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555-605 Level|   Clauses|            
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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
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GMATNinja, could you please explain why option C is wrong?
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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.
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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
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Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
Bunuel

GMAT weekly questions



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

A. income; and forty-four percent in 1984
B. income; in 1984 the figure was forty-four percent
C. income, and in 1984 forty-four percent
D. income, forty-four percent in 1984 was the figure
E. income that rose to forty-four percent in 1984


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!
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