Ex 2 - Rise in American Exports

Hi folks,

The rise in American exports was possible because international trade barriers were lowered and unprecedented gains in efficiency had been obtained through the use of automated robotic equipment in American manufacturing plants.

A. international trade barriers were lowered and unprecedented gains in efficiency had been obtained through the use of automated robotic equipment in American manufacturing plants

B. America lowered international trade barriers and the use of automated robotic equipment in American manufacturing plants resulted in unprecedented gains in efficiency

C. international trade barriers were lowered and unprecedented gains in efficiency were obtained through the use of automated robotic equipment in American manufacturing plants

D. international trade barriers were lowered, obtaining unprecedented gains in efficiency through the automated use of robotic equipment in manufacturing plants of America

E. America lowered trade barriers internationally and the use of unprecedented automated robotic equipment in American manufacturing plants resulted in efficiency gains

Here is the official explanation for this question:



This sentence presents a cause and effect. The effect is – rise in American exports. There are two causes:
• international trade barriers were lowered
• unprecedented gains in efficiency were obtained. This was done through the use of automated robotic equipment in US plants.



Error Analysis:

1. The rise in American exports was possible
2. because international trade barriers were lowered and
3. unprecedented gains in efficiency had been obtained through the use of automated robotic equipment in American manufacturing plants

All SV pairs are accounted for and agree in number. This sentence has verb tense error. Logically there is no reason to indicate one of the causes in simple past tense and the other cause in past perfect tense. There is no basis for such sequencing. Thus the verb – had been obtained – should be expressed as ‘were obtained’.

POE:

Choice B – Grammatically Correct but Incorrect Choice – By changing the causes from passive voice to active voice, this choice adds information that is not present in the original choice. It is not stated that America lowered the international trade barriers. Thus, this choice is incorrect.

Choice C – Correct choice. The verb tense error has been corrected.

Choice D – This choice distorts the intended meaning. It links the two rather independent tasks in causal relationship. Per this choice, the international trade barriers were lowered and this led to achieving gains in efficiency through use of automatic equipment. This is neither logical nor the intended meaning.

Choice E – Grammatically Correct but Incorrect Choice – This choice repeats the error in Choice B. It further changes the intended meaning by using “unprecedented” to describe “automated robotic equipment” instead of “efficiency gains”.



1. Always understand the intended meaning of the original sentence.
2. It is very important to note ALL the information present in the sentence.
3. The correct choice should communicate ALL that information – no more and no less – in a grammatically correct manner.

Thanks.