Dear Friends,
Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
solidcolor wrote:
Possible long-term consequences of the “greenhouse effect,” the gradual warming of the Earth’s climate, may include melting the polar ice caps and a rising sea level.
(A) may include melting the polar ice caps and a rising sea level
(B) may include the melting of polar ice caps and the rising sea level
(C) may include polar ice caps that are melting and sea levels that are rising
(D) include melting the polar ice caps and sea levels that are rising
(E) include melting of the polar ice caps and a rise in sea level
Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:Understanding the intended meaning of this sentence is key to solving this question; the intended core meaning of this sentence is that possible long-term consequences of the “greenhouse effect” include the melting of the polar ice caps and a rise in sea level.
Concepts tested here: Meaning + Parallelism + Awkwardness/Redundancy• Any elements linked by a conjunction ("and" in this case) must be parallel.
A: This answer choice fails to maintain parallelism between the verb phrase "melting the polar ice caps" and the noun phrase "a rising sea level"; remember, any elements linked by a conjunction ("and" in this case) must be parallel. Further, Option A redundantly uses "may" alongside "Possible", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.
B: Trap. This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "the rising sea level"; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that the
sea level that is
currently rising is a possible consequence of the “greenhouse effect”; remember, the intended meaning is that
a rise in sea level is a possible consequence of the “greenhouse effect”. Further, Option B redundantly uses "may" alongside "Possible", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.
C: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrases "polar ice caps that are melting" and "sea levels that are rising"; the construction of these phrases incorrectly implies that
polar ice caps that are
currently melting and
sea levels that are
currently rising are possible long-term consequences of the “greenhouse effect”; the intended meaning is that
the melting of the polar ice caps and
a rise in sea level are possible long-term consequences of the “greenhouse effect”. Further, Option C redundantly uses "may" alongside "Possible", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.
D: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "sea levels that are rising"; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that the
sea level that is
currently rising is a possible consequence of the “greenhouse effect”; remember, the intended meaning is that
a rise in sea level is a possible consequence of the “greenhouse effect”. Further, Option B fails to maintain parallelism between the verb phrase "melting the polar ice caps" and the noun phrase "sea levels that are rising"; remember, any elements linked by a conjunction ("and" in this case) must be parallel.
E: Correct. This answer choice uses the phrases "melting of the polar ice caps" and "a rise in sea level", conveying the intended meaning - that
the melting of the polar ice caps and
a rise in sea level are possible long-term consequences of the “greenhouse effect”. Further, Option E maintains parallelism between the noun phrases "melting of the polar ice caps" and "a rise in sea level". Additionally, Option E is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.
Hence, E is the best answer choice.All the best!
Experts' Global Team
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