Sentence Correction

632. Selling several hundred thousand copies in six months, the publication of “Maple Leaf Rag” in 1899 was an instant hit, helping to establish Scott Joplin as the preeminent ragtime composer.
(A) Selling several hundred thousand copies in six months, the publication of “Maple Leaf Rag” in 1899 was an instant hit, helping to establish Scott Joplin as the preeminent ragtime composer.
(B) The publication in 1899 of “Maple Leaf Rag” was an instant hit: in six months they sold several hundred thousand copies and it helped establish Scott Joplin as the preeminent ragtime composer.
(C) Helping to establish Scott Joplin as the preeminent ragtime composer was the publication of “Maple Leaf Rag” in 1899, which was an instant hit: it sold several hundred thousand copies in six months.
(D) “Maple Leaf Rag” was an instant hit: it helped establish Scott Joplin as the preeminent ragtime composer, published in 1899 and selling several hundred thousand copies in six months.
(E) Published in 1899, “Maple Leaf Rag” was an instant hit, selling several hundred thousand copies in six months: it helped establish Scott Joplin as the preeminent ragtime composer.


OA is E .

pl explain

IMO A........

IMO E

(A) Selling several hundred thousand copies in six months, the publication of “Maple Leaf Rag” in 1899 was an instant hit, helping to establish Scott Joplin as the preeminent ragtime composer.
Modifier issue

(B) The publication in 1899 of “Maple Leaf Rag” was an instant hit: in six months they sold several hundred thousand copies and it helped establish Scott Joplin as the preeminent ragtime composer.
'They', missing antecedent

C) Helping to establish Scott Joplin as the preeminent ragtime composer was the publication of “Maple Leaf Rag” in 1899, which was an instant hit: it sold several hundred thousand copies in six months.
Awkward construction, publication of X didn't establish him as a preeminent composer

D) “Maple Leaf Rag” was an instant hit: it helped establish Scott Joplin as the preeminent ragtime composer, published in 1899 and selling several hundred thousand copies in six months
published in 1899 and selling several hundred thousand copies in six months, is not parallel construction

E explains the events in proper sequence; Plz keep in mind this is also a pattern tested in GMAT.

IMO E.

Structure of E is better than others

IMO 'A'

Sorry for posting wrong answer.....correct answer is E

But I think something wrong with E.

(E) Published in 1899, “Maple Leaf Rag” was an instant hit, selling several hundred thousand copies in six months: it helped establish Scott Joplin as the preeminent ragtime composer.

Based on E, “Maple Leaf Rag” was published in 1899, and at the same time, “Maple Leaf Rag” are selling several hundred thousand copies?

I think that “Maple Leaf Rag” was sold, not "selling"

E is defntly better than any other option.

but the meaning of E is " X was a hit, selling 1000 books "

How can a book sell itself....it is to be sold by someone--I remember i read this somewhere.

Rashmi1804 wrote:E is defntly better than any other option.

but the meaning of E is " X was a hit, selling 1000 books "

How can a book sell itself....it is to be sold by someone--I remember i read this somewhere.

I believe the use of -ing in this case is equivalent to resulting in and that's why

Real fight was between D and E.

E has modifiers at right place compare with D.

D) “Maple Leaf Rag” was an instant hit: it helped establish Scott Joplin as the preeminent ragtime composer, published in 1899 and selling several hundred thousand copies in six months

See the Bold face

Maple Leaf rag has to be close with the other bold face part, don't you think??

So answer is E

Other than discussing this question, I would like to give you people an interesting fact:

Whenever the complete sentence is underline, look for Answers starting from E and go to A

like E=>D=>C=>B=>A

This is a trick, I saw this trick in many GMAT flash cards. It really helps.

Karan

you are right!! Even I noticed it...........E --->A!!

(A) Selling several hundred thousand copies in six months, the publication of “Maple Leaf Rag” in 1899 was an instant hit, helping to establish Scott Joplin as the preeminent ragtime composer.
'helping to establish' is not correct

(B) The publication in 1899 of “Maple Leaf Rag” was an instant hit: in six months they sold several hundred thousand copies and it helped establish Scott Joplin as the preeminent ragtime composer.
they is ambiguos

(C) Helping to establish Scott Joplin as the preeminent ragtime composer was the publication of “Maple Leaf Rag” in 1899, which was an instant hit: it sold several hundred thousand copies in six months.
doesnt really make sense

(D) “Maple Leaf Rag” was an instant hit: it helped establish Scott Joplin as the preeminent ragtime composer, published in 1899 and selling several hundred thousand copies in six months.
sounds like Mr Joplin was published

(E) Published in 1899, “Maple Leaf Rag” was an instant hit, selling several hundred thousand copies in six months: it helped establish Scott Joplin as the preeminent ragtime composer.

looks the best to me

@delhiboy

I hope you don't mind this, but I did not understand your post.
I think it is the question itself, do you want to give some solution or explanation to the question

gmat740 wrote:@delhiboy

I hope you don't mind this, but I did not understand your post.
I think it is the question itself, do you want to give some solution or explanation to the question

???.. i can see my explanations under each option. Its not italicised or bold which might be why you are confused.