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17 May 2022, 23:55
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The comet Swift-Tuttle is on an orbit that could cause it to eventually collide with the Earth; since the solid nucleus of Swift-Tuttle is of considerable mass, if this was to occur, it might lead to a mass extinction like the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event, which occurred about 65 million years ago.
A) since the solid nucleus of Swift-Tuttle is of considerable mass, if this was to occur, it might lead to a mass extinction like the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event,
B) since the solid nucleus of Swift-Tuttle is of considerable mass, if such a collision were to occur, it might lead to a mass extinction like the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event,
C) since the solid nucleus of Swift-Tuttle is of considerable mass, if this were to occur, it might lead to a mass extinction like the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event,
D) since the solid nucleus of Swift-Tuttle is of considerable mass, if such a collision was to occur, it might lead to a mass extinction like the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event,
E) since the solid nucleus of Swift-Tuttle is of considerable mass, if such a collision were to occur, this might lead to a mass extinction like the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event,
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18 May 2022, 02:41
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(B) for me. It took me 01:19
* As we are discussing an "hypothetical event", the usage of subjunctive "were" is preferred over "was". On that basis, you can safely remove choices (A) and (D).
* "this" in (C) is a demonstrative pronoun (read the note below for more on this) that should be followed by the noun it refers to.
* Between (B) and (E), the split used is:
Thus, (B) comes out as the winner and the correct choice.
* As we are discussing an "hypothetical event", the usage of subjunctive "were" is preferred over "was". On that basis, you can safely remove choices (A) and (D).
* "this" in (C) is a demonstrative pronoun (read the note below for more on this) that should be followed by the noun it refers to.
* Between (B) and (E), the split used is:
- (B) if such a collision were to occur, it might lead to a mass extinction
(E) if such a collision were to occur, this might lead to a mass extinction
Thus, (B) comes out as the winner and the correct choice.
Demonstrative Pronouns:
Pronouns that point to specific things: this, that, these, and those, as in “This is an apple,” “Those are boys,” or “Take these to the clerk.” The same words are used as demonstrative adjectives when they modify nouns or pronouns: “this apple,” “those boys.”
Demonstrative pronouns should always be followed by the noun/pronoun they seem to refer to
Pronouns that point to specific things: this, that, these, and those, as in “This is an apple,” “Those are boys,” or “Take these to the clerk.” The same words are used as demonstrative adjectives when they modify nouns or pronouns: “this apple,” “those boys.”
Demonstrative pronouns should always be followed by the noun/pronoun they seem to refer to
17 May 2022, 23:58
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OFFICIAL EXPLANATION
Quote:
The comet Swift-Tuttle is on an orbit that could cause it to eventually collide with the Earth; since the solid nucleus of Swift-Tuttle is of considerable mass, if this was to occur, it might lead to a mass extinction like the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event, which occurred about 65 million years ago.
A) since the solid nucleus of Swift-Tuttle is of considerable mass, if this was to occur, it might lead to a mass extinction like the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event,
B) since the solid nucleus of Swift-Tuttle is of considerable mass, if such a collision were to occur, it might lead to a mass extinction like the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event,
C) since the solid nucleus of Swift-Tuttle is of considerable mass, if this were to occur, it might lead to a mass extinction like the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event,
D) since the solid nucleus of Swift-Tuttle is of considerable mass, if such a collision was to occur, it might lead to a mass extinction like the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event,
E) since the solid nucleus of Swift-Tuttle is of considerable mass, if such a collision were to occur, this might lead to a mass extinction like the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event,
A) since the solid nucleus of Swift-Tuttle is of considerable mass, if this was to occur, it might lead to a mass extinction like the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event,
B) since the solid nucleus of Swift-Tuttle is of considerable mass, if such a collision were to occur, it might lead to a mass extinction like the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event,
C) since the solid nucleus of Swift-Tuttle is of considerable mass, if this were to occur, it might lead to a mass extinction like the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event,
D) since the solid nucleus of Swift-Tuttle is of considerable mass, if such a collision was to occur, it might lead to a mass extinction like the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event,
E) since the solid nucleus of Swift-Tuttle is of considerable mass, if such a collision were to occur, this might lead to a mass extinction like the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event,
• Split #1: For hypothetical situations, use "If . . . were, . . . then would"
The sentence describes a collision that has not occurred and thus refers to a hypothetical condition and its probable result.
In such a situation, use the IF WERE/THEN WOULD construction (see Takeaway #1, below), which is often called a Type 2 conditional.
Options A and D incorrectly describe the not-yet-occurred collision by using the word "was."
The correct verb is were, not was.
This way is correct: . . .if such a collision were to occur . . .
Eliminate options A and D
• Split #2: the overwhelming majority of the time, the word "this" cannot be used as a standalone pronoun.
The word this is very rarely a standalone pronoun on the GMAT.
Typically, this "points" at a noun:
-- The book was on this red chair by the fireplace, not on that big white couch.
-- If you have a
This guideline holds 99 percent of the time, but do see Takeaway #2, below, in which I link you to an official question that uses "this" as a standalone pronoun.
Options C and E incorrectly use "this" as a standalone pronoun.
Eliminate C and E
The correct answer is B.
• TAKEAWAY #1: How to construct a hypothetical when the verb was is involved
Change the verb attached to the hypothetical event from was to were.
IF . . . WERE, THEN . . . WOULD
→ If I were you, I would take TOEFL or IELTS now; you are nearly fluent and ready.
→ If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.
• TAKEAWAY #2: GMAC's rejection of this as a standalone pronoun is not absolute.
THIS without a clear reference is almost always wrong.
→This is a "determiner." It "points" to the noun in question -- determines for us that it is this noun, not that one.
-- Typically, GMAC requires "this" to "point" to a noun: this red chair near me, not that white couch on the other side of the room. (This and that, used in this way, are also called "demonstrative adjectives." To demonstrate is to show, and adjectives modify nouns.)
-- For the first time that I know of, OG 2020 published a question in which THIS was a standalone pronoun rather than a demonstrative adjective accompanied by a noun.
-- In that OG 2020 question, GMAC allowed THIS to refer to a situation described but not actually named by a noun.
Spoiler alert: if you click on the link, the correct answer to a new official question is revealed
You can find that official question
-- Be on the lookout. GMAC has signaled that "this" as a standalone is both not preferred and occasionally okay.
I doubt that GMAC will start allowing THIS as a standalone on a routine basis, but be aware that GMAC seems to have signaled that the word this, standing alone, is occasionally allowed.
COMMENTS
The analysis and explanations are very good.
Nice work.
PyjamaScientist , I am bumping your answer to Best Community Reply.
