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Even though the wall is constructed of brick, the magician creates the illusion of passing through it, since, for a brief moment, when he and it will be obscured by pyrotechnics, the wall is quickly lowered into the floor and raised back into position.

(A) creates the illusion of passing through it, since, for a brief moment, when he and it will be obscured by pyrotechnics, the wall is

(B) will create the illusion of passing through it, since, when there is a brief moment, and he and it will be obscured by pyrotechnics, the wall will be

(C) will create the illusion of passing through it, since, for a brief moment, during which he and it are obscured by pyrotechnics, the wall is

(D) creates the illusion of passing through it, as, during a brief moment, while he and it are to be obscured by pyrotechnics, the wall is to be

(E) will create the illusion of passing through it, as, in a brief moment, while he and it are obscured by pyrotechnics, the wall is going to be

OE .
Correctly answering this question requires noticing the tenses of the three clauses whose main verbs are included in the underlined portion and deciding which version presents a logical timeline of events and conveys a logical meaning.

Even though the wall is constructed of brick, the magician creates the illusion of passing through it, since, for a brief moment, when he and it will be obscured by pyrotechnics, the wall is quickly lowered into the floor and raised back into position.

(A) creates the illusion of passing through it, since, for a brief moment, when he and it will be obscured by pyrotechnics, the wall is

While the present tense “magician creates” works logically with the present test “the wall is,” the timeline presented by this version does not make sense, because of the use of the future tense “he and it will be obscured.” Because of this use of the future tense, the sentence illogically jumps from explaining how the magician “creates the illusion” to describing what “will” occur in the future, and then back to the present tense “is … lowered … and raised.”

Also, if we look carefully, we can see that the sentence conveys the illogical meaning that the wall is lowered and raised “for a brief moment.” It could be lowered for a brief moment, but it would not be both lowered and raised “for a brief moment.”

(B) will create the illusion of passing through it, since, when there is a brief moment, and he and it will be obscured by pyrotechnics, the wall will be

The use of the clause “when there is a brief moment” results in the sentence’s conveying the illogical meaning that the wall will be lowered and raised when there is a moment, as if sometimes there is a moment, and other times there is not a moment, and lowering and raising the wall when there is a moment is an important aspect of creating the illusion.

Also, the use of the future tense “will be obscured” is not quite logical. What makes sense is that the wall will be lowered and raised, not when the magician and the wall “will be obscured,” but, rather, while they actually are obscured.

(C) will create the illusion of passing through it, since, for a brief moment, during which he and it are obscured by pyrotechnics, the wall is

The use of tenses in this version does not make sense, as the version begins by using the future tense “will create” to discuss what will occur in the future but then jumps to the present “is lowered … and raised,” as if the events are occurring in the present.

Also, if we look carefully, we can see that the sentence conveys the illogical meaning that the wall is lowered and raised “for a brief moment.” It could be lowered for a brief moment, but it would not be both lowered and raised “for a brief moment.”

Incorrect Answer

(D) creates the illusion of passing through it, as, during a brief moment, while he and it are to be obscured by pyrotechnics, the wall is to be

The use of tenses in this version does not make sense, as the version starts describing how the illusion works by using the present tense “creates” but then uses “the wall is to be,” which indicates that the wall will be lowered and raised in the future, as if the creation of the illusion somehow results from a future lowering and raising of the wall.

Also, the use of “to be obscured,” which implies that the magician and wall are not obscured but will be obscured in the future, is not quite logical. What makes sense is that the wall will be lowered and raised, not when the magician and the wall “are to be obscured,” but, rather, while they actually are obscured.

Notice that the use of parallel structures “to be obscured” and “to be lowered … and raised” is employed to make this incorrect choice seem organized and, therefore, correct.

(E) will create the illusion of passing through it, as, in a brief moment, while he and it are obscured by pyrotechnics, the wall is going to be

The use of tenses in this version results in the version’s presenting a logical timeline.

The future tense “will create” works logically with the future tense “is going to be.”

The use of the future tense form “is going to be” in describing the planned lowering and raising of the wall makes sense.

The use of the present tense “are obscured” in describing the conditions existing during the moment during which the wall is lowered and raised makes sense.

Notice, the wording “in a brief moment,” which is a bit unfamiliar and perhaps not optimal for conveying the meaning to be conveyed, is purposely used to make this choice sound a little off and, thus, obscure the fact that this choice is the correct answer.

Also, the less commonly used “is going to be” is used in order to make this correct answer seem to be incorrect.

Correct Answer

Correct answer: E
Tough one to crack in 2 minutes . :(
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Even though the wall is constructed of brick, the magician creates the illusion of passing through it, since, for a brief moment, when he and it will be obscured by pyrotechnics, the wall is quickly lowered into the floor and raised back into position.


A simple trick to crack the Q in under 2 minutes is to get the verb tense correct 'will' should be in the begining since the magician is going to create the illusion , followed by a change in the tense , even though it's only appreciated to do the same for valid reasons , he and the wall 'are' lowered ans since the wall is singular present tense is used to finish the sentence

THerefore IMO E
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