Dear Friends,
Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
MBA2ran wrote:
Because the Earth’s crust is more solid there and thus better able to transmit shock waves, an earthquake of a given magnitude typically devastates an area 100 times greater in the eastern United States than it does in the West.
(A) of a given magnitude typically devastates an area 100 times greater in the eastern United States than it does in the West
(B) of a given magnitude will typically devastate 100 times the area if it occurs in the eastern United States instead of the West
(C) will typically devastate 100 times the area in the eastern United States than one of the comparable magnitude occurring in the West
(D) in the eastern United States will typically devastate an area 100 times greater than will a quake of comparable magnitude occurring in the West
(E) that occurs in the eastern United States will typically devastate 100 times more area than if it occurred with comparable magnitude in the West
Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:Understanding the intended meaning is key to getting this question correct; the intended meaning of this sentence is that an earthquake that occurs in the eastern United States will typically devastate an area 100 times greater than an earthquake of comparable magnitude that occurs in the West will.
Concepts tested here: Comparison + Meaning + Awkwardness/RedundancyA: Trap. This answer choice incorrectly compares “an earthquake of a given magnitude” to “it” (the same earthquake)", incorrectly implying that one earthquake typically devastates an area 100 times greater when it occurs in the eastern United States than when it occurs in the West; the intended meaning of this sentence is that an earthquake that occurs in the eastern United States will typically devastate an area 100 times greater than an earthquake of comparable magnitude that occurs in the West will.
B: This answer choice incorrectly compares “an earthquake of a given magnitude” to “it” (the same earthquake)", incorrectly implying that one earthquake typically devastates an area 100 times greater when it occurs in the eastern United States than when it occurs in the West; the intended meaning of this sentence is that an earthquake that occurs in the eastern United States will typically devastate an area 100 times greater than an earthquake of comparable magnitude that occurs in the West will. Further, Option B uses the needlessly indirect phrase "devastate 100 times the area", leading to awkwardness.
C: This answer choice uses the needlessly indirect phrase "devastate 100 times the area", leading to awkwardness.
D: Correct. This answer choice correctly compares “an earthquake of a given magnitude in the eastern United States” with “a quake of comparable magnitude occurring in the West”, conveying the intended meaning of the sentence- that an earthquake that occurs in the eastern United States will typically devastate an area 100 times greater than an earthquake of comparable magnitude that occurs in the West will. Further, Option D is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.
E: his answer choice incorrectly compares “an earthquake of a given magnitude” to “it” (the same earthquake)", incorrectly implying that one earthquake typically devastates an area 100 times greater when it occurs in the eastern United States than when it occurs in the West; the intended meaning of this sentence is that an earthquake that occurs in the eastern United States will typically devastate an area 100 times greater than an earthquake of comparable magnitude that occurs in the West will.
Hence, D is the best answer choice.All the best!
Experts' Global Team