Unlike human runners, who broke the four-minute mile in 1954

Question

Unlike human runners, who broke the four-minute mile in 1954 and  they consistently recorded faster times ever since, horses in classic races such as the Kentucky Derby have had winning times with little improvement : Secretariat’s world-record-breaking Derby tine of 1:59 2/5, for example, was set in 1973 and remained unsurpassed more than a quarter of a century later.

(A) they consistently recorded faster times ever since, horses in classic races such as the Kentucky Derby have had winning times with little improvement

(B) they have consistently recorded faster times ever since, those of horses in classic races such as the Kentucky Derby have shown little improvement in winning times

(C) have consistently recorded faster times ever since, horses in classic races such as the Kentucky Derby have shown little improvement in winning times

(D) have consistently recorded faster times ever since, in those of classic races such as the Kentucky Derby, horses have had winning times with little improvement

(E) consistently recorded faster times ever since, those of horses in classic races such as the Kentucky Derby have shown little improvement in winning times

HeyMisterWilson · Answer

Answer is C

"ever since" indicates that present perfect tense is needed. "have consistently recorded" is what we want.
cannot be D, because of "in those of"

GMATPill · Answer

Just a note that as you read this question, you should note the keyword UNLIKE.

(A) "Unlike human runners, .........., horses...
(B): "Unlike human runners, .........., those of horses...
(C): "Unlike human runners, .........., horses...
(D): "Unlike human runners, .........., in those of classic races...
(E): "Unlike human runners, .........., those of horses...

Only (A) and (C) are even potential contenders. This is what happens when you are able to  cut the fluff .
You can quickly strip down the sentence to its bare bone structure and really understand and see any potential flaws in the structure of the sentence before you examine the meaning.

Skywalker18 · Answer

Unlike human runners, who broke the four-minute mile in 1954 and  they consistently recorded faster times ever since, horses in classic races such as the Kentucky Derby have had winning times with little improvement : Secretariat’s world-record-breaking Derby tine of 1:59 2/5, for example, was set in 1973 and remained unsurpassed more than a quarter of a century later.
A. they consistently recorded faster times ever since, horses in classic races such as the Kentucky Derby have had winning times with little improvement - parallelism issue -- and is followed by a clause but no clause before
B. they have consistently recorded faster times ever since, those of horses in classic races such as the Kentucky Derby have shown little improvement in winning times - Illogical comparison - "human runners" to "those of horses"
C. have consistently recorded faster times ever since, horses in classic races such as the Kentucky Derby have shown little improvement in winning times - Correct
D. have consistently recorded faster times ever since, in those of classic races such as the Kentucky Derby, horses have had winning times with little improvement - illogically compares human runner to "those of classic races", where it's not even clear what the pronoun "those" refers to, but definitely not horses, which is the only noun that can logically compare to a human runner in the context of this sentence. 
E. consistently recorded faster times ever since, those of horses in classic races such as the Kentucky Derby have shown little improvement in winning times - Illogical comparison - "human runners" to "those of horses"

Answer C

meenakshimiyer · Answer

The use of pronoun “they” is redundant and wrong as we have already introduced the subject “human runners” with “who” in the same sentence. So, eliminate A and B. 
Choice D and E comparison of “human runners” with “horses” is not clear. Hence, D and E are out. Choice C has the clear comparison and the right use of pronoun. Hence, C is the answer.

CrackverbalGMAT · Answer

This question is based on Comparison and Structure.

The noun placed immediately after the conjunction ‘unlike’ provides the basis of comparison. In this sentence, the noun is ‘human runners’. In Option A, the comparison is between  ‘human runners’  and  ‘horses in classic races’ .  This comparison is logical but the sentence also requires parallelism in the modifier that describes ‘human runners’. The modifier “who broke the four-minute mile in 1954 and they consistently recorded faster times ever since” lacks parallelism as “who broke” cannot be parallel to “they consistently recorded”.  So,  Option A  can be eliminated.

The same error of parallelism is present in Option B also. Option B also has an error comparison.  In this option,  ‘human runners’  is compared to the phrase  “those of horses” . So,  Option B  can also be ruled out.

In Option C, the comparison is appropriate  because  ‘human runners’  are compared to  ‘horses in classic races” .  The error of parallelism in Option A has been rectified in this option.  The modifier “who broke the four-minute mile in 1954 and have consistently recorded faster times ever since” maintains parallelism because the verb ‘broke’ is parallel to ‘have recorded’. The two verbs signify two actions done by human runners and convey the actions in the appropriate tenses.  So, Option C is the best of all the options.

In Option D, the comparison seems to be between  ‘human runners’  and the phrase  ‘in those of classic races’.   This comparison is completely illogical. So, Option D  can be eliminated.

In Option E, the comparison is between  ‘human runners’  and the phrase  ‘those of horses’ .  Option E also contains a tense error.  The simple past tense cannot be used with the conjunction ‘since’. The verb ‘recorded’ should instead have been in the present perfect tense ‘have recorded’. So,  Option E  can also be eliminated.

Therefore, C is the most appropriate option.

Jayanthi Kumar.

Ansh777 · Answer

who broke the four-minute mile in 1954 and they consistently recorded faster times ever since   remove this modifier to see what values are compared.

Unlike Human runners…. Horses  
Unlike Human Runner..., those of horses; runner   of horses or human of horses

Between A & C. 
"ever since" indicates that present perfect is needed "have shown,
"have recorded" is parallel to " have shown", Also C conveys clear meaning.

Correct: C

Abhishek009 · Answer

Must be (C)-

Unlike   human runners,   who broke the four-minute mile in 1954 and have consistently recorded faster times ever since,   horses   in classic races such as the Kentucky Derby have shown little improvement in winning times : Secretariat’s world-record-breaking Derby tine of 1:59 2/5, for example, was set in 1973 and remained unsurpassed more than a quarter of a century later.

VerbalBot · Answer

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Unlike human runners, who broke the four-minute mile in 1954

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Unlike human runners, who broke the four-minute mile in 1954

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