Although World War II ended nearly a half century ago, Russia and Japan still have not signed a formal peace treaty; and both countries have been reticent to develop closer relations.

(A) have not signed a formal peace treaty; and both countries have been (Correct)
(B) did not signed a formal peace treaty; and both countries have been (It require did not + single form of verb)
(C) have not signed a formal peace treaty; and both countries being (Usage of being is wrong and main verb is missing)
(D) have not signed a formal peace treaty; and both countries are (Usage of present form of verb is wrong)
(E) are not signing a formal peace treaty; and both countries have been (Usage of present continuous tense is wrong)

Kudos please if you like my explanation!

Hey!

If the OA is indeed , then this question is not correct in its current form - at least it doesn't seem likely that the GMAT would make such a choice correct as is. You normally *do not use a pure conjunction such as and, but etc. after a semicolon. Instead you use conjunctive adverbs, such as moreover, however etc., to link the two portions. So, for instance, if I want to convey two contrasting pieces of information, and I want it by using two clauses and a semi-colon, I would say:

I remember seeing your book somewhere on the table; HOWEVER, I can't seem to find it now. - CORRECT

The following version that uses a semi-colon and a conjunction together is wrong:

I remember seeing your book somewhere on the table; BUT, I can't seem to find it now. - WRONG

If I want to use the conjunction "but", then I need to use a comma instead of a semi-colon. So, this is how I would say it:

I remember seeing your book somewhere on the table, BUT I can't seem to find it now. - CORRECT

*The only place you can use and after a semi-colon is when there is a big list and the members of the list have multiple sub-members. So, to maintain clarity among the member of the bigger list , you use semicolon with and. For instance, take a look at this correct official sentence below (OG 15, Q26):

Tropical bats play important roles in the rain forest
ecosystem, aiding in the dispersal of cashew, date,
and fig seeds; pollinating banana, breadfruit, and
mango trees; and indirectly helping to produce tequila
by pollinating agave plants.

The members of the bigger list in the above sentence are: aiding, pollinating, and helping. However, since these members have other smaller members, separated by commas, it can get confusing to join everything by commas. Hence, the use of semi-colon.

Cheers!

The answer is (A).

Choice (A) is correct as written. The present perfect verb have . . . signed correctly indicates that they have not signed a peace treaty and are not on the verge of signing one. Further, the present perfect verb have been correctly indicates that in the past both countries have been reluctant to develop closer relations and are still reluctant.

In choice (B), the simple past did does not capture the fact that they did not sign a peace treaty immediately after the war and still have not signed one.

Choice (C) is very awkward, and the present progressive being does not capture the fact that the countries have been reluctant to thaw relations since after the war up through the present.

In choice (D), the present tense are leaves open the possibility that in the past the countries may have desired closer relations but now no longer do.

In choice (E), the present progressive tense are . . . signing, as in choice (D), leaves open the possibility that in the past the countries may have desired closer relations but now no longer do.

Hope it help
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Hi,
Please provide official explanation . A and D are close. Need clear reason why D is wrong.

Exactly.. Not sure why D is wrong. Please explain.

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