Quote:
Since 2010 when the collateralised loan obligations market
became double to $600 billion, the default rates increased to 22% with as much as half the loan pools slipping to triple-C, the lowest tier.
A. became double to $600 billion, the default rates increased to 22% with as much as half the loan pools slipping to triple-C,
B. have become double to $ 600 billion, the default rates increased to 22% with as much as half the loan pools slipping to triple-C ,
C. became double to $ 600 billion, the default rates had increased to 22% with as much as half the loan pools slipping to triple-C ,
D. doubled to $ 600 billion, the default rates have increased to 22% with as much as half the loan pools slipping to triple-C
E. doubled to $600 billion, the default rates had increased to 22% with as many as half the loan pools slipping to triple –C,
GMATWhiz Explanation
Step 1: Understanding Intended MeaningSince 2010
• The “since” marks the beginning of a past event. So in 2010 something began and we its effect is still continuing. We have to look out for that.
when the collateralised loan obligations market
became double to $ 600 billion, • We have a clause starting with “when…….$600 million”. It modifies the year 2010. In that year something happened – the collateralised loan obligations market…. ”became double to” is idiomatically incorrect.
• Correct version: the market doubled to $600 million.
• So, in 2010, the…market doubled to an amount.
the default rates increased to 22% • Since then (when the market doubled in 2010)…the default rates increased.
• The use of simple past “increased” is incorrect as the effect of what started in 2010 is still continuing at present (indicated by “since”). From that time to this time, the default rates have increased
• Correct version: use present perfect “have increased”
with as much as half the loan pools slipping to triple-C , the lowest tier
• The prepositional phrase “with……” is modifying the action “have increased”
Intended meaning:
• So, in 2010 the collateralised loan obligations market doubled to $ 600 billion.
• Since then, the default rates have increased to 22% with as much as half the loan pools slipping to triple-C , the lowest tier
Step 2: Eliminate choices with identified errorsChecking for five aspects
1. Golden rules
2. Meaning
3. Lists
4. Tenses
a. The use of simple past “increased” is incorrect
5. Idioms
a. ….”became double to” is idiomatically incorrect
Eliminate
The following choice/s have one or more of the errors present in Choice A.
Choices B and C
Step 3: Evaluate meaning of remaining choicesTo be done for Option D and E . Detailed out below each choice.
Choice A AnalysisIncorrect and Eliminated in Step 2
Choice B AnalysisIncorrect and Eliminated in Step 2.
Choice C AnalysisIncorrect and Eliminated in Step 2
Choice D AnalysisFitting in the original sentence
Since 2010 when the collateralised loan obligations market
doubled to $ 600 billion, the default rates have increased to 22% with as much as half the loan pools slipping to triple-C, the lowest tier
Logical
Clear,
Same as the intended meaning
Correct Choice.Choice E AnalysisFitting in the original sentence:
Since 2010 when the collateralised loan obligations market
doubled to $600 billion, the default rates had increased to 22% with as many as half the loan pools slipping to triple –C, the lowest tier.
• The use of the past perfect “had increased” is incorrect since the effect is still present.
• The “half the loan pools” is indicating a percentage. So the use of “many” is incorrect. It’s like saying “as many as 50% of the loan pools”.
Incorrect Choice