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Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
bmwhype2 wrote:
As the etched lines on computer memory chips have become thinner and the chips’ circuits more complex, both the power of the chips and the electronic devices they drive have vastly increased.
(A) the chips’ circuits more complex, both the power of the chips and the electronic devices they drive have
(B) the chips’ circuits more complex, the power of both the chips and the electronic devices they drive has
(C) the chips’ circuits are more complex, both the power of the chips and the electronic devices they drive has
(D) their circuits are more complex, the power of both the chips and the electronic devices they drive have
(E) their circuits more complex, both the power of the chips and the electronic devices they drive have
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 the etched lines on computer memory chips have become thinner and the chips' circuits have become more complex, the power of the chips and the power of the electronic devices they drive have vastly increased.
Concepts tested here: Meaning + Subject-verb Agreement + Pronouns + Redundancy/Awkwardness• The present perfect tense (marked by the use of the helping verb “has/have”) is used to describe events that concluded in the past but continue to affect the present.
• 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.
• Any elements joined by a conjunction (“and” in this sentence) must be parallel.
A: Trap. This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “both the power of the chips and the electronic devices they drive”; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that the “power of the chips” and “the electronic devices they drive” have increased; the intended meaning is that both the power of the chips and the
power of the electronic devices they drive have vastly increased.
B: Correct. This answer choice uses the phrase “the power of both the chips and the electronic devices they drive”, conveying the intended meaning - that both the power of the chips and the
power of the electronic devices they drive have vastly increased. Further, Option B correctly uses the singular verb “has” to refer to the singular noun “power”. Additionally, Option C correctly uses the present perfect tense verb “have become” to refer to an action that concluded in the past but continues to affect the present.
C: This answer choice incorrectly refers to the plural noun phrase "the power of the chips and the electronic devices they drive" with the singular verb "has...increased". Further, Option C alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “both the power of the chips and the electronic devices they drive”; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that the “power of the chips” and “the electronic devices they drive” have increased; the intended meaning is that both the power of the chips and the
power of the electronic devices they drive have vastly increased. Additionally, Option C incorrectly uses the simple present tense verb “are” to refer to an action that concluded in the past but continues to affect the present; please remember, the present perfect tense (marked by the use of the helping verb “has/have”) is used to describe events that concluded in the past but continue to affect the present, and the simple present tense is used only to indicate actions taking place in the current time frame, indicate habitual actions, state universal truths, and convey information that is permanent in nature.
D: This answer choice incorrectly uses the plural verb “have” to refer to the singular noun “power. Further, Option D incorrectly uses the simple present tense verb “are” to refer to an action that concluded in the past but continues to affect the present; please remember, the present perfect tense (marked by the use of the helping verb “has/have”) is used to describe events that concluded in the past but continue to affect the present, and the simple present tense is used only to indicate actions taking place in the current time frame, indicate habitual actions, state universal truths, and convey information that is permanent in nature.
E: Trap. This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “both the power of the chips and the electronic devices they drive”; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that the “power of the chips” and “the electronic devices they drive” have increased; the intended meaning is that both the power of the chips and the
power of the electronic devices they drive have vastly increased. Further, Option E fails to maintain parallelism between “the etched lines on computer memory chips have become thinner” and “their circuits more complex”; please remember, any elements joined by a conjunction (“and” in this sentence) must be parallel.
Hence, B is the best answer choice.To understand the concept of "Simple Tenses" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):
To understand the concept of "Present Perfect Tense" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):
All the best!
Experts' Global Team