Competition in the mid-nineteenth century by large western farms gradu

Well tried.....but in GMAT,there is no runner up.

this question test: proun + meaning.

Pronoun "it" does not have any logical ancestors in choice A, C, and D. that leave choice B and E
the use of "Once predominantly a grain-producing state" to modify "cmpetition in neighteen centuries" is nonsense. Hence, choice B is out
Leave choice E.

E is correct answer.

Split 1:- Improper modification
Eliminate B (Once .... state modifies competition)
Eliminate D

Split 2:- Incomplete clause
Eliminate A ( predominantly grain-producing --> should include state to complete the clause)

Split 3:- Wrong antecedent
Eliminate C. While the sentence talk about Pennsylvania's farmer the contrast clause uses it instead of them. There is one more error that the contrast clause (but ....) is modifying Pennsylvania as it specifies state in the end while we are talking about Pennsylvania's farmer.

Answer - E

I'm confused as to why A is wrong? Why can't the pronoun "it" refer to Pennsylvania?

It can refer to either Competition or Pennsylvania.

Hence, pronoun ambiguity error.

Hi Experts,

Could you please provides your comments for option A? one can quickly eliminate option B,C and D. Now I want to know apart from pronoun ambiguity what is the issue with option A?


option E can we say meaning is slightly different. xxxxx was once a predominantly grain producing state. so its mean this is over not applicable in current time.

Please clarify.

Thanks

Two major problems with A:

1. "That" is a demonstrative adjective and hence cannot stand by its own. There has to be a noun after "that" (e.g before that practice).

2. "It" should have been "they" to refer to the "farmers".

The meaning in E is alright. Even in the original sentence, the tense used is simple past, indicating that the state is no longer predominantly grain-producing.

*Note: "that" may also be used as a relative pronoun, but that discussion is out of scope for this question

Option E

A. Competition in the mid-nineteenth century by large western farms gradually caused farmers in Pennsylvania to turn to livestock raising, but before that it was predominantly grain-producing. (Pronoun "it" does not clearly refers to noun - can be "farmers" or "Pennsylvania" )
B. Once predominantly a grain-producing state, competition in the mid-nineteenth century from large western farms gradually was causing Pennsylvania’s farmers to turn to livestock raising. ( Modifier "Once predominantly a grain-producing state" modifies competition)
C. Pennsylvania’s farmers were gradually caused to turn to livestock raising by competition from large western farms in the mid-nineteenth century, but before that it was predominantly a grain-producing state. (Pronoun " it" does not relevant noun available in sentence)
D. It was once predominantly grain-producing, but competition in the mid-nineteenth century by large western farms was gradually causing Pennsylvania’s farmers to turn to livestock raising. (Modifier "It was once predominantly grain-producing" modifies noun competition)
E. Pennsylvania was once a predominantly grain-producing state, but competition in the mid-nineteenth century from large western farms gradually caused the state’s farmers to turn to livestock raising. Correct

Competition in the mid-nineteenth century by large western farms gradually caused farmers in Pennsylvania to turn to livestock raising, but before that it was predominantly grain-producing.

A. Competition in the mid-nineteenth century by large western farms gradually caused farmers in Pennsylvania to turn to livestock raising, but before that it was predominantly grain-producing. - Pronoun it antecedent issue ; Competition "by" seems awkward
B. Once predominantly a grain-producing state, competition in the mid-nineteenth century from large western farms gradually was causing Pennsylvania’s farmers to turn to livestock raising. - Modifier issue - competition was not a grain-producing state
C. Pennsylvania’s farmers were gradually caused to turn to livestock raising by competition from large western farms in the mid-nineteenth century, but before that it was predominantly a grain-producing state. - Pronoun it antecedent issue - Pennsylvania is an adjective here
D. It was once predominantly grain-producing, but competition in the mid-nineteenth century by large western farms was gradually causing Pennsylvania’s farmers to turn to livestock raising. - Pronoun it antecedent issue
E. Pennsylvania was once a predominantly grain-producing state, but competition in the mid-nineteenth century from large western farms gradually caused the state’s farmers to turn to livestock raising. - Correct

Answer E

Hi sayantanc2k

Could A also be eliminated because there is nothing parellel to the left side of "but". "But" is followed by a pronoun(it- referring to Pennsylvania) + verb (was) but there is nothing parallel to the left side of this "but" ?

Hi Vivek, in A, but connects two Independent clauses.

Note that but is a coordinating conjunction and can be used to connect two Independent clauses.

In A, but connects the following two Independent clauses:

i) Competition in the mid-nineteenth century by large western farms gradually caused farmers in Pennsylvania to turn to livestock raising.

ii) before that it was predominantly grain-producing.

You can watch our video on Independent and Dependent Clauses.

p.s. Our book EducationAisle Sentence Correction Nirvana discusses Conjunctions (coordinating & subordinating), their application and examples in significant detail. If you or someone is interested, PM me your email-id; I can mail the corresponding section.

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