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by limestone » Thu Sep 09, 2010 11:10 am
Noting that the FED had raised a key short-term interest rate again last month, analysts said that they expected orders from durable goods to decline soon because rising interest rates makes it more expensive to buy them on credit.

B. rising interest rates make buying on credit more expensive
C. a rise in interest rate make it more expensive to buy on credit
D. a rise in interest rate make buying on credit more expensive
E. a rise in interest rate makes it more expensive for them to be bought on credit

My answer in the Prep1: A - I have just figured out the mistake I made. However, still need you guys help explain it clearer.

[spoiler]OA: B[/spoiler]
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by jaiti » Thu Sep 09, 2010 11:30 am
Hello.

Two errors in option A.

-"rising interest rates makes it", it should either read "rising interest rates make it" or "rising interest rate makes it"

-"to buy them on credit" is vague, and we have no idea to whom "them" refers to. Option B corrects both ot these mistakes.

YNWA
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by niksworth » Thu Sep 09, 2010 11:33 am
the referent of it is not clear. Eliminate A, C and E.
the referent of them is not clear. Eliminate A, E

A also has subject verb agreement error - rising interest rates (plu) makes (sing)
C also has subject verb agreement error - a rise in interest rate (sing) make (plu)
In addition E is wordy and awkward - for them to be bought on credit

Coming to B and D.
D has subject verb agreement error - a rise in interest rate (sing) make (plu)

B is free from all errors and is correct.
scio me nihil scire
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by gmat_perfect » Thu Sep 09, 2010 1:05 pm
limestone wrote:Noting that the FED had raised a key short-term interest rate again last month, analysts said that they expected orders from durable goods to decline soon because rising interest rates makes it more expensive to buy them on credit.

B. rising interest rates make buying on credit more expensive
C. a rise in interest rate make it more expensive to buy on credit
D. a rise in interest rate make buying on credit more expensive
E. a rise in interest rate makes it more expensive for them to be bought on credit

My answer in the Prep1: A - I have just figured out the mistake I made. However, still need you guys help explain it clearer.

[spoiler]OA: B[/spoiler]
analysts said that they expected orders from durable goods to decline soon because rising interest rates makes it more expensive to buy them on credit.

The issues:

1. A rise .......makes

--> This kills C and D.

2. Rising interest rates..............make:

--> This kills A.

A has another error.

What does the "it" refer to?

All the nouns--orders and goods-- that may be referred by "it" are plural. So, it does not have a clear referent.

3. "It" and "them" are the killers of E.

--> It is ambiguous as it is in A.
---> Them has more than one potential antecedents, so 'them' is ambiguous.

B is concise and grammatically correct.

Note: Never say that "it is awkward". There are obvious reasons for awkwardness of an answer choice.
Example:

In the choice E in this sentence, we have " a rise in interest rate makes it more expensive for them to be bought on credit.

What makes the bold part awkward?

Have some examples:

They have made it difficult for me to solve.---Correct.

They have made it difficult for me to be solved.---what does it mean?

NOUN/Pronoun + To be solved---meaning that the NOUN/Pronoun are solved.

Hence, me to be solved------means I will be solved.

This is not the intended meaning.

This is awkward in the sense that when the problem to be solved is the intended meaning the altered meaning is I am solved.

Thanks.
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