Dear Friends,
Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
aikido_fudoshin wrote:
Quasars are so distant that their light has taken billions of years to reach the Earth; consequently, we see them as they were during the formation of the universe.
(A) we see them as they were during
(B) we see them as they had been during
(C) we see them as if during
(D) they appear to us as they did in
(E) they appear to us as though in
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 we see quasars as they were during the formation of the universe.
Concepts tested here: Tenses + Pronouns + Meaning + Redundancy/Awkwardness• The simple past tense is used to refer to events that concluded in the past.
• The past perfect tense (marked by the use of helping verb "had") is used when a sentence contains two actions in the past; the helping verb "had" is used with the action in the "greater past".
A: Correct. This answer choice correctly uses the simple past tense verb “were” to refer to an action that concluded in the past. Further, Option A uses the phrase “as they were at…”, conveying the intended meaning of the crucial part of this sentence- that we see quasars as they were during the formation of the universe.
B: Trap. This answer choice incorrectly uses the past perfect tense verb “had been” to refer to an action that concluded in the past; please remember, the simple past tense is used to refer to actions that concluded in the past, and the past perfect tense (marked by the use of helping verb "had") is used when a sentence contains two actions in the past; the helping verb "had" is used with the action in the "greater past".
C: This answer choice incorrectly modifies “we see” by using “as if during…”, incorrectly implying that we see quasars as if we were currently in the time period when the universe formed; the intended meaning of the crucial part of this sentence is that we see quasars as they were during the formation of the universe.
D: Trap. This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “as they did in…”; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that quasars appear to us today, in the same way they did during the formation of the universe; the intended meaning of the crucial part of this sentence is that we see quasars as they were during the formation of the universe.
E: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “as though in…”; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that quasars appear to us today, as if they were currently in the formation of the universe; the intended meaning of the crucial part of this sentence is that we see quasars as they were during the formation of the universe.
Hence, A is the best answer choice.To understand the concept of "Simple Tenses" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):
To understand the concept of "Past Perfect Tense" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):
All the best!
Experts' Global Team
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