Inspired by the circumstances he witnessed and documented during the P

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION



• HIGHLIGHT

This sentence deploys inversion of subject and verb.
The inverted structure as are many of Babel's writings means
Many of Babel's writings are filled with brutal and often horrific depictions of war.

THE PROMPT


THE OPTIONS

A) Inspired by the circumstances he witnessed and documented during the Polish-Soviet War of 1920, Isaac Babel wrote Red Cavalry, a short story collection that is filled, as are many of Babel’s writings, of brutal and often horrific depictions of war.
• the underlined portion contains the verb are, which correctly refers to Babel's writings
• The word as is a comparison marker. The comparison is logical.
This one work, Red Cavalry, is like Babel's other writings. They are all kinda gory.
• but the last word of the underlined portion is OF, which is connected to the word filled.
-- incorrect idiomatic expression
-- a book is filled with certain details, not filled of certain details.
ELIMINATE A

• option B is identical to option A except that (B) correctly uses filled ... with rather than (A)'s mistaken filled . . . of
KEEP

• this option impermissibly switches the action from the passive (the book is filled) to active (Babel filled his books)
• those two constructions are not parallel
ELIMINATE C

• in (D), the modifying phrase and makes it sound as if Babel's writings actually [i]did something.
The writings did not do anything; they certainly did not fill themselves.
ELIMINATE D

• as is the case in option A, this option incorrectly uses filled . . . of rather than the correct filled .. . with
• in addition to that mistake, option E is wordier and more passive than option A.
ELIMINATE

The correct answer is B.

COMMENTS

In English, when a Very Large and Uncomfortable Topic is hanging around and not being discussed, we say that there is "an elephant in the room."

I think this one is bigger than an elephant.
More like a brontosaurus.
Wait. I like that kind of dinosaur.
How about a pterodactyl or T-Rex?

Many (most?) of us are under quarantine or stay-in-place orders because COVID-19 is on a rampage.

So I thought I'd include something to balance the scales just a little and more importantly, to say thank you.

It is good to remember that even a lethal virus is no match for the human spirit—or at least for the human spirit that rallies by conscious choice rather than by political calculation.

I'm fairly sure that Spain was the first country whose citizens decided to go outside on their balconies at 8 p.m. each night.

The Spaniards bang pots and pans.
They clap.
And they shout "¡Viva los médicos!" [Long live the doctors!]
Other countries followed suit.
Take a look at this short clip, here.

To anyone, anywhere, who is helping:
Thank you.

Be safe, everyone.