Bunuel wrote:
The library's new sorting method, which the acquisitions librarian modeled after a technique used in the British Library, reduced from a week and a half to four days the required time of processing a new book.
A. from a week and a half to four days the required time of processing a new book
B. the time being required to process a new book, from a week and a half down to four days
C. the time being required to process a new book, a week and a half to four days
D. the time required to process a new book from a week and a half to four days
E. from a week and a half to four days, the time required for the processing of a new book
Veritas Prep Official Explanation
Correct Answer: D
In choice A, the object "the required time" is separated from the verb "reduced" in an awkward and wordy way. "Time of processing" is improper diction, as it creates an unclear meaning (does it take a certain time "to process", or is there an appointed time at which the book is processed?). In choice B, "being required" and "down to" introduce excess words where none are needed. Choice C commits a similar error, as "being required" is unnecessarily wordy; also, the final phrase attempts a "from" construction but leaves out the "from a." Answer choice D is correct. It unites the verb and its object and correctly uses the "from a" parallel construction. Choice E maintains the separation between the verb and its object and further complicates the sentence with the wordy construction "required for the processing of a new book," which uses too many prepositions to be efficient and fluent.