In the wake of several serious cases of mercury poisoning

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

The non-underlined portion of the sentence contains the phrase "ordered that," which requires a clause containing the subjunctive mood. However, the original sentence uses "should be tested" instead of the subjunctive “be tested.” In addition, it is illogical to test a lake or stream "for mercury levels": this implies that one is testing to see whether mercury levels exist. Instead, one would “test the mercury levels” of the lake or stream, measuring the amount of mercury.

(A) This choice is incorrect as it repeats the original sentence.

(B) The active construction “all lakes and streams should have their mercury levels tested” is illogical: lakes and streams cannot do such a thing, rather a person would have to test the mercury levels of the lakes and streams.

(C) This choice correctly uses the subjunctive “be tested.” However, the placement of the prepositional phrase “for all lakes and streams” after “be tested” is awkward and can be misinterpreted to mean that the testing is “for” or “on behalf of” the lakes and streams. Instead, one would test “the mercury levels of all lakes and streams.”

(D) The non-underlined portion of the sentence contains the phrase "ordered that," which requires a clause containing the subjunctive mood. However, this choice uses "should be tested" instead of the subjunctive “be tested.”

(E) CORRECT. This choice correctly uses the subjunctive “be tested,” and correctly references the testing of “mercury levels,” replacing the incorrect “tested for mercury levels.”

C or E because of the right structure "order that subject + the infinitive verb"
I would pick E.

this sentence is in subjunctive mood --- only C and E maintain the right usage ...

I pick E. "mercury levels of" sounds better

IMO E, "the mercury levels of sounds" better than "the mercury levels be tested for"

Good OE. I had rejected C thinking there is a wrong usage of preposition "for". Thanks livestronger for the post.

command rule is applied here , so be tested

A X "should" is not a command, wrong
B X "should" is not a command, wrong
C X "…for all lakes and streams"= "testing the mercury level in order to benefit lakes and streams" bad meaning
D X "should" is not a command, wrong
E CORRECT

Question seen in MGMAT - Manhattan GMAT Test

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Thank you! Added the tag.
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I don't get why "be" is used here. The subjunctive rule in short is for : prrr is mad : propose, recommend,require,resist, insist,suggest,mandate,ask,demand.

Hello s3fushah,

We hope this finds you well.

To clear up your doubt, the command subjunctive can be used with any verb that conveys a demand or request, in this case, the verb "ordered".

We hope this helps.
All the best!
Experts' Global Team
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