V08-19

Official Solution:

Wilhelm I was recognized by the Treaty of Frankfurt as the Emperor in 1871, when Germany first became a single, unified state.

A. Wilhelm I was recognized by the Treaty of Frankfurt as the Emperor in 1871, when Germany first became a single, unified state.
B. Wilhelm I was recognized by the Treaty of Frankfurt in 1871 as Emperor, when Germany first became a single, unified state.
C. Germany first became a single, unified state in 1871, when the Emperor Wilhelm I was recognized by the Treaty of Frankfurt.
D. Germany first became a single unified state in 1871, when the Treaty of Frankfurt recognized Wilhelm I as Emperor.
E. In 1871, Germany first became a single, unified state, when the Treaty of Frankfurt recognized Wilhelm I as the Emperor of the country.


A. A is wrong not because it conveys a wrong meaning, but because it may be interpreted in two different ways and is hence ambiguous:

B. Wrong position of dependent clause modifier "when Germany...."- should ideally touch "1871".

C. Problematic meaning: This option conveys that Wilhelm was already an emperor when the treaty recognized him. It is not clear the treaty recognized him as what.

D. CORRECT.

E. Wrong position of dependent clause modifier "when Germany...."- should ideally touch "1871".


Answer: D
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The question has been revised and edited. Thank you sayantanc2k !!!
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gmatophobia
Bunuel souvik101990 mikemcgarry

1.As per OE – Option B is wrong because position of dependent clause modifier "when Germany...."- should ideally touch "1871". To understand this, because I thought in 1871 should go to when was Wilhelm recognized as emperor. How to decipher the intended meaning, as per solution the meaning in option A itself is ambiguous. I have been using option A to understand the intended meaning
2.Usage of when is correct here because?

In option D, "the" is omitted before the Emperor. Wouldn't this change the meaning?

GMATNinja Could you please explain why B is wrong here? What is the touch rule mentioned in the OE?

souvik101990

In option A, can you please elaborate on how did you arrive at 2nd interpretation?

egmat
can you help me with this one?