Dear Friends,
Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
prasannar wrote:
The electronics company has unveiled what it claims to be the world’s smallest network digital camcorder, the length of which is that of a handheld computer, and it weighs less than 11 ounces.
(A) to be the world’s smallest network digital camcorder, the length of which is that of a handheld computer, and it weighs
(B) to be the smallest network digital camcorder in the world, which is as long as a handheld computer, weighing
(C) is the smallest network digital camcorder in the world, which is as long as a handheld computer, and it weighs
(D) is the world’s smallest network digital camcorder, which is as long as a handheld computer and weighs
(E) is the world’s smallest network digital camcorder, the length of which is that of a handheld computer, weighing
Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning is that the electronics company has unveiled what it claims is the world’s smallest network digital camcorder, and this camcorder is as long as a handheld computer and weighs less than 11 ounces.
Concepts tested here: Meaning + Verb Forms + Pronouns + Awkwardness/Redundancy• A pronoun and its derivatives can only refer to one noun in a single sentence.
• The introduction of the present participle (“verb+ing” – “weighing” in this sentence) after a comma generally leads to a cause-effect relationship.
• The simple present tense is used to indicate actions taking place in the current time frame, indicate habitual actions, state universal truths, and convey information that is permanent in nature.
A: This answer choice incorrectly uses the infinitive verb form (“to + base form of verb” – “to + be” in this sentence) to refer to an action that takes place in the current time frame; remember, the simple present tense is used to refer to actions that take place in the current time frame. Further, the sentence formed by Option A incorrectly uses the pronoun “it” to refer to both “the electronics company” and “camcorder”; remember, a pronoun and its derivatives can only refer to one noun in a single sentence. Additionally, Option A uses the needlessly wordy clauses “the length of which is that of a handheld computer” and “and it weighs…”, leading to awkwardness and redundancy.
B: This answer choice incorrectly uses the infinitive verb form (“to + base form of verb” – “to + be” in this sentence) to refer to an action that takes place in the current time frame; remember, the simple present tense is used to refer to actions that take place in the current time frame. Further, Option B alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “weighing less than 11 ounces”; the use of the “comma + present participle (“verb+ing” – “weighing” in this sentence)” construction incorrectly implies that the electronics company has unveiled what it claims is the world’s smallest network digital camcorder, and
as a result, the
company weighs less than 11 ounces; the intended meaning is that the electronics company has unveiled what it claims is the world’s smallest network digital camcorder, and
as a separate action, this
camcorder weighs less than 11 ounces; remember, the introduction of the present participle (“verb+ing” – “weighing” in this sentence) after a comma generally leads to a cause-effect relationship. Additionally, Option B uses the needlessly wordy phrase "the smallest network digital camcorder in the world", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.
C: The sentence formed by this answer choice incorrectly uses the pronoun “it” to refer to both “the electronics company” and “camcorder”; remember, a pronoun and its derivatives can only refer to one noun in a single sentence. Further, Option C uses the needlessly wordy constructions “the smallest network digital camcorder in the world” and “and it weighs…”, leading to awkwardness and redundancy.
D: Correct. This answer choice uses the phrase “and weighs less than 11 ounces”, conveying the intended meaning – that the electronics company has unveiled what it claims is the world’s smallest network digital camcorder, and
as a separate action, this
camcorder weighs less than 11 ounces. Further, the sentence formed by Option D correctly uses the pronoun “it” to refer to just one noun – “the electronics company”. Additionally, Option D correctly refers to an action that takes place in the current time frame with the simple present tense verb “is”. Besides, Option D is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.
E: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “weighing less than 11 ounces”; the use of the “comma + present participle (“verb+ing” – “weighing” in this sentence)” construction incorrectly implies that the electronics company has unveiled what it claims is the world’s smallest network digital camcorder, and
as a result, the
company weighs less than 11 ounces; the intended meaning is that the electronics company has unveiled what it claims is the world’s smallest network digital camcorder, and
as a separate action, this
camcorder weighs less than 11 ounces; remember, the introduction of the present participle (“verb+ing” – “weighing” in this sentence) after a comma generally leads to a cause-effect relationship. Further, Option E uses the needlessly wordy clause “the length of which is that of a handheld computer”, leading to awkwardness and redundancy.
Hence, D is the best answer choice.All the best!
Experts' Global Team
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