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x2suresh wrote:
However much United States voters may agree that there is waste in government and that the government as a whole spends beyond its means, it is difficult to find broad support for a movement toward a minimal state.
(A) However much United States voters may agree that
(B) Despite the agreement among United States voters to the fact
(C) Although United States voters agree
(D) Even though United States voters may agree
(E) There is agreement among United States voters that
Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of this question is that regardless of the degree to which United States voters may agree that there is waste in government and that the government as a whole spends beyond its means, it is difficult to find broad support for a movement toward a minimal state.
Concepts tested here: Meaning + Parallelism + Grammatical Construction + Awkwardness/Redundancy• Two elements linked by a conjunction ("and" in this sentence) must be parallel.
• 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: Correct. This answer choice uses the phrase "However much United States voters may agree", conveying the intended meaning - that
regardless of the degree to which United States voters may agree that there is waste in government and that the government as a whole spends beyond its means, it is difficult to find broad support for a movement toward a minimal state. Further, Option A correctly uses a comma to join the dependent clause "However much United States voters...its means" and "it is difficult to find broad support for a movement toward a minimal state". Additionally, Option A maintains parallelism between "that there is waste in government" and "that the government as a whole spends beyond its means". Besides, Option A is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.
B: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "Despite the agreement among United States voters"; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that
despite the fact that United States voters may agree that there is waste in government and that the government as a whole spends beyond its means, it is difficult to find broad support for a movement toward a minimal state; the intended meaning is that
regardless of the degree to which United States voters may agree that there is waste in government and that the government as a whole spends beyond its means, it is difficult to find broad support for a movement toward a minimal state. Further, Option B fails to maintain parallelism between "there is waste in government" and "that the government as a whole spends beyond its means"; remember, two elements linked by a conjunction ("and" in this sentence) must be parallel. Additionally, Option B uses the needlessly wordy phrase "Despite the agreement among United States voters to the fact", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.
C: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "Although United States voters agree"; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that
despite the fact that United States voters may agree that there is waste in government and that the government as a whole spends beyond its means, it is difficult to find broad support for a movement toward a minimal state; the intended meaning is that
regardless of the degree to which United States voters may agree that there is waste in government and that the government as a whole spends beyond its means, it is difficult to find broad support for a movement toward a minimal state. Further, Option C fails to maintain parallelism between "there is waste in government" and "that the government as a whole spends beyond its means"; remember, two elements linked by a conjunction ("and" in this sentence) must be parallel.
D: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "Even though United States voters may agree"; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that
despite the fact that United States voters may agree that there is waste in government and that the government as a whole spends beyond its means, it is difficult to find broad support for a movement toward a minimal state; the intended meaning is that
regardless of the degree to which United States voters may agree that there is waste in government and that the government as a whole spends beyond its means, it is difficult to find broad support for a movement toward a minimal state. Further, Option D fails to maintain parallelism between "there is waste in government" and "that the government as a whole spends beyond its means"; remember, two elements linked by a conjunction ("and" in this sentence) must be parallel.
E: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the clause"There is agreement among United States voters"; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that United States voters agree that there is waste in government and that the government as a whole spends beyond its means,
and it is difficult to find broad support for a movement toward a minimal state; the intended meaning is that
regardless of the degree to which United States voters may agree that there is waste in government and that the government as a whole spends beyond its means, it is difficult to find broad support for a movement toward a minimal state. Further, Option E incorrectly uses a comma to join the independent clauses "There is agreement among United States voters...its means" and "it is difficult to find broad support for a movement toward a minimal state"; 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.
Hence, A is the best answer choice.To understand the concept of "Comma Splices and Run-Ons" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~6 minutes):
All the best!
Experts' Global Team