Dear Friends,
Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
macjas wrote:
Manufacturers rate batteries in watt-hours; if they rate the watt-hour higher, the longer the battery can be expected to last.
A if they rate the watt-hour higher, the longer
B rating the watt-hour higher, it is that much longer
C the higher the watt-hour rating, the longer
D the higher the watt-hour rating, it is that much longer that
E when the watt-hour rating is higher, the longer it is
Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of the crucial part of this sentence is that there is a positive correlation between the watt-hour rating and how long the battery can be expected to last.
Concepts tested here: Meaning + Modifiers + Idioms + Awkwardness/Redundancy• In a “phrase + comma + noun” construction, the phrase must correctly modify the noun; this is one of the most frequently tested concepts on GMAT sentence correction.
• “when” is only used to refer to a point in time.
A: The sentence formed by this answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the clause "the longer the battery can be expected to last"; the construction of this phrase leads to an incoherent meaning; the intended meaning is that there is a positive correlation between the watt-hour rating and how long the battery can be expected to last. Further, Option A uses the passive voice construction "the longer the battery can be expected to last", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.
B: This answer choice incorrectly uses "rating the watt-hour higher" to modify the placeholder pronoun "it", leading to an incoherent meaning; the intended meaning is that there is a positive correlation between the watt-hour rating and how long the battery can be expected to last; remember, in a “phrase + comma + noun” construction, the phrase must correctly modify the noun. Further, Option B uses the needlessly wordy construction "it is that much longer", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.
C: Correct. The sentence formed by this answer choice uses the construction "the higher the watt-hour rating, the longer the battery can be expected to last", conveying the intended meaning - that there is a positive correlation between the watt-hour rating and how long the battery can be expected to last; please remember, "adjective phrase + comma + adjective phrase" is an idiomatic construction that implies a correlation between the two adjectives - for example, "the darker the skin, the sweeter the fruit" or "low supply, high prices". Further, Option C is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.
D: This answer choice uses the needlessly wordy construction "it is that much longer that", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.
E: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "when the watt-hour rating is higher"; the use of "when" leads to an incoherent meaning; the intended meaning is that there is a positive correlation between the watt-hour rating and how long the battery can be expected to last; remember, "when" is used to refer to a point in time. Further, Option E uses the passive voice construction "the longer it is the battery can be expected to last", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.
Hence, C is the best answer choice.To understand the concept of "Phrase Comma Subject" and "Subject Comma Phrase" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1minute):
All the best!
Experts' Global Team