The cost of college education being rising exponentially has become on

Question

The cost of college education being rising exponentially has become one of the foremost economical  and political issues of the current presidential election.

(A) The cost of college education being rising exponentially has become one of the foremost economical
(B) The exponentially rising cost of college education has become one of the foremost economical
(C) That the cost of college education is rising exponentially has become one of the foremost economical
(D) That the cost of college education is rising at an exponential rate has become one of the foremost economic 
(E) The cost of college education being rising exponentially has become one of the foremost economic

Project SC Butler 
 For SC butler Questions  Click Here

zhanbo · Answer

My answer is (D) . For the difference between "economical" and "economic", see https://www.vocabulary.com/articles/cho ... conomical/ Here, economic should be used. Eliminate (ABC). In (E), " being " in "The cost of college education being rising exponentially" is superfluous. Also, "rising" modifies "college education", not "cost".

PyjamaScientist · Answer

" Economical " means "being thrifty" and "not wasteful" and pertains to "using no more of something than is necessary."
" Economic " refers to "transfer of wealth" or "relating to economics or the economy." 
With this meaning difference alone you can get rid of A/B and C.

Between (D) and (E), (E) is an ugly looking choice compared to clear and precise (D).

Also, That-clause  ("That the cost of college education is rising at an exponential rate")  in (D) takes correct singular verb  ("has become") .

Bunuel · Answer

Experts' Global Official Explanation:

Pronouns + Meaning + Redundancy/Awkwardness

Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of this sentence is that the fact that the cost of college education is rising at an exponential rate has become one of the foremost economic and political issues of the current presidential election.

• The correct adjective form of “economics” is “economic”; “economical” is an adjective that refers to the quality of being inexpensive. 
• “being” is only to be used when it is part of a noun phrase or represents the passive continuous verb tense; the use of passive continuous must be justified in the context.

A. This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “foremost economical and political issues…”; the use of “economical” illogically implies the fact that the cost of college education is rising at an exponential rate has become one of the most inexpensive issues of the current presidential election; the intended meaning of the sentence is that the fact that the cost of college education is rising at an exponential rate has become one of the foremost economic and political issues of the current presidential election. Further, Option A is needlessly wordy due to its use of the word “being”; please remember, “being” is only to be used when it is part of a noun phrase or represents the passive continuous verb tense.

B. Trap. This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “foremost economical and political issues…”; the use of “economical” illogically implies the fact that the cost of college education is rising at an exponential rate has become one of the most inexpensive issues of the current presidential election; the intended meaning of the sentence is that the fact that the cost of college education is rising at an exponential rate has become one of the foremost economic and political issues of the current presidential election.

C. This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “foremost economical and political issues…”; the use of “economical” illogically implies the fact that the cost of college education is rising at an exponential rate has become one of the most inexpensive issues of the current presidential election; the intended meaning of the sentence is that the fact that the cost of college education is rising at an exponential rate has become one of the foremost economic and political issues of the current presidential election.

D. Correct.  This answer choice uses the phrase “one of the foremost economic and political issues…”, conveying the intended meaning of the sentence- thatthe fact that the cost of college education is rising at an exponential rate has become one of the foremost economic and political issues of the current presidential election. Further, Option D is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.

E. Trap. This answer choice is needlessly wordy due to its use of the word “being”; please remember, “being” is only to be used when it is part of a noun phrase or represents the passive continuous verb tense.

D is the best answer choice.

Bunuel · Answer

Experts' Global Video Explanation:

tXXjKkIqRhI

VerbalBot · Answer

Automated notice from GMAT Club VerbalBot: 

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

 This post was generated automatically.

The cost of college education being rising exponentially has become on

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Sentence Correction (SC - EA only) Questions

The cost of college education being rising exponentially has become on

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards