If current trends continue, by the year 2010 carbon emissions in the U

I choose B.
First of all, we are dealing here with a singular subject (emissions level) and as such it requires a singular "that", not "those". On the basis of this, we can eliminate answer choices A, D, and E. Just by looking at C, you can simply rule it out ( is was). So, B is the correct answer.
This problem is yet another example of skimming the CAT in different ways. We can solve this problem by looking at "that" and "those" or we can look at the split between "will" and "would". If we consider the split between "will" and "would", the rule says to go for "will" because we are not dealing with a hypothetical case here and as such it doesn't warrant the use of "would". On the basis of this split, we can safely rule out answer choices C, D and E. Between A and b, we go for B because A uses the plural pronoun "those" inplace of "that"

If current trends continue, by the year 2010 carbon emissions in the United States will soar to a level more than one-third higher than were those in 1990, according to official projections.
A. will soar to a level more than one-third higher than were those
B. will soar to a level more than one-third higher than that
C. would soar to a level more than one-third higher than is was
D. would soar to a level more than one-third higher than those
E. would soar to a level more than one-third higher than they were

level of carbon emissions is discussed here - so singular pronoun is required here.
we must use will rather than would, which is hypothetical, for future tense.

I have a doubt.
Is it correct to say will soar to a level more than one-third higher than that in 1990 instead of 'higher than that of 1990'

Probably I can see your point: if the comparison were between 2 clauses, then "in 1990" would be correct:

By 2010 CE will soar to a level x higher than (the level) was in 1990. ..("in 1990" is OK)

Nonetheless your doubt is probably whether the prepositional phrase modifier "in 1990" be used to refer to a noun ("level") as used in option B.

The level in 2010 was xxx. ("in 2010" is an adverbial phrase referring to the verb "was" - answering the question "when was...."? - it is a part of the clause, not an adjective for the noun "level")

The level of 2010 was xxx. ("of 2010" is an adjectival phrase referring to the noun "level")

Thus your doubt probably is whether in absence of a clause (i.e. a verb) the adjectival phrase "in 1990" would be correct.

Yes, it would be. The phrase "in ....." can also be used an adjectival phrase as follows:

The table in the kitchen is broken.

Here " in the kitchen" is used as adjectival phrase for "table". Thus as we see, the phrase "in..." can function both as an adjectival and as an adverbial phrase and hence option B ("in 1990" used as adjectival phrase) is alright.

Hi sa18, may be an example would help. Would you say:

i) Stock levels in 2016 were higher than stock levels in 2009

Or

ii) Stock levels of 2016 were higher than stock levels of 2009

Hopefully you can now see that levels in 2016 is better than levels of 2016. If it still does not ring bells, you might just want to remember this as an idiomatic issue. Another Officially correct sentence that reiterates this:

According to some economists, the July decrease in unemployment to the lowest level in two years suggests that the gradual improvement in the job market is continuing.

If current trends continue, by the year 2010 carbon emissions in the United States will soar to a level more than one-third higher than were those in 1990, according to official projections.

(A) will soar to a level more than one-third higher than were those Incorrect usage of "those" to refer to singular "level". Verb "were" makes it a clause, violating parallelism with "level". Eliminate.

(B) will soar to a level more than one-third higher than that Correct answer. Above error is rectified and no new errors are introduced.

(C) would soar to a level more than one-third higher than it was "would" is incorrect Verb "was" makes it a clause, violating parallelism with "level". Eliminate.

(D) would soar to a level more than one-third higher than those Incorrect usage of "those" to refer to singular "level". Eliminate.

(E) would soar to a level more than one-third higher than they were Incorrect usage of "they" to refer to singular "level". Verb "were" makes it a clause, violating parallelism with "level". Eliminate.

Hope this helps.

Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation to this question-

Concepts tested here: Verb Forms + Comparisons + Pronouns

• Comparisons must always be made between similar things.
• “will” is preferred for referring to events that are certain to happen and “would” is preferred for referring to events that are hypothetical, meaning the use of “would” alongside words that express uncertainty (predict, assume, guess, if, etc.) is redundant.
• “that” and "those" are used to refer to a variation of the subject, and the pronouns “it” and "they" are used to refer to the exact same subject.

A:
1/ This answer choice incorrectly compares "a level" to "those (carbon emissions); please remember, comparisons must always be made between similar things.

B: Correct.
1/ This answer choice correctly uses the pronoun "that" to refer to a variation of the subject "a level".
2/ Option B correctly compares "a level" with "that (the level)".
3/ Option B is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.

C:
1/ This answer choice incorrectly uses "it" to refer to a variation of the subject "a level"; remember, the pronouns “that” and "those" are used to refer to a variation of the subject, and the pronouns “it” and "they" are used to refer to the exact same subject.
2/ Option C redundantly uses "would" alongside "if"; remember, “will” is preferred for referring to events that are certain to happen and “would” is preferred for referring to events that are hypothetical, meaning the use of “would” alongside words that express uncertainty (predict, assume, guess, if, etc.) is redundant.

D:
1/ This answer choice incorrectly compares "a level" to "those (carbon emissions); please remember, comparisons must always be made between similar things.
2/ Option D redundantly uses "would" alongside "if"; remember, “will” is preferred for referring to events that are certain to happen and “would” is preferred for referring to events that are hypothetical, meaning the use of “would” alongside words that express uncertainty (predict, assume, guess, if, etc.) is redundant.

E:
1/ This answer choice incorrectly compares "a level" to "they (carbon emissions); please remember, comparisons must always be made between similar things.
2/ Option E redundantly uses "would" alongside "if"; remember, “will” is preferred for referring to events that are certain to happen and “would” is preferred for referring to events that are hypothetical, meaning the use of “would” alongside words that express uncertainty (predict, assume, guess, if, etc.) is redundant.

Hence, B is the best answer choice.

All the best!
Experts' Global Team

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