In 1973 mortgage payments represented twenty-one percent of an average

Skywalker18

C can't even be considered without a verb.

{Independent clause + [comma] + FANBOYS + Independent clause} is the correct construction.

In C we have {(subject) + (verb) + Prepositions) + [Comma] + FANBOYS (AND) + Preposition+ (subject)} - so we're missing a finite verb.

In 1973 mortgage payments represented twenty-one percent of an average thirty-year-old male's income, and in 1984 forty-four percent

However, in B we have

{independent clause} + [semicolon] + {independent clause}

B. income; in 1984 the figure was forty-four percent

GMATNinja, could you please explain why option C is wrong?

Check out this post and this post if you haven't already.

In (C), we are expecting an independent clause (with a subject+verb pair) after the comma+conjunction (", and"). Instead we get, "..., and in 1984 forty-four percent (???)." Does that mean that mortgage payments represented forty-four percent of an average thirty-year-old male's income in 1984? Probably. But the meaning isn't entirely clear.

And again, we expect a subject+verb pair after the comma+conjunction (", and"). So at first glance "forty-four percent" seems like the subject of a new independent clause... until we realize that there is no corresponding verb. At that point we have to go back and fill in a bunch of blanks to make this sentence work.

Is (C) absolutely wrong, grammatically? Maybe, maybe not. However, the meaning is much more clear in choice (B), so that's our winner.

In 1973 mortgage payments represented twenty-one percent of an average thirty-year-old male's income; and forty-four percent in 1984

Meaning: in 1973 mortgage represented 21 percent. In 1984, it represented 44 percent

A. income; and forty-four percent in 1984 the second clause is incomplete
B. income; in 1984 the figure was forty-four percent Two independents clauses, separated by semicolon
C. income, and in 1984 forty-four percent forty-four percent is compared to mortgage payments
D. income, forty-four percent in 1984 was the figure two independent clauses could not be connected by comma
E. income that rose to forty-four percent in 1984 change in meaning. not that income rose to 44 percent but the mortgage payments

Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:
Understanding the intended meaning of this sentence is key to solving the question; the intended meaning is that in 1973 mortgage payments made up twenty-one percent of an average thirty-year-old male's income, and in 1984 mortgage payments made up forty-four percent of an average thirty-year-old male's income.

Concepts tested here: Meaning + Grammatical Construction

• Semicolons and the “comma + conjunction” construction are used to link two independent clauses; commas are used to link an independent clause with a dependent one; comma cannot be used to join two independent clauses.

A:
1/ This answer choice incorrectly uses a semicolon to join an independent clause to a dependent clause; remember, semicolons and the “comma + conjunction” construction are used to link two independent clauses; commas are used to link an independent clause with a dependent one; comma cannot be used to join two independent clauses.

B: Correct.
1/ This answer choice uses the clause "the figure was forty-four percent", conveying the intended meaning - that in 1984 mortgage payments made up forty-four percent of an average thirty-year-old male's income.
2/ Option B correctly uses a semicolon to join two independent clauses.

C: Trap.
1/ This answer choice incorrectly uses the "comma + conjunction ("and" in this case)" construction to join an independent clause to a dependent clause; remember, semicolons and the “comma + conjunction” construction are used to link two independent clauses; commas are used to link an independent clause with a dependent one; comma cannot be used to join two independent clauses.

D:
1/ This answer choice incorrectly uses a comma to join two independent clauses; remember, semicolons and the “comma + conjunction” construction are used to link two independent clauses; commas are used to link an independent clause with a dependent one; comma cannot be used to join two independent clauses.

E:
1/ This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "that rose to forty-four percent in 1984"; the construction of this phrase illogically implies that "twenty-one percent of an average thirty-year-old male's income" rose to forty-four percent in 1984; the intended meaning is that in 1984 mortgage payments made up forty-four percent of an average thirty-year-old male's income.

Hence, B is the best answer choice.

To understand the use of punctuation on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~10 minutes):



All the best!
Experts' Global Team