With surface temperatures estimated at minus 230 degrees Fahrenheit, Jupiter’s moon Europa has long been considered far too cold to support life, and with 60 square miles of water thought to be frozen from top to bottom.
- Europa has long been considered far too cold to support life, and with
- Europa has long been considered far too cold to support life, its
- Europa has long been considered as far too cold to support life and has
- Europa, long considered as far too cold to support life, and its
- Europa, long considered to be far too cold to support life, and to have
What does this question test?
This question tests your knowledge of how comma + and is used to connect elements in a sentence. It also tests your understanding of modifiers that modify the preceding clause. In addition, it tests your knowledge of idiomatic usage of “considered”.
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What does this sentence mean?
This sentence states that Jupiter’s moon Europa has been considered far too cold to support life. It also presents data corroborating this fact.
- Surface temperatures are estimated at minus 230 degrees F.
- 60 square miles of water exists on Europa. This water is thought to be frozen from top to bottom.
Note that the above is the logical meaning.
As such the sentence structure is such that we do not know how “and with 60 square miles…” relates to the main clause – “Europa has long been considered …”. This is because the sentence appears to be incomplete. Thus, this sentence does not communicate complete meaning effectively.
What are the errors in the original sentence?
With surface temperatures estimated at minus 230 degrees Fahrenheit, Jupiter’s moon Europa has long been considered far too cold to support life, and with 60 square miles of water thought to be frozen from top to bottom.
The sentence structure is as follows:
- Clause 1: With surface temperatures estimated at minus 230 degrees Fahrenheit, Jupiter’s moon Europa has long been considered far too cold to support life,
- Clause 2: and with 60 square miles of water thought to be frozen from top to bottom.
Notice carefully the usage of comma + and. This construction is used to express one of the following:
- Connect more than 2 elements in a list
- Connect two independent clauses
It does not make sense for “with 60 square miles…” to be part of a list in this sentence. Thus, first usage is not applicable here. For second usage to be applicable, what follows “and” should be an independent clause. But as you can see, there is no identifiable subject or verb in this supposed clause 2.
Thus, Choice A is incorrect because of incorrect use of comma + and. Essentially this usage has resulted in a fragment.
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Answer Choice Analysis:
Choice A: Fragment Error.
Choice B: No Errors.
In this choice – what follows the comma is a modifier – “its 60 square miles of water thought to be frozen from top to bottom”, which modifies the complete preceding clause. Such modifiers have following construction:
noun + noun modifier
In this case:
- NOUN = its 60 square miles of water
- Noun Modifier = verb-ed modifier – thought to be frozen from top to bottom
In the context of this sentence, this modifier provides supports to the thought communicated in the previous clause – Europa is considered far too cold to support life. This modifier provides an evidence for the same – such vast stretch of water is thought to be frozen.
Choice C: Idiom Error – considered as is un-idiomatic usage.
Choice D: This choice has two errors:
1: Idiom Error as in Choice C.
2: Fragment Error: There is no verb in this sentence. Notice how ‘has been considered’ has been converted into a verb-ed modifier.
Choice E: This choice has two errors
1: Idiom Error: Considered to be is un-idiomatic usage.
2: Fragment Error as in Choice D.
Thus, Choice B is the correct answer.
What are the key take-away messages?
- When you see comma + and, ensure that it is used appropriately to either connect more than 2 elements in a list or connect 2 independent clauses.
- Considered as and considered to be are incorrect idioms
- Modifiers of the construction – noun + noun modifier can modify the preceding clause.
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