neha.patni wrote:During and immediately after the California gold rush, the way for a merchant to generate the most profit was to move a limited amount of scarce goods to San Francisco as quickly as possible, rather than to carry larger loads more slowly, determining the design of the clipper ship.

(A) to carry larger loads more slowly, determining
(B) to carry larger loads more slowly, a situation that determined
(C) carry larger loads more slowly, which determined
(D) slowly carry larger loads which determined
(E) carrying larger loads more slowly, and this was a situation in determining

OA Later

Two points:

1. COMMA + Abstract NOUN:

Abstract NOUN refers to the whole idea presented in the previous clause.

=> The way was to to move X, rather than to carry Y----it was a situation. It has been properly summarized in the option B.

2. X rather than Y

=> X and Y MUST be grammatically parallel.

If X = To verb
Y MUST be = To verb.

If X = Verbing
Y MUST be = Verbing.

=> The way was to XX, rather than to YY.

=> The way was to move, rather than to carry----> Maintains the parallelism.

So, C, D, and E are out.

COMMA + Verbing:

The way was to XX, rather than to carry, determining

=> It illogically means that the way determined the design of the clipper ship. So, A is out.

Answer is B.

gmat_perfect perfect explanation.


IMO: B

indiantiger wrote:gmat_perfect perfect explanation.


IMO: B

very good explanation GMAT Perfect...OA B