Although she had been known as an effective legislator first

Question

Although she had been known as an effective legislator first in the Texas Senate and  later in the United States House of Representatives, not until Barbara Jordan’s participation in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon in 1974 was she made a nationally recognized figure, as it was  televised nationwide.

(A) later in the United States House of Representatives, not until Barbara Jordan’s participation in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon in 1974 was she made a nationally recognized figure, as it was

(B) later in the United States House of Representatives, Barbara Jordan did not become a nationally recognized figure until 1974, when she participated in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, which were

(C) later in the Untied States House of Representatives, it was not until 1974 that Barbara Jordan became a nationally recognized figure, with her participation in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, which was

(D) then also later in the United States House of Representatives, not until 1974 did Barbara Jordan become a nationally recognized figure, as she participated in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, being

(E) then also later in the United States House of Representatives, Barbara Jordan did not become a nationally recognized figure until 1974, when she participated in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, which was

hafizkarim · Accepted Answer

Some rules that pertain to the use of "WHICH" :

Rule 1 - "WHICH" should  always  refer to a  NOUN .  It MUST NOT  refer to an idea of the preceeding clause. 
E.g : He agreed to a compromise about the sum of money owed to him , which brought an end to the bitter fued.

This is  WRONG . 
"which" is trying to refer to the action of compromise. This is not  allowed  in  La La GMAT land.

Rule 2 - "which"  needs  to be preceded by a comma (NO EXCEPTIONS. On the other hand "that"  must not  be preceded by a comma) .

Rule 3 - "which" can  sometimes  jump over nouns that are embedded in prepositional phrases )

E.g :  I bought a carved piece of wood, which was once used by King James.   (CORRECT)  
  I bought a carved piece of wood in 2012, which was once used by King James   (WRONG) 
   I bought a piece of furniture in 2012, which was the year that my daughter was born    (CORRECT)

In the first example, the prepositional phrase "of wood" describes the "Carved piece" . Hence, the "which" is  allowed  to jump over the preceding noun,which is "wood".

In the second example, the prepositional phrase  "in 2012"   doesn't  describe the piece of furniture. Instead the "2012" serves as extra information about the purchase. 
Hence , "which" is  NOT  allowed to jump over  2012

Remember, these rules can be a little bit confusing. Just remember that sometimes "which" can jump over subjects in prepositional phrases. Then attack the answer choices

bandit · Answer

"Although she had been known as an effective legislator first in the Texas Senate and later in the United States House of Representatives" This modifier should refer to "Barbara Jordan" and therefore "Barbara Jordan" should immediately follow. Therefore A, C and E out. Between B and D, D  was  is incorrectly referring to hearings. so left with B

ExpertsGlobal5 · Answer

Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation to this question-

Meaning is crucial to solving this problem: 
Understanding the meaning of this sentence is key to solving the problem; the intended meaning of the crucial part of this sentence is that Barbara Jordan did not become a nationally recognized figure until 1974, which was when she participated in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, and, as a separate action, the hearings were televised nationwide.

Concepts tested here: Subject-Verb Agreement + Pronouns + Meaning + Verb Forms

• The introduction of the present participle ("verb+ing"- “being” in this case) after comma generally leads to a cause-effect relationship.

A:  This answer choice incorrectly uses the singular pronoun "it" and the singular verb "was" to refer to the plural noun "hearings". Further, Option A alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "not until...was she made a nationally recognized figure"; the passive construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that   some second entity   made Barbara Jordan a nationally recognized figure; the intended meaning is that Barbara Jordan,   herself  , became a nationally recognized figure.

B:   Correct.  This answer choice correctly uses the plural verb "were" to refer to the plural noun "hearings". Moreover, Option B avoids the pronoun error seen in Option A, as it correctly uses the pronoun "which" to refer to the plural noun "hearings"; "which" can refer to both plural and singular nouns. Further, Option B uses the constructions "Barbara Jordan did not become a nationally recognized figure until 1974" and "which were televised nationwide", conveying the intended meaning - that Barbara Jordan,   herself  , became a nationally recognized figure and participated in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, and   as a separate action  , the   hearings   were televised nationwide. Additionally, Option B is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.

C:  This answer choice incorrectly uses the singular verb "was" to refer to the plural noun "hearings". Further, Option C uses the passive voice construction "it was not until 1974", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

D:  This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "being televised nationwide"; the use of the "comma + present participle ("verb+ing" - "being" in this sentence) illogically implies that Barbara Jordan participated in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon   because she was   being televised nationwide; the intended meaning is that Barbara Jordan participated in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, and   as a separate action  , the   hearings   were televised nationwide; remember, the introduction of the present participle ("verb+ing"- “being” in this case) after comma generally leads to a cause-effect relationship. Further, Option D uses the needlessly wordy phrase "then also later" and the passive construction "not until 1974 did Barbara Jordan become", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

E:  This answer choice incorrectly uses the singular verb "was" to refer to the plural noun "hearings". Further, Option E uses the needlessly wordy phrase "then also later", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

Hence, B 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):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVLneikI70Q

All the best!
Experts' Global Team

subhen · Answer

I will go with B. It avoids the subject-verb error which other sentences have when using "was" with "hearings".

solidcolor · Answer

Thanks, You are right, B!

I'm wondering why "NOT UNTIL" as in C is not the right answer... Anything remarkable about this idiom, or it's just the problem with the context that "not until" doesn't fit in?

trivikram · Answer

This is a very good conceptual question guys.

OK option B is correct. But llok at "which" in option B> iT doesnt refers to Nixon but "hearings"

This was another question from brutal SC discussed a few days back

https://www.gmatclub.com/phpbb/viewtopic ... rs+effects

Moral of the story: : "which" may not refer to the noun that immediately precedes it("which").

Just for all our consumption and please correct me if this is not correct :-D

AlbertNTN · Answer

A. later in the United States House of Representatives, not until Barbara Jordan’s
participation in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon in
1974 was she made a nationally recognized figure, as it was  -> it is not referred clearly 
B. later in the United States House of Representatives, Barbara Jordan did not
become a nationally recognized figure until 1974, when she participated in the
hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, which  were 
C. later in the Untied States House of Representatives, it was not until 1974 that
Barbara Jordan became a nationally recognized figure, with her participation in
the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, which was
D. then also later in the United States House of Representatives, not until 1974 did
Barbara Jordan become a nationally recognized figure, as she participated in the
hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon,  being 
E.  then also later  in the United States House of Representatives, Barbara Jordan did
not become a nationally recognized figure until 1974, when she participated in the
hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, which was -> wordy

C

geturdream · Answer

The modifier is modifying Barbara, so eliminate A.
then also later is wordy So eliminate D and E
C has modifier issues.

B is correct

sashikanth · Answer

Although she had been known as an effective legislator first in the Texas Senate and later
in the United States House of Representatives , not until Barbara Jordan’s participation in
the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon in 1974 was she made a
nationally recognized figure, as it was televised nationwide.

A. later in the United States House of Representatives, not until Barbara Jordan’s
participation in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon in
1974 was she made a nationally recognized figure, as it was
B. later in the United States House of Representatives, Barbara Jordan did not
become a nationally recognized figure until 1974, when she participated in the
hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, which were
C. later in the Untied States House of Representatives, it was not until 1974 that
Barbara Jordan became a nationally recognized figure, with her participation in
the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, which was
D. then also later in the United States House of Representatives, not until 1974 did
Barbara Jordan become a nationally recognized figure, as she participated in the
hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, being
E. then also later in the United States House of Representatives, Barbara Jordan did
not become a nationally recognized figure until 1974, when she participated in the
 hearings  on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, which  was

Not convinced by the oa. I think something is missing. Can some correct me if i have the right sc here. Apologies if i dont.

Hi Ajit,
The part of the sentence highlighted in red here acts as a modifier which is supposed to modify a noun. In GMAT it is always preferred to have a modifier and noun close together. Hence Barbara jordan is supposed to immediately follow the clause 'Although she had been known as an effective legislator first in the Texas Senate and later in the United States House of Representatives'. With this our choices will narrow down to B and E. E is wrong due to subject verb disagreement. 
Hearings-Plural
Was-Singular
B correctly uses 'were' instead of 'was'.

jeprince112 · Answer

B definitely... her name needs to come in after that second comma... to show who the pronoun "she" belongs to from the first clause.

hafizkarim · Answer

Although she had been known as an effective legislator first in the Texas Senate and later in the United States House of Representatives, not until Barbara Jordan’s participation in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon in 1974 was she made a nationally recognized figure, as it was televised nationwide.

(A) later in the United States House of Representatives, not until Barbara Jordan’s participation in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon in 1974 was she made a nationally recognized figure, as it was
(B) later in the United States House of Representatives, Barbara Jordan did not become a nationally recognized figure until 1974, when she participated in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, which were
(C) later in the Untied States House of Representatives, it was not until 1974 that Barbara Jordan became a nationally recognized figure, with her participation in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, which was
(D) then also later in the United States House of Representatives, not until 1974 did Barbara Jordan become a nationally recognized figure, as she participated in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, being
(E) then also later in the United States House of Representatives, Barbara Jordan did not become a nationally recognized figure until 1974, when she participated in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, which was

2 Rules to be kept in mind

Rule 1 - Keep modifiers close to the thing that they are trying to modify 
Although  she   "BLAH" BLAH BLAH,   Barbara Jordan ......until  1974 ,   when  she participated in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon

"Barbara Jordan" needs to be placed immediately after the first modifier that starts with  "Although...." 
 The modifier  "when she participated ...blah blah blah "  modifies  1974 ,,,,

Try to keep modifiers close to the things that they are trying to modify. Many times, if we compare the answer choices, we can see that modifiers are being moved around

Rule 2 - To determine the subject associated to  which  , we have to identify the noun that "which" refers to  
In this case, we have 3 prep phrases

in the hearings
 on the impeachment
 of President nixon

Now the question is what "does"  which  refer to. Were the  hearings  televised nationwide ? or was the  impeachment  televised nationwide. ?

The which refers to "hearings", the other prep phrases describe the "hearings"

.....when she participated in the hearings  on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon , which were

chris558 · Answer

Although she had been known as an effective legislator first in the Texas Senate and later in the United States House of Representatives, not until Barbara Jordan’s participation in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon in 1974 was she made a nationally recognized figure, as it was televised nationwide.

(A) later in the United States House of Representatives, not until Barbara Jordan’s participation in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon in 1974 was she made a nationally recognized figure,  as it was 
( B) later in the United States House of Representatives, Barbara Jordan did not become a nationally recognized figure until 1974, when she participated in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, which were 
(C) later in the Untied States House of Representatives, it was not until 1974 that Barbara Jordan became a nationally recognized figure , with  her participation in the  hearings  on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, which  was 
(D)  then also later  in the United States House of Representatives, not until 1974 did Barbara Jordan become a nationally recognized figure, as she participated in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, being
(E)  then also later  in the United States House of Representatives, Barbara Jordan did not become a nationally recognized figure until 1974, when she participated in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, which was

egmat · Answer

@hafizkarim, you are absolutely right in terms of your understanding of "which" modifiers. In fact the fact that "which" modifier can modify slightly far away noun is something that students often ignore. I would suggest that people who are confused about this aspect of "which" modifiers and "other noun" modifiers as well read  this article .

In this article we have included several more official sentences in which such modification works perfectly fine. Also, we have included cases in which such modification is not correct.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Payal

vomhorizon · Answer

The sentence is fundamentally wrong because the part of the sentence before the first COMMA is talking about a person (SHE) being in the senate and in the house of representatives bla bla bla ... What should ideally follow after the comma should be the name of the person that the first part (before the comma) is referring to as ideally they should touch each other.

Going by this line of reasoning , we can eliminate A , C and D.

Focusing on the remaining two choices B and E , we can clearly see that E although partially correct ends with WAS TELEVISED .... , when we should ideally be using WERE TELEVISED because.. well we are talking about an event which took place earlier ... Therefore B is the only choice which meets both the criteria i.e. puts barbara follows the first comma , and ends the underlined portion with WERE ...

Amit1408GMAThunk · Answer

Well this is the option B:-

later in the United States House of Representatives, Barbara Jordan did not become a nationally recognized figure until 1974, when she participated in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, which were

After the 'when' in the sentence it is a beginning of a new clause hence new subject and a new verb.

Hence the sentence is like this:- She participated in the hearings - wherein hearings is the object of the sentence and 'on the impeachment of President RIchard Nixon' is modifying the hearings.

Hence, which were is the correct modifier for hearings and not Richard Nixon.

inmania is right, a small modifier or modifying phrase can be between two clauses.

That is known as the Mission Critical Modifier.

Hope this helps.

pqhai · Answer

B is correct.

The structure is:

Although   she  ......................., ==> we   must use Barbara after the comma   ==> Narrow down to B & E.

E is wrong because of "then also later" is redundant.

Only B is correct

veenu08 · Answer

Although  she  had been known as an effective legislator first in the Texas Senate and later in the United States House of Representatives, not until Barbara Jordan’s participation in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon in 1974 was she made a nationally recognized figure, as it was televised nationwide.

(A) later in the United States House of Representatives, not until  Barbara Jordan’s  participation in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon in 1974 was she made a nationally recognized figure, as it was ( Referent to she is missing; In correct comparison(although x,y); it- hearings on impeachment - plural)
(B) later in the United States House of Representatives, Barbara Jordan did not become a nationally recognized figure until 1974, when she participated in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, which were -- Correct 
(C) later in the Untied States House of Representatives,  it was not until 1974 that Barbara Jordan  became a nationally recognized figure, with her participation in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, which  was (Incorrect comparison  ;hearings on impeachment - plural)
(D) then also later in the United States House of Representatives,  not until 1974 did Barbara Jordan  become a nationally recognized figure, as she participated in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, being(Incorrect comparison  )
(E) then also later in the United States House of Representatives, Barbara Jordan did not become a nationally recognized figure until 1974, when she participated in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, which  was ( hearings on impeachment - plural)

Correct me if I am wrong somewhere

TheMechanic · Answer

Dissecting the question in and out to get the concepts tested, cleared. :evil:

I got this one wrong on GMATPrep and was the costliest mistake of that test.

(It was one of the few questions I got wrong from the start; I was heavily penalized) :shock:

Although she had been known as an effective legislator first in the Texas Senate and later in the United States House of Representatives, not until Barbara Jordan’s participation in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon in 1974 was she made a nationally recognized figure, as it was televised nationwide.

(A) later in the United States House of Representatives, not until Barbara Jordan’s participation in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon in 1974 was she made a nationally recognized figure, as it was
(B) later in the United States House of Representatives, Barbara Jordan did not become a nationally recognized figure until 1974, when she participated in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, which were
(C) later in the Untied States House of Representatives, it was not until 1974 that Barbara Jordan became a nationally recognized figure, with her participation in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, which was
(D) then also later in the United States House of Representatives, not until 1974 did Barbara Jordan become a nationally recognized figure, as she participated in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, being
(E) then also later in the United States House of Representatives, Barbara Jordan did not become a nationally recognized figure until 1974, when she participated in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, which was

2 Rules to be kept in mind

Rule 1 - Keep modifiers close to the thing that they are trying to modify
Although she "BLAH" BLAH BLAH, Barbara Jordan......until 1974, when she participated in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon

[*]"Barbara Jordan" needs to be placed immediately after the first modifier that starts with "Although...."
[*]The modifier "when she participated ...blah blah blah " modifies 1974,,,,

Try to keep modifiers close to the things that they are trying to modify. Many times, if we compare the answer choices, we can see that modifiers are being moved around

Rule 2 - To determine the subject associated to [b]which , we have to identify the noun that "which" refers to [/b]
In this case, we have 3 prep phrases

[*]in the hearings
[*]on the impeachment
[*]of President nixon

Now the question is what "does" which refer to. Were the hearings televised nationwide ? or was the impeachment televised nationwide. ?

The which refers to "hearings", the other prep phrases describe the "hearings"

.....when she participated in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, which were

milin4ever · Answer

Guys.. I ve seen somewhere structure "It was not until 1974 that Barabara became" as right one.

I believe the reason for eliminating 'C' is "Which was" part that should be "Which were".

Please correct me if wrong. It would be helpful. :-)

Thanks a lot friends.

Thanks a lot friends.

Although she had been known as an effective legislator first

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GMAT Sentence Correction (SC - EA only) Questions

Although she had been known as an effective legislator first

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