Dear Friends,
Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
prasannar wrote:
The success of the program to eradicate smallpox has stimulated experts to pursue what they had not previously considered possible−better control, if not eradication, of the other infections such as measles and yaws.
(A) what they had not previously considered possible−better control, if not eradication, of the other infections such as
(B) what they had not previously considered a possibility−better control, if not eradication, of such infections like
(C) something they had not previously considered possible−better control, if not eradication, of such infections as
(D) something not considered a previous possibility−better control and perhaps eradication, of other infections such as
(E) the possibility of what they had not previously considered possible−better control and possibly eradication of infections like
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 success of the program to eradicate smallpox has stimulated experts to pursue something they had not previously considered possible, and that thing is better control, if not eradication, of infection such as measles and yaws.
Concepts tested here: Meaning + Idioms + Awkwardness/RedundancyA: Trap. This answer choice uses the redundant phrase "the other infections such as", rendering it awkward and needlessly wordy; this usage is redundant, as "the other" can be deleted without a loss of clarity.
B: This answer choice incorrectly uses the unidiomatic construction "such like" to provide the examples of "measles" and "yaws"; please remember, “like” is used for comparing nouns, “as” is used for comparing actions/clauses, and “such as” is used for giving examples. Further, Option B uses the needlessly wordy phrase "a possibility", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.
C: Correct. This answer choice uses the phrases "considered possible" and "if not eradication", conveying the intended meaning - that the success of the program to eradicate smallpox has stimulated experts to pursue something they
had not considered possible in the past, and that thing is better control of infection such as measles and yaws,
if eradication is not possible. Further, Option C correctly uses "such...as" to provide the examples of "measles" and "yaws". Additionally, Option C is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.
D: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrases "previous possibility" and "and perhaps eradication"; the construction of these phrases illogically and incorrectly implies that the success of the program to eradicate smallpox has stimulated experts to pursue something they do not
currently consider an
older possibility, and that thing is better control of infections such as measles and yaws,
and may also be their eradication; the intended meaning is that the success of the program to eradicate smallpox has stimulated experts to pursue something they
had not considered possible in the past, and that thing is better control of infection such as measles and yaws,
if eradication is not possible.
E: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "and possibly eradication"; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that the thing experts have been stimulated to pursue is better control of infections such as measles and yaws,
and may also be their eradication; the intended meaning is that the thing experts have been stimulated to pursue is better control of infection such as measles and yaws,
if eradication is not possible. Further, Option E incorrectly uses "like" to provide the examples of "measles" and "yaws"; please remember, “like” is used for comparing nouns, “as” is used for comparing actions/clauses, and “such as” is used for giving examples. Further, Option E redundantly uses "the possibility" alongside "possible", rendering it awkward and redundant.
Hence, C is the best answer choice.All the best!
Experts' Global Team
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