Sentence Correction

Because her mother was unable to support a family, Marilyn Monroes spent the first seven years of her life with a couple who became foster parents to supplement their income.

a. her life with a couple who became foster parents to supplement their income
b. their life with a couple who became foster parents to supplement thier income
c. her life with a couple who became foster parents to supplement Marilyn's income
d. her mother's life with a couple who became foster parents to supplement their income
e. the child's life with a couple who became foster parents to supplement the couple's income

I am confused with the choice between 'their income' or 'her income'
Are we talking about Marilyn's income or foster parents income.
Can someone explain

I am with C as I do not see an antecedent for 'their'

Yes even I guessed C, But the OA is A.
Can someone explain why it is A

It's A or C because of the split between who's life we're talking about.

I chose A because C changes the meaning. They are supplementing their own income, not Marilyn's.

abcgmat wrote:Because her mother was unable to support a family, Marilyn Monroes spent the first seven years of her life with a couple who became foster parents to supplement their income.

a. her life with a couple who became foster parents to supplement their income
b. their life with a couple who became foster parents to supplement thier income
c. her life with a couple who became foster parents to supplement Marilyn's income
d. her mother's life with a couple who became foster parents to supplement their income
e. the child's life with a couple who became foster parents to supplement the couple's income

I am confused with the choice between 'their income' or 'her income'
Are we talking about Marilyn's income or foster parents income.
Can someone explain

Only one meaning makes sense: Marilyn Monroe spent the first seven years of HER life with a couple who became foster parents to supplement THEIR [the couple's] income.

The correct answer is A.

FOSTER parents are non-bioligical, non-adoptive parents who take in a child in need. In most cases, foster parents receive financial support. Although it is hoped that the foster parents will use the money to care for the child, the money goes not to the child but to the PARENTS.

Interesting fact there, yet I find it absurd because if the government or whoever is responsible for doling out financial aid to foster couples, they might as well redirect that aid to the biological mother

sl750 wrote:Interesting fact there, yet I find it absurd because if the government or whoever is responsible for doling out financial aid to foster couples, they might as well redirect that aid to the biological mother

Typically, foster parents take in a child whose biological parents have fled, died or been deemed unfit (perhaps because of a drug abuse problem). Hence, the financial support is given to the foster parents.

Hi GMATGuruNY,

Thanks a lot for explaining 'Foster parents'. But this required us to know that foster parents receive financial aid. if we have not heard of this practice before, I think this question would be hard to crack.