The powerful Medici family, that dominated the Italian Renaissance, us

Question

The powerful Medici family,  that dominated the Italian Renaissance, used chocolate as a political tool,  only serving a special kind of chocolate flavored with Jasmine to important allies.

(A) that dominated the Italian Renaissance, used chocolate as a political tool,
(B) was able to dominate the Italian Renaissance, using chocolate as a political tool,
(C) that dominated the Italian Renaissance by using chocolate as a political tool,
(D) who dominated the Italian Renaissance, used chocolate as a political tool,
(E) who’s domination of the Italian Renaissance was based on the use of chocolate as a political tool,

Source:   GMAT For Dummies  
Difficulty Level:   600

varun4s · Answer

The powerful Medici family,  that dominated the Italian Renaissance, used chocolate as a political tool , only serving a special kind of chocolate flavored with Jasmine to important allies.

(A)  that  dominated the Italian Renaissance, used chocolate as a political tool,  (Comma before that clause is always wrong) 
(B) was able to dominate the Italian Renaissance,  using chocolate  as a political tool,  (Using chocolate Medici family was able to dominate Italian totally changes the meaning of original sentence) 
(C)  that  dominated the Italian Renaissance by using chocolate as a political tool,  (Same as A) 
(D) who dominated the Italian Renaissance, used chocolate as a political tool,  (Correct) 
(E) who’s domination of the Italian Renaissance was based on the use of chocolate as a political tool,  (Lack of main verb in the sentence)

Kudos please if you like my explanation!

rahimk7 · Answer

The powerful Medici family, that dominated the Italian Renaissance, used chocolate as a political tool, only serving a special kind of chocolate flavored with Jasmine to important allies.

(A) that dominated the Italian Renaissance, used chocolate as a political tool,
(B) was able to dominate the Italian Renaissance, using chocolate as a political tool,
(C) that dominated the Italian Renaissance by using chocolate as a political tool,
(D) who dominated the Italian Renaissance, used chocolate as a political tool,
(E) who???s domination of the Italian Renaissance was based on the use of chocolate as a political tool,

Please Explain why Option B here is incorrect.
was able to dominate the Italian Renaissance, using chocolate as a political tool,

My understanding of Verb-ing clause it correctly modifies the preceeding subject clause "was able to dominate the Italian Renaissance".

Thanks.

sayantanc2k · Answer

Comma + present participle modifier  is used as a verb modifier (generally referring to the verb of the preceding clause). You are right in saying that the present participle modifier "using..." refers to the clause "was able to dominate the Italian Renaissance". Actually the modifier "using...." refers to the verb "was able" (how the family was able?... by using chocolate). So this part is fine.

Now consider the next present participle modifier "serving....". This modifier also must refer to a verb - in this case the verb "use". But in option B, there is no verb "use" - the action "use" has been constructed in present participle form. So the problem is that the present participle "serving...." refers to another present participle "using.....", rather than a verb.

Hence option B is incorrect.

hotshot02 · Answer

Can we use Who with family here? (in option D)

jaisonsunny77 · Answer

The powerful Medici family,  that dominated the Italian Renaissance, used chocolate as a political tool , only serving a special kind of chocolate flavored with Jasmine to important allies.
 
''that'' clauses which are used to modify/describe nouns cannot be separated from the noun by a comma. Therefore, we can   eliminate (A) and (C)   for violating this rule. 
 
(B) was able to dominate the Italian Renaissance, using chocolate as a political tool,  -  the ''was able to..'' clause should not be separated from the subject of the sentence. (B) does not have a full clause.

(D) who dominated the Italian Renaissance, used chocolate as a political tool, - (C) introduces the following structure:

The powerful medici family, who..., used chocolate as a political tool, only serving...

In this structure, the last clause correctly modifies the ''usage of chocolate''. Moreover, there are no errors in (D). Hence,   (D) is the right answer choice.  
  
(E) who’s domination of the Italian Renaissance was based on the use of chocolate as a political tool,  - (E) introduces the following structure: The powerful medici family,......., only serving a special kind of chocolate flavored with Jasmine to important allies.
As you can see here, (E) does not have a full clause. Hence,   eliminate (E).

The powerful Medici family, that dominated the Italian Renaissance, us

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The powerful Medici family, that dominated the Italian Renaissance, us

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

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From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards