Sentence Correction

In late 1997, the chambers inside the pyramid of the Pharaoh Menkaure at Giza were closed to visitors for cleaning and repair due to moisture exhaled by tourists, which raised its humidity to such levels so that salt from the stone was crystallizing and fungus was growing on the walls.

(A) due to moisture exhaled by tourists, which raised its humidity to such levels so that salt from the stone was crystallizing
(B) due to moisture that tourists had exhaled,
thereby raising its humidity to such levels that
salt from the stone would crystallize
(C) because tourists were exhaling moisture, which
had raised the humidity within them to levels
such that salt from the stone would crystallize
(D) because of moisture that was exhaled by tourists
raising the humidity within them to levels so high
as to make the salt from the stone crystallize
(E) because moisture exhaled by tourists had raised
the humidity within them to such levels that salt
from the stone was crystallizing

The OA is E
The explanation given in the OG is that the Pronoun "Them" refers to Tourists clearly in the option. Why do we remove D then? Both of the sentences have them far from what it is referring to -"Tourists"

'them' refers back to the main subject of the sentence.

The problem with 'D' is not 'them' but awkward construction

because of moisture that was exhaled by tourists
raising the humidity within them to levels so high

Two issues in this sentence.
i) because of moisture raising the humidity
This construction is generally wrong in Gmat.
ii)Meaning is not properly conveyed.
Actual Meaning is- Moisture raised the humidity, and thus salt was crystallizing
As per 'D' the meaning is-Moisture raised the humidity to make the salt crystallize

Whether C is wrong because of the use of "would".

Please clarify.

What is the difference between the usage of 'because' and 'because of'?

E, it takes me 2 minutes.

gunjan1208 wrote:In late 1997, the chambers inside the pyramid of the Pharaoh Menkaure at Giza were closed to visitors for cleaning and repair due to moisture exhaled by tourists, which raised its humidity to such levels so that salt from the stone was crystallizing and fungus was growing on the walls.

(A) due to moisture exhaled by tourists, which raised its humidity to such levels so that salt from the stone was crystallizing
(B) due to moisture that tourists had exhaled,
thereby raising its humidity to such levels that
salt from the stone would crystallize
(C) because tourists were exhaling moisture, which
had raised the humidity within them to levels
such that salt from the stone would crystallize
(D) because of moisture that was exhaled by tourists
raising the humidity within them to levels so high
as to make the salt from the stone crystallize
(E) because moisture exhaled by tourists had raised
the humidity within them to such levels that salt
from the stone was crystallizing

The OA is E
The explanation given in the OG is that the Pronoun "Them" refers to Tourists clearly in the option. Why do we remove D then? Both of the sentences have them far from what it is referring to -"Tourists"

Look for easy ways to eliminate answers.

In B, C and D, crystallize is not parallel with was growing. Eliminate B, C and D.

In A, its (singular) does not agree with chambers (plural): the CHAMBERS...were closed...which raised ITS humidity. Eliminate A.

The correct answer is E.

ranjeet75 wrote:
What is the difference between the usage of 'because' and 'because of'?

"Because" is a subordinators, it should join two clause.

I went to the market(clause-1) because I wanted to buy X ( clause - 2)

"Because of" is a two word that is always followed by a noun.

The meeting was cancelled because of rain(noun).

Addition to the explanation of all guy above. The usage of "due to" is also wrong here, and I agree with choice E is correct one.

You must develop an eye for figuring out "things that matter" in a sentence. Clearly we are talking about the humidity of "chambers" (plural) and so, A and B, both of which use "its humidity" (singular), are incorrect.

Now, C, D and E all use "them" in a similar manner. So, your question about what "them" refers to and whether it really refers to "chambers" (or to "tourists" or "visitors" or anything else for that matter) is a moot point.

I think that BECAUSE is preferred over DUE TO, both can stand in the sentences. Can you please explain what is wrong with due to here or correct usage of due to/because.

tuanquang269 wrote:Addition to the explanation of all guy above. The usage of "due to" is also wrong here, and I agree with choice E is correct one.

Look for easy ways to eliminate answers.

In B, C and D, crystallize is not parallel with was growing. Eliminate B, C and D.

In A, its (singular) does not agree with chambers (plural): the CHAMBERS...were closed...which raised ITS humidity. Eliminate A.

The correct answer is E.

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Hi GMATGuruNY ,

Can you please explain the role of HAD in OA?

Thanks.

rsarashi wrote:Hi GMATGuruNY ,

Can you please explain the role of HAD in OA?

Thanks.

The past perfect (had + VERBed) expresses a past action completed before another past event.
OA: The chambers were closed because moisture had raised the humidity.
Here, the usage of had raised conveys that the act of raising the humidity was completed before the past event in blue.

The past perfect (had + VERBed) expresses a past action completed before another past event.
OA: The chambers were closed because moisture had raised the humidity.
Here, the usage of had raised conveys that the act of raising the humidity was completed before the past event in blue.

Hi GMATGuruNY ,

Thank you so much sir for your reply.

Understood.