" is an independent clause, but isn't unless used for subordinate clauses? I'm a little bit confused.


The unless clause is a subordinate clause (dependent clause).
"marathon times are calculated using a computer chip attached to each competitor's shoe" - is the main clause.
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Re: Unlike elite runners, whose times are calculated from the starter's [#permalink] New post   27 Jul 2023, 23:51
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