In contrast to the declarations made at previous UN climate change con

Correct Answer: A

All answers choices begin with a modifying phrase that makes a comparison. In every case, something needs to be logically compared to or contrasted with previous "declarations". In overly complex and modifier-laden sentences like this, look to Slash and Burn unnecessary modifiers to identify the comparison being made. Answers B through D all illogically compare or contrast "declarations" with "the...Conference". Answer E compares "declarations" with "negotiations". Only the original sentence, answer A, correctly compares "declarations" to "Kyoto Protocol" (a specific declaration).

This is rather leading to a muddle. It is clear that the declarations are being compared and contrasted. They should be compared with something similar; As per terms of modification, whatever is modified must be placed next to the comma, to assert proper modification. the correct sentence structure should use a passive form such as--- binding obligations were created. But I don’t find such things in this example. On the other hand, declarations are contrasted with the third conference; the third conference is not a licit comparison with declarations. it must be noted that the third conference is just a part of proceedings of the KYOTO protocol, named after the place where proceedings were held. The third conference, a proceeding, cannot be compared with the declarations, an outcome of the proceeding per se; Anywya thanks to Veritas for giving us a thought provoking practice stuff. This is my honest opinion.
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Correct idioms:
In contrast to/with x, y...
Compared to/with x, y...
"to" stresses similarities, "with" stresses differences. Not sure if GMAT allows for it.
C is out.
The original sentence informs that previous conferences didn't create something.
You can say "In contrast to/with x, y didn't".
You cannot say "compared to/with x, y didn't". You can compare somthing better to something worse, but you cannot compare something existing to something nonexisting.
D and E are out.
I got to this point and claim this problem a killer.

In contrast to the declarations [participial modifier], [a parallel here]


The third conference of something created legally binding obligations, which are contrast to the declarations. "Declarations made" to "created obligations". I am picking A.

Not parallel.

This is a problem that I would give up on the GMAT .

In contrast to the declarations made at previous UN climate change conferences, the third Conference of the Parties' Kyoto Protocol created legally binding obligations as a result of intensive negotiations among both developed and developing nations. Looks good

A. In contrast to the declarations made at previous UN climate change conferences, the third Conference of the Parties' Kyoto Protocol created legally binding obligations as a result of intensive negotiations among both developed and developing nations.

B. In contrast to the declarations made at previous UN climate change conferences, the third Conference of the Parties had intensive negotiations among both developed and developing nations, creating legally binding obligations in their Kyoto Protocol. Incorrect: "their" has no clear referant

C. When compared with the declarations made at previous UN climate change conferences, the third Conference of the Parties had intensive negotiations among both developed and developing nations creating legally binding obligations in the Kyoto Protocol. Incorrect. As per the sentence "creating" modifies nations which is not the intended meaning

D.Compared with the declarations made at previous UN climate change conferences, the third Conference of the Parties had intensive negotiations among both developed and developing nations creating legally binding obligations in the Kyoto Protocol. : Incorrect. As per the sentence "creating" modifies nations which is not the intended meaning

E. Compared to the declarations made at previous UN climate change conferences, the intensive third Conference of the Parties' negotiations among both developed and developing nations led to the creating of the Kyoto Protocol's legally binding obligations.

OA is A

Hello Experts,

aragonn, GMATNinjaTwo, sudarshan22, GMATNinja, broall, hazelnut, generis


Can you please help to understand how the comparison in option A is parallel? As per ,u understanding, in option A also "declarations" is compared to the conference. Please advise.

Regards,
Arup

Hello Sir
I have doubt.how is among correct here?
We have 2 set of countries only so it must be between.

ArupRS - Clearly, the sentence is comparing the declarations with X. Lets find that X in all the choices. I see two split on this ground.
B, C, and D are comparing declarations to "third Conference of the Parties". -- Cant be right.
A and E are comparing declarations to "Kyoto Protocol" and "negotiations", respectively. Either can be, I am not sure here, But with right meaning comparison can be right. What i dont like about E is this part "led to the creating of", "creation of" would have been a better choice.
Also Protocol created legally binding obligations is better than the Kyoto Protocol's legally binding obligations.

On those lines I would select A as better choice.

aragonn thank you for the explanation. it is quite lucid. My next doubt is - the third Conference of the Parties' Kyoto Protocol - how should I break this sentence /
Is it like - the Kyoto protocol of the third conference of the parties ?

regards,
Arup

I am surprised why no one is discussing the presence of "had" in option B), C) and, D). I feel we don't require any past perfect tense here. This leaves us with option A) and E). Though I am not convinced with either option, A) states the negotiations were intensive whereas, the E) states Conference was intensive. As per the original meaning (A), I would prefer A) as the correct answer.

B, C and D all compare ‘declarations’ to ‘the…Conference’. E compares ‘declarations with ‘negotiations’. None of these are correct. Only A gets it right , by comparing ‘declarations’ to ‘Kyoto Protocol.’

I marked A because when you cannot find anything wrong, just go with A.

Initially I did think that declarations are being compared to Conference but then I thought that is the case in almost all the choices (except A and E).
And then I was doubtful about about usage of "among both" but then all choices have it.

So when you don't know the error, may be nothing is wrong to begin with

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