Dear Friends,
Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
Adigmat wrote:
A common disability in test pilots is hearing impairment, a consequence of sitting too close to large jet engines for long periods of time.
(A) a consequence of sitting too close to large jet engines for long periods of time
(B) a consequence from sitting for long periods of time too near to large jet engines
(C) a consequence which resulted from sitting too close to large jet engines for long periods of time
(D) damaged from sitting too near to large jet engines for long periods of time
(E) damaged because they sat too close to large jet engines for long periods of time
Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of the crucial part of this sentence is that the pilots' hearing impairment is due to sitting too close to large jet engines for long periods of time.
Concepts tested here: Meaning + Modifiers + Tenses + Idioms + Awkwardness/Redundancy• In a “noun + comma + phrase” construction, the phrase must correctly modify the noun; this is one of the most frequently tested concepts on GMAT sentence correction.
• Information that is permanent in nature is best conveyed through the simple present tense.
A: Correct.1/ The sentence formed by this answer choice correctly modifies "hearing impairment" with "a consequence of", conveying the intended meaning - that the pilots'
hearing is damaged by sitting too close to large jet engines for long periods of time.
2/ Option A avoids the tense error seen in Option C, as it uses no verbs.
3/ Option A correctly uses the idiomatic construction "consequence of".
4/ Option A is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.
B:1/ This answer choice incorrectly uses the unidiomatic construction "consequence from"; remember, the idiomatic construction is "consequence of".
C:1/ This answer choice incorrectly uses the simple past tense verb "resulted" to refer to information that is permanent in nature; remember, information that is permanent in nature is best conveyed through the simple present tense.
2/ Option C redundantly uses the verb "resulted" alongside the noun "consequence", rendering it needlessly wordy; this usage is redundant, as both words convey the same meaning - that of cause and effect.
D:1/ The sentence formed by this answer choice incorrectly modifies "hearing impairment" with "damaged", illogically implying that the pilots' hearing
impairment is damaged by sitting too close to large jet engines for long periods of time; the intended meaning is that the pilots'
hearing is damaged by sitting too close to large jet engines for long periods of time; remember, in a “noun + comma + phrase” construction, the phrase must correctly modify the noun.
E:1/ The sentence formed by this answer choice incorrectly modifies "hearing impairment" with "damaged from", illogically implying that the pilots' hearing
impairment is damaged by sitting too close to large jet engines for long periods of time; the intended meaning is that the pilots'
hearing is damaged by sitting too close to large jet engines for long periods of time; remember, in a “noun + comma + phrase” construction, the phrase must correctly modify the noun.
Hence, A is the best answer choice.To understand the concept of "Phrase Comma Subject" and "Subject Comma Phrase" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):
To understand the concept of "Simple Tenses" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):
All the best!
Experts' Global Team
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