GMAT SC5 - Modifier error; Logical Predication

Fought on 22 August 1485, the Lancastrians won The Battle of Bosworth Field, the last significant battle of the Wars of the Roses, the civil war between the House of Lancaster and the House of York that raged across England in the latter half of the 15th century.

  1. Fought on 22 August 1485, the Lancastrians won The Battle of Bosworth Field, the last significant battle of the Wars of the Roses, the civil war between the House of Lancaster and the House of York that raged across England in the latter half of the 15th century
  2. Fought on 22 August 1485, The Battle of Bosworth Field- the last significant battle of the Wars of the Roses, the civil war between the House of Lancaster and the House of York that raged across England in the latter half of the 15th century- was won by the Lancastrians 
  3. Fought on 22 August 1485, the Lancastrians won The Battle of Bosworth Field- the last significant battle of the Wars of the Roses- the civil war between the House of Lancaster and the House of York that raged across England in the latter half of the 15th century
  4. The Lancastrians won The Battle of Bosworth Field, fought on 22 August 1485, the last significant battle of the Wars of the Roses, the civil war between the House of Lancaster and the House of York that raged across England in the latter half of the 15th century
  5. The Lancastrians won The Battle of Bosworth Field fought on 22 August 1485; it was the last significant battle of the Wars of the Roses- the civil war between the House of Lancaster and the House of York that raged across England in the latter half of the 15th century

Correct Answer - Choice E.

Explanatory Answer


A.    Fought on…is a modifier that refers to The Battle…and not the Lancastrians.

B.     The Battle of….was won by the Lancastrians is an awkward fragment.  The modifier error has been corrected but the sentence is convoluted and in Passive voice.

C.     Modifier error- fought on…the Lancastrians.

D.    Active voice construction, but the predication is still convoluted.

E.     Correct. Modifier error corrected. Sentence is in Active voice. The run on sentence simplifies the predication. The hyphenated part highlights the description of the Wars of the Roses.