Bunuel
Accepting the proposed constitutional amendment would be a poor decision for the Supreme Court to take,
on the basis of avoidance of expanded executive power alone.
(A)
on the basis of avoidance of expanded executive power alone
(B)
on the grounds of avoiding expanded executive power alone
(C)
solely in that, the expansion of executive power should be avoided
(D)
if only because the expansion of executive power should be avoided
(E)
while the expansion of executive power should be avoided
General structure expected: First sentence introduces conclusion, second sentence must be the cause for arriving at the conclusion.A - on the basis of - (1) this prepositional phrase is used to give a cause or reason - therefore, correct, (2) avoidance - use of noun after the prepositional phrase is correct. However, the
meaning that this sentence is conveying is not the intended meaning. Incorrect.
B - (1) this prepositional phrase is used to give a cause or reason in legal language often - therefore, correct, (2) avoiding - use of gerund after the prepositional phrase is incorrect because
accepting and avoiding are two events that are not happening simultaneously. We want a cause and effect relationship. Incorrect.
C - solely in that -
not correct structure for giving a cause or explanation. Incorrect.
D - If only because - this is used for giving very specific reason or explanation to something - therefore, structure is correct. The meaning conveyed is closer to the intended meaning -
"Accepting X is wrong, if only because of Y" - the author is saying that the decision will wrong if you consider only this limitation and nothing else.
Structure ✅️ Meaning ✅️ E - We do not want to provide
contrast, both the sentences are meant to be in the same direction. Incorrect.
Therefore,
option D is the correct answer.Posted from my mobile device