My answer is (C). It took me 01:10.

(A) We can eliminate A simply based on the lack of apparent parallelism between X (an increase in the wages of labourers from other states), Y (a reduction in their tax obligations) and Z (brought joy to the thousands of immigrant labourers living in the city).
In reality, Z is not supposed to be parallel with X and Y. In that case, there should be no comma between X and Y. There has to be a better option.

(B) The major issue with this option is the use of "reducing their tax obligations". One way to analyze this sentence is that ""reducing their tax obligations" is the impact of "a wage increase", which is not necessarily true （or almost false). So, the tax reduction must be parallel with wage incrase.

(D) Approve is not what we call "bossy verbs" (such as stipulate, order. more at https://gmatclub.com/forum/subjunctive- ... 79606.html), so the use of command subjunctive mood is questionable.
Also, I feel that "and brought" should be considered as simple past tense. If so, it is not consistent with "has approved".

(E) "an increase in both" strong indicates "both A and B" pair, but we see "along with" instead. Even after we change "along with" to "and", we end up with "an increase in a reduction", which is quite nonsensical.

The State Labour Department has approved an increase in the wages of labourers from other states, a reduction in their tax obligations, and brought joy to the thousands of immigrant labourers living in the city.

(A) an increase in the wages of labourers from other states, a reduction in their tax obligations, and brought -> we have list items "an increase", "a reduction" and "a reduction" are not parallel. Incorrect.

(B) a wage increase for labourers from other states, reducing their tax obligations, and brought -> we have list items "approved" and "brought" parallel. Meaning wise, it says, reducing tax obligation modifies a wage increase...I am not sure. I am keeping it, as of now.

(C) an increase in the wages of labourers from other states and a reduction in their tax obligations, bringing -> We have list items, "an increase" and "a reduction" are parallel to each other. Further, bringing (-ing modifier) joy modifies two things happened just. Okay. It is better than B. Let's keep it.

(D) that the wages of labourers from other states be increased and that their tax obligations be reduced, and brought -> Second "that" followed by sentence is incorrect.

(E) an increase in both the wages of labourers from other states along with a reduction in their tax obligations, bringing -> "Both" is incorrect to use..

So, I think C

The State Labour Department has approved an increase in the wages of labourers from other states, a reduction in their tax obligations, and brought joy to the thousands of immigrant labourers living in the city.


(A) an increase in the wages of labourers from other states, a reduction in their tax obligations, and brought
Sentence structure shall be
The State Labour Department has approved X and Y, modifier Z.
In choice A, and is missing.

(B) a wage increase for labourers from other states, reducing their tax obligations, and brought
Same error as in choice A
additionally, parallelism issue

(C) an increase in the wages of labourers from other states and a reduction in their tax obligations, bringing
No Remarks. Errors in Choice A & B are not reflecting here.

(D) that the wages of labourers from other states be increased and that their tax obligations be reduced, and brought
Approved is not commaning verb.

(E) an increase in both the wages of labourers from other states along with a reduction in their tax obligations, bringing
Both shall be paired with and
Also having issue of parallelism

IMO C
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IMO C


(A) an increase in the wages of labourers from other states, a reduction in their tax obligations, and brought -increase ,reduction and brought are not part of the same list and should be made to appear like parallel. Presence of and before brought is not correct

(B) a wage increase for labourers from other states, reducing their tax obligations, and brought -- a wage increase and reduction of tax should be parallel as it's a list of items that were approved also tense should be same. Because one is not affecting the other

(C) an increase in the wages of labourers from other states and a reduction in their tax obligations, bringing

(D) that the wages of labourers from other states be increased and that their tax obligations be reduced, and brought- approve is not a reporting verb and shouldn't be followed by that

(E) an increase in both the wages of labourers from other states along with a reduction in their tax obligations, bringing - both are not increasing so both here is wrong

Posted from my mobile device

IMO-C

Analysis of Intended meaning-
The State Labour Department(subject) has approved (verb) ( 2 things)
1-an increase in the wages of labourers from other states, (a noun phrase)
2-a reduction in their tax obligations, (a noun phrase)
and brought (verb)joy to the thousands of immigrant labourers living in the city.(cause of approval effect is this)

In original sentence an increase in the wages, and a reduction in their tax obligations are incidental parallel to brought , ing modifier should be use there to show cause and effect

(A) an increase in the wages of labourers from other states, a reduction in their tax obligations, and brought
Incorrect-as per above discussion

(B) a wage increase for labourers from other states, reducing their tax obligations, and brought
Incorrect-a wage increase for labourers from other states,and reducing their tax obligations is not parallel, and same mistake which is mentioned in A

(C) an increase in the wages of labourers from other states and a reduction in their tax obligations, bringing
Correct-an increase in the wages of labourers from other states and a reduction in their tax obligations, both are parrots and properly connected with the conjunction
Use of ing modifier) bringing show cause and effect

(D) that the wages of labourers from other states be increased and that their tax obligations be reduced, and brought
Incorrect-brought is incorrect parallel to approved ,intended meaning is show cause and effect

(E) an increase in both the wages of labourers from other states along with a reduction in their tax obligations, bringing
Incorrect- use of additive phrase along with is incorrect

Posted from my mobile device

Official Explanation:

Answer: C

(A) The question to ask is how many things has the Labour Department approved? Only two—an increase and a reduction. This entire action is bringing joy to the immigrant labourers. So, A obviously gets the parallelism wrong by not putting an and between increase and reduction and by using brought as a verb to parallel approved.

(B) Incorrectly suggests that the wage increase has reduced the workers’ tax obligations.

(C) The correct answer. Uses bringing as an adverbial modifier to modify the action of the entire preceding clause.

(D) The subjunctive mood does not have to be used with verbs such as approved. Also, making approved and brought parallel makes no logical sense.

(E) The use of increase before both suggests that there was an increase in the reduction of the workers’ tax obligation as well which is absurd. Also, the use of both always requires and and not along with.
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IMO C

The State Labour Department has approved an increase in the wages of labourers from other states, a reduction in their tax obligations, and brought joy to the thousands of immigrant labourers living in the city.

Skeleton : SLD approved X ->had an effect followed by a modifier that modifies the action taken by SLD

(A) an increase in the wages of labourers from other states, a reduction in their tax obligations, and brought

(B) a wage increase for labourers from other states, reducing their tax obligations, and brought
Incorrect modifiers and expression of repercussions

(C) an increase in the wages of labourers from other states and a reduction in their tax obligations, bringing

(D) that the wages of labourers from other states be increased and that their tax obligations be reduced, and brought

(E) an increase in both the wages of labourers from other states along with a reduction in their tax obligations, bringing
Both A and B -> correct usage.
However, usage of "along with" is incorrect.

Hi,

why the three phrases are not making a parallel structure.
How do I understand that an modifier needs to be used or a parallel structure needs to be formed.


Thanks in advance!