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Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
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Although she had been known as an effective legislator first in the Texas Senate and later in the United States House of Representatives, not until Barbara Jordan’s participation in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon in 1974 was she made a nationally recognized figure, as it was televised nationwide.
(A) later in the United States House of Representatives, not until Barbara Jordan’s participation in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon in 1974 was she made a nationally recognized figure, as it was
(B) later in the United States House of Representatives, Barbara Jordan did not become a nationally recognized figure until 1974, when she participated in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, which were
(C) later in the Untied States House of Representatives, it was not until 1974 that Barbara Jordan became a nationally recognized figure, with her participation in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, which was
(D) then also later in the United States House of Representatives, not until 1974 did Barbara Jordan become a nationally recognized figure, as she participated in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, being
(E) then also later in the United States House of Representatives, Barbara Jordan did not become a nationally recognized figure until 1974, when she participated in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, which was
Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:Understanding the meaning of this sentence is key to solving the problem; the intended meaning of the crucial part of this sentence is that Barbara Jordan did not become a nationally recognized figure until 1974, which was when she participated in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, and, as a separate action, the hearings were televised nationwide.
Concepts tested here: Subject-Verb Agreement + Pronouns + Meaning + Verb Forms• The introduction of the present participle ("verb+ing"- “being” in this case) after comma generally leads to a cause-effect relationship.
A: This answer choice incorrectly uses the singular pronoun "it" and the singular verb "was" to refer to the plural noun "hearings". Further, Option A alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "not until...was she made a nationally recognized figure"; the passive construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that
some second entity made Barbara Jordan a nationally recognized figure; the intended meaning is that Barbara Jordan,
herself, became a nationally recognized figure.
B: Correct. This answer choice correctly uses the plural verb "were" to refer to the plural noun "hearings". Moreover, Option B avoids the pronoun error seen in Option A, as it correctly uses the pronoun "which" to refer to the plural noun "hearings"; "which" can refer to both plural and singular nouns. Further, Option B uses the constructions "Barbara Jordan did not become a nationally recognized figure until 1974" and "which were televised nationwide", conveying the intended meaning - that Barbara Jordan,
herself, became a nationally recognized figure and participated in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, and
as a separate action, the
hearings were televised nationwide. Additionally, Option B is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.
C: This answer choice incorrectly uses the singular verb "was" to refer to the plural noun "hearings". Further, Option C uses the passive voice construction "it was not until 1974", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.
D: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "being televised nationwide"; the use of the "comma + present participle ("verb+ing" - "being" in this sentence) illogically implies that Barbara Jordan participated in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon
because she was being televised nationwide; the intended meaning is that Barbara Jordan participated in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, and
as a separate action, the
hearings were televised nationwide; remember, the introduction of the present participle ("verb+ing"- “being” in this case) after comma generally leads to a cause-effect relationship. Further, Option D uses the needlessly wordy phrase "then also later" and the passive construction "not until 1974 did Barbara Jordan become", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.
E: This answer choice incorrectly uses the singular verb "was" to refer to the plural noun "hearings". Further, Option E uses the needlessly wordy phrase "then also later", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.
Hence, B is the best answer choice.To understand the concept of "Comma Plus Present Participle for "Cause-Effect Relationship" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):
All the best!
Experts' Global Team
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