In the 1880's, improved pest-control methods saved the

Thanks for the clarification, daagh

daagh you greatly clarified the question and it is also helpful for me to know the concept behind this question. Thumbs up!

Meaning of the sentence is that some pest control methods save the region's citrus crop. But other mentioned crops were already destroyed by pests before citrus crop was saved.

(A) In the 1880's, improved pest-control methods saved the region's citrus crop, although its grape, celery, and sugar beet crops had already been destroyed by pests. Correct Choice as it gives the right meaning.

(B) Pests destroyed the region's grape, celery, and sugar beet crops when, in the 1880's, improved pest-control methods saved its citrus crop. It says both 'improving citrus crop' and 'destroying other crops happened at the same time. this is not the intended meaning.

(C) The region's citrus crop was saved by improved pest-control methods in the 1880's, its grape, celery, and sugar beet crops already having been destroyed by pests. No proper connection between 'The region's citrus crop was saved by improved pest-control methods in the 1880's' and following sentence.

(D) Improved pest-control methods saved the region's citrus crop in the 1880's, though they had already destroyed its grape, celery, and sugar beet crops. 'they' refers to pest control methods. There methods were not responsible for destruction.

(E) Improved pest-control methods, in the 1880's, saved the region's citrus crop, its grape, celery, and sugar beet crops were already destroyed by pests. No proper connection between 'Improved pest-control methods, in the 1880's, saved the region's citrus crop' and following sentence.

Hi, I tried to solve it with the modifiers. Isn't "improved" in (A) modifying 1800s?

daagh GMATNinja AjiteshArun

Can anyone help me choose between A and C. As far as I know having been seems alright here since it modifies region

(A) In the 1880s, improved pest-control methods saved the region's citrus crop, although its grape, celery, and sugar beet crops had already been destroyed by pests


(C) The region's citrus crop was saved by improved pest-control methods in the 1880s, its grape, celery, and sugar beet crops already having been destroyed by pests

This is a tricky issue. But cool; the first catch is to ask when all the things happened? A says in the 1880s, because, that modifier is placed at the head of the entire clause that is following. On the contrary, C places it as though what happened in 1880 is relevant only for the Citrus. This is a material digression
Point 2. The use of ‘although’ in A perfectly brings out the contrast that is embedded in the choice
Point 3. A is written in the active voice, while C is unnecessarily passive.
See why A is the correct one?

i am hoping your doubt is clear by now.

But i want to contribute my 1 cent here.
Option C has squinting modifier issue because " in the 1880" is placed in between the sentence.It can either modify the left part eg " all this happend in 1880 ..... or in 1880 .... destroyed by the pets".
Also, when we use these dates or year, we have to be extra careful in placing them. option A is very clear in placement of the year and taking care of squinting modifier.

(C) The region's citrus crop was saved by improved pest-control methods in the 1880's, its grape, celery, and sugar beet crops already having been destroyed by pests

KarishmaB RonTargetTestPrep gmatophobia

I think the OA is wrong, although cannot be the second part / clause of the sentence i.e.

(A) In the 1880's, improved pest-control methods saved the region's citrus crop, although its grape, celery, and sugar beet crops had already been destroyed by pests

The correct option should be :
Although its grape, celery, and sugar beet crops had already been destroyed by pests, improved pest-control methods saved the region's citrus crop

Can you please correct me

From where are you getting these rules? The dictionary is full of examples with a dependent clause using 'although' after the main clause.
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictio ... h/although

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