Because the 2009 swine flu was caused by the H1N1 virus

[rohantiwari]

Because the 2009 swine flu was caused by the H1N1 virus - the same strain of influenza that had caused the massive 1918 flu pandemic - was why researchers were convinced that it had the potential of killing many millions of people, especially children and the elderly.

A. Because the 2009 swine flu was caused by the H1N1 virus - the same strain of influenza that had caused the massive 1918 flu pandemic - was why researchers were convinced that it had the potential of killing many millions of people, especially children and the elderly
B. Caused by the H1N1 virus, the same strain of influenza that caused the massive 1918 flu pandemic, researchers were convinced that the 2009 swine flu could potentially kill many millions of people, and in particular children and the elderly
C. The H1N1 virus, the same strain of influenza caused the massive flu pandemic of 1918, also caused the 2009 swine flu; therefore, researchers were convinced that it had the potential of killing many millions of people, children and the elderly included
D. Because the 2009 swine flu was caused by the H1N1 virus - the same strain of influenza that caused the massive flu pandemic of 1918 - researchers were convinced that it had the potential to kill many millions of people, particularly children and the elderly
E. Because the 2009 swine flu was caused by the H1N1 virus - the same strain of influenza that caused the massive flu pandemic of 1918 - researchers were convinced that it had the potential to kill many millions of people, particularly children and the elderly

This question appeared in my MGMAT CAT #4 and the official answer provided is "D".
I agree with the explanation as far as errors in other choices are concerned, but I am not convinced that even "D" is the correct answer.

researchers were convinced that it had the potential to kill many millions of people - there is no clear referent of "it" in this sentence. "it" can refer to either "swine flu" or "H1N1 virus".
Please let me know whether I am missing something and whether I can expect to see these kinds of ambiguous references in actual GMAT (any similar examples from the OG guide will be appreciated).

Regards,
Rohan Tiwari

[jnelson0612]

Hi Rohan,
Pronoun ambiguity is a real pain on the GMAT. For a while we thought that every pronoun had to have a clear referent, but then we saw that the GMAT sometimes uses pronoun ambiguity and calls the answers containing it correct.

You're right . . . we only have two possible singular nouns for "it" to refer to--the flu and the virus. You can try each one as a replacement for "it" and see which one logically fits. The people are actually being killed by the flu, not necessarily the virus, since other people may have been exposed to the virus and not gotten sick. Thus, the GMAT would probably think that this is not particularly ambiguous. As long as you have clear cut reasons to get rid of other answers I think you can feel comfortable choosing this answer.

The takeaway is to be careful using pronoun ambiguity to make eliminations. Try to get rid of more obvious grammar problems first.

I hope that this helps!

[rohantiwari]

Thnx Jamie!

[tim]

:)

[joey_jamal]

In the explanation for why choice B is wrong, it says that it illogically modifies researchers. Shouldnt this kind of modifiers modify what comes right after it? which is here "the same strain of influenza". I understand that right answer can only modify the 2009 swine flu, but if another choice said the following will it be right or is it also a misplaced modifier:
"Caused by the H1N1 virus, the same strain of influenza that caused the massive 1918 flu pandemic, the 2009 flu was .." (whatever logically completes the sentence)

[RonPurewal]

In the explanation for why choice B is wrong, it says that it illogically modifies researchers. Shouldnt this kind of modifiers modify what comes right after it? which is here "the same strain of influenza". I understand that right answer can only modify the 2009 swine flu, but if another choice said the following will it be right or is it also a misplaced modifier:
"Caused by the H1N1 virus, the same strain of influenza that caused the massive 1918 flu pandemic, the 2009 flu was .." (whatever logically completes the sentence)

that would be fine.
perhaps some colored parentheses would help:

(Caused by the H1N1 virus(, the same strain of influenza that caused the massive 1918 flu pandemic,)) the 2009 flu was...

the point is that the blue modifier is within the orange one -- it's part of the orange one. so, that whole orange thing -- including the blue stuff -- is "the initial modifier" here.

for an official problem, check out #111 in the OG blue verbal supplement (can't reproduce it here). the correct answer has pretty much the same structure as this example.

[joey_jamal]

Hey Ron,

Great stuff man, makes sense. I already took my test today, though. scored 710!!! I am really glad I came across MGMAT one month before the test. I owe that score to this website. You and stacey you guys are the bestest!!! I know thats not a word so let it go :D.

Thank you.
Joe

[tim]

Thanks so much for the compliments, and congratulations on your score!