The United Parcel Service plans to convert its more than 2,000 gasolin

Question

The United Parcel Service plans  to convert its more than 2,000 gasoline-powered trucks in the Los Angeles area to  run on cleaner-burning natural gas.

(A) to convert its more than 2,000 gasoline-powered trucks in the Los Angeles area to
 
(B) to convert its more than 2,000 trucks in the Los Angeles area that are powered by gasoline to
 
(C) on converting its more than 2,000 gasoline-powered trucks in the Los Angeles area that will
 
(D) for its more than 2,000 gasoline-powered trucks in the Los Angeles area to convert to
 
(E) that its more than 2,000 trucks in the Los Angeles area that are powered by gasoline will convert to

(SC01603)

UPS Trucks 
 
  (A) CORRECT

(B) Modifier ( that are powered by gasoline )

(C) Modifier ( that will run on … natural gas ); Meaning / Idiom ( converting … that )

(D) Meaning

(E) Meaning; Modifier ( that are powered by gasoline )

First glance

Three answer choices start with  to convert  or  on converting , while the other two mention convert to at the end. When parts of the sentence move around across the answer choices, look out for Meaning, Modifier, or Structure issues.

Issues

(1) Meaning
 Meaning / Idiom: converting … that

Choices (A), (B), and (C) begin with to convert or on converting, while (D) and (E) use to convert at the end of the underlined section. Temporarily ignore the modifiers in each answer choice and look for the simple sentence structure. Here is the core structure of each sentence:

(A) The UPS plans to convert its trucks to run on natural gas.

(B) The UPS plans to convert its trucks to run on natural gas.

(C) The UPS plans on converting its trucks that will run on natural gas.

(D) The UPS plans for its trucks to convert to run on natural gas.

(E) The UPS plans that its trucks will convert to run on natural gas.

In choices (A), (B), and (C), the UPS is clearly doing both the planning and the converting. However, in choices (D) and (E), convert comes after trucks, rather than coming after United Parcel Service. This illogically implies that the trucks will convert themselves of their own accord, rather than being converted by the UPS. Eliminate answer choices (D) and (E).

Choice (C) says that the organization plans to convert just the trucks that will (already) run on natural gas. First, this wording never indicates what the organization plans to convert the trucks to. Second, if you assume (from knowledge of the original sentence) that it plans to convert the trucks to natural gas, then this reasoning is circular; logically, you can’t convert to natural gas the trucks that already will run on natural gas. Eliminate choice (C).

(2) Modifiers:  that are powered by gasoline ;  that will run on … natural gas

Three of the answer choices use the term gasoline-powered trucks. The other two choices, (B) and (E), change this modifier to that are powered by gasoline. In choices (B) and (E), the modifier is moved away from the noun trucks, and appears immediately after the noun area. Since the modifier is immediately after the word area, it seems to imply that the area, not the trucks, is powered by gasoline. Eliminate choices (B) and (E).

Also, the intended meaning of the sentence is that only the gasoline-powered trucks in the area—as opposed to all trucks in the area—will be converted. By moving the reference to gasoline power away from the word trucks, choices (B) and (E) create ambiguity. It is no longer immediately clear whether the sentence refers to all trucks in the Los Angeles area or only the gasoline-powered ones.

Answer choice (C) also uses a that modifier. In this answer choice, the that modifier starts at the end of the underlined section: that will run on cleaner-burning natural gas. As in choices (B) and (E), this modifier logically describes the trucks, but is incorrectly placed next to the word area. Eliminate answer choice (C).

The Correct Answer

Correct answer (A) makes clear that the  trucks  are  gasoline-powered . It also clearly conveys the fact that the UPS does both the planning and the conversion.

EMPOWERgmatVerbal · Accepted Answer

Hello Everybody!

Let’s take a look at this closely to narrow down to the right answer! After a quick scan over the answers, there are a couple major differences that we need to address:

1. Placement of the descriptor “gasoline-powered” or “powered by gasoline”
2. Use of the verb “to convert”: to convert/on converting/will convert

Okay, let’s start with #1 on our list.  The placement of the phrase “gasoline-powered” or “powered by gasoline” can completely change the intended meaning of the sentence! Let’s see which ones stick to the intended meaning:

A. to convert its more than  2,000 gasoline-powered trucks  in the Los Angeles area to
 This is  OK  because it’s clear that all of the trucks are gasoline-powered, and all of the trucks will be converted to natural gas.

B. to convert its more than 2,000 trucks in the Los Angeles area  that are powered by gasoline  to
 This is  INCORRECT  because the phrase “that are powered by gasoline” suggests that only some trucks (the ones powered by gasoline) will be converted. This isn’t true –  all  of the trucks are being converted because they are all gasoline-powered!

C. on converting its more than  2,000 gasoline-powered trucks  in the Los Angeles area that will
 This is  OK  because it’s clear that all of the trucks are gasoline-powered, and all of the trucks will be converted to natural gas.

D. for its more than  2,000 gasoline-powered trucks  in the Los Angeles area to convert to
 This is  OK  because it’s clear that all of the trucks are gasoline-powered, and all of the trucks will be converted to natural gas.

E. that its more than 2,000 trucks in the Los Angeles area  that are powered by gasoline  will convert to
 This is  INCORRECT  because the phrase “that are powered by gasoline” suggests that only some trucks (the ones powered by gasoline) will be converted. This isn’t true –  all  of the trucks are being converted because they are all gasoline-powered!

This means we can eliminate answers B and E because they change the intended meaning.  That leaves us with answers A, C, and D. Let’s take a closer look at #2 on our list, proper verb tense, and see how each answer stacks up:

A.  to convert  its more than 2,000 gasoline-powered trucks in the Los Angeles area to
 This is  CORRECT ! The placement of “gasoline-powered” is good, and the verb “to convert” creates a nice parallel to the later verb “to run.”

C.  on converting  its more than 2,000 gasoline-powered trucks in the Los Angeles area that will
 This is  INCORRECT  because it uses the phrase “plans on” which is not idiomatically correct. It should always be “plans to” on the GMAT.

D.  for  its more than 2,000 gasoline-powered trucks in the Los Angeles area  to convert  to
 This is  INCORRECT  because it creates a bit of a strange, unintended meaning. This sentence, as written, says that the plan is for the trucks  to convert themselves  to natural gas. That doesn’t make sense!

Don’t study for the GMAT. Train for it.

daagh · Answer

We might make a quick- fix solution here. C, D, and E are out for using wrong idioms in the given context such as plans on, plans for, and plans that.
Between A and B, the 'gasoline-powered trucks' in A is a lot more concise than 'trucks that are powered by gasoline' in B.

The logical referent of 'that' is out of scope now

ExpertsGlobal5 · Answer

Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation to this question-

Meaning is crucial to solving this problem: 
Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of this sentence is that the United Parcel Service plans to convert its gasoline-powered trucks in the Los Angeles area, which are more than 2,000 in number, to run on cleaner-burning natural gas.

Concepts tested here: Meaning + Verb Forms + Awkwardness/Redundancy

• For referring to the purpose or intent of an action, the infinitive verb form (“to + base form of verb"- "to + convert" in this sentence) is preferred over the present participle ("verb+ing" - "converting" in this sentence) construction.

A:   Correct.  The sentence formed by this answer choice uses the phrase "plans to convert its...trucks...to run on cleaner-burning natural gas, conveying the intended meaning - that the United Parcel Service plans to,   itself  , convert its gasoline-powered trucks in the Los Angeles area   in order to make them run on natural gas  . Further, Option A uses the infinitive verb form (“to + base form of verb"- "to + convert" in this sentence) - the preferred term - to refer to the intent of the action "plans". Additionally, Option A is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.

B:  This answer choice uses the needlessly wordy phrase "that are powered by gasoline", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

C:  The sentence formed by this answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "trucks... that will run on cleaner-burning natural gas"; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that the United Parcel Service plans to convert its gasoline-powered trucks in the Los Angeles area that   will run on natural gas   in the future   for some unspecified purpose  ; the intended meaning is that the United Parcel Service plans to convert its gasoline-powered trucks in the Los Angeles area   in order to make them run on natural gas  . Further, Option C uses the present participle ("verb+ing" - "converting" in this sentence) to refer to the intent of the action "plans"; remember, for referring to the purpose or intent of an action, the infinitive verb form (“to + base form of verb") is preferred over the present participle ("verb+ing" - "converting" in this sentence) construction.

D:  This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "for its...trucks...to convert to"; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that the United Parcel Service plans for its gasoline-powered trucks in the Los Angeles area to convert   themselves   to run on natural gas; the intended meaning is that the United Parcel Service plans to,   itself  , convert its gasoline-powered trucks in the Los Angeles area to run on natural gas.

E:  This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "its...trucks...will convert to"; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that the United Parcel Service plans for its gasoline-powered trucks in the Los Angeles area to convert   themselves   to run on natural gas; the intended meaning is that the United Parcel Service plans to,   itself  , convert its gasoline-powered trucks in the Los Angeles area to run on natural gas. Further, Option E uses the needlessly wordy phrase "that are powered by gasoline", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

Hence, A is the best answer choice.

To understand the concept of "Infinitive" versus "Present Participle" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbr_XRGL3js

All the best!
Experts' Global Team

RidhimaGmat · Answer

IMO - A is the correct choice.

A. to convert its more than 2,000 gasoline-powered trucks in the Los Angeles area to
 
B. to convert its more than 2,000 trucks in the Los Angeles area  that  are powered by gasoline to -  Incorrect  - That modifies Los Angeles area
 
C. on converting its more than 2,000 gasoline-powered trucks in the Los Angeles area  that  will -  Incorrect  - Same as B
 
D.  for  its more than 2,000 gasoline-powered trucks in the Los Angeles area to convert to -  Incorrect   as 'for' implies as if the planning is done for the trucks 
 
E. that its more than 2,000 trucks in the Los Angeles area  that  are powered by gasoline will convert to -  Incorrect   - Same as B

TaN1213 · Answer

A. 
Except A, all other choices repeat the error of modifier placement. 'that are powered..' should be placed next to trucks.

Posted from my mobile device

Talayva · Answer

The United Parcel Service plans to convert its more than 2,000 gasoline-powered trucks in the Los Angeles area to run on cleaner-burning natural gas.

A. to convert its more than 2,000 gasoline-powered trucks in the Los Angeles area to

We generally convert something to something . to convert its more than 2,000 gasoline-powered trucks in the Los Angeles area to trucks run on cleaner burning natural gas . In this sentence , I have added the word trucks and rest is the modifier modifying trucks . Is there any usage of ellipsis here . What is wrong in my thinking process 
. Thank you in advance

patto · Answer

Can anyone explain what  EMPOWERgmatVerbal  suggests with "that..." explanation?

AjiteshArun · Answer

There are multiple problems with E, but the one that you are referring to is  not  an issue.

1.  more than 2,000 gasoline-powered trucks 
2.  more than 2,000 trucks that are powered by gasoline

Both  limit the reference to only those trucks that are powered by gasoline, so there is no  meaning  call in this case (the actual meaning call is with the  will convert to  bit).

Effectively, (2) is just a longer way of saying (1).

AjiteshArun · Answer

There is nothing wrong as such in the way you're looking at this ("we  generally  convert something..."). It's just that the word  convert  can be used in other ways as well. In this case, it means ~"to alter something to achieve a new/different purpose". For example:

The country  converted  the centrifuges  to produce higher grade uranium . 
 The company  converted  the application  to accept .txt files . 
 The planes  have been converted   to perform freight operations . 
 The car  has been converted   to use CNG .

Sarjaria84 · Answer

Hi  AjiteshArun ,

Many Thanks for your explanation!

I have a quick question please,

Will the below modified sentence, with modified option 'C', be correct and logical?

- "The UPS plans  on converting  its more than 2,000 gasoline-powered trucks in the Los Angeles area  into trucks   which   will  run on cleaner-burning natural gas"

Is the usage of 'will' correct here, I think it's because the planning was done in the past relative to the future action of 'converting the trucks' in the future and also because a planning does not carries with itself any uncertainty.

Please correct me if I am wrong.

Thanks
Saurabh

AjiteshArun · Answer

Hi  Sarjaria84 ,

That's a great question.

If we use a  will  there, the meaning of the sentence will change slightly. To understand this, let's use  will convert  in place of  plans on converting .

1.  He will convert  X  into  Y .

One of the things we could do here is ensure that X and Y are what they  generally  are, because the fact that Y comes after X is communicated by the  will convert . For example:

1a.  He will convert the file into  a format that MS Office  recognizes  .

We could also go with a  will recognize  here:

1b.  He will convert the file into  a format that MS Office  will recognize  .

There is nothing wrong with this sentence. It's just that the reader  could  misinterpret it. That is, maybe MS Office doesn't recognize that format, but  will add  support for it (later) and therefore  will recognize  it (later).

A few more points about the option you mentioned:
a. The present tense is sometimes used to communicate something about the future. That is what the  plans on  is doing here. If we went with the "present" interpretation, it'd be that The United Parcel Service generally or regularly plans to do something.
b. The GMAT may prefer a  that  to a  which  in that sentence.

CrackverbalGMAT · Answer

The right  idiom  that goes with ‘plans’ is ‘to+verb’. 
Using this, we can scan the options to eliminate the ones with the obvious errors:

(A) to convert its more than 2,000 gasoline-powered trucks in the Los Angeles area to

(B) to convert its more than 2,000 trucks in the Los Angeles area  that  are powered by gasoline to

(C)  on converting  its more than 2,000 gasoline-powered trucks in the Los Angeles area that will

(D)  for its  more than 2,000 gasoline-powered trucks in the Los Angeles area to convert to

(E)  that its  more than 2,000 trucks in the Los Angeles area that are powered by gasoline will convert to

Eliminate   Options C, D and E.

In  Option B , ‘that’ incorrectly modifies ‘area’.
 Eliminate.

Option A  is the best option.

Hope this helps!

skycastle19 · Answer

Hi  AjiteshArun

Could you please help explain what are the problems with E? Thanks a lot!

AjiteshArun · Answer

Hi  skycastle19 ,

1. Take a look at this sentence:
 The agent's car converts to (or into) a plane.  ← Here we don't need to go with something like "is converted (in)to", because the car changes  on its own . There's nothing that acts on the car to change it.

Similarly, option E tells us that the trucks  themselves   will convert  to something:
 ... its trucks... will convert to...

This cannot be correct (meaning call).

2.  Plans that  followed by  the content of the plan  is not as concise as  plan to .
For example, "he  planned   to do something " is much better than "he  planned   that he would do something ".

3. "Trucks that are powered by gasoline" is not as concise as "gasoline-powered trucks".

Out of these, (1) is the most reliable.

TheUltimateWinner · Answer

EMPOWERgmatVerbal 
Hello,
Actually, I did not find any meaning difference between  gasoline-powered trucks  and  trucks that are powered by gasoline .   The gasoline-powered trucks   is JUST the  concision  of   trucks that are powered by gasoline  . Could you clarify how did you find them different to each other?

EMPOWERgmatVerbal · Answer

Thanks for the question  TheUltimateWinner !

Honestly, we think the OA explanation said it the best, so we'll just leave that here:

(2) Modifiers: that are powered by gasoline; that will run on … natural gas

Three of the answer choices use the term gasoline-powered trucks. The other two choices, (B) and (E), change this modifier to that are powered by gasoline. In choices (B) and (E), the modifier is moved away from the noun trucks, and appears immediately after the noun area. Since the modifier is immediately after the word area, it seems to imply that the area, not the trucks, is powered by gasoline. Eliminate choices (B) and (E).

Also, the intended meaning of the sentence is that only the gasoline-powered trucks in the area—as opposed to all trucks in the area—will be converted. By moving the reference to gasoline power away from the word trucks, choices (B) and (E) create ambiguity. It is no longer immediately clear whether the sentence refers to all trucks in the Los Angeles area or only the gasoline-powered ones.

Answer choice (C) also uses a that modifier. In this answer choice, the that modifier starts at the end of the underlined section: that will run on cleaner-burning natural gas. As in choices (B) and (E), this modifier logically describes the trucks, but is incorrectly placed next to the word area. Eliminate answer choice (C).

RohitSaluja · Answer

Hi  GMATNinja  I am sure what is  that  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nP3_YTWaBE   doing in my sentence here in option B, and I do not find any issues with it. I also see the subtle difference in meaning in A vs B.

Option A seems to imply that all the trucks in LA are gasoline-powered, and those would be converted, while option B implies that in Los Angles there are trucks other than gasoline-powered one's and it is the gasoline-powered trucks that will be converted, now logically this also makes sense. My question is how do we decide which option choice is best?

My reasoning for eliminating B was, 'that' would need to jump   in the Los Angles area  to refer back to the truck but in A we have clear meaning on what would be converted to run on cleaner-burning gas. Your help will be much appreciated.

GMATNinja · Answer

Great question, and you seem to be on the right track with this analysis: "My reasoning for eliminating B was, 'that' would need to jump   in the Los Angles area  to refer back to the truck but in A we have clear meaning on what would be converted to run on cleaner-burning gas."

(B) starts off with: "The United Parcel Service plans to convert its more than 2,000 trucks in the Los Angeles area..." Up to this point, the reader thinks, "Okay, cool, the United Parcel Service has more than 2,000 trucks in the Los Angeles area, and the United Parcel Service plan to convert those 2,000 trucks."

Then we get a noun modifier, "that are powered by gasoline." But what exactly is powered by gasoline? Well, certainly not the singular "Los Angeles area" - the plural verb "are" indicates that the noun modifier has to go with a plural noun. Besides, it doesn't make much sense to say that the Los Angeles area is powered by gasoline.

So, with a little bit of effort, we realize that the noun modifier must modify the trucks. At this point, we have to  change  our interpretation: instead of 2,000 trucks in the Los Angeles area, there are actually 2,000  gasoline-powered  trucks in the Los Angeles area. Eventually we land on the intended meaning, but why make it so hard on the reader when you can simply write, "more than 2,000 gasoline-powered trucks in the Los Angeles area"? The latter is much easier to process.

Does that make (B)  wrong ? Probably not. But (A) is a better and clearer choice, so we can safely eliminate (B).

I hope that helps!

jabhatta2 · Answer

UPS Trucks

(A) CORRECT

(B) Modifier (that are powered by gasoline)

(C) Modifier (that will run on … natural gas); Meaning / Idiom (converting … that)

(D) Meaning

(E) Meaning; Modifier (that are powered by gasoline)

First glance

Three answer choices start with to convert or on converting, while the other two mention convert to at the end. When parts of the sentence move around across the answer choices, look out for Meaning, Modifier, or Structure issues.