The agreement, the first to formally require industrialized

Question

The agreement, the first to formally require industrialized countries to cut emissions of gases linked to global warming, is a formal protocol by which 38 industrialized countries must reduce emissions of these gases by 2012 or face heavy penalties.

(A) by which
(B) for which
(C) under which
(D) such that
(E) wherein

(A) by which
(B) for which
(C) under which
(D) such that
(E) wherein

https://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/24/world/178-nations-reach-a-climate-accord-us-only-looks-on.html

Still, the agreement is a binding contract among nations -- excluding the United States --  under which  38 industrialized countries must reduce those emissions by 2012 or face tougher emissions goals. Those countries now account for close to half of the emissions. The agreement now moves to a complex ratification process that calls for approval from the biggest polluting countries, which can be achieved even with United States opposition.

MartyTargetTestPrep · Accepted Answer

This question is actually very logic based. Each choice means something unique, and the most logical choice is the correct answer.

a. by which - This choice does not make sense. It is not the case that the countries must reduce emissions BY the protocol.

b. for which - This choice does not make sense. It is not the case that the countries must reduce emissions FOR the protocol.

c. under which - This choice makes complete sense. UNDER the protocol, the countries must reduce emissions. Yes, "under" is idiomatically correct. At the same time, none of the other answers make sense.

d. such that - This choice does not make sense. When we use "such that", what follows should describe what comes before "such that". While, under the protocol, countries must reduce emissions, saying that countries must reduce emissions does not really describe the protocol. The following would make more sense:
 
 ... a formal protocol such that, under it, industrialized countries must reduce emissions ...

e. wherein - This choice almost sounds right, but it doesn't actually make sense. It is not the case that the countries must reduce emissions IN the protocol.

So, logic dictates that choice (C) is the correct answer.

linau1982 · Answer

C. It's a little ugly, but grammar comes first...  protocols, agreements, contracts  should be coupled with  under

ExpertsGlobal5 · Answer

Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation to this question-

Meaning is crucial to solving this problem: 
Understanding the intended meaning of this sentence is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of the crucial part of this sentence is that the agreement is a formal protocol that requires 38 industrialized countries to reduce emissions of certain gases by 2012 or face heavy penalties.

Concepts tested here: Meaning

A:  This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “by which”; the use of “by” incorrectly implies that the agreement is a formal protocol that 38 industrialized countries   must use   to reduce emissions of certain gases by 2012 or face heavy penalties; the intended meaning is that the agreement is a formal protocol   that requires   38 industrialized countries to reduce emissions of certain gases by 2012 or face heavy penalties.

B:  This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “for which”; the use of “for” incorrectly implies that the agreement is a formal protocol   on whose behalf   38 industrialized countries must reduce emissions of certain gases by 2012 or face heavy penalties; the intended meaning is that the agreement is a formal protocol   that requires   38 industrialized countries to reduce emissions of certain gases by 2012 or face heavy penalties.

C:   Correct.  This answer choice uses the phrase “under which”, conveying the intended meaning – that the agreement is a formal protocol   that requires   38 industrialized countries to reduce emissions of certain gases by 2012 or face heavy penalties.

D:  This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “such that”; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that the agreement is a formal protocol   in such a manner   that 38 industrialized countries must reduce emissions of certain gases by 2012 or face heavy penalties; the intended meaning is that the agreement is a formal protocol   that requires   38 industrialized countries to reduce emissions of certain gases by 2012 or face heavy penalties.

E:  This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the preposition “wherein”; the use of “wherein” illogically implies that the agreement is a formal protocol, and   inside   this protocol 38 industrialized countries must reduce emissions of certain gases by 2012 or face heavy penalties; the intended meaning is that the agreement is a formal protocol   that requires   38 industrialized countries to reduce emissions of certain gases by 2012 or face heavy penalties.

Hence, C is the best answer choice.

All the best!
Experts' Global Team

ConkergMat · Answer

weird one. Looks like an idiom test.
C sounds ok. "agreement is a protocol under which". I am not sure of the usage of wherein.

C/E. Would pick C since I am not sure of E.

sondenso · Answer

1.wherein = in which

2. keep in mind that "protocol under which", so no matter whether it is "in, for or by which"

C is the best

reply2spg · Answer

a. by which - whatever follows by will tell you the process...so A is out
b. for which - changes the meaning of the sentence
c. under which - correct
d. such that - I guess such that and such as is used for list 
e. wherein - changes the meaning.

IMO C

VerbalBot · Answer

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The agreement, the first to formally require industrialized

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The agreement, the first to formally require industrialized

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