While some of the blood samples were contaminated today,

Question

While some of the blood samples were contaminated today, rendering them useless for further experiments, the scientists  already finished their research.

(A) the same

(B) While some of the blood samples had been contaminated today, rendering them useless for further experiments, the scientists

(C) Some of the blood samples had been contaminated today, rendering them useless for further experiments; fortunately, the scientists had

(D) While some of the blood samples were contaminated today, rendering them useless for further experiments, the scientists had

(E) Today some of the blood samples were contaminated, rendering them useless for further experiments, but the scientists

I would eliminate A, B and D because they begin with  while .
Then, between C and E, would choose E, because of  had been  in C

Any comment?

mbagal1 · Answer

What is wrong with the use of while in the beginning of a sentence? I was contemplating between C and D. I decided to go with D because it sequences events correctly, with the use of past perfect. The scientists had already completed their research before the blood was contaminated. 

C I thought required a full stop rather than a semi colon, the two parts seem like separate sentences, although I was very tempted to choose C.

AK · Answer

D

Were ..had ...showing sequence of activities correctly

jvujuc · Answer

Well,  while  is suborinating conjuction. A clause that begins with a subordinating conjuction cannot stand  alone , which is here not a case.

At the second look, this can be a  verb tense  problem

(A) samples  were  contaminated - scientists  finished 
(B) samples  had been  contaminated - scientists  finished 
(C) samples  had been  contaminated - scientists  had finished 
(D) samples  were  contaminated - scientists  had finished 

Now I would choose  D 

Scientists  had  already  finished  their research, and then they saw that samples  were  contaminated

 

What is the logic problem in D?

arj_singh1976 · Answer

I have no clear explaination for E..but I picked up E for using 'but'. To me this shows a proper contranst in the sentence.

What is the OA for this. Please post OE if you have. thanks

terp26 · Answer

ill go with D ,you need past perfect tense, the scientists HAD completed their work, which occured before the cotamination happened

mramkumar · Answer

Answer simply was D for me because...

HAD already sounds perfect.

I didnt care about C because I doesn't matter to me if it is "fortunate" or "unfortunate". I mean, I do not like an additional word to the existing sentence even though it may sound correct.

A,B and are ruled out as they didn't have HAD.

aurobindo · Answer

usage of "while" in D does not look accurate. Does it?

SimaQ · Answer

I think semicolon is used when the two parts of the sentence can go independently.... however i would not pick C.

I do not see the connection of the two parts of the sentence in D.
 While some of the blood samples were contaminated today.....the scientists had already finished their research  This word  While  does not connect to  the researchers had already finished their research  i am not sure why this contamination should bother scientists at all....

In E however, it is clear that those blood samples, which were contaminated are somehow related with the scientists research. The word  but  connects the two parts of the sentence i think

I choose E.

kevincan · Answer

I think E is missing 'had'. In D, 'while' correctly sets up a contrast. Â¨While while is not my favourite word to do so, D is better than all other choices

asaf · Answer

A & B are out for obvious reasons. Letâ€™s simplify C, D & E.


(C) Some of the blood samples had been contaminated today; fortunately, the scientists had already finished their research.

(D) While some of the blood samples were contaminated today the scientists had already finished their research.

(E) Today some of the blood samples were contaminated but the scientists already finished their research.

D does not read right, so its out as we need something in between e.g. but to connect the two part.

E has both parts in past-simple (the 1st of course in passive) so we donâ€™t know which action had taken when.

We are left with C.

devansh_god · Answer

hey asaf,

i dont think v need a "but" when using "while" (pls correct me if i m wrong..... i wanna learn)
moreover, i think, that C gives useless extra information (fortunately....). But here we dont need the xtra info........
ill go with D
thats wot i think........... btw wots the OA??

asaf · Answer

hey asaf,

i dont think v need a "but" when using "while" (pls correct me if i m wrong..... i wanna learn)
moreover, i think, that C gives useless extra information (fortunately....). But here we dont need the xtra info........
ill go with D
thats wot i think........... btw wots the OA?? 

I thought the two parts in D did not go well together.

faifai0714 · Answer

What is the logic problem in D? 

read SimaQ's post

While some of the blood samples were contaminated today,

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