Bunuel wrote:
Since 2007, the Department of Defense has maintained a program designed to investigate unidentified flying objects,
despite the views of many scientists who considered that these phenomena will be found to have natural explanations.
A. despite the views of many scientists who considered
B. despite the views of many scientists who consider
C. despite the views of many scientists believe
D. despite the views of many scientists who believe
E. although scientists believed
KAPLAN OFFICIAL EXPLANATION
(D)
Step 1: Read the Original Sentence Carefully, Looking for ErrorsThe phrase “[s]ince 2007” is a clue that verb tenses are being tested. “Since 2007” and “has maintained” indicate the program began in the past and is still continuing, so the past tense “considered” at the end of the underlined segment is incorrect. Another issue is the idiomatic usage of “consider.” On the GMAT, “consider” is used without a following connecting word or phrase. A correct use of “consider” in this sentence would be many scientists who consider these phenomena to have natural explanations.
Step 2: Scan and Group the Answer ChoicesThere’s a 3-2 split between (A) and (E), which use past tense verbs at the end of the underlined segment, and (B), (C), and (D), which use present tense verbs.
Step 3: Eliminate Choices Until Only One Remains(A) and (E) can be eliminated for being on the wrong side of the split. Since “that” is not underlined and can’t be changed, eliminate (B) and seek a choice that doesn’t end with a form of the verb “consider.” (C) incorrectly states “the views . . . believe . . .” The views don’t believe; the scientists believe. (D) is correct. Confirm this by reading it back into the sentence:
Since 2007, the Department of Defense has maintained a program designed to investigate unidentified flying objects,
despite the views of many scientists who believe that these phenomena will be found to have natural explanations.