Just when bankruptcy reform appears headed for a certain passage in th

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION


The short version:

1) rise OF bankruptcies is not correct. A rise IN bankruptcy rates is correct.
Eliminate options C and D

2) a raise is what an American gets if her salary is increased, and that instance is pretty much the only one in which "raise" is a noun.
We should say a rise IN bankruptcies.
Eliminate option A

3) Option E is illogical (as are C and D). Despite, although, and while suggest contrast and a result that is surprising.
This result is not surprising; the economy is signalling that bankruptcies will increase, and Congress has very little to no control over market forces such as the ones in this context..

The opening words in A and B are more sensible. Those two options emphasize bad (or ironic) timing.
The fact that Congress got around to addressing bankruptcy is ironic because of the legislature's timing.
The legislator will act right before a storm is about to hit.
The theme is bad or ironic timing, not surprising contrast (Congress's reform cannot forestall the rise in bankruptcies because the signs are already clear that such a rise will happen).
Eliminate option E

The best answer is B.

SPLITS

• Split #1: raise vs. rise

GMAC tests this split on occasion.
The word "raise" is almost never a noun. In the U.S., a person whose salary increases gets "a raise," but I have never seen GMAC use that kind of "raise."

An increase in the frequency of [inanimate] events or a rate increase is a rise.
We speak of a rise in disease; a rise in hate crimes in the U.S. since Trump took office; a rise in interest rates, unemployment, and bankruptcies; and a rise in crime.

Option A uses the wrong word: raise.
Eliminate A

• Split #2: dedicated noun "rise" vs. ___ING noun "rising"

In English, sometimes we must make nouns out of verbs because no "original" or "dedicated" noun exists.
We change verbs into nouns (gerunds) by adding ___ING.

If options contain both a dedicated noun such as rise and a gerund (a verbING) such as rising, try to use the dedicated noun rather than the gerund.
On the GMAT and in SWE, a dedicated noun is preferred.
(Besides, compared to option B, option C sounds really awkward.)

Eliminate option C

• Split #3: Meaning and logic

Although, despite [the fact that], and while are contrast words that suggest the result is surprising. See HERE
(Compare them, for example, with whereas, which presents contrast as mere difference rather than as a surprise. HERE)

Just when and even as mean at the same time.

The contrast words do not fit logically.
Whether Congress passes bankruptcy reform legislation or not, bankruptcies will increase; "economic omens" tell us so.
In other words, it is not surprising that bankruptcies will increase.
It is ironic that Congress has decided to tinker with bankruptcy just as economic signs indicate that the number of bankruptcies is about to explode.

Eliminate D and E.

The best answer is B.

Suppose that you did not see that options C, D, and E aren't very logical.
We have two more ways to get to the correct answer.

• Split #4: IN vs. OF

A rise IN bankruptcies is correct. A rise OF bankruptcies is not.
Prepositions are hard.
A fairly reliable distinction is that when inanimate events (without human agency) increase, especially when those events are rates, we say "a rise in."
I listed a few examples above.
On the other hand, when people (with agency) push for power or create events, we say "THE rise of."
We might talk about the rise of a whole civilization; the rise of the institution of Christianity; the rise of despotic tyrants; and the rise of a human-driven doctrine such as fascism.
But if we are talking about rates and the frequency of events, we use "a rise IN."

Option D uses rise "of."
Eliminate D.

• Split #5: choose the clean verb phrase over a questionable gerund phrase

In option E, "despite" is a preposition that should be followed by a noun phrase.
Compare E to B.
Option B is shorter and crisper than option E. Choose the clearer option.
(The noun phrase that follows "despite" in option E is not grammatical but you will never be tested on this rule.
Option E should say, "Despite the bankruptcy reform's appearing to head for a certain passage in the Congress, . . . "
Yep. You do not need to know that the possessive should be used in such cases.
You do need to know how to identify a crisp and clear phrase from a flabby and muddy one.
Option B is the former. Option E is the latter.
Read.
(And if you are avoiding The Economist, the NY Times, Atlantic Monthly, New Yorker, and the like, then read Harvard Magazine for free, here.. Click on "Archives." Download a couple of years' worth of the magazine. It has short and long passages on many interesting subjects and its editors are incredibly good.)

Eliminate option E.

The best answer is B.

NOTES

I really do urge you to read.
If you can't find the willpower to read business journals or newspapers, read Harvard Magazine.
Or read a novel.
Human beings love stories.

COMMENTS

(Whew.)

dave13 (long time! ) , eakabuah , Enkhhulan , and mykrasovski , good to see you all.

shameekv1989 , once again, welcome to SC Butler.

These responses range from very good to outstanding.
You've impressed me. (This OE was hard to structure; you all did very well.)
I like the fact that everyone has different styles.

Much more importantly, I like the fact that you all are here, posting.
(And yes, I'm issuing a Big Fat Hint to people who would like to post but have not done so yet: by all means, post!)

Very nicely done. Kudos to all.