In nests across North America, the host mother tries to iden

Question

In nests across North America,  the host mother tries to identify their own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to those of the host, making that task surprisingly difficult .

(A) the host mother tries to identify their own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to those of the host, making that task surprisingly difficult

(B) the host mother tries to identify its own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to that of the host, making it surprisingly difficult

(C) host mothers try to identify their own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to the host’s, making that task surprisingly difficult

(D) host mothers try to identify their own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to that of the host’s, making it surprisingly difficult

(E) host mothers try to identify its own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to those of the host’s, making that task surprisingly difficult

b2bt · Accepted Answer

A) uses wrong pronoun - their
B) those should be used instead of that because we need to refer to the object ( the brown-headed cowbird produces  eggs  ). 'It' is ambiguous.
C) Perfect
D) those should be used instead of that. Also, redundancy error - that of the host's. Either use 'produces eggs that look very similar to the host's' or use produces eggs that look very similar to those of the host'
E) Redundancy error same as D

itisSheldon · Answer

Veritas Prep  OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

This sentence correction problem is almost exclusively testing numerical agreement. Most of the decision points relate to choices between plural and singular pronouns and plural and singular nouns. In (A) the “their” is clearly incorrect as it does not agree with the singular antecedent “the host mother”. In (B), that problem of agreement is fixed but then the “that” is incorrect after “very similar to” because it must agree with the plural “eggs” in the comparison. (D) contains that same error so is also incorrect. In (E) the “its” does not agree with the plural “host mothers” so that choice is incorrect. Only (C) gets all the agreement correct: “host mothers” goes with the plural “their”. The comparison is proper because you are comparing the “eggs” of the cowbird with the “host’s” eggs (remember that the eggs is understood and does not need to be written – a tricky part of that correct answer). There are several other problems in the incorrect answer choices that you may have also noted. “Making it surprisingly difficult” is ambiguous as it is unclear what the “it” is referring to. Also, the possessive “host’s” used with “that” and “those” in (D) and (E) is redundant and incorrect.

Answer is (C).

krishna789 · Answer

Why not option B, SV agreement should be with its, why their come in to the picture. Please help me on this regard

aditya8062 · Answer

B is wrong on two counts.  i have bolded the wrong portion 
B says :  the host mother tries to identify its own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to  that  of the host, making  it  surprisingly difficult
 
"that of" is wrong here 
also "it" is wrong

chetan2u · Answer

Hi, 
that in 'that task' is the host mother tries to identify their own eggs and weed out the fakes..
As for the answer 
that task is clearer and appropriate than it..
host mother/mothers should match its/their eggs..
only C is left ..ans C
hope it helps

samusa · Answer

U mean to say that "that" can refer to whole clause??

Please explain..

vishwaprakash · Answer

samichange  thanks for the question, it test Subject - verb pairing to great extent. That refer to the tasks done by host mother (Finding fakes etc)

Errors in original stem,
1. Host Mother (Singular) - Weed (Plural)

POE,
A.he  host mother  tries to identify their own eggs and  weed  out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to those of the host, making that task surprisingly difficult.

SV (Highlighted) does not match. Plural pronoun "Their" is incorrect for singular noun "Mother"

B  the host mother  tries to identify its own eggs and  weed  out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to that of the host, making it surprisingly difficult

SV (Highlighted) does not match.

C.host  mothers   try  to identify  their  own eggs and  weed  out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to the host’s, making  that  task surprisingly difficult.
Correct -

D.host mothers try to identify their own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to that of the host’s, making  it  surprisingly difficult.
What does "it" refers to. As compare to Option C, it is ambiguous and hence eliminated.

E.host  mothers  try to identify  its  own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to those of the host’s, making that task surprisingly difficult.

Singular pronoun "Its" is used to refer plural noun "Mothers" - Incorrect

Hence Option C is correct.

chetan2u · Answer

Hi,
that can refer to noun clauses..
But if you look here 'that' refers to task in 'that task'...
and what is the task.. the host mother tries to identify their own eggs and weed out the fakes..
for example .. that boy is very smart.. here that refers to the boy...
yes it would have been wrong had it been only that and not that task.. as then that would have directly refered to a sentence...
hope it helped

iamdp · Answer

Hi

"NEED EXPERT ADVICE"

B) the host mother tries to identify its own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to that of the host, making it surprisingly difficult

The second that should be those > I saw different replies on this issue.

Some say it denotes the object and some say that because of the plural eggs.

Please throw some light on this topic.

Also plz explain the usage of "that" .

I would really appreciate your help guys

KarishmaB · Answer

Responding to a pm:

There is a comparison here:

...but the brown-headed cowbird produces  eggs that look very  similar to  that of the host..

the eggs should look similar to the  eggs  of the host. The comparison is between the two types of eggs. Hence, you need the plural "those" here. "those" will be a placeholder for "eggs"

So the correct sentence would be: ...but the brown-headed cowbird produces  eggs that look very  similar to  those of the host..

The first "that" starts an essential modifier. 
the bird produces eggs that look ....
It describes the eggs the bird produces by saying that the eggs look very similar to the eggs produced by the host.

daagh · Answer

In nests across North America,  the host mother tries to identify their own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to those of the host, making that task surprisingly difficult.

1. The pronouns should match the subject 2.the pronouns should have valid referents.

A.the host mother tries to identify their own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to those of the host, making that task surprisingly difficult. --  'mother' and 'their' is wrong .

B the host mother tries to identify its own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to that of the host, making it surprisingly difficult --- 1. 'that of' is a singular pronoun, it should be 'those of' 2. making it-- 'it' has no referent.

C. host mothers try to identify their own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to the host’s, making that task surprisingly difficult. ----  correct choice

D. host mothers try to identify their own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to that of the host’s, making it surprisingly difficult.---  1. that of is wrong as in B.. 2. 'It' has no referent.

E. host mothers try to identify its own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to those of the host’s, making that task surprisingly difficult. ----  'host mothers' and 'its' is wrong

leanhdung · Answer

In nests across North America,  the host mother tries to identify their own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to those of the host, making that task surprisingly difficult .

A) the host mother tries to identify  their  own eggs and  weed  out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to those of the host, making that task surprisingly difficult

B) the host mother tries to identify its own eggs and  weed  out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to  that  of the host, making  it  surprisingly difficult

C)  host mothers try to identify their own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to the host’s, making that task surprisingly difficult

D) host mothers try to identify their own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to  that of  the host’s, making  it  surprisingly difficult

E) host mothers try to identify  its  own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to  those of the host’s , making that task surprisingly difficult

pikolo2510 · Answer

Hey  VeritasPrepKarishma   GMATNinja

I got this question correct as there were clear errors in all other errors options. I have just one doubt in Option C

Leaving a word only in its possessive case (not followed by what it is possessing) - is it correct?

It can mean anything here
Eg: - bird's eggs, bird's nest, bird's xyz

Is it grammatically correct to leave a word only in its possessive case?

KarishmaB · Answer

Yes, it is in case of parallel structure.

My painting is just like Pete's.

It is obvious that we are talking about Pete's painting.

Posted from my mobile device

scrumptious829 · Answer

In nests across North America, the host mother tries to identify their own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to those of the host, making that task surprisingly difficult.

A) the  host mother  tries to identify  their  own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to those of the host, making that task surprisingly difficult (incorrect: ‘their’ should refer to a plural antecedent)

B) the  host mother  tries to identify  its  own eggs and weed out the fakes, but  the brown-headed cowbird  –  a brood parasite  that sneaks  its  eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to  that  of the host, making  it   surprisingly difficult (incorrect: every it and its in a sentence should refer to the same singular antecedent. Also that should be replaced by those since that incorrectly refers to eggs)

C) host mothers try to identify their own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to the host’s, making that task surprisingly difficult (CORRECT)

D) host mothers try to identify their own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird –  a brood parasite  that sneaks  its  eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to  that of the host’s , making  it  surprisingly difficult (incorrect: Again pronoun ambiguity issues, also use of 'that of the host’s' is incorrect)

E)  host mothers  try to identify  its  own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the  brown-headed cowbird  –  a brood parasite  that sneaks  its  eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to  those of the host’s , making that task surprisingly difficult (incorrect: again pronoun ambiguity issues, also ‘those of the host’s’ is incorrect)

sandysilva · Answer

In nests across North America, the host mother tries to identify their own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to those of the host, making that task surprisingly difficult.

A) the  host mother  tries to identify  their  own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to those of the host, making that task surprisingly difficult

B) the host mother tries to identify its own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very  similar to that of the host , making it surprisingly difficult

C) host mothers try to identify their own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to the host’s, making that task surprisingly difficult -  Correct

D) host mothers try to identify their own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very  similar to that of the host’s , making it surprisingly difficult

E) host  mothers  try to identify  its  own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to those of the host’s, making that task surprisingly difficult

rkpravi · Answer

(A)  the host mother  tries to identify  their  own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to those of the host, making that task surprisingly difficult SV error

(B) the host mother tries to identify its own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to that of the host, making  it  surprisingly difficult ...what does it refers here

(C) host mothers try to identify their own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to the host’s, making that task surprisingly difficult correct

(D) host mothers try to identify their own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to  that of the host’s , making it surprisingly difficult..that of host's is srong

(E)  host mothers  try to identify  its  own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to those of the host’s, making that task surprisingly difficult SV erroer

kitipriyanka · Answer

As verb weed is plural, subject would be plural. So A & B out
B/w C, D &E

(D) host mothers try to identify their own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to that of the host’s, making it surprisingly difficult - it refers back to 'that of the host's' while here it is for a task. So incorrect

(C) host mothers try to identify their own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to the host’s, making that task surprisingly difficult

(E) host mothers try to identify its own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to those of the host’s, making that task surprisingly difficult

B/w C & E : E mentions 'produces eggs that look very similar to those of the host’s' which means ' similar to eggs of the host's egg'
while C correctly portrays 'produces eggs that look very similar to the host’s' i.e. 'similar to host's egg' , which is correct

Hence C

dracarys007 · Answer

Let us first dissect the sentence.
In nests across North America, - this phrase modifies the noun host mother.
 the host mother tries to identify their own eggs and weed out the fakes, - SV pair mother tries. The possessive noun Their is not correct in this sentence since were are referring to only one mother
 but the brown-headed cowbird 
– a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – 
produces eggs that look very similar to those of the host, making that task surprisingly difficult.
SV pair - Cowbird produces
Making the task modifies the complete clause before comma.

(A) the host mother tries to identify their own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to those of the host, making that task surprisingly difficult
The possessive noun Their is not correct in this sentence since were are referring to only one mother

(B) the host mother tries to identify its own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to that of the host, making it surprisingly difficult
America Very similar to that of is incorrect. Very similar to those of is needed to make comparisions.

(C) host mothers try to identify their own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to the host’s, making that task surprisingly difficult
This is the correct choice.

(D) host mothers try to identify their own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to that of the host’s, making it surprisingly difficult
America Very similar to that of is incorrect. Very similar to those of is needed to make comparisions.

(E) host mothers try to identify its own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird – a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds’ nests – produces eggs that look very similar to those of the host’s, making that task surprisingly difficult
Identify its own eggs is incorrect, sneaks its eggs is incorrect. The antecedent to the pronoun its is ambiguous. those of the host’s – is incorrect

Answer is C.

In nests across North America, the host mother tries to iden

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GMAT Sentence Correction (SC - EA only) Questions

In nests across North America, the host mother tries to iden

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