UNDERSTANDING INTENDED MEANING
Let’ break the sentence to derive the intended meaning, identifying the errors along the way:
Many political scholars believe that
The Treaty of Versailles, the final peace treaty at the end of World War I, failed
to reconcile the differences between the European nations,
eventually leading to World War II
ERROR:
• “European Nations” most likely refers to more than two nations. Thus, “between” cannot be used for more than two entities. Using “among” would be best here.
INTENDED MEANING
• Many political scholars believe something about “The Treaty of Versailles”
• They believe – the treaty failed to reconcile the differences among the European nations.
• The Treaty was the final peace treaty at the end of World War I
• This failure to reconcile the differences led to World War II.
ANSWER CHOICE ELIMINATION
Choices A and C are eliminated because of the use of “between”
Choice B analysis
(B) Many political scholars believe that The Treaty of Versailles, the final peace treaty at the end of World War I, failing to reconcile the differences within the European nations eventually led to World War II
• “Failing” is preceded by a comma – this means “failing” is modifying the verb “believe” in the preceding clause. When an “ing” modifier is separated from a clause by a comma, then that modifier modifies the verb in that clause.
• So, per this choice the outcome of the action “believe” was a failure to reconcile the differences. This is nonsensical.
Incorrect Choice
Choice D analysis
(D) Many political scholars believe that The Treaty of Versailles, the final peace treaty at the end of World War I, failed in reconciliation of the differences among the European nations and eventually lead to World War II
• This choice is long winded - in reconciliation of- while GMAT favours conciseness.
• More importantly, the “and” connects two clauses with the subject of both clauses being “the treaty of Versailles”.
So, The Treaty of Versailles, ……, failed in reconciliation of the differences among the European nations
and
The Treaty of Versailles …..eventually lead to World War II.
This is illogical. The treaty did not lead to the War. The treaty’s failure to reconcile the differences led to the war. Also "lead" is simple present tense whereas the sentence is talking about the past.
Incorrect Choice.
Choice E analysis
(E)Many political scholars believe that The Treaty of Versailles, the final peace treaty at the end of World War I failed to reconcile the differences among the European nations, eventually leading to World War II.
This choice is clear, logical and per the intended meaning.
Correct Choice.