The invention of the cotton gin, being one of the most significant dev

A being one of the most significant developments of the nineteenth century, had turned cotton cloth into an affordable commodity even though it was expensive before that

B having been one of the most significant developments of the nineteenth century, turned cotton cloth into an
affordable commodity even though it had previously been expensive

C one of the most significant developments of the nineteenth century, turned cotton cloth into an affordable commodity despite its previous expense

D one of the most significant developments of the nineteenth century, turned cotton cloth into an affordable commodity despite the fact that it had previously been expensive

E being one of the most significant developments of the nineteenth century, turned cotton cloth from a previously expensive commodity to an affordable one

D for me too. I eliminate all choice contain "being" in this sentence. What's the OA? Moreover, I can assume that if 'being' can be used here, 'being' will modify the invention, not the 'cotton bin' (the intended target need modifying). The phrase between two comma will take the role of 'mission critical' modifier, according to MGMAT SC page 234

Hope that helps.

This is a MGMAT problem and they say that the OA is D. However, they agree that the problem is not perfect.

Check out this link: https://www.manhattangmat.com/forums/the ... t3207.html

The invention of the cotton gin, being one of the most significant developments of the nineteenth century, had turned cotton cloth into an affordable commodity; it was costly before that.
a. being one of the most significant developments of the nineteenth century, had turned cotton cloth into an affordable commodity; it was costly before that - Use of being & HAD is incorrect. Moreover, use of IT is ambiguous.

b. having been one of the most significant developments of the nineteenth century, turned cotton cloth into an affordable commodity, costly previously - The original intent does not allows for any Cause & Effect, thus use of "Having been" is incorrect

c. one of the most significant developments of the nineteenth century, turned cotton cloth into an affordable, however costly previously, commodity - CORRECT

d. one of the most significant developments of the nineteenth century, turned cotton cloth into an affordable commodity, whereas it had previously been costly - Use of IT is ambiguous as it can refer either to CLOTH or to COMMODITY. WHEREAS does not make any sense at all.

e. being one of the most significant developments of the nineteenth century, turned cotton cloth from a previously costly commodity to an affordable one - Same error as in A; moreover use of TO is incorrect.

So IMO answer has to be option C.

Fame

This is from MGMAT and the OA is D and not B.

OA is D because -

If we pick D and say B for discussion sake then,

having been one of the most significant developments of the nineteenth century, turned cotton cloth into an affordable commodity even though it had previously been expensive - Tries to state that since it was a significant development, it could make the cotton cloth an affordable commodity. The reason why the cotton cloth became affordable is not mentioned in the question.

In D, the sentence clearly puts the modifier as non-essential. The modifier probably modifies "invention of the cotton gin" rather than cotton gin itself. cotton gin is within a prepositional phrase "of the cotton gin".

So, D says that the invention of the cotton gin, <modifier>, <rest of the sentence>.

Another example -

It was only after Katharine Graham became publisher of The Washington Post in 1963 that it moved into the first rank of American newspapers, and it was under her command that the paper won high praise for its unrelenting reporting of the Watergate scandal.

Let me give it a shot.
Option D seems to be the best answer.

Option A -
"being" is redundant. Removing "being" does not alter the meaning of the sentence.
the usage of past perfect is unnecessary in the first clause -
"The invention of the cotton gin had turned cotton cloth into an affordable commodity" - simple past tense will suffice.
"before that" - the usage of the demonstrative adjective "that" is incorrect. It must always be used with a noun.

Option B -
"having been" is redundant. Removing "having been" does not alter the meaning of the sentence.
"costly previously" seems to modify "affordable commodity".

Option C -
"however costly previously" seems to refer to "affordable"

Option D -
"whereas" is used to indicate contrast. (it was costly earlier; now it is affordable).
Also note that pronoun ambiguity is not tested on the GMAT. (see what can logically stand for the pronoun. If such a noun exists, then there is no pronoun ambiguity).

Option E -
"being" is redundant.
if we say X turned Y from A to B. this implies that A was the previous state.
"turned cotton cloth from a previously costly commodity to an affordable one" - "previously" seems to be redundant.

Hi GMATNinja ,

Need your special attention here.

There is a lot of confusion for options B, D and E.

Can you please provide your thoughts on this question?

Thanks

Official Explanation from Manhattan:

The word "being" is unnecessary in the opening modifier "being one of the most significant developments . . ." Moreover, the past perfect verb "had turned" coupled with the simple past verb "was" reverses the chronological order of the events. The tenses run counter to the logic of the sentence by incorrectly suggesting that the invention of the cotton gin happened before the cotton cloth became expensive.

(A) This choice is incorrect as it repeats the original sentence.

(B) The words "having been" are unnecessary in the opening modifier. Moreover, the ending phrase "costly previously" is too concise; it fails to strike the contrast between the earlier and the later state of affairs.

(C) This choice interrupts the connection between the adjective "affordable" and the noun "commodity," making the sentence hard to follow. Also, the use of "however" changes the meaning: "however costly" implies that the cotton gin would have made cotton cloth affordable no matter how costly it was previously. In contrast, the original sentence only states that cotton cloth had previously been costly.

(D) CORRECT. The modifier "one of the most significant developments of the nineteenth century" eliminates the unnecessary word "being." The simple past verb "turned" coupled with the past perfect "had previously been" correctly expresses the fact that cotton cloth was "turned ... into an affordable commodity" after it "had previously been quite costly." The later past event uses the simple past tense, whereas the earlier past event uses the past perfect tense. Moreover, the relative pronoun "which" correctly modifies "cotton cloth" and resolves any ambiguity.

(E) The word "being" is unnecessary in the opening modifier.

Is "previously + had" not redundant? Thanks!

In option D, "it" is ambiguous reference.... So the option needs some changes in wordings

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It is ambiguous in option D. I know its not a hard and fast rule in GMAT but still C looks more appropriate to ne.
Please help in eliminating C and E.