Changes in the composition of the light of a supernova

[poonamchiK]

Changes in the composition of the light of a supernova--an exploding star--reveals not only the chemical elements in the explosion but also the speed of expanding the outer layers of stellar gas.

(A) reveals not only the chemical elements in the explosion but also the speed of expanding the outer layers of stellar gas

(B) reveals not only what chemical elements are in the explosion but also the speed at which the outer layers of stellar gas are expanding

(C) not only reveal the chemical elements in the explosion but also the speed of the expanding outer layers of stellar gas

(D) not only reveal what chemical elements are in the explosion but also the speed of the outer layers of stellar gas when they are expanding

(E) reveal not only the chemical elements in the explosion but also the speed at which the outer layers of stellar gas are expanding

OA : E.

Dear all, i have answered C. Pls help me with the subtle difference in C and E. Also now i notice E as having an 'expanding towards the end. But so does C. So what is it tht I am missing here.
Any1 pls?

Best
Poonam

[jnelson0612]

What is the original source of this question? Please remember that it must always be listed before we can help.

[poonamchiK]

MLIC
Maple leaf consultation inc.

thx
P

[dhavaldesai.7]

reveal not only X but also Y - this is E

not only (Verb)reveal X but also (Missing verb) Y -- THis is C

If we look at the structure of the sent . we do understand that changes in the composition does the revealing activity of both X and Y

[tim]

good explanation, dhaval..

[poonamchiK]

Thx Dhaval,
I understand much better now!
:-)

Best
P

[tim]

:)

[eggpain24]

Changes in the composition of the light of a supernova--an exploding star--reveals not only the chemical elements in the explosion but also the speed of expanding the outer layers of stellar gas.

(A) reveals not only the chemical elements in the explosion but also the speed of expanding the outer layers of stellar gas

(B) reveals not only what chemical elements are in the explosion but also the speed at which the outer layers of stellar gas are expanding

(C) not only reveal the chemical elements in the explosion but also the speed of the expanding outer layers of stellar gas

(D) not only reveal what chemical elements are in the explosion but also the speed of the outer layers of stellar gas when they are expanding

(E) reveal not only the chemical elements in the explosion but also the speed at which the outer layers of stellar gas are expanding

OA : E.

Dear all, i have answered C. Pls help me with the subtle difference in C and E. Also now i notice E as having an 'expanding towards the end. But so does C. So what is it tht I am missing here.
Any1 pls?

Best
Poonam

HI，instructors

in choice A

is “the speed of expanding” also much more indirect and awkward than correct choice "at which the outer layers of stellar gas are expanding" ？

we don't know which is expanding the gas

[RonPurewal]

Remember, "awkward" is not tested on this exam (and is essentially impossible to judge for anyone who is not a VERY experienced reader and writer of formal English).

There's an actual problem here.
In the construction "expanding the layers of gas", the layers of gas is the object of expanding (like "hitting a ball"—the ball is what's hit by someone. Or "reading a book"—someone is reading the book.)
So, this construction implies that someone or something is actively "expanding" the layers of gas. That's nonsense—the layers are expanding (i.e., by themselves).

[zeeasl]

Remember, "awkward" is not tested on this exam (and is essentially impossible to judge for anyone who is not a VERY experienced reader and writer of formal English).

There's an actual problem here.
In the construction "expanding the layers of gas", the layers of gas is the object of expanding (like "hitting a ball"—the ball is what's hit by someone. Or "reading a book"—someone is reading the book.)
So, this construction implies that someone or something is actively "expanding" the layers of gas. That's nonsense—the layers are expanding (i.e., by themselves).

Hi Ron

The answer choice E uses "are expanding". Does not that mean that the expansion is happening right now? Wont that change the meaning of the sentence? The sentence wants to describe a how a phenomenon happens not what is happing right now/

about the "Ing" forms when there is no subject in the sentence thats is actually doing or responsible for this "ing" action then the use of ing is wrong. However, we can use the ing without the subject if we want to show a process or sequence .Right?

Thanks

[RonPurewal]

The answer choice E uses "are expanding". Does not that mean that the expansion is happening right now? Wont that change the meaning of the sentence? The sentence wants to describe a how a phenomenon happens not what is happing right now/

this is the intended meaning: these observations reveal the speed at which the things are expanding (at the exact time narrated in the sentence).

it wouldn't be appropriate to use expand here, because that would imply a general observation (= the speed at which the things expand in general). that's not the point; the point is that certain observations reveal the speed of expansion at one specific time.

[RonPurewal]

about the "Ing" forms when there is no subject in the sentence thats is actually doing or responsible for this "ing" action then the use of ing is wrong. However, we can use the ing without the subject if we want to show a process or sequence .Right?

Thanks

i'm not sure i understand the question. can you provide specific examples?
thanks.