Factors such as low salivary buffering capacity, high incidence of bac

Question

Factors such as low salivary buffering capacity, high incidence of bacteria, and an above-average plaque index  contribute to an acidic environment around the tooth's enamel that may cause cavities, although this  does not occur evenly in all cases.

A. contribute to an acidic environment around the tooth's enamel that may cause cavities, although this

B. may cause cavities by contributing to an acidic environment around the tooth's enamel, but this cavity formation

C. contributes to an acidic environment around the tooth's enamel that may cause cavities although this

D. may cause cavities by contributing to an acidic environment around the tooth's enamel, but this cavity formation would not

E. contribute to an acidic environment around the tooth's enamel that may cause cavities, although bacteria

Bunuel · Accepted Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

Factors such as low salivary buffering capacity, high incidence of bacteria, and an above-average plaque index  contribute to an acidic environment around the tooth's enamel that may cause cavities, although this  does not occur evenly in all cases.

A. contribute to an acidic environment around the tooth's enamel that may cause cavities, although this

Incorrect.

This answer choice is stylistically flawed. The pronoun  this  is ambiguous because it may refer to a singular noun which preceded it - for instance,  environment  - or to a situation, such as the formation of cavities.

It is true that stylistic mistakes are not always corrected. However, since there is an answer choice that does address the issue of ambiguity, it is preferable to this one.

What helps us identify this question as a Pronoun question as well as identify the ambiguity mistake is the following Stop Sign: Every pronoun in the underlined part of the sentence or after it

B. may cause cavities by contributing to an acidic environment around the tooth's enamel, but this cavity formation

This answer choice resolves the Pronoun ambiguity in the original question, by specifying that  this  refers to  cavity formation .

Notice that the restructuring of the sentence does not change its essential meaning.

C. contributes to an acidic environment around the tooth's enamel that may cause cavities although this

Incorrect.

This answer choice repeats the original mistake. The pronoun  this  is ambiguous because it may refer to a singular noun which preceded it - for instance,  environment  - or to a situation, such as the formation of cavities.

What helps us identify this question as a Pronoun question as well as identify the ambiguity mistake is the following Stop Sign: Every pronoun in the underlined part of the sentence or after it

In addition, this answer choice is grammatically incorrect. The plural noun  Factors  does not agree with the singular verb  contributes .

What helps us identify this mistake is the following Stop Sign: A long complex subject / a long distance between the subject and the verb

D. may cause cavities by contributing to an acidic environment around the tooth's enamel, but this cavity formation would not

Incorrect.

Although this answer choice corrects the original ambiguity mistake, it does not fit into the original sentence. The resulting sequence  would not does not  is ungrammatical.

E. contribute to an acidic environment around the tooth's enamel that may cause cavities, although bacteria

Incorrect.

Although this answer choice corrects the original ambiguity mistake, it is grammatically incorrect. The plural subject  bacteria  (the singular form is  bacterium ) does not agree with the singular verb  does .

Nidzo · Answer

A. contribute to an acidic environment around the tooth's enamel that may cause cavities, although this
 'this' makes this choice ambiguous. Incorrect.

B. may cause cavities by contributing to an acidic environment around the tooth's enamel, but this cavity formation
 Correct. No ambiguity, and grammatically correct.

C. contributes to an acidic environment around the tooth's enamel that may cause cavities although this
 'contributes' is singular while we need the plural 'contribute'. Once again, the use of 'this' makes this choice ambiguous. Incorrect.

D. may cause cavities by contributing to an acidic environment around the tooth's enamel, but this cavity formation would not
 Would make the sentence '... would not does not occur..' Makes no sense. Incorrect.

E. contribute to an acidic environment around the tooth's enamel that may cause cavities, although bacteria
 Would be, "..., although bacteria does not occur..." 'Bacteria' is plural while 'does' is singular. Incorrect.

winterschool · Answer

Factors such as low salivary buffering capacity, high incidence of bacteria, and an above-average plaque index contribute to an acidic environment around the tooth's enamel that may cause cavities, although this does not occur evenly in all cases.

A. contribute to an acidic environment around the tooth's enamel that may cause cavities, although  this   Incorrect

this refers to what? acidic environment or cavity

B.  may cause cavities by contributing to an acidic environment around the tooth's enamel, but this cavity formation   Correct

C.  contributes  to an acidic environment around the tooth's enamel that may cause cavities although this  Incorrect

Factors plural, so contributes should be contribute

D. may cause cavities by contributing to an acidic environment around the tooth's enamel, but this cavity formation  would not   Incorrect

.......... would not does not................. - awkward and redundant

E. contribute to an acidic environment around the tooth's enamel that may cause cavities, although  bacteria   Incorrect

changes intended meaning

chrisjonatan · Answer

The answer is B. A, "this" is unclear. C, the subject is plural. It should be "contribute". D, "would not" is ungrammatical. E, it doesn't mean bacteria only.

Nitisha03 · Answer

Factors such as low salivary buffering capacity, high incidence of bacteria, and an above-average plaque index contribute to an acidic environment around the tooth's enamel that may cause cavities, although this does not occur evenly in all cases.

A. contribute to an acidic environment around the tooth's  enamel that may  cause cavities, although this - Incorrect - enamel does not cause cavity, factors cause cavities

B. may cause cavities by contributing to an acidic environment around the tooth's enamel, but this cavity formation - Correct

C. contributes to an acidic environment around the tooth's  enamel that  may cause cavities although this - Incorrect - enamel does not cause cavity, factors cause cavities

D. may cause cavities by contributing to an acidic environment around the tooth's enamel, but this cavity formation  would not  - Does not is not underline - repetition of auxiliary verbs.

E. contribute to an acidic environment around the tooth's  enamel that may  cause cavities, although bacteria - - Incorrect - enamel does not cause cavity, factors cause cavities

Factors such as low salivary buffering capacity, high incidence of bac

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GMAT Sentence Correction (SC - EA only) Questions

Factors such as low salivary buffering capacity, high incidence of bac

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