The disaster agency revealed to the press the power of the

Question

The disaster agency revealed to the press the power of the hurricane and the extent of its damage, and, with continuing rain preventing relief efforts, it expressed fear of the welfare of the survivors.
(A) with continuing rain preventing relief efforts, it expressed fear of
(B) with continuing rain preventing relief efforts, they expressed fear for
(C) because continuing rain was preventing relief efforts, they expressed fear for
(D) because continuing rain was preventing relief efforts, they expressed fear of
(E) because continuing rain was preventing relief efforts, it expressed fear for

Many words idiomatically take a single preposition, but some take more than one, and which they take depends on context. This is called a "mixed idiom." One thing tested in this question is the mixed idiom --- here, "fear for" vs. "fear of".

Here's a free idiom ebook:
https://magoosh.com/gmat/2013/gmat-idiom-ebook/

Here's a blog that discusses several mixed idioms and gives a full explanation for this particular question:
https://magoosh.com/gmat/2013/mixed-idioms-on-the-gmat/

Mike :-)

mba1382 · Answer

Good question. :-)

I eliminated A & D considering the idiom "Fear of" vs "Fear for". Then finally selected Option E for the simple reason of "it" referring to agency as there is an incompatible referent for "they" in other sentences.

seabhi · Answer

Good question. 
Is "It" referring to the "Agency" or the "Press".

thatsmeshilpa · Answer

Really tricky question. The answer is E as "fear for" is the correct idiom here

mikemcgarry · Answer

Dear seabhi, I'm happy to respond. :-)

The Agency is the main subject and the folks at the Agency are the ones doing the talking --- the press is only in a receptive role in this sentence, receiving the statement of the Agency. Therefore, it's very clear the "it" refers to the Agency. Does this make sense? Mike :-)

seabhi · Answer

@mikemcgarry
thanks for the explanation.

anuj.gmat · Answer

Hi Mike,

Can you please elaborate more on the use of 'because of' & 'due to'?

daagh · Answer

'Fear of' is a misfit in the contest primarily because it may wrongly mean that the Agency itself was frightened by the survivors' welfare, or the Agency merely repeated the survivors' fears about their own welfare rather than bringing out the agency's concern about the survivors' welfare. On the contrary, 'fear for' brings out the intended meaning forthrightly.

mikemcgarry · Answer

Dear anuj.gmat , I'm happy to respond. :-)

Here's a blog that discusses the matter in depth. GMAT Sentence Correction: the “Due To” Mistake Let me know if you have any questions. Mike :-)

anuj.gmat · Answer

Mike, You're a true savior.. Thanks

origen87 · Answer

mike 
Thanks for everything amazing you put out on the forum.

I totally understand the reason as to why E is the right answer, but I want to learn about the modifiers in option A and E. In both the sentences 'it expressed fear' seems to be a result of the modifier. Could you please let me know if my understanding is correct here.

A) with continuing rain preventing relief efforts
B) because continuing rain was preventing relief efforts

Thanks

Skywalker18 · Answer

The disaster agency revealed to the press the power of the hurricane and the extent of its damage, and,  with continuing rain preventing relief efforts, it expressed fear of  the welfare of the survivors. 
(A) with continuing rain preventing relief efforts, it expressed fear of - Idiom fear of is incorrect as it leads to illogical meaning
(B) with continuing rain preventing relief efforts, they expressed fear for - usage of plural they for the singular agency
(C) because continuing rain was preventing relief efforts, they expressed fear for - usage of plural they for the singular agency
(D) because continuing rain was preventing relief efforts, they expressed fear of - usage of plural they for the singular agency; fear of idiom is incorrect here
(E) because continuing rain was preventing relief efforts, it expressed fear for - Correct

Answer E

akshayk · Answer

A,D are immediately out. We need 'for' instead of 'of'.
B,C are out as these sentences refers to 'The disaster agency' as 'they'. Out.

We are left with E, and that is the answer.

mikemcgarry · Answer

Dear origen87 , I'm happy to respond. :-)

Thank you for your kind words. :-)

Here's what I'll say. Read this blog article: with + noun + participle on GMAT Sentence Correction That article spells out the precise distinction at play here. Let me know if you have any questions about this. Mike :-)

Madhavi1990 · Answer

My reasoning:

The disaster agency revealed to the press the power of the hurricane and the extent of its damage, and,  with continuing rain preventing relief efforts ,  it expressed fear of  the welfare of the survivors. 
(A) with continuing rain preventing relief efforts, it expressed fear of - meaning issue - you cannot really fear survivors' welfare ('fear of') 
(B) with continuing rain preventing relief efforts, they expressed fear for  they - wrong pronoun for 'agency'/ 'with' doesn't really show the cumulative effect of rain that gets in the way of relief efforts 
(C) because continuing rain was preventing relief efforts, they expressed fear for  'they' not correct for agency 
(D) because continuing rain was preventing relief efforts, they expressed fear of  'fear of' 
(E) because continuing rain was preventing relief efforts, it expressed fear for  uses 'it'for agency and 'fear for' the survivors well being 
  So E is correct is all respects

aragonn · Answer

Official Explanation 
Split #1: "with" vs. "because". This part of the sentence describes an action with a noun and a verb. For describing a full action, the GMAT does not find acceptable the structure: "with"   . That's too much action to cram into a preposition phrase. If you want to talk about that much action, use a full   +   clause, with a subordinate modifier, such as "because". The forms with a full clause beginning with the word "because" are correct. Choices (A) & (B) are incorrect.

Split #2: pronoun agreement. The "disaster agency" may have several employees, but it's a singular collective noun, and we need to refer to it by a singular pronoun: "it". Choices (B) & (C) use the incorrect plural pronoun.

Split #3: idiom with "fear". The "disaster agency" most certainly does not view the " welfare of the survivors" as a threat or something to fear. Rather, it is concerned for the survivors precisely because their "welfare" is threatened by circumstances. The idiom "fear of" is totally incorrect in this context; the correct idiom here is "fear for". Choices (A) & (D) use the incorrect idiom.

The only possible answer is (E).

chn989 · Answer

I have one question: "its" refers to the hurricane while "it" refers to the agency, is this ambiguity accepted in GMAT? I think in a sentence, "it" and "its" should refer to the same antecedent.

SALAKSHYA · Answer

Hello Mike, 
I read somewhere that when two "its" are used then they must refer to same noun but here 
The disaster agency revealed to the press the power of the hurricane and the extent of  its  damage, and, with continuing rain preventing relief efforts,  it  expressed fear of the welfare of the survivors. 
 these are referring to different antecedents.

jrk23 · Answer

i have the same doubt, anyone please explain.

VerbalBot · Answer

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The disaster agency revealed to the press the power of the

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