Dear Friends,
Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
acer2knight wrote:
A “calendar stick” carved centuries ago by the Winnebago tribe may provide the first evidence that the North American Indians have developed advanced full-year calendars basing them on systematic astronomical observation.
(A) that the North American Indians have developed advanced full-year calendars basing them
(B) of the North American Indians who have developed advanced full-year calendars and based them
(C) of the development of advanced full-year calendars by North American Indians, basing them
(D) of the North American Indians and their development of advanced full-year calendars based
(E) that the North American Indians developed advanced full-year calendars based
Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of this sentence is that a “calendar stick” carved centuries ago by the Winnebago tribe may provide the first evidence that the North American Indians developed advanced full-year calendars that were on systematic astronomical observation.
Concepts tested here: Verb Forms + Tenses + Modifiers + Meaning• The simple past tense is used to refer to actions that concluded in the past.
• The present perfect tense (marked by the use of the helping verb “has/have”) is used to describe events that concluded in the past but continue to affect the present.
A: This answer choice incorrectly uses the present perfect tense verb “have developed” to refer to an action that concluded in the past; please remember, the present perfect tense (marked by the use of the helping verb “has/have”) is used to describe events that concluded in the past but continue to affect the present. Further, Option A incorrectly uses the present participle (“verb+ing”- “basing” in this sentence) to refer to an action that concluded in the past; please remember, the simple past tense is used to refer to actions that concluded in the past.
B: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “evidence of the North American Indians”; the construction of this phrase illogically suggests that the “calendar stick” is strong evidence of the
existence of the North American Indians; the intended meaning is that the “calendar stick” is strong evidence of the
fact that the North American Indians developed advanced full-year calendars that were on systematic astronomical observation. Further, Option B incorrectly uses the present perfect tense verb “have developed” to refer to an action that concluded in the past; please remember, the simple past tense is used to refer to events that concluded in the past, and the present perfect tense (marked by the use of the helping verb “has/have”) is used to describe events that concluded in the past but continue to affect the present.
C: This answer choice incorrectly uses present participle (“verb+ing”- “basing” in this sentence) to refer to an action that concluded in the past; please remember, the simple past tense is used to refer to actions that concluded in the past.
D: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “evidence of the North American Indians and their development…”; the construction of this phrase illogically suggests that the “calendar stick” is strong evidence of the
existence of the North American Indians; the intended meaning is that the “calendar stick” is strong evidence of the
fact that the North American Indians developed advanced full-year calendars that were on systematic astronomical observation.
E: Correct. This answer choice uses the phrase “evidence that the North American Indians developed…”, conveying the intended meaning of the sentence- that the “calendar stick” is strong evidence of the
fact that the North American Indians developed advanced full-year calendars that were on systematic astronomical observation. Further, Option E correctly uses the simple past tense verb “developed” and the past participle (“based” in this sentence) to refer to actions that concluded in the past.
To understand the concept of "Simple Tenses" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):
To understand the concept of "Present Perfect Tense" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):
All the best!
Experts' Global Team
Hence, E is the best answer choice. _________________