From the 17th century to the 19th century literacy rates all over west

Question

From the 17th century to the 19th century literacy rates all over western Europe increased at a relatively constant rate .

A. From the 17th century to the 19th century literacy rates all over western Europe increased at a relatively constant rate

B. There was a relatively constant rate of increase from the 17th century to the 19th century of literacy rates all over western Europe

C. Literacy rates all over western Europe increased at a relatively constant rate from the 17th century to the 19th century

D. At a relatively constant rate from the 17th century to the 19th century literacy rates increased all over western Europe

E. From the 17th century to the 19th century was an increase in literacy rates all over western Europe at a relatively constant rate

DanTheGMATMan · Answer

(A) Not an amazing sentence but no major issues
(B) Idiomatically wrong, among other things. Don't want to split up the statement about literacy rates increasing at a constant rate. They insert the prepositional statement "from the 17th century to the 19th century" awkwardly.
(C) Very similar to A, but probably A is better by virtue of placing the subordinate prepositional part (the centuries) at the beginning.
(D) Same issue as B. Awkward placement of the 17th and 19th centuries clause.
(E) From the 17th century to the 19th century was an increase..." No. Missing a lot of things there.

Tough call between A and C but A is a little better

bajpaispandy · Answer

Can someone explain why option C is incorrect?

BongBideshini · Answer

This question checks the placement of "from the 17th century to the 19th century".

A.  Right,  "from the 17th century to the 19th century" is modifying the "literacy rates all over western Europe", which is correct

B.  Wrong, . "from the 17th century to the 19th century" is modifying the "constant rate of increase"

C.  Wrong,  Same as B, Though this choice looks better, the phrase "from the 17th century to the 19th century" is quite far away from "literacy rates all over western Europe". So, compared to choice C, choice A is better.

D.  Wrong,  Same as C

E.  Wrong, " from the 17th century to the 19th century" is used as a subject. Preposition phrase can not be subject

VerbalBot · Answer

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From the 17th century to the 19th century literacy rates all over west

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From the 17th century to the 19th century literacy rates all over west

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