Those who are concerned about the environment question

Question

Project SC Butler: Sentence Correction (SC1) 
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Those who are concerned about the environment  question if the timber industry, interested in cost-efficiency, might not be initiating  a program that increased productivity but polluted nearby rivers and streams.

A) question if the timber industry, interested in cost-efficiency, might not be initiating

B) question if the timber industry, interested in cost-efficiency, had not initiated

C) question whether the timber industry, interested in cost-efficiency, might not initiate

D) wonder as to whether the timber industry, interested in cost-efficiency, were to initiate

E) wonder whether the timber industry, with its interest in cost efficiency, initiated

generis · Accepted Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION Project SC Butler: Sentence Correction (SC1) THE PROMPT • Meaning? People who are concerned about the environment wonder about what the timber industry is doing or, more likely, what the timber industry did (note the past tense words increased and polluted ). Perhaps the timber industry created a program that increased productivity but polluted rivers and streams. • IF vs. WHETHER → If is used to express a conditional or hypothetical. -- If this thing happens, that thing happens. (We usually omit the word then .) -- If this thing were to happen, that thing would happen. Tips Look for a "then" clause. If the sentence involves a then (or consequence) part, use if . If you cannot find a then part of the sentence, do not use if . → Whether is used to introduce alternative possibilities or choices. -- Easy and obvious: Rohit does not know whether he will take the GMAT or the LSAT. -- Medium, not obvious: Reva asked whether she should bring dessert to the dinner party. (Perhaps she should not bring dessert.) -- Hard, not obvious: Annabelle planned a picnic even though she did not know whether it would rain. (It could rain. It could not rain.) Tips Can you coherently insert the words "or not" after the word whether or after the clause that whether introduces? (Except in extraordinary circumstances described in this article, do not actually write or say "or not," but do insert the phrase to determine whether the insertion is coherent.) Let's try inserting the words or not . → Annabelle planned a picnic even though she did not know whether it would rain.

YES, "or not" makes sense. Whether is correct. → I asked her to call me IF she needed help.

NO. I cannot coherently insert "or not." Use if . Many native speakers in informal conversation use the word if when they should use whether . → I don't know, I cannot decide, and I wonder are common expressions that should almost always be followed by whether . I don't know whether he likes hamburgers. (He might not like them.) I cannot decide whether I believe in extra-terrestrial life. (I might not believe in them.) I wonder whether he will be on time. (He might not be on time.) • verbs: watch the timeline . → MIGHT: very often, might introduces hypothetical or contrary-to-fact situations—events that have not yet happened. Well, if the events have not yet happened, then other verbs in the sentence should not be alluding to the past. → WERE: in this sentence, were is part of a subjunctive construction— were , too, describes events that have not yet happened. If the events have not happened, we should not discuss them in past tense. Full stop. The past tense verbs, though, are in the nonunderlined portion. Flip the logic. If the events happened in the past, we should not discuss them in a hypothetical or subjunctive construction. THE OPTIONS • not idiomatic → if should only be used to introduce a conditional clause, so its use in this sentence is not idiomatic. • verb tense error → this option employs the subjunctive verb phrase might not be initiating , so look for verb tense errors. → The phrase might not be initiating refers to a pair of possible alternatives. The timber industry might or might not be initiating a program, but if it is, the present participle initiating indicates that the program is being initiated in the present. We have a problem. The verbs that follow the underlined portion of the sentence are in the simple past tense ( increased and polluted ). The sentence creates a verb tense error by suggesting the possibility that the timber industry is initiating a program that has effects in the past . In sum, the tense of the verb phrase might not be initiating does not match the tense of the verbs increased and polluted . ELIMINATE A • not idiomatic → this option commits the same error as that in option A. Do not use if to describe alternatives such as whether the timber industry increased productivity but polluted nearby waterways. ELIMINATE B • verb tense error - don't be fooled → Option C corrects the idiom error by replacing if with whether , and whether matches the doubt about possible alternatives that is suggested by the use of the subjunctive tense ( might not initiate ). → But the verb phrase might not initiate means that the program has not yet been initiated. Consequently, this answer choice introduces a verb tense error by suggesting that a program that might be initiated in the future will have effects in the past. Huh? Nonsensical. Eliminate C • verb tense error → This option creates a verb tense error similar to that in option C by using the subjunctive were to initiate. Were to initiate suggests that a program that might be initiated in the future will have effects in the past. • not idiomatic → wonder as to whether is not idiomatic We can wonder whether XYZ will happen. We can wonder about ABC. We can wonder who, how, when, where, and why . But we cannot wonder as to anything. Ever. ELIMINATE D • By POE, this option must be the correct answer • I do not see any errors. → Correct idiom This option uses the idiomatic phrase wonder whether. → Correct verb tense The tense of the verb initiated matches the tense of the verbs that follow it ( increased and polluted ). KEEP The answer is E. COMMENTS This group of sentences is slippery, in part because we do not often see sentences that report uncertainty about the past. All of you aspirants handled the question very well. You all seem to have honed a tool that is indispensable when taking the GMAT: the ability to wade or muddle through five options until the sentence starts to make sense. I get the impression that you all did not get stuck and that you took bite-sized pieces out of each option. In other words, you started with what you knew. For readers who did get stuck, no matter! No worries. Better that you should get stuck on the forum, figure out what went wrong, and go to the test armed and ready. Nice work, aspirants. Stay safe.

PyjamaScientist · Answer

Those who are concerned about the environment  question if the timber industry, interested in cost-efficiency, might not be initiating  a program that increased productivity but polluted nearby rivers and streams.

A) question if the timber industry, interested in cost-efficiency, might not be initiating 
There is no condition involved here, so the usage of "if" is inappropriate. Correct usage will be "whether".

B) question if the timber industry, interested in cost-efficiency, had not initiated 
Same as above.

C) question whether the timber industry, interested in cost-efficiency, might not initiate 
 whether the timber industry ,  interested in cost-efficiency ,  might not initiate . Correct phrase should be something like, whether timber industry made the changes/ initiated the XYZ.

D) wonder as to whether the timber industry, interested in cost-efficiency, were to initiate 
wonder as to whether the timber industry  were to  initiate.

E) wonder whether the timber industry, with its interest in cost efficiency, initiated 
This choice is correct. Although, the part  with its interest in cost efficiency  might seem wrong to some, but it is the correct usage of adverbial modifier and the relative pronoun "its" correctly refers to 'the timber industry.

zhanbo · Answer

My answer is  (E) .

(AB) can be eliminated relatively easily because "whether" should be used in the place of "if".

(C) For one, "whether ... might not initiate" is not as straightforward as "whether ... might initiate". If we can safely remove one word without jeopardizing the meaning of the sentence, it should be removed.
For two, because the rest of the sentence uses simple past tense "a program that increased productivity but polluted nearby rivers and streams", "might initiate" should be "might have initiated" to make more sense.

(D) Do we need "as to"? The answer is negative. Is it wrong to use "as to"? I am not sure. Yet, if we can safely remove some texts without jeopardizing the meaning of the sentence, they should be removed. 
Also, "were to" indicates it is in subjunctive mood. For that reason, ”a program that increased productivity but polluted nearby rivers and streams“ had better be changed to "a program that  would  increase productivity but pollute nearby rivers and streams".

(E) This sentence does not use subjunctive mood. Those people simply wonder whether the unscrupulous industry wreaked havoc in the past.

Crytiocanalyst · Answer

A) question if the timber industry, interested in cost-efficiency, might not be initiating
might not initiating gives us a reasoning as though productivity schemes will never be introduced which is not the case therefore out

B) question if the timber industry, interested in cost-efficiency, had not initiated
if the scheme was never intiated there is no way of polluting which doesn't make much sense therefore out

C) question whether the timber industry, interested in cost-efficiency, might not initiate
Similar reasoning as A

D) wonder as to whether the timber industry, interested in cost-efficiency, were to initiate
were to intiate is a hot mess doesn't make much sense in addition dependent clauses are seperated through a lot of commas distorting therefore out

E) wonder whether the timber industry, with its interest in cost efficiency, initiated
THe meaning is perfect therefore our answer

THerefore IMO E

Sushil117 · Answer

use of "if" is wrong here as sentence isn't conditional .A ,b out

C) question whether the timber industry, interested in cost-efficiency, might not initiate
sentence is in past tense. "might not initiate" should be following the same. incorrect

D) wonder as to whether the timber industry, interested in cost-efficiency, were to initiate
"were to initiate"?? slightly changes the meaning.

E) wonder whether the timber industry, with its interest in cost efficiency, initiated
seems fine
IMO E

100mitra · Answer

Correct Option E

- Use “ if ” in a conditional sentence to show that one thing will happen if something else happens. 
- Use “ whether ” to show that two alternatives are possible

Here in original sentence, flaw is with  IF  usage, because there is no condition implemented
 Eliminate A, and B.

C is something about redundancy ,  whether  and  might  both usage are similarity, to seek possibility.
- Whether initiate, yes or no?
- Might initiate, yes or no?
Plus add-on word "question" seek similar information.
 Eliminate C

Between D, and E 
It's the intended meaning of the sentence, meaning says, 
"Environment concern people were surprised or wonder that Timber industry has talent to raise a program 
to increase its cost efficiency 
to increase its productivity 
but has not initiated a program 
to save river by getting polluted"

Option D creates flaw by  
- usage of "were" plural verb for singular Noun "Timber industry"
-  interested  - Past tense, and we need  interest in   - present tense.
- " to initiate " refers to simple present tense, which indicates a program to begin in some time in future, but intended meaning says  initiated  program was suppose to make to people wonder.
- lastly usage of "As to" means "with regard to" or "about.", refering it to "whether" creates ambiguity.

This makes option D flaw to present itself with intended meaning of the sentence,  makes option D wrong and option E correct .

Option D 
Those who are concerned about the environment question  wonder  as  to whether  the timber industry , interested in cost-efficiency,  were  to initiate  a program that increased productivity but polluted nearby rivers and streams.

Option E 
Those who are concerned about the environment question  wonder whether the timber industry, with its interest in cost efficiency, initiated  a program that increased productivity but polluted nearby rivers and streams.

ExpertsGlobal5 · Answer

Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation to this question-

Concepts tested here: Tenses + Idioms + Awkwardness/Redundancy

• “if” is used to refer to phrases that lead to a “then” clause and “whether" is used for showing alternatives; "whether" generally wins over "if" on GMAT.
• 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 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 events that concluded in the past.
• The simple future tense is used to refer to actions that will take place in the future.
• The "were + infinitive verb form" construction is only used to refer to hypothetical past actions.

A:  This answer choice incorrectly uses the simple present continuous tense verb "be initiating" to refer to an action that concluded in the past; please remember, the simple past tense is used to refer to events that concluded in the past, and the simple present continuous tense is used to refer to actions that are currently ongoing and continuous in nature. Further, Option A incorrectly uses "if" to show alternatives; please remember, “whether" is used for showing alternatives, and “if” is used to refer to phrases that lead to a “then” clause. Additionally, Option A uses the needlessly wordy phrase "might not be initiating", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

B:  This answer choice incorrectly uses the past perfect tense verb "had not initiated" to refer to an action that concluded in the past; please remember, the simple past tense is used to refer to events 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". Further, Option B incorrectly uses "if" to show alternatives; please remember, “whether" is used for showing alternatives, and “if” is used to refer to phrases that lead to a “then” clause. Additionally, Option B uses the needlessly wordy phrase "had not initiated", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

C:  This answer choice incorrectly uses the simple future tense verb "might not initiate" to refer to an action that concluded in the past; please remember, the simple past tense is used to refer to events that concluded in the past, and the simple future tense is used to refer to actions that will take place in the future. Further, Option C uses the needlessly wordy phrase "might not initiate", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

D:  This answer choice incorrectly uses the "were + infinitive verb form ("to + initiate" in this sentence)" construction to refer to an event that concluded in the past; please remember, the simple past tense is used to refer to events that concluded in the past, and the "were + infinitive verb form" construction is only used to refer to hypothetical past actions. Besides, Option D uses the needlessly wordy phrase "wonder as to", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

E:   Correct.  This answer choice correctly uses the simple past tense verb "initiated" to refer to an event that concluded in the past. Further, Option E correctly uses "whether" to introduce alternatives. Additionally, Option E is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.

Hence, E is the best answer choice.

To understand the concept of "Simple Tenses" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZj-SubJwsM

To understand the concept of "Simple Continuous Tenses" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2puWKuLccCM

To understand the concept of "Past Perfect Tense" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFGxC37OOGU

All the best!
Experts' Global Team

sivatx2 · Answer

Those who are concerned about the environment question if the timber industry, interested in cost-efficiency, might not be initiating a program that increased productivity but polluted nearby rivers and streams.

A) question  if  the timber industry, interested in cost-efficiency, might not be  initiating  
 if is for condition and whether is for choice/option. whether usage is correct here. "initiating" is present continuous while increased/polluted ( which happened later) is in past tense. Eliminate

B) question  if  the timber industry, interested in cost-efficiency, had not  initiated  
 if is for condition and whether is for choice/option. If usage is incorrect. Eliminate

C)  question  whether the timber industry, interested in cost-efficiency, might not  initiate  
 "initiate" is present tense while increased/polluted ( which happened later) is in past tense. Eliminate

D) wonder as to whether the timber industry, interested in cost-efficiency, were to  initiate  
 'as to' is redundant. "initiate" is present tense while increased/polluted ( which happened later) is in past tense. Eliminate

E)  wonder whether  the timber industry, with its interest in cost efficiency,  initiated  
 The sentence is in past tense, and the choice uses past tense correctly. 'wonder whether' is idiomatically sound correct.
Hence the choice that is correct is E.

Anuragsharma93 · Answer

IMO E

"IF... then" conditional cannot be used in the sentence since it is not a conditional sentence and we will prefer "whether". Eliminate A and B

C) question whether the timber industry, interested in cost-efficiency, might not initiate - Need might have initiated for the overall tense to make sense.

D) wonder as to whether the timber industry, interested in cost-efficiency, were to initiate- Redundant.

E) wonder whether the timber industry, with its interest in cost efficiency, initiated - Correct Answer.

generis · Answer

You can read the official explanation by clicking  here .

VerbalBot · Answer

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Those who are concerned about the environment question

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