GMAT Club World Cup 2022 (DAY 5): Like the present, the past is consta

Question

Like the present, the past is constantly revised as a result of alterations to written records and reinterpretations of them .

(A) Like the present, the past is constantly revised as a result of alterations to written records and reinterpretations of them
(B) Just as the present is changing, so too is the past constantly revised due to alterations and reinterpretations of written records
(C) Just like the constantly changing present, the past is being revised as a result of alterations to written records and reinterpretations of those records
(D) As the present changes, the past is constantly revised due to alterations and reinterpretations of written records
(E) Just as the present is constantly changing, the past is constantly being revised as a result of alterations to and reinterpretations of written records

AndrewN · Accepted Answer

A full-sentence underline, even a shorter sentence, needs to be handled with care. It is really important to ask yourself what the sentence seems to be conveying. There are a couple other issues to discuss, so how about we jump in?

Consideration #1  : the comparisons

I am not going to go with my usual explanation of running through splits when the sentence immediately confronts us with different comparisons. We have to evaluate each one on its own merits.

It is appropriate to  like  in noun-to-noun comparisons, so this one checks out.

Now, the comparison has shifted to actions,  is changing  and  is… revised .  As  correctly compares the two.

This one masquerades as a legitimate noun-to-noun comparison between present and past, but its parallel elements are off.  Changing  is used as an adjective ahead of what it modifies, while the part about the past hides behind  is being , an action. You also have to be careful with  Just like . We typically see such usage when two things are indistinguishable:  You look just like her. She could be your twin.  On its own,  like  allows more leeway, and it would probably be more fitting here. This one makes me the most uncomfortable so far, and I would certainly mark it as a doubt.

This comparison is confusing, since it is not entirely clear whether a comparison is intended at all. The first part could be interpreted in a manner similar to  As the clock ticks…  If the sentence does aim to present a comparison, that comparison should be clear; if not, then why would we need that prefatory clause? We would expect the sentence to start with the past. If (C) made me uncomfortable, this one makes me feel more confident… in my ability to eliminate, that is.

The comparison has shifted back to the actions, and the parallelism could not be any tighter— the present is constantly changing  and  the past is constantly being revised . This is the only option that has repeated  constantly , and it is fitting because the two types of change are not exactly the same. The present moment changes on its own, while revising the past seems to involve manipulation of some sort. Also, do not write off an answer choice just because it uses  being , even when the word appears in verb form. If the stress is on  constantly , you have to think of how that adverb may interact with the different types of verbs  to change  and  to revise :

a)  the present is constantly being changed  and  the past is constantly being revised

The comparison is perfectly parallel, but now the present appears to be changed with intent, and I am unsure about the notion in the absence of an agent who would carry out such manipulation.

b)  the present is constantly changing  and  the past is constantly revised

This would also work, but it is not what we see on the screen. If you are uncomfortable with  being , think of a simpler sentence without a comparison. The sentence need not be identical in structure, just similar enough to make the illustration meaningful.  At present, the mansion is dilapidated and is being demolished later this week.

So far, I would probably focus on (A), (B), and (E) as contenders and look for ways to tease them apart.

Consideration #2  : as a result of  versus  due to

Due to  is commonly used anywhere an explanation appears, even in reputable print sources. However, when you see it on the GMAT™ in this context, you want to see it explain a noun, rather than an action. In all five iterations of the sentence, the explanation is building off of the word  revised . Something is  revised , an action, as a result of or because of certain conditions. You could say that  a revision , a noun, was due to something, but  due to  does not fit the sentence in question.  Eliminate answer choices (B) and (D) .

Consideration #3  : the endings

As much as possible, you want to see if you can group different answer choices so that you can kill two birds with one stone. Pick up the sentence with  alterations , and notice that answer choices (B) and (D) are identical in this regard.

Answer choices (B) and (D) are the most concise, and the preposition  of  needs to be understood to apply to  alterations  after the fact, because  alterations  cannot operate on its own. Is it acceptable to say  alterations of ? In a word, yes. I often consult and cite the Cambridge Dictionary in my posts when someone is asking about a finer grammatical point. Here are  a few sample sentences under  alteration :

Perhaps because I have heard the word used in reference to the clothing industry, in which alterations are made  to  a garment, I prefer  to , but I cannot dispute that  of  is functional.

Answer choices (A) and (C) are nearly identical, the latter making explicit reference to the  records  that must serve as the referent of  them  in the original sentence. Such repetition seems unnecessary in a short description. To be honest, I would rather go with the less comfortable parallelism of (B) and (D).

Answer choice (E) places  written records  at the end, and it is also the only option to mix prepositions:  alterations to  and  reinterpretations of . If you follow parallelism too closely, you do not have a chance of evaluating this one fairly. On their own, the two descriptions undoubtedly work, so are mismatched prepositions permissible? The answer is yes, they are. Take a look at  this question  from several editions of the OG if you do not believe me. ( Spoiler alert. ) The end of the sentence in the correct answer reads,

centrally administered complex societies in northern regions of the Middle East arose  simultaneously with but independently of  the more celebrated city-states of southern Mesopotamia, in what is now southern Iraq . 
In short, I would disfavor the reference to or repetition of  written records  in (A) and (C).

Count up the marks against each answer choice after our three considerations:

(A)  √√  X 
(B)  √  X  √ 
(C)  X  √  X 
(D)  XX  √ 
(E)  √√√

The winner is (E), the single option without a mark or doubt against it. I suspect this will prove to be one of the harder, perhaps more contentious, questions in the competition. But if you look at each consideration objectively, you should end up in agreement that (E) is the best option of the five.

With half the competition behind you, you can regroup then redouble your efforts for round two. Good luck to all competitors.

- Andrew

Sushil117 · Answer

(A) Like the present, the past is constantly revised as a result of alterations to written records and reinterpretations of them
should use "just as" .not comparing nouns

(B) Just as the present is changing, so too is the past constantly revised due to alterations and reinterpretations of written records
"Just as the present is changing" can't modify so too

(C) Just like the constantly changing present, the past is being revised as a result of alterations to written records and reinterpretations of those records
same as A

(D) As the present changes, the past is constantly revised due to alterations and reinterpretations of written records
seems to conveying the meaning that change in present is causing the change in past .
 alteration in or to

(E) Just as the present is constantly changing, the past is constantly being revised as a result of alterations to and reinterpretations of written records
not the favorite but only one left
IMO E

mainbhiankit · Answer

Ask yourself this: what is 'them' referring to? Alterations? Written records? This option is incorrect because of pronoun ambiguity

Using 'due to' is incorrect here. B is out.

"those records" refers to the altered records, which might not be the case. The past is being revised because of alterations to and reinterpretations of written records. Both are contributing equally. This eliminates option C.

Again, "due to" is incorrect.

The comparison is right as two clauses are being compared and the parallelism is correct too.

Option E is the best bet.

NextGenNerd · Answer

Correct answer: Choice E

(A) Like the present, the past is constantly revised as a result of alterations to written records and reinterpretations of them - Wrong - Pronoun issue. does them refer to written records or alterations to written records ?

(B) Just as the present is changing, so too is the past constantly revised due to alterations and reinterpretations of written records - Wrong - alterations does not have "to"

(C) Just like the constantly changing present, the past is being revised as a result of alterations to written records and reinterpretations of those records- Wrong . Not keen on "Just like". also not keen on specifying "those records".

(D) As the present changes, the past is constantly revised due to alterations and reinterpretations of written records - Wrong - alterations does not have "to"

(E) Just as the present is constantly changing, the past is constantly being revised as a result of alterations to and reinterpretations of written records- Correct

Archit3110 · Answer

correct idiom Just As... so
being usage is wrong eliminate option C, E
Like is for comparing noun eliminate A
option D is wrong as is used for usage is incorrect

OPTION B is correct

(B) Just as the present is changing, so too is the past constantly revised due to alterations and reinterpretations of written records

LeopardLiu · Answer

D is the winner 
(A) Like the present, the past is constantly revised as a result of alterations to written records and reinterpretations of them  logically unsound. And them is unclear 
(B) Just as the present is changing, so too is the past constantly revised due to alterations and reinterpretations of written records  so too... wrong 
(C) Just like the constantly changing present, the past is being revised as a result of alterations to written records and reinterpretations of those records  awkward 
(D) As the present changes, the past is constantly revised due to alterations and reinterpretations of written records  Correct 
(E) Just as the present is constantly changing, the past is constantly being revised as a result of alterations to and reinterpretations of written records  Awkward...

sunitapandey · Answer

IMO E

(A) Like the present, the past is constantly revised as a result of alterations to written records and reinterpretations of them- no anteceedent of Them
(B) Just as the present is changing, so too is the past constantly revised due to alterations and reinterpretations of written records- we need a being before revised
(C) Just like the constantly changing present, the past is being revised as a result of alterations to written records and reinterpretations of those records - wrong comparison -- constantly changing present is being compared to past
(D) As the present changes, the past is constantly revised due to alterations and reinterpretations of written records-- erroneous meaning, present changes and past revised are they happening at the same time? NO its incorrect
 (E) Just as the present is constantly changing, the past is constantly being revised as a result of alterations to and reinterpretations of written records - 
correct comparison

gmatcafe · Answer

(A) Like the present, the past is constantly revised as a result of alterations to written records and reinterpretations of them - ambiguous "reinterpretations of them"
(B) Just as the present is changing, so too is the past constantly revised due to alterations and reinterpretations of written records - "just as... is changing (present continuous), so too is ... constantly revised (present simple) not parallel. In addition should be "alterations to" not "alterations of"
(C) Just like the constantly changing present, the past is being revised as a result of alterations to written records and reinterpretations of those records. IMO incorrect comparison - present is constantly changing itself, but past is being revised by.
(D) As the present changes, the past is constantly revised due to alterations and reinterpretations of written records. Changed meaning. Change in present results in revision of past.
(E) Just as the present is constantly changing, the past is constantly being revised as a result of alterations to and reinterpretations of written records. Correct

rajtare · Answer

(A) Like the present, the past is constantly revised as a result of alterations to written records and reinterpretations of them -  parallelism error, and them at the end has more than one possible antecedent 
(B) Just as the present is changing, so too is the past constantly revised due to alterations and reinterpretations of written records  - Parallelism error 
(C) Just like the constantly changing present, the past is being revised as a result of alterations to written records and reinterpretations of those records -  Meaning error this sentence implied that reinterpretation of records is happening once they are revised. 
(D) As the present changes, the past is constantly revised due to alterations and reinterpretations of written records -  Meaning error, this sentence implied that past is changing because the present is changing 
 (E) Just as the present is constantly changing, the past is constantly being revised as a result of alterations to and reinterpretations of written records
  - Correct

manish1708 · Answer

Answer: B

Like the present, the past is constantly revised as a result of alterations to written records and reinterpretations of them.

Comparison needs to be between present and past or between change in present and revision of past.

(A) Like the present, the past is constantly revised as a result of alterations to written records and reinterpretations of them  --> Incorrect. them is ambiguous. not sure whether it refers to alterations or records. 
(B) Just as the present is changing, so too is the past constantly revised due to alterations and reinterpretations of written records  -->  Correct . comparison is fine. reason for why past is revised is clearly conveyed. usage of Just as...so too.. is correct. 
(C) Just like the constantly changing present, the past is being revised as a result of alterations to written records and reinterpretations of those records - -> Incorrect. Comparison is incorrect. 
(D) As the present changes, the past is constantly revised due to alterations and reinterpretations of written records - -> Incorrect. Meaning tends to imply that past is revised because of the changes in the present. 
(E) Just as the present is constantly changing, the past is constantly being revised as a result of alterations to and reinterpretations of written records  --> Incorrect. usage of being in a sentence is most of the times wrong. past revised as a result of alterations and reinterpretations is incorrect meaning. past is revised by alterations and reinterpretations. Meaning should convey how the past is revised.

PRamesh2008 · Answer

Like the present, the past is constantly revised as a result of alterations to written records and reinterpretations of them .

Meaning . Here, similarity of the past and the present is being emphasised.Revision of the past, like the present, takes place revised as a result of alterations and reinterpretations to written records  
 
(A) Like the present, the past is constantly revised as a result of alterations to written records and reinterpretations of  them

Pronoun error..them can refer to written records or the alterations themselves.

(B)  Just as  the present is changing,  so too  is the past constantly revised due to alterations and reinterpretations of written records

Redundancy evident in simultaneous the use of 'Just as' slongwith 'so too'

(C) Just like the  constantly changing present , the  past is being revised  as a result of alterations to written records and reinterpretations of those records

The noun 'constantly changing present' is compared to the verb action 'the past is being revised'..Incorrect comparison structure

(D) As the present changes, the past is constantly revised due to alterations  (to)  and reinterpretations of written records

Preposition error...'to' is missing..as it should be 'alterations to and reinterpretations of written records'

(E)  Just as  the present is constantly changing, the past is constantly being revised as a result of  alterations to  and  reinterpretations of  written records

No redundancy, use of prepositins in the form of 'alterations to and reinterpretations of written records' is correct

(E) is the CORRECT answer

FazliddinKD · Answer

Like the present, the past is constantly revised as a result of alterations to written records and reinterpretations of them.

(A) Like the present, the past is constantly revised as a result of alterations to written records and reinterpretations of   them  
(B) Just as the present is changing, so too is the past constantly revised   due to   alterations and reinterpretations of written records
(C) Just like the   constantly changing present  , the past is being revised as a result of alterations to written records and reinterpretations of those records - meaning is changed
(D) As the present changes, the past is constantly revised   due to   alterations and reinterpretations of written records
 (E)  Just as the present is constantly changing, the past is constantly being revised as a result of alterations to and reinterpretations of written records -  Correct

akash2703 · Answer

Imo A

Like the present, the past is constantly revised as a result of alterations to written records and reinterpretations of them.

(A) Like the present, the past is constantly revised as a result of alterations to written records and reinterpretations of them
 Correct. Present is compared to the past (Noun to Noun).
Them has only one logical antecedent - Written records. 
(B) Just as the present is changing, so too is the past constantly revised due to alterations and reinterpretations of written records
 too is redundant. due to cannot modify the verb 'revised' 
(C) Just like the constantly changing present, the past is being revised as a result of alterations to written records and reinterpretations of those records
 'being' usage is not correct.  
(D) As the present changes, the past is constantly revised due to alterations and reinterpretations of written records
 due to cannot modify the verb 'revised'. 
(E) Just as the present is constantly changing, the past is constantly being revised as a result of alterations to and reinterpretations of written records
 'being' usage is not correct.

Dwiti88 · Answer

Like the present, the past is constantly revised as a result of alterations to written records and reinterpretations of them .

(A) Like the present, the past is constantly revised as a result of alterations to written records and reinterpretations of them
- This sentence has meaning issue. From the sentence it seems like present is also getting revised 
(B) Just as the present is changing, so too is the past constantly revised due to alterations and reinterpretations of written records
 Due to is incorrect here 
(C) Just like the constantly changing present, the past is being revised as a result of alterations to written records and reinterpretations of those records- This sentence has comparison issue 
(D) As the present changes, the past is constantly revised due to alterations and reinterpretations of written records
-  Use of due to is incorrect 
(E) Just as the present is constantly changing, the past is constantly being revised as a result of alterations to and reinterpretations of written records- This is the correct option. Here all the grammatical and meaning issues have been corrected

soudipsengupta · Answer

(A) Like the present, the past is constantly revised as a result of alterations to written records and reinterpretations of them.
 INCORRECT  This one has some meaning issue. 'Like the present, the past is constantly revised'.. Are we really revising the present ? Is that the intended meaning. Do not think so. The meaning must be in line of the fact that - as the present constantly changing, the past is being revised. Also the 'them' at the end may be ambiguous pointing to written records or alterations.

(B) Just as the present is changing, so too is the past constantly revised due to alterations and reinterpretations of written records
 INCORRECT : One must use 'because of' or 'as a result of' when starting the sentence with 'the past is constantly revised'. Use of 'due to' is incorrect.

(C) Just like the constantly changing present, the past is being revised as a result of alterations to written records and reinterpretations of those records
 INCORRECT . This is not better than E. Also it uses 'Just like the constantly changing present' and compares with the 'past' which 'is being revised' This comparison is not correct.

(D) As the present changes, the past is constantly revised due to alterations and reinterpretations of written records
 INCORRECT : One must use 'because of' or 'as a result of' when starting the sentence with 'the past is constantly revised'. Use of 'due to' is incorrect.

(E) Just as the present is constantly changing, the past is constantly being revised as a result of alterations to and reinterpretations of written records.
 CORRECT . Although this sentence uses passive voice this is grammatically correct sentence. It correctly uses 'as a result of' rather than 'due to'. It also avoids pronoun ambiguity of option A, and conveys a clear meaning.

raj94knp · Answer

Major issues tested are Meaning, idiomatic use and Comparison.

In option B and D,  Due to  is used to state reason of an action.  Due to  is used to state reason for Noun.  B and D is out.

In A, Present is compared with Past. But comparison is somewhat suggesting incoherent meaning. It is suggesting that Both Present and Past is revised as a result of alterations to written records and reinterpretations of them. But logical meaning that can be inferred is that As the present is constantly changing, Past is revised as a result...of them.  A is out

In Option C,  Just like  is not idiomatic use. Moreover, Meaning issues of A are repeated here.  C is out

E is the right pick.

acf840 · Answer

Correct answer :E

A - them can not refer to the object of the action (written records) and hence referring back to alterations to written records - incorrect

B - parallelism is not correct

C - Again, present and past clauses are not in parallel

D - Looks like past is changing because the present is changing

E - Clauses are correctly parallel, no error in pronoun/ preposition before written records -  correct choice

winterschool · Answer

Like the present, the past is constantly revised as a result of alterations to written records and reinterpretations of them.

(A) Like the present, the past is constantly revised as a result of alterations to written records and reinterpretations of them  Correct

no error found

(B) Just as the present is changing, so too is the past constantly revised due to alterations and reinterpretations of written records  Incorrect

correct idioms is 'alteration to', also changes meaning

(C) Just like the constantly changing present, the past is being revised as a result of alterations to written records and reinterpretations of those records  Incorrect

unnecessary ' being' uses wrong

(D) As the present changes, the past is constantly revised due to alterations and reinterpretations of written records  Incorrect

correct idioms is 'alteration to';

(E) Just as the present is constantly changing, the past is constantly being revised as a result of alterations to and reinterpretations of written records  Incorrect

unnecessary ' being' uses wrong

Kushchokhani · Answer

"Of them" in A may refer either to alterations or records- ambiguous hence wrong.
"Just like" is always wrong on GMAT SC. Hence, C is wrong.
D is wrong because of tense mismatch- "changes" is simple present whereas "is revised" is present perfect.
B is wrong because of tense mismatch- "is changing" is present continuous whereas "is revised" is present perfect.
E is the right choice.

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