Dear Friends,
Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
ugimba wrote:
In reference to the current hostility toward smoking, smokers frequently expressed anxiety that their prospects for being hired and promoted are being stunted by their habit.
(A) In reference to the current hostility toward smoking, smokers frequently expressed anxiety that
(B) Referring to the current hostility toward smoking, smokers frequently expressed anxiety about
(C) When referring to the current hostility toward smoking, smokers frequently express anxiety about
(D) With reference to the current hostility toward smoking, smokers frequently expressed anxiety about
(E) Referring to the current hostility toward smoking, smokers frequently express anxiety that
I am able to eliminate A, C, D options based on the modifier (Referring) but I am not able to decide between B and E.
so every new clause (should)starts with a 'that' after a clause? can some one explain me this concept?
Anxiety is causing something in a way. It's leading to their prospects are being stunted.
Smokers expressed anxiety about their prospects are being stunted.
Smokers expressed anxiety that their prospects are being stunted.
We need a "that", not an "about"
Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of this sentence is that by referring to the current hostility toward smoking, smokers frequently express anxiety that their prospects for being hired and promoted are being stunted by their habit.
Concepts tested here: Meaning + Grammatical Construction + Tenses• The simple present tense is used to indicate actions taking place in the current time frame, indicate habitual actions, state universal truths, and convey information that is permanent in nature.
• The simple past tense is used to refer to events that concluded in the past.
• “when” is used to refer to a point in time.
• Prepositions must refer to nouns.
A: This answer choice incorrectly uses the simple past tense verb “expressed” to refer to an action that takes place in the current time frame, as evidenced by the use of the phrase “
current hostility”; please remember, the simple present tense is used to refer to actions taking place in the current time frame, and the simple past tense is used to refer to events that concluded in the past.
B: This answer choice incorrectly uses the simple past tense verb “expressed” to refer to an action that takes place in the current time frame, as evidenced by the use of the phrase “
current hostility”; please remember, the simple present tense is used to refer to actions taking place in the current time frame, and the simple past tense is used to refer to events that concluded in the past. Further, Option B incorrectly uses the preposition “about” to refer to the clause “their prospects for being hired and promoted are being stunted by their habit”; remember, prepositions must refer to nouns.
C: Trap. This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “When referring”; the use of “when” incorrectly implies that smokers express anxiety that their prospects for being hired and promoted are being stunted by their habit,
specifically at the point in time when they refer to the current hostility toward smoking; the intended meaning of this sentence is that
by referring to the current hostility toward smoking, smokers frequently express anxiety that their prospects for being hired and promoted are being stunted by their habit; remember, "when" is only used to refer to a point in time. Further, Option C incorrectly uses the preposition “about” to refer to the clause “their prospects for being hired and promoted are being stunted by their habit”; remember, prepositions must refer to nouns.
D: This answer choice incorrectly uses the simple past tense verb “expressed” to refer to an action that takes place in the current time frame, as evidenced by the use of the phrase “
current hostility”; please remember, the simple present tense is used to refer to actions taking place in the current time frame, and the simple past tense is used to refer to events that concluded in the past. Further, Option D incorrectly uses the preposition “about” to refer to the clause “their prospects for being hired and promoted are being stunted by their habit”; remember, prepositions must refer to nouns.
E: Correct. This answer choice correctly uses the simple present tense verb “express” to refer to an action that takes place in the current time frame, as evidenced by the use of the phrase “
current hostility”. Further, Option E uses the phrase “Referring to the current hostility toward smoking”, conveying the intended meaning of the sentence- that
by referring to the current hostility toward smoking, smokers frequently express anxiety that their prospects for being hired and promoted are being stunted by their habit. Additionally, Option E correctly uses the conjunction “that” to refer to the clause “their prospects for being hired and promoted are being stunted by their habit”.
Hence, E is the best answer choice.To understand the concept of "Simple Tenses" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):
All the best!
Experts' Global Team