Pack 2 Question 3 of 5
Voyager 1, a space probe launched to explore the outer solar system, monitored the magnetic fields and rings of Jupiter and Saturn and provided the first detailed images that scientists could use to study Titan as a potential human-occupied outpost to evaluate its substantial atmosphere.

A. that scientists could use to study Titan as a potential human-occupied outpost to evaluate its substantial atmosphere

B. that scientists could use to study Titan’s substantial atmosphere to evaluate it as a potential human-occupied outpost

C. that scientists study as a potential human-occupied outpost to evaluate Titan’s substantial atmosphere

D. for scientists to use to study Titan’s substantial atmosphere to evaluate it as a potential human-occupied outpost

E. for scientists to study Titan as a potential human-occupied outpost to evaluate its substantial atmosphere


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Voyager 1, a space probe launched to explore the outer solar system, monitored the magnetic fields and rings of Jupiter and Saturn and provided the first detailed images that scientists could use to study Titan as a potential human-occupied outpost to evaluate its substantial atmosphere.

A. that scientists could use to study Titan as a potential human-occupied outpost to evaluate its substantial atmosphere
That scientists could study -> That correctly refers to images. its - pronoun refers to Titan. studying Titan as human-occupied outpost - structure seems ok
As is playing a function/role equivalent function here

B. that scientists could use to study Titan’s substantial atmosphere to evaluate it as a potential human-occupied outpost
that - correctly refers to images. 'it' does not have a reference as Titan is in possessive form.

C. that scientists study as a potential human-occupied outpost to evaluate Titan’s substantial atmosphere
first detailed images that -> correctly to images. Next part of the sentence suggests scientists usually study these images .
also note here as is playing is connecting scientists as potential human-occupied outpost

D. for scientists to use to study Titan’s substantial atmosphere to evaluate it as a potential human-occupied outpost
this option suggests - images were primarily provided for scientists. one of use of those images is that scientists can study them but that's not the sole reason to fetch the images.
Also 'it' does not have a reference

E. for scientists to study Titan as a potential human-occupied outpost to evaluate its substantial atmosphere
same error as D - related to 'For'

A seems to be correct answer!

IMO E is the correct answer because of the explanation given above. Thanks
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B as on OE is questionable. Although there are cases when a pronoun refers to the possessive noun, in my opinion, option A is a better choice in this problem.

A. that scientists could use to study Titan as a potential human-occupied outpost to evaluate its substantial atmosphere
- images that scientists could use to study T ... to evaluate its atmosphere. Looks fine.
Even if one wants to say that "its" refers to outpost, it still makes sense because the outpost is a synonym to the Planet.

B. that scientists could use to study Titan’s substantial atmosphere to evaluate it as a potential human-occupied outpost
- what does it refer to? Atmosphere or Titan? If it refers to T's atmosphere, then the sentence does not make any sense. The atmosphere cannot be the human-occupied outpost.


generis, what is your take?

Voyager 1, a space probe launched to explore the outer solar system, monitored the magnetic fields and rings of Jupiter and Saturn and provided the first detailed images that scientists could use to study Titan as a potential human-occupied outpost to evaluate its substantial atmosphere.

A. that scientists could use to study Titan as a potential human-occupied outpost to evaluate its substantial atmosphere
B. that scientists could use to study Titan’s substantial atmosphere to evaluate it as a potential human-occupied outpost
C. that scientists study as a potential human-occupied outpost to evaluate Titan’s substantial atmosphere
D. for scientists to use to study Titan’s substantial atmosphere to evaluate it as a potential human-occupied outpost
E. for scientists to study Titan as a potential human-occupied outpost to evaluate its substantial atmosphere

Start with a 5 second scan of the options. Before we read the sentence carefully, we’re already alerted to the fact that we must choose between “that scientists” and “for scientists,” and we need to determine the proper placement for the phrase “as a potential human-occupied outpost.”

Let’s start with the modifier “as a potential human-occupied outpost,” because a misplaced modifier can quickly help us narrow down our choices. Scientists are either studying the pictures so they can determine of the atmosphere could help us establish a human-occupied outpost or they are looking at the pictures to determine if they can put an outpost there so humans can study the atmosphere. It would seem that determining if the atmosphere could help the humans survive should come before sending humans out there to study something that a space probe can do. “As a potential human-occupied outpost” should modify “evaluate” and not “study [the pictures].” Options A, C, and E are not the best answers.

Now, we need to choose between “for” and “that.” “For” scientists leaves us wondering if these are the first detailed images “for,” meaning to give to, the scientists or does it mean the images are “for their use”? Ambiguity should be avoided. Additionally, “to use to study” is redundant. “To study” can stand on its own. Option D cannot be the best answer. We have eliminated four answer choices and Option B makes sense and is concise. Option B is the winner.
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The basic thing is that a plain pronoun should refer to another plain noun and not its derivatives such as possessive nouns. " It " can only refer to the atmosphere and there is no other plain noun as a contender in the context.

Probably B is the choice because all the others are worse.
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You are very close, snoep!

While you are on the right track to focus on pronouns, you also need to check for meaning! Here are the meaning differences between options A & B:

A. that scientists could use to study Titan as a potential human-occupied outpost to evaluate its substantial atmosphere

This almost suggests that Titan has already been accepted as a potential human-occupied outpost, and then evaluate the atmosphere. That doesn't really make logical sense - we need to make sure the atmosphere is safe BEFORE we decide if it's a place where humans can go.

B. that scientists could use to study Titan’s substantial atmosphere to evaluate it as a potential human-occupied outpost

This makes more sense logically. The images are meant to study the atmosphere, and THEN we can evaluate if it can be inhabited by humans.

Let's also address your issue with option B:

B. that scientists could use to study Titan’s substantial atmosphere to evaluate it as a potential human-occupied outpost
that - correctly refers to images. 'it' does not have a reference as Titan is in possessive form.

There is nothing wrong with "it" referring back to a possessive "Titan's" in this case. The reader can easily determine what the pronoun is referring back to, so it's okay to use it in this manner.

I hope that helps! Feel free to tag us at EMPOWERgmatVerbal if you have other questions!
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That makes sense, thanks for highlighting EMPOWERgmatVerbal, i would not have realised the error in A otherwise!