A pioneer journalist, Nellie Bly's exploits included

Question

A pioneer journalist, Nellie Bly's exploits included  circling the globe faster than Jules Verne's fictional Phileas Fogg

A A pioneer journalist, Nellie Bly's exploits included
B The exploits of Nellie Bly, a pioneer journalist, included
C Nellie Bly was a pioneer journalist including in her exploits the
D Included in the pioneer journalist Nellie Bly's exploits are
E The pioneer journalist's exploits of Nellie Bly included

BrainLab · Accepted Answer

A pioneer journalist, Nellie Bly's exploits included  circling the globe faster than Jules Verne's fictional Phileas Fogg

A A pioneer journalist, Nellie Bly's exploits included -->  first sentence modifies exploits 
B The exploits of Nellie Bly, a pioneer journalist, included -->  CORRECT   a pioneer journalist modifies Preceding NOUN Nellie Bly - don't mix it up with the NOUN + NOUN Modifier
C Nellie Bly was a pioneer journalist, included -->  included modifies journalist (should modify exploits) 
D Included in the pioneer journalist Nellie Bly's exploits  are  -->  what is included in the pioneer journalis - nothing... 
E The pioneer journalist's exploits of Nellie Bly included -->  pioneer jouralist's exploits included...where is the connection to Nellie Bly....

Here are some exceptions to the TOUCH RULE for noun modifiers:

1. A “mission-critical” modifier falls between. This modifier is often an Of-phrase that defines the noun. The less important modifier refers to the noun plus the first modifier.

- He had a way OF DODGING OPPONENTS that impressed the scouts
dodging opponents defines the noun way; that impressed the scouts modifies the entire
noun phrase a way of dodging opponents

2. A very short predicate falls between, shifting a very long modifier back.
- Right: A new CEO has been hired who will transform the company bv decentralizing authority to various division heads while increasing their accountability through the use of public scorecards.

3. A short non-essential phrase intervenes and is set off by commas.
- Right: Our system of Presidential elections favors states, such as Delaware, that by population are over-represented in the Electoral College ( That modifies -> States)

4. The modifier is part of a series of parallel modifiers, one of which touches the noun

- In heraldry, the term "tincture" refers to a color emblazoned on a coat of arms and labeled with a special French word. (here, 2 Modifiers are placed fort he noun Color , it’s ok)

5. Normally a relative clause should touch the noun that it modifies, but we are generally allowed to place an appositive between a relative clause and the modified noun.

- Mary buys cookies made with SugarFree, an artificial sweetener, which tastes as sweet as the corn syrup that her brother loves but where there are fewer calories than in an equivalent amount of corn syrup.

APPOSITIVE PHRASE
 
An appositive is a re-naming or amplification of a word that immediately precedes it.

My favorite teacher, a fine chess player in her own right, has won several state-level tournaments.  
 The best exercise, walking briskly, is also the least expensive.  
 Tashonda's goal in life, to become an occupational therapist, is within her grasp this year, at last.

ABSOLUTE PHRASE

Usually (but not always, as we shall see), an absolute phrase (also called a nominative absolute) is a group of words consisting of a  NOUN  or  PRONOUN  and a  PARTICIPLE  as well as any related  MODIFIER . Absolute phrases do not directly connect to or modify any specific word in the rest of the sentence; instead,  they modify the entire sentence , adding information. Notice that absolute phrases contain a subject (which is often modified by a participle),  but not a true finite verb.

Their reputation as winners secured by victory, the New York Liberty charged into the semifinals.
 The season nearly finished, Rebecca Lobo and Sophie Witherspoon emerged as true leaders.
 The two superstars signed autographs into the night, their faces beaming happily.

daagh · Answer

A. A pioneer journalist, Nellie Bly's exploits included –Dangling modifier 
B. The exploits of, a pioneer journalist, included: Correct format a pioneer journalist modifies Nellie Bly
C Nellie Bly was a pioneer journalist, included---- a run -on 
D Included in the pioneer journalist Nellie Bly's exploits are: Inverted clause SV mismatch 
E The pioneer journalist's exploits of Nellie Bly included----- journalist's exploits of Nellie- a clumsy redundancy and may even imply as if the pioneer journalist and Nellie were two different entities

ExpertsGlobal5 · Answer

Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation to this question-

Meaning is crucial to solving this problem: 
Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of this sentence is that Nellie Bly was a pioneer journalist, and her exploits included circling the globe faster than Jules Verne's fictional Phileas Fogg.

Concepts tested here: Subject-Verb Agreement + Meaning + Modifiers + Verb Forms + Awkwardness/Redundancy

• In a “phrase + comma + noun” construction, the phrase must correctly modify the noun; this is one of the most frequently tested concepts on GMAT sentence correction.
• The simple past tense is used to refer to events that concluded in the past.

A:  This answer choice incorrectly uses "A pioneer journalist" to modify "Nellie Bly's exploits", illogically implying that Nellie Bly's   exploits   were a pioneering journalist; the intended meaning is that Nellie Bly,   herself  , was a pioneering journalist; please remember, in a “phrase + comma + noun” construction, the phrase must correctly modify the noun.

B:   Correct.  This answer choice correctly refers to the plural noun "exploits" with the verb "included", which can be plural as well as singular. Further, Option B correctly uses "a pioneer journalist" to modify "Nellie Bly" and uses the phrase "The exploits of Nellie Bly...included", conveying the intended meaning - that Nellie Bly,   herself  , was a pioneering journalist, and her exploits included circling the globe faster than Jules Verne's fictional Phileas Fogg. Additionally, Option B correctly uses the simple past tense verb "included" to refer to an event that concluded in the past.

C:  This answer choice incorrectly uses the present participle ("verb+ing" - "including" in this sentence) to refer to an event that concluded in the past; please remember, the simple past tense is used to refer to events that concluded in the past. Further, Option C uses the needlessly wordy construction "Nellie Bly was a pioneer journalist", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

D:  This answer choice incorrectly uses the plural verb "are" to refer to the singular noun phrase "circling the globe". Further, Option D uses the passive voice construction "Included in the pioneer journalist Nellie Bly's exploits are", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

E:  This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "The pioneer journalist's exploits of Nellie Bly"; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that the pioneer journalist and Nellie Bly were two separate people; the intended meaning is that Nellie Bly,   herself  , was a pioneering journalist.

Hence, B is the best answer choice.

To understand the concept of "Phrase Comma Subject" and "Subject Comma Phrase" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1minute):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xx_5LxK5Bh0

To understand the concept of "Simple Tenses" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZj-SubJwsM

All the best!
Experts' Global Team

egmat · Answer

Hi @paras123,

This is the sentence with choice C:

Nellie Bly was a pioneer journalist including in her exploits the circling the globe faster than Jules Verne's fictional Phileas Fogg.

We have a verb-ing modifier “including” here that is modifying the previous noun entity “a pioneer journalist”. Nellie Bly is this pioneer journalist. So “including” is basically modifying Nellie Bly.

Now this modifier does not make sense with the subject “Nellie Bly” here because per this choice, the sentence seems to means that Nellie Bly was a journalist and because of being a journalist she included in her exploits the circling. This is not the intended meaning. It is Bly’s exploits that included the circling. So that should

Also this sentence is not very grammatical. This phrase “the circling the globe” is not grammatical. These are the reasons for this sentence to be incorrect.

Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Shraddha

pqhai · Answer

A pioneer journalist, Nellie Blv's exploits included  circling the globe faster than Jules Verne's fictional Phileas Fogg.

(A)  A pioneer journalist , Nellie Bly's exploits included  >>> Wrong modifier. A pioneer journalist should modify Nellie Bly, not her exploits. 
(B) The exploits of Nellie Bly, a pioneer journalist, included  >>> Correct. "a pioneer journalist" is an appositive modifier that modifies Nellie Bly. 
(C) Nellie Bly was a pioneer journalist  including  in her exploits the  >>> Wrong modifier. "including" modifies "journalist" 
(D) Included in the pioneer journalist Nellie Bly's exploits are  >>> Wrong grammar. "Included in X are Y" 
(E) The  pioneer journalist's exploits  of Nellie Bly included  >>> Wrong meaning. "pioneer" is an adjective that modifies Nelly Bly, not the exploits.

daagh · Answer

In matters of modifications or pronoun references, one can't let go logic off the sight. If the appositive 'a pioneer journalist' does not modify Nelly Bly, can it modify 'the exploits', the only other noun, logically?

AR15J · Answer

Hi Expert,

I understand that choice B is the best choice among all the choices. However, I did not understand the usage of "circling the globe" after "included".

The exploits of Nellie Bly, a pioneer journalist, --subject
included --verb 
circling the globe...--does not seem to be the object

Please help !

adkikani · Answer

Hi  AR15J ,

I am not an expert but let me add my two cents. 
In option B,  circling the globe  is a verb-ing modifier modifying
the verb  included . Here is the meaning aspect to help you understand better:

The exploits of Nellie Bly ,a pioneer journalist, included (included what?)  (you may also erase in between
coma modifier - a pioneer journalist- to understand the sentence structure better) 
exploits  included  two things: circling the globe and that it did faster than Jules Verne’s fictional Phileas Fogg

Hope this helps!

Press kudos if you liked my solution!

adkikani · Answer

Hi Experts,

Is- Nellie Bly's exploits - noun or adjective?

arvind910619 · Answer

The modifier" A pioneer journalist   " should modify Nellie Bly .
But in the original sentence it is modifying Exploits.
B is the correct answer with correct modifier.

arvind910619 · Answer

It is noun .
Nellie Bly's  fantastic  exploits.
Here fantastic is an adjective of exploits.
Hope it helps.

GMATNinja · Answer

Very nice explanations, arvind910619 and adkikani ! :thumbup:

adkikani · Answer

Hi  arvind910619

I would like to disagree with your here.
As per my understanding, Nellie Bly's exploits is a possessive noun.

For eg.
A widower Sara's case stirred the courts to provide justice early.

Here a widower can not refer to Sara since it is in possessive form.
I think noun modifier can not refer nouns in this form.

mikemcgarry   GMATNinja  can you validate my understanding?

ydmuley · Answer

Hello  adkikani  - You are correct in saying that in the above sentence, "A widower" does not refer to Sara.

However, if you are looking errors in option A, I believe, "A pioneer journalist" in this option refers to "Nellie Bly's exploits" as a whole, or just assume "exploits". This does not make sense.

Hope this clarifies.

EMPOWERgmatVerbal · Answer

Hello Everyone!

This is a tricky question that deals with modifiers, so let's dive in! Before we get started, here is the original question any major differences between each option highlighted in  orange :

A pioneer journalist, Nellie Bly's exploits included  circling the globe faster than Jules Verne's fictional Phileas Fogg

A.  A pioneer journalist , Nellie Bly's exploits included
B. The exploits of Nellie Bly,  a pioneer journalist , included
C. Nellie Bly was  a pioneer journalist , included
D. Included in the  pioneer journalist  Nellie Bly's exploits are
E. The  pioneer journalist's  exploits of Nellie Bly included

Since it's clear from the earlier forum discussion that this question focuses on  modifiers , let's start there.

To check for modifier problems, you need to ask yourself the following:

1. Is it absolutely clear who/what the modifier is referring to?
2. Is the modifier referring to the correct person/thing in the sentence?
3. Does the modifier placement change the intended meaning in any way?

If the modifier's antecedent is clear and correct, and it doesn't change the overall meaning, it's a properly-placed modifier! Let's take a look at each option, and answer those 3 questions to determine if they are well-placed modifiers:

A. A pioneer journalist,  Nellie Bly's exploits  included

1. Is it absolutely clear who/what the modifier is referring to?  --> YES - it's referring to Nelly Bly's exploits.
 2. Is the modifier referring to the correct person/thing in the sentence?  -->  NO - it should be referring to Nelly Bly, not her exploits!  
 3. Does the modifier placement change the intended meaning in any way?  -->  YES - it tells us her exploits were pioneer journalists, which doesn't make logical sense!

This is  INCORRECT  because the modifier (A pioneer journalist) is referring to Bly's exploits, not to her.

B. The exploits of Nellie Bly,  a pioneer journalist , included

1. Is it absolutely clear who/what the modifier is referring to?  --> YES - it's referring to Nelly Bly, who was a pioneer journalist!
 2. Is the modifier referring to the correct person/thing in the sentence?  --> YES!
 3. Does the modifier placement change the intended meaning in any way?  --> NO!

This is  CORRECT  because the modifier (a pioneer journalist) is clearly referring to Nelly Bly, and it's punctuated correctly to indicate it's a modifier!

C. Nellie Bly was  a pioneer journalist, included

1. Is it absolutely clear who/what the modifier is referring to?  --> Yes - the modifier "included" is referring to the word "journalist."
 2. Is the modifier referring to the correct person/thing in the sentence?  -->  NO - the phrase "included circling the globe faster than Jules Verne's fictional Phileas Fogg" should refer to "exploits," which isn't even in this sentence! 
 3. Does the modifier placement change the intended meaning in any way?  -->  YES - it removed the idea of Nelly Bly having exploits in her life, including the ones discussed in the sentence!

This option is  INCORRECT  because it removed the idea of Nelly Bly's "exploits," which them makes the phrase "including circling the globe faster than Jules Verne's fictional Phileas Fogg" make no sense.

D. Included in the pioneer journalist Nellie Bly's exploits  are

There is no modifier issue in this sentence . However, this sentence is  INCORRECT  because it has a subject-verb agreement problem. The sentence only gives us ONE example of the exploits Nelly Bly experienced, but it uses the plural verb "are."

E. The  pioneer journalist's  exploits of Nellie Bly included

1. Is it absolutely clear who/what the modifier is referring to?  --> Yes - it's saying that a pioneer journalist exploited Nelly Bly.
 2. Is the modifier referring to the correct person/thing in the sentence?  -->  NO - the pioneer journalist IS Nelly Bly, not some other person! 
 3. Does the modifier placement change the intended meaning in any way?  -->  YES - it completely changes the meaning! It now says that some other journalist exploited Nelly Bly and circled the globe faster than everyone involved!

This is  INCORRECT  because it drastically changes the meaning of the original sentence.

There you have it - option B is the correct answer because it used the modifier correctly and did not change the intended meaning!

Don't study for the GMAT. Train for it.

Probus · Answer

Hi  GMATNinja ,

This question needs a n edit . The option on choice C is not as it appears in OG.

Request you to edit the option in this case, as there is something to learn from each incorrect choice of OG .

Probus

GMATNinja · Answer

Fixed! Thanks  Probus  and  vnigam21  for bringing this to our attention.

kornn · Answer

Dear GMATGuruNY MartyTargetTestPrep IanStewart VeritasPrepHailey AjiteshArun DmitryFarber GMATNinja,

Nellie Bly was a pioneer journalist including in her exploits the circling the globe faster than Jules Verne's fictional Phileas Fogg.

Why is the bold part in choice C. wrong?

Here "including" is participle modifier modifying "journalist."
A journalist could very well INCLUDE THE CIRCLING in her exploits. (meaning #2 in https://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/include)

Quote:

The team is stronger now they’ve included Roscoe.
Would you include a mobile phone on your list of essentials?

IanStewart · Answer

Regardless of how you interpret "including" here, you certainly can't say "including in her exploits the circling the globe faster..." because there's an extraneous "the" in there. You could say (if you accept this usage of "including") "including in her exploits circling the globe faster than..."

But I also don't accept this usage of "including" in answer C - her exploits include circling the globe. She doesn't. I suppose if you really try, you can interpret C so that it means something (if you fix the error I point out above) but the writing in answer C should be recognizably terrible. All the words are just jammed together, and it's not clear what goes with what, or what it's even trying to say. The right answer B solves all of those problems. The description of Bly ("a pioneer journalist") is correctly placed and is set off from the main point of the sentence, which is that Bly's exploits included circling the globe quickly. Answer B says what the sentence is trying to say cleanly and directly. Answer C instead seems to make the point of the sentence that "Bly was a pioneer journalist" (that is the subject and verb in C) and then proceeds to illustrate that phrase by mentioning something that has nothing to do with pioneering journalism.

As a general comment about studying SC (to everyone doing that), you should not only be asking why wrong answers are wrong - you should spend as much or more time asking why right answers are right. The right answers to GMAT SC questions normally express complex ideas in the clearest and most precise way, and if you can learn to recognize what that kind of writing looks like, you'll have a much easier time with SC in general.

A pioneer journalist, Nellie Bly's exploits included

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GMAT Sentence Correction (SC - EA only) Questions

A pioneer journalist, Nellie Bly's exploits included

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