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Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
ugimba wrote:
A large rise in the number of housing starts in the coming year should boost new construction dollars by several billion dollars, making the construction industry’s economic health much more robust than five years ago.
(A) making the construction industry’s economic health much more robust than five years ago
(B) and make the construction industry’s economic health much more robust than five years ago
(C) making the construction industry’s economic health much more robust than it was five years ago
(D) to make the construction industry’s economic health much more robust than five years ago
(E) in making the construction industry’s economic health much more robust than it as five years ago
Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:Understanding the intended meaning of this sentence is key to solving this question; the intended meaning is that a large rise in the number of housing starts in the coming year should boost new construction dollars by several billion dollars, and as a result, make the construction industry’s economic health much more robust than it was five years ago.
Concepts tested here: Meaning + Modifiers + Comparisons• A comparison must always be made between similar things.
• The infinitive verb form (“to + base form of verb"- "to + make" in this sentence) is the preferred construction for referring to the purpose or intent of an action.
• The introduction of the present participle ("verb+ing"- "making” in this case) after the comma generally leads to a cause-effect relationship.
A:1/ This answer choice incorrectly compares "the construction industry’s economic health" to "five years ago"; remember, a comparison must always be made between similar things.
B:1/ This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "and make"; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that a large rise in the number of housing starts in the coming year should boost new construction dollars by several billion dollars, and
as a separate action, make the construction industry’s economic health much more robust than it was five years ago; the intended meaning is that a large rise in the number of housing starts in the coming year should boost new construction dollars by several billion dollars, and
as a result, make the construction industry’s economic health much more robust than it was five years ago.
1/ Option B incorrectly compares "the construction industry’s economic health" to "five years ago"; remember, a comparison must always be made between similar things.
C: Correct.1/ This answer choice uses the "comma + present participle ("verb+ing" - "making" in this sentence) construction, conveying the intended meaning - that a large rise in the number of housing starts in the coming year should boost new construction dollars by several billion dollars, and
as a result, make the construction industry’s economic health much more robust than it was five years ago; remember, the introduction of present participle ("verb+ing"- "making” in this case) after comma generally leads to a cause-effect relationship.
2/ This answer choice correctly compares "the construction industry’s economic health" with what the construction industry's economic health was five years ago.
D:1/ This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "to make"; the use of the infinitive verb form ("to + base form of verb" - "to + make" in this sentence) incorrectly implies that a large rise in the number of housing starts in the coming year should boost new construction dollars by several billion dollars, and
in order to, make the construction industry’s economic health much more robust than it was five years ago; the intended meaning is that a large rise in the number of housing starts in the coming year should boost new construction dollars by several billion dollars, and
as a result, make the construction industry’s economic health much more robust than it was five years ago; remember, the infinitive verb form (“to + base form of verb"- "to + make" in this sentence) is the preferred construction for referring to the purpose or intent of an action.
2/ Option D incorrectly compares "the construction industry’s economic health" to "five years ago"; remember, a comparison must always be made between similar things.
E:1/ This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "in making"; the construction of this phrase reverses cause and effect, incorrectly implying that a large rise in the number of housing starts in the coming year should boost new construction dollars by several billion dollars
in the process of making the construction industry’s economic health much more robust than it was five years ago; the intended meaning is that a large rise in the number of housing starts in the coming year should boost new construction dollars by several billion dollars, and
as a result, make the construction industry’s economic health much more robust than it was five years ago.
Hence, C is the best answer choice.To understand the concept of "Comma Plus Present Participle for Cause-Effect Relationship" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):
To understand the concept of "Present Participle" versus "Infinitive Verb Form" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):
All the best!
Experts' Global Team