KAPLAN OFFICIAL SOLUTION:

Correct Choice: (B)

The driver completed both actions, waiting and deciding, in the past, so choice (A)’s “has waited”—which implies that he’s still waiting — is wrong. The other problem here is that, while it’s acceptable in conversation to say the driver waited “before deciding his client wasn’t going to show up”, GMAT English requires a “that” to introduce the independent clause “his client was not going to show up”. Choice (B) corrects both of these mistakes.Choice (E) corrects the first mistake but not the second. Choice (C) corrects the second but not the first; moreover, (C) also errs by needlessly changing“deciding” to “he decided”. Choice (D) incorrectly uses the past participle form, “was waiting,” and neglects to put a “that” after “deciding”.
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I picked (B). It took me 1:01.

This sentence described one event in the past. The subordinate clause " his client was not going to show up" confirmed that it is a past event. So, the rest of the sentence should be past tense (typically simple past, or past perfect). Eliminate A and C because both uses present tense.

In GMAT, "that" is not optional to introduce the subordinate clause " his client was not going to show up", used as object of verb "deciding". Eliminate D and E because both do without "that".

By POE, (B) is the best answer.

imo B
The limousine driver has waited for almost an hour before deciding his client was not going to show up.


A. The limousine driver has waited for almost an hour before deciding
-- Tense issue since the non underline part is past tense

B. The limousine driver waited for almost an hour before deciding that
-- Correct

C. The limousine driver has waited for almost an hour before he decided that
-- Tense issue since the non underline part is past tense

D. The limousine driver was waiting for almost an hour before deciding
-- Was waiting doesnot give the correct meaning

E. The limousine driver waited for almost an hour before deciding
-- That is needed to introduce a clause ..

Ans B

A. The limousine driver has waited for almost an hour before deciding - INCORRECT
Tense Error. The action happened in the past so we need the tense in the past.

B. The limousine driver waited for almost an hour before deciding that - CORRECT

C. The limousine driver has waited for almost an hour before he decided that - INCORRECT
Again same error as A.

D. The limousine driver was waiting for almost an hour before deciding- INCORRECT
'That' is missing after deciding.

E. The limousine driver waited for almost an hour before deciding- INCORRECT
Same error as above.
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IMO B

The limousine driver has waited for almost an hour before deciding his client was not going to show up.

This sentence tries to convey that that a particular action took place BUT is NOT taking place anymore.
Hence, the usage of present perfect and any form of present/ present perfect continuous will be incorrect.

A. The limousine driver has waited for almost an hour before deciding

B. The limousine driver waited for almost an hour before deciding that
Correct

C. The limousine driver has waited for almost an hour before he decided that

D. The limousine driver was waiting for almost an hour before deciding

E. The limousine driver waited for almost an hour before deciding <that is missing>

The limousine driver has waited for almost an hour before deciding his client was not going to show up.

A. The limousine driver has waited for almost an hour before deciding -> We need past tense. Tense error. Incorrect.

B. The limousine driver waited for almost an hour before deciding that -> It is better.

C. The limousine driver has waited for almost an hour before he decided that -> We need past tense. Tense error. Incorrect.

D. The limousine driver was waiting for almost an hour before deciding -> No need to use progressive tense. Incorrect.

E. The limousine driver waited for almost an hour before deciding -> "that" is needed to introduce another clause. Incorrect.

So, I think B.

The limousine driver has waited for almost an hour before deciding his client was not going to show up.


A. The limousine driver has waited for almost an hour before deciding Incorrect

tense error - past form require

B. The limousine driver waited for almost an hour before deciding that Correct

C. The limousine driver has waited for almost an hour before he decided that Incorrect

tense error - past form require

D. The limousine driver was waiting for almost an hour before deciding Incorrect

after deciding that require, past continuous wrong

E. The limousine driver waited for almost an hour before deciding Incorrect

after deciding that require

Split- has waited, waited and was waiting.

Was waiting- incorrect as driver must has waited in past before deciding something.

Has decided- Incorrect verb as everything is occurring in past.

Split between B and E is decided that and deciding:

Deciding- incorrect as deciding is followed by a clause that requires a "that" before it.