Events & Promotions
| Last visit was: 06 Sep 2026, 14:07 |
It is currently 06 Sep 2026, 14:07 |
|
|
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.
Customized
for You
Track
Your Progress
Practice
Pays
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Sep 0712:01 AM PDT
-11:59 PM PDT
On the 7th, GMAT Club Tests will be Free! Including all the Quizzes, Questions, and Tests. 12 AM - 11:59 PM PDT
Sep 0712:30 AM EDT
-01:30 AM EDT
Tejas studied hard but kept repeating the same mistakes. After 3 attempts at 645, a focused 4-week strategy helped him identify and fix what was holding him back—leading to a 695 with just 12–15 hours of study per week.- Sep 07
10:00 AM PDT
-11:00 AM PDT
A complete walkthrough of GMAT Club’s free 12-week GMAT study plan: what you study each week, how progress and goals are tracked, how the error log works, and how your practice unlocks paid tools at no cost. 
Sep 0201:00 PM EDT
-11:59 PM EDT
Take 30% off all study plans with code COURSEWORK - Expires on Monday 9/7
Sep 0401:30 AM EDT
-02:30 AM EDT
This Labor Day, turn your hard work into real score gains. From 615→715 in 15 days to 705 in 30 days, our students prove what's possible with personalized, expert guidance. Save up to 25% on 1-on-1 tutoring.
Sep 0410:00 AM EDT
-11:59 PM EDT
We’ve worked incredibly hard to build TTP into the best test prep experience possible, and it would mean a lot to us to win Newsweek’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Award for Best Test Prep. If TTP has helped you, we’d be incredibly grateful for your vote.
Sep 0609:30 AM EDT
-12:30 PM EST
Top scores are possible when you enroll in a powerful EA course, taught live online + 6 months access to TTP OnDemand video courses included! Perfect class schedule and easy course access for working professionals. Class starts Sundays Sept. 6, 2026.- Sep 09
07:00 AM PDT
-10:00 AM PDT
Meet AdComs and explore top Master’s programs - MiM, MiF, MSc, MSBA and more. - Application Fee Waivers - Free 1-Week of GMAT Club Tests: - Master's Application Toolkit - Grand Prize Giveaway - Sep 09
10:00 AM PDT
-11:00 AM PDT
Three MBA applications. Three rejections. No interview invites. A year later, Aman was admitted to Cambridge Judge, SMU, and IMD. In this episode of MBA Admit Stories, Aman shares how he rebuilt his MBA application... 
Sep 1008:00 PM PDT
-09:00 PM PDT
Free- full-length test + 15 concept videos + 150+ short videos + study plan!
Sep 1507:00 PM EDT
-09:00 PM EST
Elite scores are possible when you enroll in a powerful GMAT course, taught live online + 6 months access to TTP OnDemand video courses included! Class starts Tues/Thurs Sept. 15, 2026 - Nov. 15, 2027, 7:00pm-9:00pm EST
Sep 2108:00 PM EDT
-10:00 PM EDT
Boost your GMAT score in less than one month in a live online class + 6 months access to TTP OnDemand video courses included! Class starts Mon, Tues, Wed, Thur, Fri Sept. 21, 2026 - Oct. 9, 2027, 7:00pm-10:00pm EST
A
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
5%
(low)
Question Stats:
87% (01:05) correct
13%
(01:18)
wrong
based on 6618
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
The widely accepted big-bang theory holds that the universe began in an explosive instant 10 to 20 billion years ago and has been expanding ever since.
(A) that the universe began in an explosive instant 10 to 20 billion years ago and has been expanding
(B) that the universe had begun in an explosive instant 10 to 20 billion years ago and had been expanding
(C) that the beginning of the universe was an explosive instant 10 to 20 billion years ago that has expanded
(D) the beginning of the universe to have been an explosive instant 10 to 20 billion years ago that is expanding
(E) the universe to have begun in an explosive instant 10 to 20 billion years ago and has been expanding
(A) that the universe began in an explosive instant 10 to 20 billion years ago and has been expanding
(B) that the universe had begun in an explosive instant 10 to 20 billion years ago and had been expanding
(C) that the beginning of the universe was an explosive instant 10 to 20 billion years ago that has expanded
(D) the beginning of the universe to have been an explosive instant 10 to 20 billion years ago that is expanding
(E) the universe to have begun in an explosive instant 10 to 20 billion years ago and has been expanding
If this question felt shaky,
try an adaptive mini quiz of similar problems in
GMAT Club Forum Quiz →. Free plan gives 5 questions per day.
09 Jun 2009, 11:54
Kudos
Bookmarks
nookway
I choose A as my answer. We need to know our tenses really well in order to answer this question. We need to know the exact use of the present perfect, past perfect, and even simple past. Also, you need to know that "subject + to be verb + noun or adjective" is the correct usage.
a) correct ---> the universe began in the past, so using the simple past, "began" is perfectly fine. "has been expanding" means that the expanding started in the past and is still expanding today. That is what the present perfect progressive does to the logic of the sentence.
b) wrong ---> to use the past perfect tense correctly, you will need to use it once, but then the second verb must be simple past. You need to do so to show that the verb in past perfect tense started and was completed before the simple past verb. In this option, both the verbs are in past perfect, which is wrong.
c) it suggests that the beggining of the universe was an explosive instant....this is wrong. I'll explain why: All the linking verbs or "to be" verbs should be treated as an equal sign. For example:
1) The pen is a bargain because it is only ten cents ---> this is wrong because it suggests that "pen = ten cents." The corrected sentence would say:
2) The pen is a bragain because it worths only ten cents ---> this is more logical.
Another way to use the "to be" verb is to connect the noun to an adjective or to a noun. For example:
3) Tom is a student or Jessica is beautiful
So that's why opton C is wrong.
d) the big bang theory holds the beginning of the universe? How can only a theory hold such a serious mass as the universe??? Also, "10 to 20 billion years ago that is expanding"??? how can 10 to 20 billion years ago expand?? it's illogical
e) Because we don't have "that" at the beginning of the sentence, it sounds as though the theory is currently holding the universe. I would respond with a "wow" to a statement like that! loool....
So answer A remains as our answer
14 May 2011, 22:28
Kudos
Bookmarks
Quote:
Using two different tenses in two different clauses joined by a coordinate conjunction is perfectly grammatical. //ism of tense is decided by the timing of the event rather than by obedience to using the same tense.
For example: The U.S became independent on July 4, 1776 and continues to be so. Here will you use ‘continued to be so’ instead of ‘continues to be so’ to stick to past tense? We use present tense in the second arm because it is a fact even today and not a thing of the past.
A is indeed within norms and acceptable.
20 Feb 2022, 05:02
Kudos
Bookmarks
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 according to the big-bang theory, the universe began during an explosive instant 10 to 20 billion years ago and has been expanding ever since.
Concepts tested here: Meaning + Tenses + Parallelism + Awkwardness/Redundancy
• Any elements linked by a conjunction (“and” in this sentence) must be parallel.
• The simple present continuous tense is used to refer to actions that are currently ongoing and continuous in nature.
• The simple past tense is used to refer to actions that concluded in the past.
• Past perfect continuous tense (marked by the use of helping verb "had/have been") is used when a sentence contains two actions in past and one action is in greater past as well as continuous in nature; the helping verb "had been" is used with the action that is in the greater past and continuous in nature.
• The past perfect tense (marked by the use of helping verb "had") is used when a sentence contains two actions in the past; the helping verb "had" is used with the action in the "greater past".
• The present perfect continuous tense (marked by "has/have been") is the correct tense to refer to actions that started in past and continue into the present.
• The present perfect tense (marked by the use of the helping verb “has/have”) is used to describe events that concluded in the past but continue to affect the present.
A: Correct. This answer choice uses the clause "the universe began in an explosive instant...and has been expanding", conveying the intended meaning - that the beginning of the universe took place during an explosive instant in time. Further, Option A correctly uses the simple past tense verb "began" to refer to an action that concluded in the past. Moreover, Option A correctly uses the present perfect continuous tense verb "has been expanding" to refer to an action that began in the past and continues into the present. Additionally, Option A maintains parallelism between the active verbs "began" and "has been expanding". Besides, Option A is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.
B: This answer choice incorrectly uses the past perfect continuous tense verb "had been expanding" to refer to an action that began in the past and continues into the present; please remember, the present perfect continuous tense (marked by "has/have been") is the correct tense to refer to actions that started in past and continue into the present, and the past perfect continuous tense (marked by the use of helping verb "had/have been") is used when a sentence contains two actions in past and one action is in greater past as well as continuous in nature; the helping verb "had been" is used with the action that is in the greater past and continuous in nature. Further, Option B incorrectly uses the past perfect tense verb to refer to the sole action in the sentence that concluded in the past; remember, the simple past tense is used to refer to actions that concluded in the past, and the past perfect tense (marked by the use of helping verb "had") is used when a sentence contains two actions in the past; the helping verb "had" is used with the action in the "greater past".
C: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the clause "the beginning of the universe was an explosive instant...that has expanded"; the construction of this clause illogically suggests that the beginning of the universe was, itself, an explosive instant in time; the intended meaning is that the beginning of the universe took place during an explosive instant in time. Further, Option C incorrectly uses the present perfect tense verb "has expanded" to refer to an action that began in the past and continues into the present; remember, the present perfect continuous tense (marked by "has/have been") is the correct tense to refer to actions that started in past and continue into the present, and the present perfect tense (marked by the use of the helping verb “has/have”) is used to describe events that concluded in the past but continue to affect the present.
D: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "to have been an explosive instant...that is expanding"; the construction of this phrase illogically suggests that the beginning of the universe was, itself, an explosive instant in time; the intended meaning is that the beginning of the universe took place during an explosive instant in time. Further, Option D incorrectly uses the simple present continuous tense verb "is expanding" to refer to an action that began into the past and continues into the present; please remember, the present perfect continuous tense (marked by "has/have been") is the correct tense to refer to actions that started in past and continue into the present, and the simple present continuous tense is used to refer to actions that are currently ongoing and continuous in nature. Additionally, Option D uses the passive voice construction "to have been an explosive instant", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.
E: This answer choice fails to maintain parallelism between the infinitive verb form "to have begun" and the active verb "has been expanding"; please remember, any elements linked by a conjunction ("and" in this sentence) must be parallel. Further, Option E uses the passive voice construction "to have begun", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.
Hence, A is the best answer choice.
To understand the concept of "Perfect Continuous Tenses" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):
To understand the concept of "Past Perfect Tense" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):
To understand the concept of "Present Perfect Tense" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):
All the best!
Experts' Global Team
Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
nookway
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 according to the big-bang theory, the universe began during an explosive instant 10 to 20 billion years ago and has been expanding ever since.
Concepts tested here: Meaning + Tenses + Parallelism + Awkwardness/Redundancy
• Any elements linked by a conjunction (“and” in this sentence) must be parallel.
• The simple present continuous tense is used to refer to actions that are currently ongoing and continuous in nature.
• The simple past tense is used to refer to actions that concluded in the past.
• Past perfect continuous tense (marked by the use of helping verb "had/have been") is used when a sentence contains two actions in past and one action is in greater past as well as continuous in nature; the helping verb "had been" is used with the action that is in the greater past and continuous in nature.
• The past perfect tense (marked by the use of helping verb "had") is used when a sentence contains two actions in the past; the helping verb "had" is used with the action in the "greater past".
• The present perfect continuous tense (marked by "has/have been") is the correct tense to refer to actions that started in past and continue into the present.
• The present perfect tense (marked by the use of the helping verb “has/have”) is used to describe events that concluded in the past but continue to affect the present.
A: Correct. This answer choice uses the clause "the universe began in an explosive instant...and has been expanding", conveying the intended meaning - that the beginning of the universe took place during an explosive instant in time. Further, Option A correctly uses the simple past tense verb "began" to refer to an action that concluded in the past. Moreover, Option A correctly uses the present perfect continuous tense verb "has been expanding" to refer to an action that began in the past and continues into the present. Additionally, Option A maintains parallelism between the active verbs "began" and "has been expanding". Besides, Option A is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.
B: This answer choice incorrectly uses the past perfect continuous tense verb "had been expanding" to refer to an action that began in the past and continues into the present; please remember, the present perfect continuous tense (marked by "has/have been") is the correct tense to refer to actions that started in past and continue into the present, and the past perfect continuous tense (marked by the use of helping verb "had/have been") is used when a sentence contains two actions in past and one action is in greater past as well as continuous in nature; the helping verb "had been" is used with the action that is in the greater past and continuous in nature. Further, Option B incorrectly uses the past perfect tense verb to refer to the sole action in the sentence that concluded in the past; remember, the simple past tense is used to refer to actions that concluded in the past, and the past perfect tense (marked by the use of helping verb "had") is used when a sentence contains two actions in the past; the helping verb "had" is used with the action in the "greater past".
C: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the clause "the beginning of the universe was an explosive instant...that has expanded"; the construction of this clause illogically suggests that the beginning of the universe was, itself, an explosive instant in time; the intended meaning is that the beginning of the universe took place during an explosive instant in time. Further, Option C incorrectly uses the present perfect tense verb "has expanded" to refer to an action that began in the past and continues into the present; remember, the present perfect continuous tense (marked by "has/have been") is the correct tense to refer to actions that started in past and continue into the present, and the present perfect tense (marked by the use of the helping verb “has/have”) is used to describe events that concluded in the past but continue to affect the present.
D: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "to have been an explosive instant...that is expanding"; the construction of this phrase illogically suggests that the beginning of the universe was, itself, an explosive instant in time; the intended meaning is that the beginning of the universe took place during an explosive instant in time. Further, Option D incorrectly uses the simple present continuous tense verb "is expanding" to refer to an action that began into the past and continues into the present; please remember, the present perfect continuous tense (marked by "has/have been") is the correct tense to refer to actions that started in past and continue into the present, and the simple present continuous tense is used to refer to actions that are currently ongoing and continuous in nature. Additionally, Option D uses the passive voice construction "to have been an explosive instant", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.
E: This answer choice fails to maintain parallelism between the infinitive verb form "to have begun" and the active verb "has been expanding"; please remember, any elements linked by a conjunction ("and" in this sentence) must be parallel. Further, Option E uses the passive voice construction "to have begun", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.
Hence, A is the best answer choice.
To understand the concept of "Perfect Continuous Tenses" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):
To understand the concept of "Past Perfect Tense" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):
To understand the concept of "Present Perfect Tense" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):
All the best!
Experts' Global Team
