12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition - Day 5: An academic who

Question

12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition with Lots of Fun

An academic who undertakes a serious study of history  often focuses at first on a well known period that even laypeople take great interest in, typically one closely tied to the culture or heritage of the researcher, but frequently evolves into an examination of other less familiar times and places.

(A) An academic who undertakes a serious study of history
(B) For an academic who undertakes a serious study of it, history
(C) A serious study of history, for academics who undertake it,
(D) An academic undertaking a serious study of history
(E) When undertaking a serious study of history, an academic

Bunuel · Accepted Answer

Manhattan Prep Official Explanation

First Glance:  Differences in the answer choices provide clues about what a problem might be testing. Before reading the sentence, glance at the beginning of the underline and down the beginning (just the beginning!) of the five answer choices to look for one early clue as to what this sentence is testing.

The beginnings of the answer choices alternate between nouns and modifiers ( For…, When… ), so keep an eye out for Structure, Modifier, or Parallelism issues. It’s always important to read the full sentence, but the short underline at the beginning of a long sentence is also a reminder to read the whole thing—there might be a trap set up at the end.

Issues:

(1) Structure
Check the core of each sentence. Each answer choice changes the subject: 
 (A) An academic … focuses … on a well-known period
(B) History … focuses … on a well-known period
(C) A study … focuses … on a well-known period
(D) An academic … focuses … on a well-known period
(E) An academic … focuses … on a well-known period

All of these subjects are singular, so they agree with the verb,  focuses , in number. However, it is illogical to say that  history focuses on a well known period . Eliminate answer (B) and keep an eye out for Meaning errors in other choices.

(2) Parallelism / Meaning
In the non-underlined portion, the word  but  late in the sentence signals parallel structure ( X but Y ); in this case, the  X  and  Y  elements are the verbs  focuses  and  evolves . This parallelism is outside of the underline, so it must be correct. The subject of the sentence, however, does change; the correct subject must work with both verbs.

While  an academic  can focus  on a well known period , the  academic  cannot  evolve into an examination of less familiar times and places . An academic’s studies or interests might evolve into an examination of such times and places, but the actual person cannot do so. Eliminate answers (A), (D), and (E) for illogical meaning.

The Correct Answer:  Answer (C) correctly matches the subject  a serious study of history  with the verbs focuses and evolves, both structurally and logically.

Sarmadk5 · Answer

Answer is E , Giving clear sense of sentence.

A) has no comma to separate who clause

B & C are structurally incorrect , giving no clear meaning.

D is straight , but meaning is vague .. academic undertaking or an academic is undertaking !!! Meaning is not clear .

Correct is E

Posted from my mobile device

kratos0906 · Answer

After the underlined portion the phrase is  often focusses at first .

This means B, C is out. Since, history or a serious study of history can't focus on anything.

A,D and E are pretty similar. But I would go with E, since the phrase is often focusses at  first . This means, it is a certain timeframe and initially, the academic focusses on something and moves on to something else later. The word  when  used in option E, signifies that it is a time frame we are talking about. A,D just talk about an academic in general.

Hence, IMO E.

TBT · Answer

An academic who undertakes a serious study of history often focuses at first on a well known period that even laypeople take great interest in, typically one closely tied to the culture or heritage of the researcher, but frequently evolves into an examination of other less familiar times and places.

(A) An academic who undertakes a serious study of history -- Implies academic evolves so wrong
(B) For an academic who undertakes a serious study of it, history -- Correct modfier, correct meaning.
(C) A serious study of history, for academics who undertake it, -- Makes "for academics who undertake it" a non essential modifier. It is required otherwise the sentence makes a general statement about history that is wrong
(D) An academic undertaking a serious study of history -- same as A
(E) When undertaking a serious study of history, an academic -- same as A

Ans: B

Suvankar8250 · Answer

Option A should be the answer since it properly modifies the subject 'The academic' and also doesn't dwell in the meaning ambiguity of 'undertaking'.

Archit3110 · Answer

(A) An academic who undertakes a serious study of history  we need main subject in latter part 
 (B) For an academic who undertakes a serious study of it, history  ' it ' pronoun error 
 (C) A serious study of history, for academics who undertake it,  same as B pronoun error
 (D) An academic undertaking a serious study of history  undertaking same as A error ; main subject 
 (E) When undertaking a serious study of history, an academic  modifier has subject an academic and it is well connected with later part of sentence

OPTION E is correct

wadhwakaran · Answer

An academic who undertakes a serious study of history  often focuses at first on a well known period that even laypeople take great interest in, typically one closely tied to the culture or heritage of the researcher, but frequently evolves into an examination of other less familiar times and places.

(A) An academic who undertakes a serious study of history  Incorrect as the academic cannot evolve into an examination of something but a study can

(B) For an academic who undertakes a serious study of it, history  Incorrect as history cannot focus on anything; its the study which focuses or researcher who focuses

(C) A serious study of history, for academics who undertake it,  A study focuses on a period but evolves into examination of other things Correct
 
(D) An academic undertaking a serious study of history  Incorrect as the academic cannot evolve into an examination of something but a study can

(E) When undertaking a serious study of history, an academic  Incorrect as the academic cannot evolve into an examination of something but a study can

thisisit25 · Answer

An academic who undertakes a serious study of history often focuses at first on a well known period that even laypeople take great interest in, typically one closely tied to the culture or heritage of the researcher, but frequently evolves into an examination of other less familiar times and places.

(A) An academic who undertakes a serious study of history  often focuses at first on a well known period that even laypeople

An academic  who undertakes a serious study of history often focuses at first on......, but frequently  evolves  into an examination of other less familiar times and places.

Who evolves? The academic?

(B) For an academic who undertakes a serious study of it, history  often focuses at first on a well known period that even laypeople  
- History is not focused on a period of history itself!

(C) A serious study of history, for academics who undertake it,  often focuses at first on a well known period that even laypeople  
- looks okay

(D) An academic undertaking a serious study of history  often focuses at first on a well known period that even laypeople  
- Same issue as A.

(E) When undertaking a serious study of history, an academic  often focuses at first on a well known period that even laypeople  
- Same issue as A.

C is best choice.

Note: Attempted this as a part of the Christmas challenge (answers not revealed yet). Let me know if there is an error.

Lizaza · Answer

This task is quite simple, because immediately after the insert the fixed (unhighlighted) part contains a predicate, which we can already coordinate with the answer options. Moreover, there are two parallel predicates (  focuses   and   evolves  ), both of which have to be in accordance with the subject:
 
In the answer options, we have three alternative subjects -  history ,  academic  and  study :

(A) An   academic   who undertakes a serious study of history
(B) For an academic who undertakes a serious study of it,   history  
(C) A serious   study   of history, for academics who undertake it,
(D) An   academic   undertaking a serious study of history
(E) When undertaking a serious study of history, an   academic

Quite obviously,  history  cannot   focus   on anything.  An academic , in her turn, can   focus   on something, but cannot   evolve into an examination  , because she is a human.
So, the only thing that can both   focus   and   evolve   in this context is  'a serious study'  - which means that   the answer is C.

Elite097 · Answer

(A) An academic who undertakes a serious study of history--- an academic cannot evolve into something
(B) For an academic who undertakes a serious study of it, history--- history cannot evolve into something
(C) A serious study of history, for academics who undertake it,---- study can evolve makes sense
(D) An academic undertaking a serious study of history--- an academic cannot evolve into something
(E) When undertaking a serious study of history, an academic----an academic cannot evolve into something

Ans C

Kinshook · Answer

An academic 
who undertakes a serious study of history  
often focuses at first on a well known period that even laypeople take great interest in, 
typically one closely tied to the culture or heritage of the researcher, 
but frequently evolves into an examination of other less familiar times and places.

An academic .... often focuses at first on .....,......, but frequently evolves ......

D is more concise and correct.
Incorrect

history can not focus or evolve.
An academic should be the subject.
Incorrect

A serious study of history can not focus or evolve.
An academic should be the subject.
Incorrect

Concise and correct

D is more concise and correct
Incorrect

IMO D

neetib · Answer

(A) An academic  who  undertakes a serious study of history--out
(B) For an academic  who  undertakes a serious study of it,  history --out
(C)  A serious study of history,  for academics who undertake it,--out
(D) An academic undertaking a serious study of history--correct 
(E)  When  undertaking a serious study of history, an academic-out

oa:d

Sushen · Answer

D is the answer.

An academic who undertakes a serious study of history  often focuses at first on a well-known period that even laypeople take great interest in, typically one closely tied to the culture or heritage of the researcher, but frequently evolves into an examination of other less familiar times and places.

Interpret:
Subject: An academic/researcher, Verb: focuses. Then BUT... but evolves... The academic does not evolve, the study he/she pursues evolves.  No.  There are other problems, but I only need one critical problem to rule this out, so I will proceed.
Let's understand the intended meaning:
--The researcher starts out studying a well-known period.
--The period being studied is somehow significant to the researcher.
--As the academic's research continues, it evolves into less familiar times/places.

Let's now consider the other options. A is OUT!

(B) For an academic who undertakes a serious study of it, history
No!!! S--V topic is mismatched. This is a critical modifier error. The subject is now "history," and history has been personified... HISTORY--FOCUSES on a certain period. NOT!

(C) A serious study of history, for academics who undertake it,
A (serious) study is now our subject. In this case, a study can indeed FOCUS. So far, so good.
Now I get very confused b/c this study, that is focusing on a well-known period of history, is modified by "typically one closely tied to the culture OF THE RESEARCHER." One simple issue (excusable though) is that our researcher has not been introduced. Now we are modifying the researcher... that doesn't exist. Hmmm. NO.

(D) An academic undertaking a serious study of history
The subject now is back to our academic/researcher/person. This person focuses. So far so good.
"typically one closely tied to the culture or heritage of the researcher" now modifies the period being studied. Yes again!
The ending continues to modify the period being studied. PERFECT. No significant errors. 
If I were out of time, I'd answer and run. D is it!

Nonetheless, continuing our evaluation:
(E) When undertaking a serious study of history, an academic
S--V: An academic--focuses. once again, so far so good.
Again, by removing (the period focused on) we get to that problematic latter modifier. This is flawed in exactly the way C is. E is out.

D is the correct answer.

akhtolkhyn · Answer

An academic who undertakes a serious study of history often focuses at first on a well known period that even laypeople take great interest in, typically one closely tied to the culture or heritage of the researcher, but frequently evolves into an examination of other less familiar times and places.

(A) An academic who undertakes a serious study of history - Correct 
(B) For an academic who undertakes a serious study of it, history - it makes meaning mistake (history is not a subject so it can't focus on something) An academic can 
(C) A serious study of history, for academics who undertake it, - same as B
(D) An academic undertaking a serious study of history - seems correct. But Unable to identify the academic
(E) When undertaking a serious study of history, an academic - By using "when" the meaning of the sentence is changing

G-Man · Answer

B) Meaning change. The sentence says history focuses on a well-known period that even laypeople take interest in. Incorrect

The end of the base sentence says it (subject/noun) evolves into an examination of other times and places. The cademic cannot evolve into an examination of other times and places.

Options A), D), and E) have the academic as the subject, which is incorrect.

The correct answer is C

LeopardLiu · Answer

Answer is C 
An academic who undertakes a serious study of history often focuses at first on a well known period that even laypeople take great interest in, typically one closely tied to the culture or heritage of the researcher, but frequently evolves into an examination of other less familiar times and places.

typically one closely tied to the culture..... Only C has a subject of "A serious study of history" which can actually tie to the culture or heritage. The rest have "an academic" as subject

(A) An academic who undertakes a serious study of history
(B) For an academic who undertakes a serious study of it, history
(C) A serious study of history, for academics who undertake it,
(D) An academic undertaking a serious study of history
(E) When undertaking a serious study of history, an academic

pintukr · Answer

An academic who undertakes a serious study of history  often focuses at first on a well known period that even laypeople take great interest in, typically one closely tied to the culture or heritage of the researcher, but frequently evolves into an examination of other less familiar times and places.

Meaning . While the   a serious study of History  focuses at first on a well known period that even laypeople take great interest in, typically one closely tied to the culture or heritage of the researcher, it actually frequently evolves into an examination of other less familiar times and places

(A) An academic who undertakes a serious study of history
 Wrong reference to the academic instad of the History

(B) For an academic who undertakes a serious study of it, history
 replace 'it' with history' , it leads to History actually frequently evolves into an examination of other less familiar times and places..inappropriate meaning.

(C) A serious study of history, for academics who undertake it,
 correct meaning (as described above); here 'it' refers to 'a serious study of History'

(D) An academic undertaking a serious study of history
 again, Wrong reference to the academic instead of the History

(E) When undertaking a serious study of history, an academic
 meaning is inappropriate , since it's not the academic who frequently evolves into an examination of other less familiar times and places Inappropriate meaning

(C) is the correct answer

mysterymanrog · Answer

A) We can eliminate this for illogical meaning. An academic who undertakes a serious study often focuses... but evolves 
The academic evolves into an examination of less familiar times and places? illogical. out 
B) Looks fine, keep 
C) keep 
D) Same error as A. The academic evolves? nonsense. 
E) same error as A. An academic evolves? nonsense

B vs C. 
C has the far better meaning. The subject of C is "A serious study of history". The study first focuses on a well known period, and then evolves into an examination of other less familiar times and places. This is logical.
B implies that history itself evolves. This is not quite as logical, and has a worse meaning compared to C.

C.

rajtare · Answer

(A) An academic who undertakes a serious study of history -  incorrect- often is a squinting modifier can modify both academic, and history 
(B) For an academic who undertakes a serious study of it, history  - Incorrect- if we look at the non underline portion we observe that history will not evolve study will 
(C) A serious study of history, for academics who undertake it,  - Correct 
(D) An academic undertaking a serious study of history  - Incorrect - An academic will not evolve, but a research study will 
(E) When undertaking a serious study of history, an academic  - Incorrect - An Academic will not evolve, but a research study will

12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition - Day 5: An academic who

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

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

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Sentence Correction (SC - EA only) Questions

12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition - Day 5: An academic who

Prep Toolkit

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

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards