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Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
prasannar wrote:
Until recently, the Inuit people led a nomadic existence, sheltering in igloos, the ice-block domes that are peculiar to north-central Canada, and in structures made of stones, bones, driftwood, and skins.
(A) Until recently, the Inuit people led a nomadic existence, sheltering
(B) During recent times, the Inuit people lead a nomadic existence, sheltering
(C) In the times that are recent, the Inuit people led a nomadic existence, sheltered
(D) Up until recently, the Inuit people, leading a nomadic existence, have sheltered
(E) Until recent times, leading a nomadic existence, the Inuit people were sheltered
Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of the crucial part of this sentence is that until recently, the Inuit people led a nomadic existence, and as a part of doing so they sheltered in igloos.
Concepts tested here: Meaning + Verb Forms + Tenses + Grammatical Construction + Idioms + Awkwardness/Redundancy • The simple past tense is used to refer to events that concluded in the past.
• The simple present tense is used to indicate actions taking place in the current time frame, indicate habitual actions, state universal truths, and convey information that is permanent in nature.
• The present perfect tense (marked by the use of the helping verb “has/have”) is used to describe events that concluded in the past but continue to affect the present.
• Information that is vital to the core meaning of the sentence must not be placed between commas.
• "during" conveys a sense of continuity over time.
A: Correct. The sentence formed by this answer choice uses the phrase "sheltering in igloos", conveying the intended meaning - that the Inuit people led a nomadic existence, and
as a part of doing so they sheltered
themselves in igloos. Further, Option A correctly uses the simple past tense verb "led" to refer to an action that concluded in the past. Additionally, Option A uses the phrase "Until recently", avoiding the idiomatic error seen in Option B and the tense error in Option C. Moreover, Option A avoids the tense error seen in Option D, as it uses the "comma + present participle ("verb+ing" - "sheltering" in this sentence) rather than an active verb. Option A also avoids the grammatical construction error seen in Options D and E, as it places no information between commas. Besides, Option A is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.
B: This answer choice incorrectly uses the simple present tense verb "lead" to refer to an action that concluded in the past; remember, the simple past tense is used to refer to events that concluded in the past, and the simple present tense is used to indicate actions taking place in the current time frame, indicate habitual actions, state universal truths, and convey information that is permanent in nature. Further, Option B unidiomatically uses "During" without reference to a sense of continuity; remember, "during" conveys a sense of continuity over time.
C: The sentence formed by this answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "sheltered in igloos"; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that the Inuit people led a nomadic existence, and
as a separate action they sheltered in igloos; the intended meaning is that the Inuit people led a nomadic existence, and
as a part of doing so they sheltered in igloos. Further, Option C incorrectly uses the simple present tense verb "are" to refer to an action that concluded in the past; remember, the simple past tense is used to refer to events that concluded in the past, and the simple present tense is used to indicate actions taking place in the current time frame, indicate habitual actions, state universal truths, and convey information that is permanent in nature. Additionally, Option C uses the needlessly wordy phrase "In the times that are recent", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.
D: Trap. This answer choice incorrectly uses the present perfect tense verb "have sheltered" to refer to an action that concluded in the past; remember, the simple past tense is used to refer to an event that concluded in the past, and the present perfect tense (marked by the use of the helping verb “has/have”) is used to describe events that concluded in the past but continue to affect the present. Further, Option D incorrectly places information that is vital to the core meaning of the sentence - the fact that the Inuit people led a nomadic existence - between two commas; remember, information that is vital to the core meaning of the sentence must not be placed between commas. Additionally, Option D uses the needlessly wordy phrase "Up until recently", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.
E: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the clause "the Inuit people were sheltered"; the construction of this clause incorrectly implies that the Inuit people were sheltered
by someone else in igloos; the intended meaning is that the Inuit people sheltered
themselves in igloos. Further, Option E incorrectly places information that is vital to the core meaning of the sentence - the fact that the Inuit people led a nomadic existence - between two commas; remember, information that is vital to the core meaning of the sentence must not be placed between commas. Additionally, Option E uses the needlessly wordy phrase "Until recent times", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.
Hence, A is the best answer choice.To understand the concept of "Simple Tenses" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):
To understand the concept of "Present Perfect Tense" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):
To understand the usage of a pair of commas on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~4 minutes):
All the best!
Experts' Global Team
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