Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
In a FOR XML clause, you specify one of these modes: RAW, AUTO, EXPLICIT, and PATH.
The EXPLICIT mode allows more control over the shape of the XML. You can mix attributes and

elements at will in deciding the shape of the XML. It requires a specific format for the resulting rowset that is generated because of query execution. This row set format is then mapped into XML shape. The power of EXPLICIT mode is to mix attributes and elements at will, create wrappers and nested complex properties, create space-separated values (for example, OrderID attribute may have a list of order ID values), and mixed contents.
The PATH mode together with the nested FOR XML query capability provides the flexibility of the

EXPLICIT mode in a simpler manner.
References: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms178107.aspx