1000SC Qn:12

[scorpion_phoenix]

A little under a million years ago, the briny waters of the Baltic Sea began flooding into the cold North Atlantic: geologists are still debating whether the flood was gradual or created a cataclysm.

(A) whether the flood was gradual or created a cataclysm

(B) if the flood was gradual or created a cataclysm

(C) about whether the flood was gradual or cataclysmic

(D) whether the flood was gradual or cataclysmic

(E) whether the flood was gradual or it created a cataclysm

OA=D

I answered this correctly. I'm just curious to see what other logic can be used to arrive at the same answer.

[El Cucu]

A little under a million years ago, the briny waters of the Baltic Sea began flooding into the cold North Atlantic: geologists are still debating whether the flood was gradual or created a cataclysm.

(A) whether the flood was gradual or created a cataclysm

(B) if the flood was gradual or created a cataclysm

(C) about whether the flood was gradual or cataclysmic

(D) whether the flood was gradual or cataclysmic

(E) whether the flood was gradual or it created a cataclysm

OA=D

I answered this correctly. I'm just curious to see what other logic can be used to arrive at the same answer.

whehter : alternatives
if: conditional
B & C out
Paralellism between was x or y
Only D complies that.

[rs2010]

D has correct adjectives which are modifying flood.

[ken3233]

A little under a million years ago, the briny waters of the Baltic Sea began flooding into the cold North Atlantic: geologists are still debating whether the flood was gradual or created a cataclysm.

(A) whether the flood was gradual or created a cataclysm

(B) if the flood was gradual or created a cataclysm

(C) about whether the flood was gradual or cataclysmic

(D) whether the flood was gradual or cataclysmic

(E) whether the flood was gradual or it created a cataclysm

OA=D

I answered this correctly. I'm just curious to see what other logic can be used to arrive at the same answer.

D - is correct because it uses two adjectives, which satisfies the parallel structure requirement.

A & E - can be eliminated because they violate the parallelism rule.
B - is wrong because it lacks parallel structure, and because the use of "if" is unidiomatic (see page 193 of MGMAT SC).
C - is wrong because it "...about whether..." is redundant.

If my reasoning is incorrect here, I would appreciate it someone could explain why. Thanks.

[tanviet]

why C is wrong? "about" is redundant?, pls explain

[rs2010]

gradual or cataclysmic is not parallel.