SC: Genetic engineering sometimes entails plant or animal

[cesar.rodriguez.blanco]

What are the differences between A, C and D? I am confused!
B and E are out because bad parallelism (either......or.....)

Genetic engineering sometimes entails plant or animal genes’ getting spliced into other species’ DNA, either to improve crop yields or for warding off insects or disease.
A. plant or animal genes’ getting spliced into other species’ DNA, either to improve crop yields or for warding off
B. plant or animal genes that get spliced into the DNA of other species, either for
improving crop yields or the warding off of
C. the splicing of plant or animal genes into other species’ DNA, to either improve crop
yields or to ward off
D. splicing plant or animal genes into the DNA of other species, either to improve crop
yields or to ward off
E. splicing of plant or animal genes into the

[nisheet.shah]

My Pick is C, what is the OA?

I will provide explanation if I am right.

[mikrodj]

As you said, this question is testing parallelism. The correlative either X or Y requires parallelism between X and Y

A. either to improve crop yields or for warding off

to improve is a infinitive that is NOT parallel to the gerund for warding off. So A is out

C. to either improve crop yields or to ward off

improve is parallel to ward off;however, the second cojoin (to ward off) contains TO, breaking the parallelism.
Notice that in a list of infinitives if the last includes TO the others must include TO as well.
IMO I think in the correlative either ... or, you always have to put TO if you decide to include that term.

For instance.

I've decided to either go to the beach or visit Jessica. Correct
I've decided either to go to the beach or to visit Jessica. Correct
I've decided either go to the beach or TO visit Jessica. Incorrect
I've decided either to go to the beach or visit Jessica. I'd say incorrect. I haven't seen a GMAT problem with this structure in the correct answer choice, but I'm not completely sure

D. splicing plant or animal genes into the DNA of other species, either to improve crop yields or to ward off

"to improve" is parallel to "to ward off"

[RonPurewal]

mikrodj, well done. this should definitely be (d).

to original posters: please post the correct answer in your post. if you are concerned with making it invisible, then put it in white, so that it must be highlighted to be seen.
please do NOT post problems without answers. thanks.

As you said, this question is testing parallelism. The correlative either X or Y requires parallelism between X and Y

A. either to improve crop yields or for warding off

to improve is a infinitive that is NOT parallel to the gerund for warding off. So A is out

excellent.

C. to either improve crop yields or to ward off

improve is parallel to ward off;however, the second cojoin (to ward off) contains TO, breaking the parallelism.
Notice that in a list of infinitives if the last includes TO the others must include TO as well.
IMO I think in the correlative either ... or, you always have to put TO if you decide to include that term.

yes.

no need to memorize the case of "to" separately, though; this is not a special case. this is merely a normal treatment of either ... or.

if you have a two-part parallel signal, such as either ... or, then the words FOLLOWING EACH PART must have the same structure.

in this case, that's all you need to eliminate.

after "either" is just "improve crop yields" (no to).
after "or" is "to ward off...".
these aren't parallel.
gone.

For instance.

I've decided to either go to the beach or visit Jessica. Correct
I've decided either to go to the beach or to visit Jessica. Correct
I've decided either go to the beach or TO visit Jessica. Incorrect
I've decided either to go to the beach or visit Jessica. I'd say incorrect. I haven't seen a GMAT problem with this structure in the correct answer choice, but I'm not completely sure

these are all correct.

notice, though, that EITHER of the following is correct:
i want to move to barcelona or to madrid.
i want to move to barcelona or madrid.

make sure you understand why each of those is correct.
if you don't, see here:
post25465.html#p25465

D. splicing plant or animal genes into the DNA of other species, either to improve crop yields or to ward off

"to improve" is parallel to "to ward off"

yes.

the answer should be (d).

[mikrodj]

Thank you for the clarifications Ron

[RonPurewal]

Thank you for the clarifications Ron

sure.

[redable]

hi Ron,

I have a question about the difference between "the DNA of other species" and "other species' DNA". Are they really different?


thanks!

[RonPurewal]

hi Ron,

I have a question about the difference between "the DNA of other species" and "other species' DNA". Are they really different?


thanks!

i don't think that's a meaningful difference; i think the test writers are just using that difference to distract you from the stuff that matters.

[rachygreutyd]

Genetic Engineering is a breakthrough in science and now it is expanding more. Usually this scientific procedure is being manifested to plants and animals. When things go well in the procedures, the outcome is really helpful to us humans. Now, a new genetically modified dog is about to decode the secret cures for different diseases. South Korean scientists have created a genetically engineered Dog that lights up green in ultraviolet light. The dog has been engineered to aid in medical research. Article resource: Scientists create glow in the dark Beagle

[tim]

thanks..