Dear Friends,
Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
prasannar wrote:
In contrast to large steel plants that take iron ore through all the steps needed to produce several different kinds of steel, processing steel scrap into a specialized group of products has enabled small mills to put capital into new technology and remain economically viable.
(A) processing steel scrap into a specialized group of products has enabled small mills to put capital into new technology and remain
(B) processing steel scrap into a specialized group of products has enabled small mills to put capital into new technology, remaining
(C) the processing of steel scrap into a specialized group of products has enabled small mills to put capital into new technology, remaining
(D) small mills, by processing steel scrap into a specialized group of products, have been able to put capital into new technology and remain
(E) small mills, by processing steel scrap into a specialized group of products, have been able to put capital into new technology and remained
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 by processing steel scrap into a specialized group of products, small steel mills have been able to put capital into new technology and remain
Concepts tested here: Meaning + Verb Forms + Comparisons• Comparisons must always be made between similar things.
• The introduction of the present participle ("verb+ing"- “remaining” in this case) after comma generally leads to a cause-effect relationship.
• "to + base form of verb ("remain" in this sentence)" is the correct infinitive verb form construction.
A:1/ This answer choice incorrectly compares "large steel plants" to "processing steel scrap"; remember, comparisons must always be made between similar things.
B:1/ This answer choice incorrectly compares "large steel plants" to "processing steel scrap"; remember, comparisons must always be made between similar things.
2/ Option B alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "remaining economically viable"; the use of the "comma + present participle ("verb+ing" - "remaining" in this sentence)" construction incorrectly implies that small steel mills have been able to put capital into new technology, and
as a result remain economically viable; the intended meaning is that small steel mills have been able to put capital into new technology, and
as a separate action remain economically viable; remember, the introduction of the present participle ("verb+ing"- “remaining” in this case) after comma generally leads to a cause-effect relationship.
C:1/ This answer choice incorrectly compares "large steel plants" to "the processing of steel scrap"; remember, comparisons must always be made between similar things.
2/ Option B alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "remaining economically viable"; the use of the "comma + present participle ("verb+ing" - "remaining" in this sentence)" construction incorrectly implies that small steel mills have been able to put capital into new technology, and
as a result remain economically viable; the intended meaning is that small steel mills have been able to put capital into new technology, and
as a separate action remain economically viable; remember, the introduction of the present participle ("verb+ing"- “remaining” in this case) after comma generally leads to a cause-effect relationship.
D:1/ This answer choice correctly compares "large steel mills" with "small mills".
2/ Option D uses the phrase "and remain economically viable", conveying the intended meaning - that small steel mills have been able to put capital into new technology, and
as a separate action remain economically viable.
3/ Option D maintains the correct infinitive verb form construction "to + base form of verb ("remain" in this sentence)".
E:1/ This answer choice fails to maintain the correct infinitive verb form construction "to + base form of verb", as it utilizes the past participle form ("realized" in this case) in place of the base form; remember, "to + base form of verb" is the correct infinitive verb form construction.
Hence, D is the best answer choice.To understand the concept of "Comma Plus Present Participle for Cause-Effect Relationship" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):
All the best!
Experts' Global Team
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