Question
Having been named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter, the asteroid named Ida, in the middle of the belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter, was discovered in 1884.
Option A
Option B
Option C
Option D
Option E
(This question is from Official Guide. Therefore, because of copyrights, the complete question cannot be copied here. The question can be accessed at GMAT Club)
Solution
Sentence Analysis
The sentence structure is:
- Having been named for a mythological nymph (Modifier – modifies the main subject)
- who cared for the infant Jupiter, (relative clause modifying “nymph”)
- the asteroid named Ida, (Main Subject – “the asteroid”)
- in the middle of the belt of asteroids (prepositional modifier – provide info about the asteroid)
- that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter, (relative clause modifying “asteroids”. Subject – “that” or “asteroids”; Verb – “orbit”)
- was discovered in 1884. (Main verb – “was discovered”)
- in the middle of the belt of asteroids (prepositional modifier – provide info about the asteroid)
The sentence talks about an asteroid Ida. The asteroid was name for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter. The asteroid is in the middle of the belt of asteroids that orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter. This asteroid was discovered in 1884.
The sentence has the following problems:
- The use of “having been named” is incorrect. “having verb-ed” always presents an action that was complete before another action. Here, the main verb is “was discovered”. Thus, as is, the sentence means that the asteroid was named before it was discovered.
- “named” in ‘asteroid named Ida’ is redundant. We can directly say “asteroid Ida”. This, however, is not a significant problem.
Option Analysis
(A) Incorrect. For the reasons mentioned above.
(B) Correct. Both the problems in the original sentence have been rectified in this option. Even though the structure of this option is very different from the original sentence, it communicates the same meaning.
(C) Incorrect. There is no verb for the subject “the asteroid”. Both “discovered” and “named” are verb-ed modifiers.
(D) Incorrect. For the following reasons:
- The sentence structure is confusing. “discovered” seems to be parallel to “cared”, leading to an illogical meaning. Logically, “discovered” should be parallel to “named”. Even though the given sentence structure allows that parallelism, the structure is not very clear.
- “to verb (orbit)” indicates purpose. The sentence illogically means that Ida is in the middle of the belt with a purpose to orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter. Clearly, illogical.
(E) Incorrect. For the following reasons:
- Lack of parallelism: “discovered in 1884” (verb-ed modifier) is not parallel to “which was named…” (relative clause).
- Error no. 2 of option D
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Hi CJ,
D. Ida, named for a mythological nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter and discovered in 1884
I think that “discovered” can be parallel to “named” and “cared”, as pointed by you.
But, logically discovered can only be parallel to “named” because the second possibility can be ruled out.
Ida, named for a mythological nymph who *discovered* in 1884
In the above phrase, it is unclear that what is discovered? So in my opinion, the possibility that discovered is parallel to cared can be ruled out.
Can you please share your insights? Is my approach right?
Thanks in advance!
I agree with your analysis. However, given the placement, I consider this issue a quality or a preference issue. I’d prefer the sentence to clearly suggest what “discovered” is parallel to, given that “cared” just appeared before “and”.
Alright, Thanks!
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