647).

On the Great Plains, nineteenth-century settlers used mud and grass to build their homes, doing it
without timber and nails.
(A) settlers used mud and grass to build their homes, doing it without
(B) settlers used mud and grass to build their homes, did it without
(C) settlers used mud and grass to build their homes, making them while not having
(D) settlers used mud and grass to build their homes, making do without
(E) settlers’ homes were built of mud and grass, making do without

OA - D - idiomatic - making do
make do with/ without(idiom) => use whatever you can find, substitute, to succeed in dealing with a
situation by using what is available/despite not having something, to manage with that is not really
satisfactory, to manage with the things that you have e.g When our kids don't have toys, they make do
with pots and pans.

A, B - incorrect - no clear referent for it

C - incorrect - wrong tense, use of while incorrect
E - incorrect - passive

648). According to Inter study, a nonprofit organization that studies health maintenance organizations
(HMO's), they estimate that, in comparison to last year, when only 36 percent of the nation's 607 HMO's
was profitable, this year 73 percent will be.

(A) they estimate that, in comparison to last year, when only 36 percent of the nation's 607 HMO's was
profitable, this year 73 percent will be.
(B) compared to only 36 percent of the nation's 607 HMO's being profitable last year, they estimate 73
percent would be this year
(C) only 36 percent of the nation's 607 HMO's were profitable last year, it estimates that this year 73
percent will be
(D) it estimates 73 percent of the nation's 607 HMO's would be profitable this year, last year that was
only 36 percent
(E) only 36 percent of the nation's 607 HMO's last year were profitable, whereas they estimate it this
year to be 73 percent

OA: C - ...it estimates that this year 73 percent will be profitable(ellipses)

A, B, E - incorrect - pronoun error - ..inter study (singular)....they(plural)
A - incorrect - redundancy error - unnecessary they
D - incorrect - redundancy error - unnecessary it
649). George’s personal diary and album formed the basis for his book about the places he had visited.

(A) the basis for his book about the places he had visited.
(B) the basis for his book regarding the places he had visited.
(C) the basis of his book about the places he visited.
(D) the basis of his book about the places which he had visited.
(E) the basis of his book about the places he had visited.

649). OA - C - right tense

The expanded version of E can be written as,
George’s personal diary and album formed the basis of his book (that he wrote) about the places (that)
he had visited.
Here perfect tense is unnecessary in the sentence "he wrote about the places that he (had) visited". We
can do without it since there is no confusion regarding the timeline.
Now, in the reduced form, construction in E, with perfect tense, is highlighting an inappropriate sequence
of actions: he visited those places before his personal diary and album formed the basis of his book.
So imo C, with simple past, is correct.
Explanation: SC - George’s personal diary

650). For many years the idea as to if the Xenomorph employed an exoskeleton or endoskeleton plagued debates and
discussions with unanswered questions; however, recent ideas based on Dr. Wren's studies suggest that the Xenomorph
may employ an endo-exoskeleton: a skeletal structure that exists as both an epidermal structure and as a subdermal
structure.

(A) the idea as to if the Xenomorph employed an exoskeleton or endoskeleton plagued debates and discussions with
unanswered questions; however, recent ideas based on Dr. Wren's studies suggest that the Xenomorph may employ an
endo-exoskeleton: a skeletal structure that exists as both

(B) the idea as to whether the Xenomorph employed an exoskeleton or endoskeleton plagued debates and discussions
with unanswered questions; however, recent ideas based on Dr. Wren's studies suggest that the Xenomorph may employ
an endo-exoskeleton: a skeletal structure that exists as both

(C) the idea as to whether the Xenomorph employed an exoskeleton or endoskeleton plagued debates and discussions
with unanswered questions; however, recent ideas based on Dr. Wren's studies suggests that the Xenomorph may employ
an endo-exoskeleton: a skeletal structure that exists both as

(D) the idea if the Xenomorph employed an exoskeleton or endoskeleton plagued debates and discussions with
unanswered questions; however, recent ideas basing on Dr. Wren's studies suggest that the Xenomorph may employ an
endo-exoskeleton: a skeletal structure that exist both as

(E) the idea as to whether the Xenomorph employed an exoskeleton or endoskeleton plagued debates and discussions
with unanswered questions; however, recent ideas based on Dr. Wren's studies suggest that the Xenomorph may employ
an endo-exoskeleton: a skeletal structure that exists both as

OA - E - idiomatic - both as X and as Y

A, B - incorrect - unidiomatic
C - incorrect - subject verb agreement - ...recent ideas(plural) based on Dr. Wren's studies suggests(singular) that....
D - incorrect - subject verb agreement - .... a skeletal structure(singular) that exist(plural) both as...
651). Recent psychological studies indicate that if children associate with and play with other children,
they will experience fewer psychological problems and develop quicker socially than children that lead
relatively isolated lives.

(A) play with other children, they will experience fewer psychological problems and develop quicker
socially than
(B) play with other children, they experience fewer psychological problems and develop quicker socially
than do
(C) played with other children, they experienced fewer psychological problems and develop quicker
socially than will
(D) play with other children, they will experience fewer psychological problems and develop more quickly
socially than do
(E) played with other children, they have experienced fewer psychological problems and have developed
more quickly socially than do

651). OA - D - parallel, idiomatic, right comparison - if X happens Y will happen - ...associate with....play
with other children, they will experience fewer psychological problems and develop(verb) more
quickly(adverb) socially than do...
A, B - incorrect - we need an adverb to modify a verb - ...develop(verb) quicker(adjective)
C, E - incorrect - violating parallelism - ...associate with...played with...

652). As envisioned by researchers, commercial farming of lobsters will enable fisheries to sell the
shellfish year-round, taking advantage of off-season demand, standardize its sizes and colors, and to
predict sales volume in advance.

(A) taking advantage of off-season demand, standardize

(B) taking advantage of off-season demand, to standardize
(C) taking advantage of off-season demand, standardizing
(D) take advantage of off-season demand, standardizing
(E) take advantage of off-season demand, to standardize

OA - B - parallel - .... to sell...to standardize...to predict...

A, C, D - incorrect - violating parallelism
E - incorrect - violating parallelism, modifier error
653). Although many Whites, noting the presence of some Blacks in the middle class, think that the time
for enforcing civil rights measures is past, Blacks generally are aware that the figures for average income
and unemployment show as wide of a radical discrepancy as ever.

(A) that the figures for average income and unemployment show as wide of
(B) that average-income and unemployment figures show as wide
(C) that the average-income and unemployment figures are showing as wide of
(D) of average-income and unemployment figures that show as wide of
(E) of figures for average income and unemployment showing as wide

OA - B - idiomatic - ...as...as...
A, C, D - incorrect - unidiomatic - ... as .. of ... as
E - incorrect - awkward, wrong tense - ...unemployment showing as wide...

654). In 1973 mortgage payments represented twenty-one percent of an average thirty-year-old male's
income; and forty-four percent in 1984.
(A) income; and forty-four percent in 1984
(B) income; in 1984 the figure was forty-four percent
(C) income, and in 1984 forty-four percent
(D) income, forty-four percent in 1984 was the figure
(E) income that rose to forty-four percent in 1984

(OG 10th Ques no - 81) - OA - B

OE: To establish the clearest comparison between circumstances in 1973 and those in 1984, a separate
clause is needed to describe each year. Choices A and C, in failing to use separate clauses, are too
elliptical and therefore unclear. Choice A also incorrectly uses and and a semicolon to separate an
independent clause and a phrase. Choice D incorrectly separates two independent clauses with a comma;
moreover, the placement of in 1984 is awkward and confusing. In choice E, that refers illogically to
income, thereby producing the misstatement that income rather than mortgage payments rose to forty-
four percent in 1984. Choice B is best; two properly constructed clauses that clearly express the
comparison are separated by a semicolon.

A - incorrect - use of semicolon is wrong

Read: Using semicolon

C - incorrect - use of comma wrong

D - incorrect - use of comma wrong

Read: Editing Comma Splice

E - incorrect - pronoun error - that incorrectly refers to income

655).So poorly educated and trained are many young recruits to the United States work force that many
business executives fear this country will lose its economic preeminence.
(A) So poorly educated and trained are many young recruits to the United States work force that
(B) As poorly educated and trained as many young recruits to the United States work force are
(C) Because of many young recruits to the United States work force who are so poorly educated and
trained
(D) That many young recruits to the United States work force are so poorly educated and trained is why
(E) Many young recruits to the United States work force who are so poorly educated and trained explains
why

OA - A - idiomatic - So X that Y
B - incorrect - no comparison here so As..as usage is wrong here
D - incorrect - unidiomatic, wordy
E - incorrect - subject verb agreement - Many young recruits(plural) to the United States work force who
are so poorly educated and trained explains(singular) why...

656). Socrates could have fled from Athens after he was sentenced to death, but he refused to do it.
(A) Socrates could have fled from Athens after he was sentenced to death, but he refused to do it.
(B) After he was sentenced to death, Socrates might have fled from Athens, but he refused to do it.
(C) After he was sentenced to death, Socrates could have fled from Athens, but he refused to do so.
(D) After he was sentenced to death, Socrates could have done so after he was sentenced to death.
(E) Socrates could have fled from Athens but refused to after he was sentenced to death.

OA - C
A, B - incorrect - no clear antecedent for pronoun it
D - incorrect - awkward - ...Socrates could have done so...
E - incorrect - changes the meaning

657). Some analysts of retirement problems insist that the only way to provide equity and protection for
all Americans is to amalgamate all retirement-income systems, including Social Security, into one central
system.
(A) insist that the only way to provide equity and protection for all Americans is to amalgamate
(B) have insisted the only way equity and protection can be provided for all Americans is amalgamating
(C) insist the only way to provide equity and protection for all Americans is the amalgamation of
(D) are insistent that the only way equity and protection can be provided for all Americans is the
amalgamation of
(E) insist that the only way for the provision of equity and protection for all Americans is to amalgamate

OA - A - subjunctive. Also parallel - ..to provide X is to amalgamate Y..

B, C, D - incorrect - subjunctive - require insist that
E - incorrect - violating parallelism
658). Some analysts contend that true capitalism exists only when the ownership of both property and
the means of production is regarded as an inalienable right of an individual’s, and it is not a license
granted by government and revokable at whim.
(A) is regarded as an inalienable right of an individual’s, and it is not
(B) are regarded as individuals’ inalienable rights, and that it not be
(C) is regarded as an individual’s inalienable right, not as
(D) are regarded as an individual’s inalienable rights, not when they are
(E) is regarded as the inalienable rights of an individual, not when it is

OA - C - parallel - ..regarded as X not as Y

A - incorrect - awkward - an inalienable right of an individual’s
B, D - incorrect - subject verb agreement - ....ownership(singular)....are(plural)...
E - incorrect - wrong comparison, awkward - ... inalienable rights...

659). Some bat caves, like honeybee hives, have residents that take on different duties such as
defending the entrance, acting as sentinels and to sound a warning at the approach of danger, and
scouting outside the cave for new food and roosting sites.
(A) acting as sentinels and to sound
(B) acting as sentinels and sounding
(C) to act as sentinels and sound
(D) to act as sentinels and to sound
(E) to act as a sentinel sounding

(OG 10th Ques no - 3) - OA - B - Ques no 92

OE:
B - correct - preserves the sense of the original, uses the correct idiom, and observes the parallelism
required among and within the three main verb phrases.
Because the verb phrases used to describe the bats' duties are governed by the phrase different duties
such as, they should each be expressed in the present participial (or "-ing") form to parallel defending
and scouting.
A, C, D, E - incorrect - violate parallelism by employing infinitives (to...) in place of participial phrases.
E - incorrect - the singular sentinel is not consistent with residents, and the omission of and distorts the
meaning of the original.

660). Some analysts point out that because people are becoming accustomed to a steady inflation rate of
four to five percent, businesses found that they could raise prices according to this amount without
thereby provoking strong public reaction.
(A) found that they could raise prices according to this amount without thereby provoking
(B) found that they were capable of raising prices by this amount and not provoke
(C) find that they are capable of raising prices by this amount and not provoke
(D) are finding that they can raise prices by this amount without provoking
(E) are finding that they can raise prices according to this amount and will not thereby provoke

OA - D - parallel - ....are becoming...are finding...without provoking...

A, B - incorrect - violating parallelism, wrong tense ...are becoming accustomed(present continuous) ....
found(simple past)
C - incorrect - violating parallelism, wrong tense ...are becoming accustomed(present continuous) ....
find(simple present)
E - incorrect - awkward and wordy according to this amount
661) Some buildings that were destroyed and heavily damaged in the earthquake last year were
constructed in violation of the city’s building code.
(A) Some buildings that were destroyed and heavily damaged in the earthquake last year were
(B) Some buildings that were destroyed or heavily damaged in the earthquake last year had been
(C) Some buildings that the earthquake destroyed and heavily damaged last year have been
(D) Last year the earthquake destroyed or heavily damaged some buildings that have been
(E) Last year some of the buildings that were destroyed or heavily damaged in the earth quake had been

(OG 10th Ques no - 32) - OA - B

OE: Choice B is best. Only B uses verb tenses correctly to indicate that construction of the buildings was
completed prior to the earthquake.
A, C - incorrect - illogically state that some buildings were both destroyed and damaged; or is needed to
indicate that each of the buildings suffered either one fate or the other. In using only one verb
tense,were, A fails to indicate that the buildings were constructed before the earthquake occurred.
C, D - incorrect - use the present perfect tense incorrectly, saying in effect that the buildings have been
constructed after they were destroyed last year.
E - incorrect - suggests that the construction of the buildings, rather than the earthquake, occurred last
year, thus making the sequence of events unclear.

662). Some biographers have not only disputed the common notion that Edgar Allan Poe drank to excess
but also questioned whether he drank at all.
(A) have not only disputed the common notion that Edgar Allan Poe drank to excess but also questioned
whether he drank
(B) not only have disputed the common notion that Edgar Allan Poe drank to excess but also over
whether he drank
(C) have disputed not only the common notion that Edgar Allan Poe drank to excess but also whether he
may not have drunk
(D) not only have disputed the common notion that Edgar Allan Poe drank to excess but also questioned
whether or not he had drunk
(E) have disputed the common notion not only that Edgar Allan Poe drank to excess but also questioned
whether he may not have drunk

662). OA - A - parallelism - ..not only ...but also

B, C, D, E - incorrect - violating parallelism

Among the reasons for the decline of New England agriculture in the last three decades were the high
cost of land, the pressure of housing and commercial development, and basing a marketing and
distribution system on importing produce from Florida and California.

A basing a marketing and distribution system on importing produce from Florida and California
B basing a marketing and distribution system on the imported produce of Florida and California
C basing a system of marketing and distribution on the import of produce from Florida and California
D a marketing and distribution system based on importing produce from Florida and California
E a marketing and distribution system importing produce from Florida and California as its base

A,B,C are out because or parallelism. In E its is ambiguous.

Answer:D.
By pressing a tiny amount of nitrogen between two diamonds to a pressure of 25 milliion pounds per
square inch, scientists not only were able to transform the gas into a solid, but they also created a
semiconductor similar to silicon

A. not only were able to transform the gas into a solid, but they also created
B. not only were able to transform the gas into a solid but also creating
C. were able not only to transform the gas into a solid but to create
D. were able not only to transform the gas into a solid but also creating
E. were able not only to transform the gas into a solid but they were also able to create

The skill and the precision of the Anasazi, ancient inhabitants of the Southwest, in measuring the
movements of the Sun and Moon is evidenced not only at Chaco Canyon but at a number of other sites.
(A) in measuring the movements of the Sun and Moon is evidenced not only at
(B) in measuring the movements of the Sun and Moon are evidenced not only at
(C) in measuring the movements of the Sun and Moon is evidenced at not only
(D) to measure the movements of the Sun and Moon is evidenced at not only
(E) to measure the movements of the Sun and Moon are evidenced not only at

Answer: B
in measuring is more idiomatic
the skill and the precision of Anasazi, …..... are evidenced not only at.....
Note that there is no but also construction in the non-underlined portion of the statement. Its not
incorrect to have such an construction.

Not only did Christopher Columbus refuse to accept the conventional wisdom that the earth was flat, he
also pressed relentlessly for royal support for his westward voyage to Asia, finally receiving approval and
financing from King Ferdinand of Spain in 1492 after several rejections.
(A)Not only did Christopher Columbus refuse to accept the conventional wisdom that the earth was flat,
he also pressed relentlessly for royal support for his westward voyage to Asia, finally receiving
(B)Not only did Christopher Columbus refuse to accept the conventional wisdom that the earth was flat,
also pressing relentlessly for royal support for his westward voyage to Asia; he finally received
(C)Christopher Columbus not only refused to accept the conventional wisdom that the earth was flat, but
he pressed relentlessly for royal support for his westward voyage to Asia, and finally receiving
(D)Christopher Columbus not only refused to accept the conventional wisdom that the earth was flat but
pressed relentlessly for royal support for his westward voyage to Asia, finally receiving
(E)Not only refusing to accept the conventional wisdom that the earth was flat but pressing relentlessly
for royal support for his westward voyage to Asia, Christopher Columbus, finally receiving

Answer D: for parallelism

(D)Christopher Columbus not only refused to accept the conventional wisdom that the earth was flat
but pressed relentlessly for royal support for his westward voyage to Asia, finally receiving approval and
financing from King Ferdinand of Spain in 1492 after several rejections.

(A)Not only did Christopher Columbus refuse to accept the conventional wisdom that the earth was flat,
{missing but} he{unnessary, not parallel with the first part} also pressed relentlessly for royal support
for his westward voyage to Asia, finally receiving
(B)Not only did Christopher Columbus refuse to accept the conventional wisdom that the earth was flat,
{missing but}also pressing{not parallel with the first part did} relentlessly for royal support for his
westward voyage to Asia; he finally received
(C)Christopher Columbus not only refused to accept the conventional wisdom that the earth was flat, but
{missing but}he{unnessary, not parallel with the first part} pressed relentlessly for royal support for his
westward voyage to Asia, and finally receiving
(D)Christopher Columbus not only refused to accept the conventional wisdom that the earth was flat
but pressed relentlessly for royal support for his westward voyage to Asia, finally receiving.
(E)Not only refusing to accept the conventional wisdom that the earth was flat but pressing relentlessly
for royal support for his westward voyage to Asia, Christopher Columbus, finally receiving – This whole
statement lacks a MAIN VERB

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, a test developed in the 1930s to access character,
attitudes, and behavior, is finally being revised, after many attacks recently as dated and culturally
biased.

(A) is finally being revised, after many attacks recently as dated and culturally baised
(B) has recently been attacked as dated and culturally biased and is finally being revised
(C) is finally under revision for receiving much recent attack as dated and culturally baised
(D) was finally revised recently because it is being attacked as dated and culturally biased
(E) is finally to be revised after recent attacks as dated and culturally baised

Answer -B

(A) is finally being revised, after many attacks recently as dated and culturally baised
"Recently" isn't correct. The -ly is used for adverbs. While recently can be used as an adverb, here it
modifies attackes....a noun.
(B) has recently been attacked as dated and culturally biased and is finally being revised
This uses "recently" as an adverb and uses it correctly.
(C) is finally under revision for receiving much recent attack as dated and culturally baised
Much recent attack is not correct. This is awkward/wordy and it changes the meaning of the sentence.
This senetence means the test is being revised because of the attacks. That doesn't seem to be the point
of the sentence.
(D) was finally revised recently because it is being attacked as dated and culturally biased
This also changes the meaning. "was" is past tense, that the revision has already taken place and is
complete. Not the same as the original sentence.
(E) is finally to be revised after recent attacks as dated and culturally baised
Changes the meaning. This means the revision is yet to be revised.

A new generation of sophisticated copy machines, capable of unprecedented detail and accuracy, are
prompting the development of more complex currency designs to prevent counterfeiting.
A. sophisticated copy machines, capable of unprecedented detail and accuracy, are
B. sophisticated copy machines, capable for unprecedented detail and accuracy, is
C. sophisticated copy machines, capable of unprecedented detail and accuracy, is
D. sophisticated copy machines, capable for unprecedented detail and accuracy, are
E. sophisticated copy machines that are capable of unprecedented detail and accuracy are

A new generation of copy machines ….. needs a singular verb.

Hence Answer C
233. Darwin was not the first to advance a theory of evolution; his tremendous originality lay in the fact
that he proposed the idea of natural selection as the means by which evolution worked.
(A) lay in the fact that he proposed the idea
(B) lay in the fact of his proposing the idea
(C) laid in the fact of his proposing the idea
(D) laid in his proposal
(E) lay in his proposal

233. Darwin was not the first to advance a theory of evolution; his tremendous originality lay in the fact
that he proposed the idea of natural selection as the means by which evolution worked.

First off, remember that semicolons function in pretty much the same way as periods. We can ignore the
first independent clause here and just focus on the second.

(A) lay in the fact that he proposed the idea

PROBLEM: First of all, it's hideous. But now think about the meaning. Did Darwin's originality lay in "the
fact that he proposed the idea"? No. It lay in the proposal itself.

(B) lay in the fact of his proposing the idea

PROBLEM: IDIOM with fact. You have to say "The fact that burgers are delicious is immaterial", not "The
fact of burgers being delicious is immaterial".

(C) laid in the fact of his proposing the idea

PROBLEM: "Laid" is the past tense of the verb "to lay" (As in "After we lay it down on the table, we'll have
to give it a back massage."). "Lay" is the past tense of the verb "to lie" (As in "The truth lies elsewhere
today."). This sentence involves the latter (purely based on the definitions of the two words, which ARE
different), so we simply use "lay" as the past tense. Annoying, right? Also, this answer choice has the
same issues as B.

(D) laid in his proposal

PROBLEM: See C.

(E) lay in his proposal

ANSWER: I think people dislike this because they aren't used to the idiom "proposal of". But it's correct.
Sigh. On the plus side, even though I exhort my students not to go with concision unless ALL else fails,
concision will lead you to this answer choice (as long as you recognize the difference between "lay" and
"laid").

763). The guiding principles of the tax plan released by the Treasury Department could have even a
greater significance for the economy than the particulars of the plan.
(A) even a greater significance for the economy than
(B) a significance that is even greater for the economy than
(C) even greater significance for the economy than have
(D) even greater significance for the economy than do
(E) a significance even greater for the economy than have

OA - D - to compare actions do is required here. Do rightly compares

the significance of the guiding principles of the tax plan to the significance of the particulars of the plan
A, B - incorrect - wrong comparison - incorrectly compares significance to the particulars of the plan
C - incorrect - ..have even greater significance for the economy than have...- better to use do when same
verb is repeated. Also read post on do-auxiliary verb
C, E - incorrect - use of have is wrong in ...greater for the economy than have...because have is not
acting as an auxiliary verb but as a main verb in ...Treasury Department could have ...
764). The gyrfalcon, an Arctic bird of prey, has survived a close brush with extinction; its numbers are
now five times greater than when the use of DDT was sharply restricted in the early 1970’s.
(A) extinction; its numbers are now five times greater than
(B) extinction; its numbers are now five times more than
(C) extinction, their numbers now fivefold what they were
(D) extinction, now with fivefold the numbers they had
(E) extinction, now with numbers five times greater than

(OG 10th Ques no - 251) - OA - A

OE: A - the best choice, uses a singular pronoun, its, to refer to the singular antecedent The gyrfalcon,
and it properly uses the construction its numbers are now ... greater than.
B - incorrect - the construction its numbers are ...more is not idiomatic: there are more birds, but not
more numbers.
C, D - incorrect - use a plural pronoun, their or they, to refer to a grammatically singular antecedent, The
gyrfalcon.
D, E - incorrect - wrongly use a phrase introduced by now with to modify The gyrfalcon. In both choices,
the phrase confusingly seems to parallel with
extinction; a new clause with a present tense verb is needed to state what the gyrfalcon's numbers are
now.

182. Consumers may not think of household cleaning products to be hazardous substances, but many of
them can be harmful to health, especially if they are used improperly.
(A) Consumers may not think of household cleaning products to be
(B) Consumers may not think of household cleaning products being
(C) A consumer may not think of their household cleaning products being
(D) A consumer may not think of household cleaning products as
(E) Household cleaning products may not be thought of, by consumers, as

Answer: A correct sentence will follow the idiomatic form of expression to think ofX as Y. Only D, the best
choice, uses as in the comparison. The infinitive to be in A and the participle being in B and C cannot
grammatically and idiomatically connect those choices to the rest of the sentence. Moreover, in C the
plural pronoun their does not agree with the singular noun referent, consumer. E is awkward and wordy
in its use of the passive voice.

183. Archaeologists in Ireland believe that a recently discovered chalice, which dates from the eighth
century, was probably buried to keep from being stolen by invaders.
(A) to keep from
(B) to keep it from
(C) to avoid
(D) in order that it would avoid
(E) in order to keep from

Answer : In choice A, the phrase/row being stolen lacks the necessary noun or pronoun that specifies
what it is that might be stolen. Choice B is best because it provides the pronoun it, which refers to
chalice. Like choice A, choices C and E lack the pronoun. D is wordy and awkward in its use of the passive
voice. Moreover, avoid is used imprecisely in C and D because it illogically suggests that the chalice is
acting to prevent its own theft.
184. As measured by the Commerce Department, corporate profits peaked in the fourth quarter of 1988
and have slipped since then, as many companies have been unable to pass on higher costs
(A) and have slipped since then, as many companies have been unable to pass on higher costs
(B) and have slipped since then, the reason being because many companies have been unable to pass on
higher costs
(C) and slipped since then, many companies being unable to pass on higher costs
(D) but, many companies unable to pass on higher costs, they have slipped since then
(E) yet are slipping since then, because many companies were unable to pass on higher costs

Answer :A, the best choice, observes an appropriate sequence of verb tenses_ a single act in the past
(peaked) followed by an extended activity reaching to the present (have slipped). The as clause states
clearly the cause of the slippage. B suffers from the redundant and unidiomatic expression the reason
being because. In C, the use of the simple past slipped with since then is unidiomatic because since then
denotes extended time. In D, the intrusion of the awkward many ... costs causes the antecedent of they
to become unclear. Furthermore, a comma should precede the but since it introduces a second
independent clause. In E, yet also requires a comma before it, are slipping with since then is illogical, and
were unable represents an ungrammatical tense
shift.

185. The recent surge in the number of airplane flights has clogged the nation's air-traffic control system,
to lead to 55 percent more delays at airports, and prompts fears among some officials that safety is
being compromised.
(A) to lead to 55 percent more delays at airports, and prompts
(B) leading to 55 percent more delay at airports and prompting
(C) to lead to a 55 percent increase in delay at airports and prompt
(D) to lead to an increase of 55 percent in delays at airports, and prompted
(E) leading to a 55-percent increase in delays at airports and prompting

Answer:This question poses two major problems: parallel structure and precision of expression. In E, the
best choice, parallel structure is maintained in the participial phrases introduced by leading and
prompting, and the phrase 55-percent increase in delays conveys the meaning more accurately than does
the phrase 55 percent more delay(s) in A and B. Also, choice A lacks parallelism. In C and D the infinitive
phrase to lead to ... is less idiomatic than the participial phrase leading to .. .'_ Choice C uses the singular
delay where the plural is needed to indicate an increase in the number of delays; the phrase increase in
delay has no exact meaning.

186. Judge Bonham denied a motion to allow members of the jury to go home at the end of each day
instead of to confine them to a hotel.
(A) to allow members of the jury to go home at the end of each day instead of to confine them to
(B) that would have allowed members of the jury to go home at the end of each day instead of confined
to
(C) under which members of the jury are allowed to go home at the end of each day instead of confining
them in
(D) that would allow members of the jury to go home at the end of each day rather than confinement in
(E) to allow members of the jury to go home at the end of each day rather than be confined to

Answer:In this sentence, members of the jury are presented with two options: they may (1) go home or
(2) be confined to a hotel. The rejected motion would have allowed them to do the first rather than [to]
suffer the second. Members of the jury must be the logical subject of both options, and both must be
expressed in parallel form, that is, as infinitive clauses. E, the best choice, observes these requirements.
In A and C, the phrase members of the jury is not the logical subject of the second option, to confine
them or confining them, since jury members are not doing the confining. In B and D, confined and
confinement are not infinitives and thus do not parallel to go in the first option.