EducationAisle wrote:
TargetMBA007 wrote:
EducationAisle CrackVerbalGMATThe OA for this states that "Before" is a better choice here than "When" because it shows the cause and effect better, could you please elaborate on that a bit more?
P.S Here:
https://prnt.sc/vo8y77 Thanks for tagging me
TargetMBA007.
The only thing that I can think of, is that
when may just denote a
correlation (and not necessarily
causation).
Tagging other esteemed experts on this, for their opinions:
GMATGuruNY,
AndrewN.
Apologies for the delayed response, but I had some last-minute food shopping to do ahead of Thanksgiving (when grocery stores are closed, and when, coincidentally, I happen to do my weekly grocery run—on Thursdays). Thank you,
TargetMBA007, for sharing that screenshot of the OE; it is a shining example of a poor-quality official explanation, unclear and generally none too useful. Although the explanation singles out a specific word,
before versus
when, to make a point, that point should have been built instead on comparing causality between the
clauses that start with those words in the incorrect answer choices, and then putting on the finishing touches by breaking down the correct answer. Take a look at the sentence and answer choices again. I will draw attention to the clauses in question.
Quote:
The only way for growers to salvage frozen citrus is to process them quickly into juice concentrate before they rot when warmer weather returns.
(A) to process them quickly into juice concentrate before they rot when warmer weather returns
(B) if they are quickly processed into juice concentrate before warmer weather returns to rot them
(C) for them to be processed quickly into juice concentrate before the fruit rots when warmer weather returns
(D) if the fruit is quickly processed into juice concentrate before they rot when warmer weather returns
(E) to have it quickly processed into juice concentrate before warmer weather returns and rots the fruit
Notice how the arrow of time is backwards in choices (A), (C), and (D). I mean, we encounter rotting fruit
before we know its cause, the return of warm weather. It is jarring to seesaw back and forth in time like this for no good reason. Choice (B) dodges this temporal bullet well enough, but then matters get murky with
to rot, which can be interpreted as a sign of intent (i.e.
in order to rot). (What malicious weather if so!) Indeed, the only option that presents a straightforward timeline with no ambiguity of meaning is (E), presenting concurrent actions in
returns and rots instead. Now, getting back to that OE, it is true that
before, rather than
when, should be used in the context of the sentence to indicate a clear timeline that citrus growers must operate within to salvage their frozen fruit. Compare the correct answer with a dummy answer that swaps out
before for
when:
Correct:
The only way for growers to salvage frozen citrus is to have it quickly processed into juice concentrate before warmer weather returns and rots the fruit.Incorrect:
The only way for growers to salvage frozen citrus is to have it quickly processed into juice concentrate when warmer weather returns and rots the fruit.The correct sentence allows us to appreciate the impending deadline; the incorrect variation conveys that growers quickly process rotting fruit. So yes,
before is preferable to
when, as stated in the OE, but such a threadbare explanation is a disservice to GMAT™ aspirants.
I hope that helps clarify the matter. Thank you,
EducationAisle, for bringing me into the dialogue. It is always an honor to be called upon by a fellow Expert to offer a second opinion.
- Andrew
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03 Feb 2020, 01:53
