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An ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure that made

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souvik101990
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An ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure that made [#permalink] New post   Updated on: 06 Mar 2019, 01:03
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Question Stats:

57% (02:09) correct 43% (02:15) wrong based on 896 sessions
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An ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure that made it an offense subject to fine or confiscation for a citizen possessing legalized narcotics in the open, many prescription holders discovered that they had to forfeit prescriptions that were rightly prescribed by a medical professional.

A. An ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure that made it an offense subject to fine or confiscation for a citizen possessing

B. With an ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure that makes it an offense subject to fine or confiscation for a citizen to possess

C. On account of an ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure, making it an offense subject to fine or confiscation that a citizen possess

D. Because of an ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure making it an offense subject to fine or confiscation for a citizen to possess

E. Due to an ordinance being passed after a recent municipal ballot measure that makes it an offense subject to fine or confiscation for a citizen to possess

Day 5 Question of the Verbal Contest: Race Against the GMAT Club Timer
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D

Originally posted by souvik101990 on 17 Jul 2015, 10:17.
Last edited by Bunuel on 06 Mar 2019, 01:03, edited 1 time in total.
Renamed the topic and edited the question.
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Re: An ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure that made [#permalink] New post   Updated on: 18 Jul 2015, 07:44
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The first clue to solving this problem is the use of idiom--- for a citizen to possess is the right idiom; a citizen possessing, that a citizen possess etc. are incorrect. A, C are gone.

In B, the problem is the introducing prepositional phrase starting with “with”; 'with' is generally used, when a physical accompaniment is the context. Here the use of with might lead one to think that the prescription holders themselves were armed with the ordinance.

‘Being passed’ in E changes the intent that the ordinance is yet to be passed, while the text means to say that the ordinance has been passed recently;

An additional problem with B and E is that it is no clear whether what the relative clause started by the relative pronoun'that' is modifying--- the measure or the ordinance?; If it refers to the measure, as it looks like, then it is absolutely incorrect. In fact, it is the ordinance that makes it an offense subject.

The pronoun 'it' in D is an expletive; so acceptable.

As we are asked not to reveal the solution, I am not explicitly stating it.

Originally posted by daagh on 17 Jul 2015, 22:43.
Last edited by daagh on 18 Jul 2015, 07:44, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: An ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure that made [#permalink] New post   27 Jul 2015, 12:38
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An ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure that made it an offense subject to fine or confiscation for a citizen possessing legalized narcotics in the open, many prescription holders discovered that they had to forfeit prescriptions that were rightly prescribed by a medical professional.

A. An ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure that made it an offense subject to fine or confiscation for a citizen possessing

B. With an ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure that makes it an offense subject to fine or confiscation for a citizen to possess

C. On account of an ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure, making it an offense subject to fine or confiscation that a citizen possess

D. Because of an ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure making it an offense subject to fine or confiscation for a citizen to possess

E. Due to an ordinance being passed after a recent municipal ballot measure that makes it an offense subject to fine or confiscation for a citizen to possess



Official Explanation

Error Types: Modifiers, Writer’s Intent, Awkwardness
Analysis: This question raises some very subtle nuances between verb forms and reference. Perhaps most importantly, this question underscores the importance of the rule that the right answer must retain the meaning from the original sentence even if the original sentence is incorrect.

    A) The GMAT test-writers are averse to unnecessary mid-sentence VERB-ings. A) is out not only because POSSESSING is an unnecessary mid-sentence VERB-ing but also because the sentence is announcing a general state, so “TO POSSESS” wins.
    B) Bad news here. “With an ordinance...many prescription holders”? So B awkwardly sets up this nonsensical situation that many prescription holders are WITH an ordinance. Gone.
    C) Has two problems:
    1) It says “subject to fine...that a citizen possess...narcotics”. “THAT” makes no sense here. It confuses the meaning, and as the Official Guide would call this option: it’s “awkward”.
    2) “, making” would refer to the nearest logical noun, here that would be the ballot measure specifically. Here's where we get into the trickiest aspect of this question. How do we know that’s wrong? The original sentence says: “An ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure made it an offense”. That would imply that the ordinance was passed in conjunction with the ballot measure, and that it wasn’t the ballot measure specifically. Remember, the right option must retain the intent of option A.
    D) Yes! Here “Because of an ordinance” sets up a proper and logical framework for what ensued. Additionally, “making” refers to the entire logical unit “an ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure making it an offense...”
    E) Commits a loathed act on the GMAT: a mid-sentence “being”. That “being” is not only improper, but it’s also altogether unnecessary.

A note about “it” – There is no problem with the “it” in any of these options since we’re saying: “made IT an offense TO carry legalized narcotics in the open”. The IT refers to what follows, so there’s no ambiguity issue here (the “it” isn’t referring to either the ordinance or the measure).

Bigger GMAT Picture:
Awkwardness - In sentences that awkwardness is in play, selecting the right option can seem fluffy or unclear. That’s why it’s ESPECIALLY imperative that you read the original sentence to understand the true intent of the author. It’s that intent that will help you weed out options that alter or distort the intended message


P.S. Kudos to daagh for nailing the key issues.
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Re: An ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure that made [#permalink] New post   17 Jul 2015, 10:54
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souvik101990 wrote:

An ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure that made it an offense subject to fine or confiscation for a citizen possessing legalized narcotics in the open, many prescription holders discovered that they had to forfeit prescriptions that were rightly prescribed by a medical professional.

A. An ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure that made it an offense subject to fine or confiscation for a citizen possessing

B. With an ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure that makes it an offense subject to fine or confiscation for a citizen to possess

C. On account of an ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure, making it an offense subject to fine or confiscation that a citizen possess

D. Because of an ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure making it an offense subject to fine or confiscation for a citizen to possess

E. Due to an ordinance being passed after a recent municipal ballot measure that makes it an offense subject to fine or confiscation for a citizen to possess

Day 5 Question of the Verbal Contest: Race Against the GMAT Club Timer
Please make sure to post a brief reply without revealing your solution to enter the contest!


Possessing is not the correct form as to possess is preferred. Two independent clauses lack order.A is out.
Due to the ordinance being passed is wrong usage. "is passed" is correct. E is out.
"ballot measure making it an offense" modifies the ballot measure wrongly. D is out.
With an ordinance does not give the intended meaning. B is out.
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Re: An ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure that made [#permalink] New post   Updated on: 17 Jul 2015, 23:49
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A. An ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure that made it an offense subject to fine or confiscation for a citizen possessing
"it" refers to either ordinance or municipal ballot measure.

B. With an ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure that makes it an offense subject to fine or confiscation for a citizen to possess
Absolute phrase right? So, finite verb "makes" is not allowed.
"it" refers to either ordinance or municipal ballot measure.

C. On account of an ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure, making it an offense subject to fine or confiscation that a citizen possess
"it" properly refers to municipal ballot measure, since the ballot measure made it an offense; whereas, the ordinance doesn't make the law it only states it.
EDIT: didn't see the missing "to" next to possess...

D. Because of an ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure making it an offense subject to fine or confiscation for a citizen to possess
"it" refers to either ordinance or municipal ballot measure.

E. Due to an ordinance being passed after a recent municipal ballot measure that makes it an offense subject to fine or confiscation for a citizen to possess
Absolute phrase right? So, finite verb "makes" is not allowed.
"it" refers to either ordinance or municipal ballot measure.

Originally posted by iPen on 17 Jul 2015, 18:26.
Last edited by iPen on 17 Jul 2015, 23:49, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: An ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure that made [#permalink] New post   21 Jul 2015, 15:54
daagh wrote:
The first clue to solving this problem is the use of idiom--- for a citizen to possess is the right idiom; a citizen possessing, that a citizen possess etc. are incorrect. A, C are gone.

In B, the problem is the introducing prepositional phrase starting with “with”; 'with' is generally used, when a physical accompaniment is the context. Here the use of with might lead one to think that the prescription holders themselves were armed with the ordinance.

‘Being passed’ in E changes the intent that the ordinance is yet to be passed, while the text means to say that the ordinance has been passed recently;

An additional problem with B and E is that it is no clear whether what the relative clause started by the relative pronoun'that' is modifying--- the measure or the ordinance?; If it refers to the measure, as it looks like, then it is absolutely incorrect. In fact, it is the ordinance that makes it an offense subject.

The pronoun 'it' in D is an expletive; so acceptable.

As we are asked not to reveal the solution, I am not explicitly stating it.


I have a feeling that I miss some source of knowledge: a lot of people in posts above say that C is wrong because of idiom "to possess"

I've just check Manhattan SC, some idiom list from here gmat-idioms-comprehensive-list-of-gmat-idioms-80342.html
but I can't find this idiom.

From where you know about this idiom?
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Re: An ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure that made [#permalink] New post   23 Jul 2015, 09:55
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Harley1980 wrote:
daagh wrote:
The first clue to solving this problem is the use of idiom--- for a citizen to possess is the right idiom; a citizen possessing, that a citizen possess etc. are incorrect. A, C are gone.

In B, the problem is the introducing prepositional phrase starting with “with”; 'with' is generally used, when a physical accompaniment is the context. Here the use of with might lead one to think that the prescription holders themselves were armed with the ordinance.

‘Being passed’ in E changes the intent that the ordinance is yet to be passed, while the text means to say that the ordinance has been passed recently;

An additional problem with B and E is that it is no clear whether what the relative clause started by the relative pronoun'that' is modifying--- the measure or the ordinance?; If it refers to the measure, as it looks like, then it is absolutely incorrect. In fact, it is the ordinance that makes it an offense subject.

The pronoun 'it' in D is an expletive; so acceptable.

As we are asked not to reveal the solution, I am not explicitly stating it.


I have a feeling that I miss some source of knowledge: a lot of people in posts above say that C is wrong because of idiom "to possess"

I've just check Manhattan SC, some idiom list from here gmat-idioms-comprehensive-list-of-gmat-idioms-80342.html
but I can't find this idiom.

From where you know about this idiom?


Well, at least for me, I didn't look at it in terms of an idiom. "Possess" should be plural in (C).

"A citizen possess..." = incorrect
"A citizen possesses..." = correct
"He possess..." = incorrect
"They possess..." = correct

All the other answer choices except D have clear grammatical issues. D seems to have a reference issue with "it" but, as mentioned, "it" is an expletive.
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Re: An ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure that made [#permalink] New post   17 Dec 2015, 07:21
souvik101990 wrote:


An ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure that made it an offense subject to fine or confiscation for a citizen possessing legalized narcotics in the open, many prescription holders discovered that they had to forfeit prescriptions that were rightly prescribed by a medical professional.


Ok, so we have an ordinance
this ordinance was passed after a recent municipal ballot measure
this measure made it an offence subject to fine or confiscation for a citizen to possess legalized narcotics in the open.

Because of this ordinance, prescription holders discovered smth
they discovered that they had to forfeit prescription
prescription that were rightly prescribed by a medical professional.


Error analysis:
we have An ordinance - then a clause. well, it looks like here we need a clause in the first part of the sentence to present the reasoning in the second part.


A. An ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure that made it an offense subject to fine or confiscation for a citizen possessing
A is incorrect because we need a clause to present a reasoning in the first part of the sentence.

B. With an ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure that makes it an offense subject to fine or confiscation for a citizen to possess
makes - incorrect. the measure already made, since the prescription holders already discovered.

C. On account of an ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure, making it an offense subject to fine or confiscation that a citizen possess
on account of - works here to present reasoning. nevertheless making it now modifies the entire preceded clause. this is incorrect. make - should modify the noun measure. moreover, a citizen possesses not possess. so we have SV agreement error.

D. Because of an ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure making it an offense subject to fine or confiscation for a citizen to possess
looks good. because is what we need. making correctly modifies measure, since it is an ing modifier.

E. Due to an ordinance being passed after a recent municipal ballot measure that makes it an offense subject to fine or confiscation for a citizen to possess
Due to to present reasoning - is not correct. makes - incorrect.
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Re: An ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure that made [#permalink] New post   23 Oct 2020, 10:37
souvik101990 wrote:


An ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure that made it an offense subject to fine or confiscation for a citizen possessing legalized narcotics in the open, many prescription holders discovered that they had to forfeit prescriptions that were rightly prescribed by a medical professional.

A. An ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure that made it an offense subject to fine or confiscation for a citizen possessing

B. With an ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure that makes it an offense subject to fine or confiscation for a citizen to possess

C. On account of an ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure, making it an offense subject to fine or confiscation that a citizen possess

D. Because of an ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure making it an offense subject to fine or confiscation for a citizen to possess

E. Due to an ordinance being passed after a recent municipal ballot measure that makes it an offense subject to fine or confiscation for a citizen to possess

Day 5 Question of the Verbal Contest: Race Against the GMAT Club Timer
Please make sure to post a brief reply without revealing your solution to enter the contest!


How can this be right? Because of can only be followed by a noun phrase. And not a full Subject verb construction. Isn't there a very straight forward rule for it?
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Re: An ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure that made [#permalink] New post   20 Oct 2023, 05:05
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Re: An ordinance passed after a recent municipal ballot measure that made [#permalink]
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