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Given its authoritative coverage of other science topics, the textbook's chapter on genetics issurprisingly tentative, which leads one to doubt the author's scholarship in that particular area.
  • a)
    the textbook's chapter on genetics is surprisingly tentative, which leads
  • b)
    the chapter of the textbook on genetics is surprisingly tentative, leading
  • c)
    the textbook contains a surprising and tentative chapter on genetics, which leads
  • d)
    the textbook's chapter on genetics is surprisingly tentative and leads
  • e)
    the textbook is surprisingly tentative in its chapter on genetics, leading
Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
Given its authoritative coverage of other science topics, the textbook...
The original sentence contains several errors. First, the opening modifier "given its authoritative coverage of other science topics" describes the textbook as a whole, yet the subject of the main clause is "the textbook's chapter on genetics." Second, the relative pronoun "which" is used here to modify the entire clause "the textbook's chapter on genetics is surprisingly tentative." "Which" must modify the immediately preceding noun only; it cannot modify the action of an entire clause, as it does here.
(A) This choice is incorrect as it repeats the original sentence.
(B) The modifier issue is not corrected here, since "the chapter" remains the subject of the main clause (as opposed to "the textbook"). However, this choice does correct the misuse of "which" by replacing it with "leading."
(C) The modifier issue is corrected here by making "the textbook" the subject of the main clause. However, the misuse of "which" is retained. The relative pronoun "which" is used here to modify the entire clause "the textbook's chapter on genetics is surprisingly tentative." "Which" must modify the immediately preceding noun only; it cannot modify the action of an entire clause, as it does here.
Also, the phrase "surprising and tentative" implies that the chapter on genetics is both "surprising" and "tentative," two characteristics that are independent of one another. However, it is clear in the original sentence that "surprisingly" is meant to be an adverb that modifies the adjective "tentative." The chapter is "suprisingly tentative," not "suprising and tentative."
(D) The modifier issue is not corrected here, since "the textbook's chapter" is the subject of the main clause (as opposed to "the textbook"). Moreover, the verb "leads" is incorrectly parallel with "is" when it should be subordinate (e.g., "leading"). This makes it less clear that doubting the author's scholarship is a result of the tentativeness of the chapter on genetics.
(E) CORRECT. The modifier issue is corrected here by making "the textbook" the subject of the main clause. Moreover, "which" is replaced by "leading," thus eliminating the incorrect use of "which" while preserving the meaning of the sentence.
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Most Upvoted Answer
Given its authoritative coverage of other science topics, the textbook...
Explanation:
The sentence is discussing the way a textbook handles the topic of genetics. It implies that the textbook is usually authoritative in other areas, but the chapter on genetics is not as strong. The sentence structure is a little convoluted, but the main point is that the chapter on genetics is not up to the same standards as the rest of the textbook.

Option A: This option repeats the original sentence structure, which is not an improvement. Also, "which leads" is a little awkward here.

Option B: This option changes the sentence structure to make it more concise and clear. "Leading" is a stronger verb than "which leads." This is a good option.

Option C: This option changes the sentence structure significantly, which could be confusing. Also, "contains" is a weaker verb than "is." This option is not as good as option B.

Option D: This option repeats the original sentence structure, which is not an improvement. Also, "and leads" is redundant.

Option E: This option changes the sentence structure to make it more concise and clear. "Is surprisingly tentative in its chapter on genetics" is a stronger and more direct way to express the main point. This is the best option.

Conclusion: Option E is the best choice because it is concise, clear, and uses strong verbs to express the main point.
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Given its authoritative coverage of other science topics, the textbook's chapter on genetics issurprisingly tentative, which leads one to doubt the author's scholarship in that particular area.a)the textbook's chapter on genetics is surprisingly tentative, which leadsb)the chapter of the textbook on genetics is surprisingly tentative, leadingc)the textbook contains a surprising and tentative chapter on genetics, which leadsd)the textbook's chapter on genetics is surprisingly tentative and leadse)the textbook is surprisingly tentative in its chapter on genetics, leadingCorrect answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer?
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