Researchers explain, being very eager to have constant access to fo

Question

Researchers  explain, being very eager to have constant access to food and secure backup from stronger members if they get caught in a fight, that baboons  groom higher-ranking individuals in their group early in the day.

A) explain, being very eager to have constant access to food and secure backup from stronger members if they get caught in a fight, that baboons
B) explain that, being very eager to have constant access to food and secure backup from stronger members if they get caught in a fight, baboons
C) explain that because they are very eager to have constant access to food and secure backup from stronger members if they get caught in a fight, so baboons
D) explain, very eager to have constant access to food and secure backup from stronger members being caught in a fight, baboons
E) explain that baboons are very eager for constant access to food and backup from stronger members in a fight; they therefore

deepmaity · Answer

The error is with the word, they. 'they' refers to whom? Researchers or baboons?

I'll go with answer B. Kindly update the OA.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using  GMAT Club Forum mobile app

akshayk · Answer

I was confused between B & E, and picked B. And the answer is E.
The thing that put me off about E was an entire clause followed by a comma, and then another clause without a conjunction. Therefore, comes after 'they' and I thought that was odd -> which we know by now is a mistake on the GMAT. But any other insights into E?
The only thing I can think of is that the non-restrictive modifier is actually necessary to showcase the meaning of the sentence.

broall · Answer

A) explain, being very eager to have constant access to food and secure backup from stronger members if they get caught in a fight, that baboons
 This choice is awkward. It is so unclear that which part "being very eager to have" refers to.

B) explain that, being very eager to have constant access to food and secure backup from stronger members if they get caught in a fight, baboons
 same as A.

C) explain that because they are very eager to have constant access to food and secure backup from stronger members if they get caught in a fight, so baboons
 this choice is wrong since "they" here seems to refer to "researchers", not "baboons"

D) explain, very eager to have constant access to food and secure backup from stronger members being caught in a fight, baboons
 this choice is awkward.

E) explain that baboons are very eager for constant access to food and backup from stronger members in a fight, they therefore
 Correct. This choice makes the sentence and meaning clear.

sayantanc2k · Answer

In my opinion option E is wrong. The construction of the sentence is as follows:

Independent clause 1: 
Researchers explain that baboons are very eager for constant access to food and backup from stronger members in a fight.

Independent clause 2: 
They therefore groom higher-ranking individuals in their group early in the day.

There are two ways to join two independent clauses:
a. comma + conjunction
OR
b. semicolon

Here just a comma is used, making the construction wrong. The correct construction could be:
...... in a fight, AND they therefore...
or,
...... in a fight; they therefore....

mohshu · Answer

+1 for this....two Independent clauses cannot be connected by only comma
any expert opinion please

abhimahna · Answer

I rejected A, C and D as they have very obvious errors.

I selected B over E because E is joining two ICs with a comma and without any FANBOYS.

Please suggest how can E be the correct answer. If it is not, please let me whether I can go ahead and update B as the answer.

sayantanc2k · Answer

I have changed the comma to semicolon in option E. So the OA remains E.

akshayk · Answer

Thanks. Now E makes sense

Babar28 · Answer

Very well explained. But what makes B incorrect ?

abhimahna · Answer

Hi  Babar28  ,

In B, 'they' can refer to either members or baboons. So, pronoun ambiguity error.

arvind910619 · Answer

Imo E
We need that in the sentence .
Also " baboons are very eager for constant access to food and backup from stronger members in a fight" is essential for the sentence so we have keep it as a main part of the sentence .
So only option E makes sense .

pra1785 · Answer

I was between B and E as well. But I chose B.

Can someone please explain what makes B incorrect. I think the 'being very eager....' clearly refers to 'Baboons' are the end.

IMO, E is unnecessarily wordy. Thoughts?

abhimahna · Answer

Hi pra1785 , Please check here: https://gmatclub.com/forum/researchers- ... l#p1892468

daagh · Answer

B) explain that, being very eager to have constant access to food and secure backup from stronger members if they get caught in a fight, baboons
E)) explain that baboons are very eager for constant access to food and backup from stronger members in a fight; they therefore

1. In B, being used as part of a modifier is incorrect

2. But if 'they' is ambiguous in B, is it not in E?

abhimahna · Answer

Hi  daagh  Sir,

In E, we are joining two different independent clauses using a semi colon. So, shouldn't the subject of both match?

I mean can't I say they in the second clause can refer back to baboons?

Please suggest.

daagh · Answer

If you want to match the subjects, then the real subject of the first part is the 'researchers. However, 'baboons' is only the subject of the subordinate clause. The situation is really leading to some dilemma. For all that, one may say that baboons are the logical contenders. So far so good and therefore, E is passable. 
However, my point was that one shouldn't t rule out B or A on pronoun ambiguity, but on other counts.

abhimahna · Answer

Thank you  daagh  Sir. Point noted. Actually I was not sure about the usage of being. So,I rejected on the basis of pronoun ambiguity.

Can you please tell me why usage of being as a part of modifier is incorrect?

VerbalBot · Answer

Automated notice from GMAT Club VerbalBot: 

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

 This post was generated automatically.

Researchers explain, being very eager to have constant access to fo

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