On Earth, among the surest indications of sunspot cycles are

Question

On Earth, among the surest indications of sunspot cycles are believed to be the rate that trees grow , as seen in the rings visible in the cross sections of their trunks.

A. On Earth, among the surest indications of sunspot cycles are believed to be the rate that trees grow
B. On Earth, among the surest indications of sunspot cycles are, it is believed, the rate of tree growth
C. On Earth, the rate at which trees grow is believed to be among the surest indications of sunspot cycles
D. Among the surest indications on Earth of sunspot cycles, believed to be the tree growth rate
E. Among the surest indications on Earth of sunspot cycles is believed to be the rate at which trees grow

OA lateR~~

ps_dahiya · Answer

On Earth, among the surest indications of sunspot cycles are believed to be the rate that trees grow , as seen in the rings visible in the cross sections of their trunks.

A. On Earth, among the surest indications of sunspot cycles  are  believed to be the  rate  that trees grow

 =====> rate is singular 

B. On Earth, among the surest indications of sunspot cycles  are , it is believed, the  rate  of tree growth

 =====> rate is singular 

C. On Earth, the rate at which trees grow is believed to be among the surest indications of sunspot cycles

  =====> CORRECT  

D. Among the surest indications on Earth of sunspot cycles,  IS  believed to be the tree growth rate

 =====> Verb "IS" missing 

E. Among the surest indications on Earth of sunspot cycles is believed to be the rate at which trees grow

 =====> misplaced words conveying wrong meaning

"indications on Earth of sunspot cycles" is wrong. Correct is "indications of sunspot cycles on Earth"

b14kumar · Answer

Similar reasoning.........
It's C.

Regards,
Brajesh

GMATT73 · Answer

Inverted, but E reads like a run-on sentence. Also "on earth" is misplaced.

This SC is really between A and C.

"The rate at which X verb (simple present" is a preferred construction on the GMAT.

Select (C) and click confirm

2:29

MA · Answer

matt, E is not a run-on. run-on has two clauses not connected by conjunctions. C is clearly wrong as "on earth" is misplaced.

GMATT73 · Answer

@MA

You do have a point about the run-on sentence, but I still think "on earth" is misplaced in E.

"of sunspot cycles on Earth" would be better.

Futuristic · Answer

C, what's the OA? Could someone talk a little bit about run-ons?

ps_dahiya · Answer

In Simple words: When two independent clauses are not joined by any conjunction then its called a run-on. Simple example I walk a lot, I rest a lot.: INCORRECT I walk a lot and I rest a lot: CORRECT. The conjunctions may be "and, for, or, nor, so" etc For more info visit: https://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/runons.htm

freetheking · Answer

OA is C
 <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/033102thanx_1_prv.gif" alt=":thanks" title="Thanks" />

xsports · Answer

Chose E. However, ps_dahiya's explanation clearly shows that C is the correct choice.

Nsentra · Answer

OA is not C. It' E. It doesn't make any sense to me.

Raghavender · Answer

Gud q dude....

Clear explanation Dahiya... :-D

On Earth, among the surest indications of sunspot cycles are

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