International loans that are extensive and in some cases exceeding the

Question

International loans that are extensive and in some cases exceeding the total equity of the lending bank have exposed them  to insolvency, since borrowers, hard pressed by changes in interest rates and oil prices, have found repayment impossible.

A. International loans that are extensive and in some cases exceeding the total equity of the lending bank have exposed them

B. International loans that are extensive in size and exceeding in some cases the total equity of the lending banks expose the lenders

C. International loans, extensive in size and in some cases exceeding the total equity of the lending bank, expose them

D. Extensive international loans, exceeding in some cases the total equity of the lending banks, have exposed the lenders

E. Extensive international loans, in some cases exceeding the total equity of the lending bank, have exposed them

SC16540

piyush0122 · Answer

A. International loans that are extensive and in some cases exceeding the total equity of the lending bank have exposed them - use of "them is incorrect. Moreover, "and" must be followed by "that"

B. International loans that are extensive in size and exceeding in some cases the total equity of the lending banks expose the lenders- Missing "that" after and.

C. International loans, extensive in size and in some cases exceeding the total equity of the lending bank, expose them- use of "them" is incorrect.

D. Extensive international loans, exceeding in some cases the total equity of the lending banks, have exposed the lenders- correct choice.

E. Extensive international loans, in some cases exceeding the total equity of the lending bank, have exposed them- use of "them" is incorrect.

anks2190 · Answer

Why not Option E .

Please clarify @e-gmat

altairahmad · Answer

Between B and D, one of the glaring issues in B is that B has tense incompatibility between underlined portion (present) and non-underlined portion (past).

NiftyNiffler · Answer

International loans that are extensive and in some cases exceeding the total equity of the lending bank have exposed them  to insolvency, since borrowers, hard pressed by changes in interest rates and oil prices, have found repayment impossible.

A. International loans that are extensive and in some cases exceeding the total equity of the lending bank have exposed them  -- "them" has no specific unambiguous referent
 
B. International loans that are extensive in size and exceeding in some cases the total equity of the lending banks expose the lenders  -- "that are extensive and that are exceeding" is wrong parallelism

C. International loans, extensive in size and in some cases exceeding the total equity of the lending bank, expose them  -- same as A
 
D. Extensive international loans, exceeding in some cases the total equity of the lending banks, have exposed the lenders  -- CORRECT, parallelism issue in B is fixed and converted to adjective and participial modifiers
 
E. Extensive international loans, in some cases exceeding the total equity of the lending bank, have exposed them  -- same as A

So, the answer is  D

vipulshahi · Answer

International loans that are extensive and in some cases exceeding the total equity of the lending bank have exposed them  to insolvency, since borrowers, hard pressed by changes in interest rates and oil prices, have found repayment impossible.

* Subject verb pair   - this seems okay but  in some cases exceeding " ]- not used appropriately. Thus  Subject verb error is there 
* Tense form   - conveys intended meaning 
* If-then condition - Not used
* Subjunctive Verb - Not used
*   Pronoun   - Incorrect  
* Modifier   - correct
*   Parallelism   - parallelism error  
* Comparison - not used
* Idioms - not used

Now lets check each & every option for more further clarification.

A. International loans that are extensive   and in some cases exceeding   the total equity of the lending bank have exposed   them

1. parallelism error
2. "them" has ambiguity in terms of antecedent

- Incorrect
 
B. International loans that   are extensive in size and exceeding   in some cases the total equity of the lending banks expose the lenders

- It removes the pronoun error while using "lenders" but still have parallel issues. Hence incorrect

C. International loans,   extensive in size and in some cases exceeding   the total equity of the lending bank, expose   them

1. "extensive in size and in some cases exceeding" not parallel
2. "them" has ambiguity in terms of antecedent

- Incorrect 
 
D. Extensive international loans, exceeding in some cases the total equity of the lending banks, have exposed the lenders

- Removes the parallelism & pronoun error. Hence correct

E. Extensive international loans, in some cases exceeding the total equity of the lending bank, have exposed   them

- "them" has ambiguity in terms of antecedent. Hence incorrect.

vipulshahi · Answer

International loans that are extensive and in some cases exceeding the total equity of the lending bank have exposed them to insolvency, since borrowers, hard pressed by changes in interest rates and oil prices, have found repayment impossible.

* Subject verb pair [ "International loans have exposed" ; "that are extensive"; " borrowers have found" ] - this seems okay but [ " in some cases exceeding" ]- not used appropriately. Thus Subject verb error is there
* Tense form [ Present & Past ] - conveys intended meaning
* If-then condition - Not used
* Subjunctive Verb - Not used
* Pronoun [ "them" has ambiguity in terms of antecedent; them refers to whom its not clear ,whether is refers to international loans or bank ] - Incorrect
* Modifier [ "that are extensive and in some cases exceeding the total equity of the lending bank" correctly modifies "International loans" ; "hard pressed by changes in interest rates and oil prices" correctly modifies "borrowers" ] - correct
* Parallelism [ that are extensive "and" in some cases exceeding ] - parallelism error
* Comparison - not used
* Idioms - not used

Now lets check each & every option for more further clarification.

A. International loans that are extensive and in some cases exceeding the total equity of the lending bank have exposed them

1. parallelism error
2. "them" has ambiguity in terms of antecedent

- Incorrect

B. International loans that are extensive in size and exceeding in some cases the total equity of the lending banks expose the lenders

- It removes the pronoun error while using "lenders" but still have parallel issues. Hence incorrect

C. International loans, extensive in size and in some cases exceeding the total equity of the lending bank, expose them

1. "extensive in size and in some cases exceeding" not parallel
2. "them" has ambiguity in terms of antecedent

- Incorrect

D. Extensive international loans, exceeding in some cases the total equity of the lending banks, have exposed the lenders

- Removes the parallelism & pronoun error. Hence correct

E. Extensive international loans, in some cases exceeding the total equity of the lending bank, have exposed them

- "them" has ambiguity in terms of antecedent. Hence incorrect.

thangvietnam · Answer

International loans that are extensive and in some cases exceeding the total equity of the lending bank have exposed them  to insolvency, since borrowers, hard pressed by changes in interest rates and oil prices, have found repayment impossible.

A. International loans that are extensive and in some cases exceeding the total equity of the lending bank have exposed them

B. International loans that are extensive in size and exceeding in some cases the total equity of the lending banks expose the lenders

C. International loans, extensive in size and in some cases exceeding the total equity of the lending bank, expose them

D. Extensive international loans, exceeding in some cases the total equity of the lending banks, have exposed the lenders

E. Extensive international loans, in some cases exceeding the total equity of the lending bank, have exposed them

the bad things in choice B
why do we use progressive here. "exceeding" is progressive. if we want to say some action is happening at a period or point of time, we use progressive. where is period and point of time. we dont have. 
"expose " in choice B is not fit with "have found". we are talking about a past action relevant to present. so, "have done" should be used. present simple is used to say about condition which exist indefinitely.

bad thing about choice D.
comma+exceeding show an adverbial modifying clause. there is no relation between exceeding and "have exposed", so "comma+exceeding " is not good.

so, I dont see the correct answer.

Harsh2111s · Answer

The real struggle here is between option B and D. Both sentence structure are absolutely fine. In option B, there is no parallelism issue. International loans that are extensive in size -adjective exceeding in some cases the total equity of the lending banks -adjective What's the real issue with B ? exceeding in some cases the total equity of the lending banks expose the lenders It seems exceeding the total equity of lending banks expose the lenders. But that's not the case. Extensive international loans have exposed the lenders. This option D is correct. Hope it helps

dcummins · Answer

International loans that are extensive and in some cases exceeding the total equity of the lending bank have exposed them  to insolvency, since borrowers, hard pressed by changes in interest rates and oil prices, have found repayment impossible.

A. International loans that are extensive and in some cases exceeding the total equity of the lending bank have exposed  them 
C. International loans, extensive in size and in some cases exceeding the total equity of the lending bank, expose  them 
E. Extensive international loans, in some cases exceeding the total equity of the lending bank, have exposed  them

A,C,E: No clear antecedent for 'them' - could be loans, or banks. Clearly its referring to the banks, but we only have singular 'bank' in A,C,and E, so in any case its wrong.
C Only: International loans..expose. C also, with the use of the commas, makes as if International loans in general expose 'them' to insolvency...although that might just be the way i see it.

B. International loans that are extensive in size and exceeding in some cases the total equity of the lending banks expose the lenders

International loans that are extensive in size and ( that are) exceeding  in some cases the total equity

Either way you look at B it restricts the international loans to those that are extensive in size and those that are either currently exceeding total equity or that exceed total equity.

The meaning of the present progressive 'exceeding' is unclear in the current parallel form its in as it could be interpreted two ways.

D. Extensive international loans, exceeding in some cases the total equity of the lending banks, have exposed the lenders

Correct.

Exceeding is quarantined off by commas, and the finite verb 'have' makes it clear that the international loans are what have exposed the lenders.

Removal of 'them' clears any ambiguity with pronoun agreement/ illogical interpretations caused by 'them'.

ajaygaur319 · Answer

What does  them  refer to?

shanks2020 · Answer

Dear Expert,

I don't see any parallelism issue with option B. only tense issue.
Can you please confirm why B is wrong?

Kritisood · Answer

Experts, is there any parallelism issue with B here? what is the reason to eliminate B?

AndrewN · Answer

Hello,  Kritisood . I approached this question with an entirely different focus. Although there are some interesting debates going on about parallelism above, I zeroed in on the extraneous element after  extensive , namely  in size . Notice how choices (A), (D), and (E) all trim this fat without losing vital meaning. I have seen an official question (although I cannot seem to find it at the moment) that employs the same trap, and the answer choices with the extraneous descriptors were dismissible on the same grounds. When you encounter the word  extensive , you already understand that it refers to size or scope, and choice (D) among the three I mentioned above not only exposes this flaw, but also eliminates the ambiguous  them  at the tail of the other two choices. Between the unnecessary descriptor and the muddled meaning of choice (B), as discussed above by  dcummins , it is an easy elimination next to (D).

Perhaps this was not the answer you were looking for, but it may help you pay closer attention to the verbiage in the answer choices of future SC questions, and that can be a boon to your test-taking. Good luck with your studies.

- Andrew

Himanshu666 · Answer

Hi Experts, Here I am not clear in option D exceeding(ing modifier) modifying the pharse "Extensive international loans" . What we have learned that "Participle modifier" after clause should modify the entire clause in front of it (also apply on subject) . Please help

D. Extensive international loans, exceeding in some cases the total equity of the lending banks, have exposed the lenders

D. Extensive international loans, exceeding in some cases the total equity of the lending banks, have exposed the lenders

shanky315 · Answer

In option D, the -ing modifier after the comma is providing additional information about the Noun entity.The modifying entity is enclosed in comma ( shows it's a additional information) . 
In cases,if it modifies the entire preceding clause to show the result and should modify the verb.

Posted from my mobile device

Himanshu666 · Answer

CrackVerbalGMAT   GMATNinja

I know it's a modifier and modifier is basically the additional information , But my concern over here this Participle modifier modifying Noun Phrase instead of a clause . I have doubt in option D

Here I am not clear in option D exceeding(ing modifier) modifying the pharse "Extensive international loans" . What we have learned that "Participle modifier" after clause should modify the entire clause in front of it (also apply on subject) . Please help

D. Extensive international loans, exceeding in some cases the total equity of the lending banks, have exposed the lenders

aash932 · Answer

Hi,
Can u please explain that we have used present perfect tense over here?
Thanks

GMATNinja · Answer

As described in  this article  (part 4), "-ing" words can absolutely function as nice, boring adjectives that modify nouns (or noun phrases):

"The company, expanding at an impressive pace, has opened its first overseas office." - "expanding" modifies "company," and that's perfectly acceptable.

Similarly, it's okay for "exceeding" to modify the subject "loans."

I hope that helps!

GMATNinja · Answer

Great posts by  AndrewN  and  dcummins ! A few additional thoughts...

The parallelism in (B) is problematic:

"International loans that are (1) extensive in size and (2) exceeding." 
 Notice that "are exceeding" is a verb (present perfect tense). 
 It's one thing if we have multiple present perfect verbs sharing the same helping verb ( is  or  are ). For example, "Tim   is    working ,  helping  his kids with homework,  making  breakfast, and  pouring  himself a cocktail." - "is" has a single function: it is a helping verb shared by four -ing verbs.  
 However, in choice (B), the "are" works differently with each item in the list. First, it acts as a standalone verb ( not  a helping verb), linking the modifier "extensive" back to the thing it modifies. Then, it acts as a helping verb to form the present perfect tense with "exceeding." So the parallelism isn't quite right.

Even if we accept the parallelism, the use of the present perfect ("are exceeding") with "in some cases" doesn't really make sense:

The verb tense suggests that we have an  ongoing  present action. 
 But the phrase "in some cases" suggests that the action only happens  sometimes . 
 Choice (D) avoids this problem by using an "-ing" modifier ("exceeding") instead of the present perfect tense ("are exceeding").

And then we have the meaning issue discussed in  this post :

In choice (D), we are talking about extensive international loans. SOME of those loans exceed the total equity of the lending banks. So the subject includes both loans that DO exceed the total equity and loans that DO not exceed the total equity. 
 In choice (B), however, we are talking  only  about extensive international loans that  sometimes  exceed the total equity of the lending banks. 
 So, which makes more sense? Are we talking only about those extensive loans whose value is  sometimes  higher than the total equity of the lending banks and sometimes lower? Or are we talking about extensive loans in general...  some  of which exceed the total equity of the lending banks? 
 The latter interpretation is more logical.

Finally, as explained  here , "in size" is unnecessary.

So I think we have plenty of votes in favor of (D) over (B)!

International loans that are extensive and in some cases exceeding the

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Sentence Correction (SC - EA only) Questions

International loans that are extensive and in some cases exceeding the

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards