Official ExplanationDespite the increase in annual precipitation, most meteorologists acknowledged
that the precipitation was unlikely to continue increasing and that snow and rainfall remained largely the same.
A. that the precipitation was unlikely to continue increasing and that snow and rainfall remained B. that it was unlikely for the precipitation continuing to increase and for snow and rainfall to remainC. that the precipitation was unlikely to continue to increase, with snow and rainfall to remainD. on the unlikelihood that the precipitation would continue increasing and that snow and rainfall remainedE. on the unlikelihood that the precipitation would continue to increase and for snow and rainfall to remainThis question deals with parallelism. The things the meteorologists agreed on must be worded the same way. We also need to make sure the verbs used in both phrases match. Let’s take a closer look at each option and see how they stack up:
A. that the precipitation was unlikely to continue increasing and that snow and rainfall remainedThis is
CORRECT. This sentence is parallel, indicated by using “that” twice in this sentence “that the precipitation” and “that snow and rainfall.” It also includes past-tense verbs in both phrases.
B. that it was unlikely for the precipitation continuing to increase and for snow and rainfall to remainThis is
INCORRECT. The sentence is not parallel, indicated by using “that” and “for” at the beginning of each phrase. The phrase “unlikely for” is also not idiomatic.
C. that the precipitation was unlikely to continue to increase, with snow and rainfall to remainThis is
INCORRECT. The sentence is not parallel, indicated by using “that” and “with.” There is also a past-tense “was unlikely to increase” and present tense “to remain,” which don’t match.
D. on the unlikelihood that the precipitation would continue increasing and that snow and rainfall remainedThis is
INCORRECT. The sentence is not parallel, indicated by using “on the unlikelihood that,” and “with.” The phrase “acknowledged on the likelihood that” is not idiomatic either. Also, the verbs don’t really match up: “would continue” is a hypothetical tense, and “remained” is just plain past tense.
E. on the unlikelihood that the precipitation would continue to increase and for snow and rainfall to remainThis is
INCORRECT. The sentence is not parallel, indicated by using “on the unlikelihood that,” and “for.” The phrase “acknowledged on the likelihood that” is not idiomatic either. Also, these verbs don’t match up: “would continue” is a hypothetical tense, and “to remain” is present tense.
There you have it - option A was the correct choice all along!Don’t study for the GMAT. Train for it.