Hello Everyone!

Let's tackle this, one problem at a time, and narrow it down to the right answer!

Because many of Australia's marsupials, such as the koala, are cute and cuddly, as well as being biologically different than North American marsupials, they have attracted a lot of attention after their discovery in the 1700s.

A. being biologically different than North American marsupials, they have attracted a lot of attention after
B. being biologically different from North American marsupials, they attracted a lot of attention since
C. biologically different than North American marsupials, they attracted a lot of attention since
D. biologically different than North American marsupials, they have attracted a lot of attention after
E. biologically different from North American marsupials, they have attracted a lot of attention since

If you scan over the options quickly, two major differences stand out between each answer. By focusing on these two issues, we can quickly narrow things down to find the right option.

1. The beginning = being biologically different vs. biologically different
2. The ending = since vs. after

Okay, so let's start with #1 on our list: being biologically different vs. biologically different. In this sentence, the writer is giving you a list of qualities of marsupials. We know that the items in a list must be parallel, so let's see which of these two options is better. To make this easier to spot, exchange the words "as well as" with "and" to create a simple list:

cute and cuddly, and being biologically different --> NOT PARALLEL
cute and cuddly, and biologically different --> PARALLEL

We can eliminate options A and B because they both have lists that aren't parallel. This leaves us with options C, D, and E to choose from. Let's see how well they stack up to #2 on our list: using since vs. after correctly.

C. they attracted a lot of attention since

This is INCORRECT because the word "since" requires the present perfect (have attracted)to show that the event started in the past, but is still going on today.

D. they have attracted a lot of attention after

This is also INCORRECT because the word "after" doesn't work with the present perfect "have attracted." Saying "after" suggests that they attracted attention immediately after being discovered, but aren't still doing so today - which isn't true.

E. they have attracted a lot of attention since

Option E is CORRECT because it uses the word "since" with the present perfect to correctly show that an event began in the past, and it is still going on today.

This leaves us with option E as the correct answer!


Don't study for the GMAT. Train for it.

[email protected] wrote:Hello Everyone!

Let's tackle this, one problem at a time, and narrow it down to the right answer!

Because many of Australia's marsupials, such as the koala, are cute and cuddly, as well as being biologically different than North American marsupials, they have attracted a lot of attention after their discovery in the 1700s.

A. being biologically different than North American marsupials, they have attracted a lot of attention after
B. being biologically different from North American marsupials, they attracted a lot of attention since
C. biologically different than North American marsupials, they attracted a lot of attention since
D. biologically different than North American marsupials, they have attracted a lot of attention after
E. biologically different from North American marsupials, they have attracted a lot of attention since

If you scan over the options quickly, two major differences stand out between each answer. By focusing on these two issues, we can quickly narrow things down to find the right option.

1. The beginning = being biologically different vs. biologically different
2. The ending = since vs. after

Okay, so let's start with #1 on our list: being biologically different vs. biologically different. In this sentence, the writer is giving you a list of qualities of marsupials. We know that the items in a list must be parallel, so let's see which of these two options is better. To make this easier to spot, exchange the words "as well as" with "and" to create a simple list:

cute and cuddly, and being biologically different --> NOT PARALLEL
cute and cuddly, and biologically different --> PARALLEL

We can eliminate options A and B because they both have lists that aren't parallel. This leaves us with options C, D, and E to choose from. Let's see how well they stack up to #2 on our list: using since vs. after correctly.

C. they attracted a lot of attention since

This is INCORRECT because the word "since" requires the present perfect (have attracted)to show that the event started in the past, but is still going on today.

D. they have attracted a lot of attention after

This is also INCORRECT because the word "after" doesn't work with the present perfect "have attracted." Saying "after" suggests that they attracted attention immediately after being discovered, but aren't still doing so today - which isn't true.

E. they have attracted a lot of attention since

Option E is CORRECT because it uses the word "since" with the present perfect to correctly show that an event began in the past, and it is still going on today.

This leaves us with option E as the correct answer!


Don't study for the GMAT. Train for it.

The OA is B.

The OA given is B. The explanation above says answer is E.

My answer is E as well. I 100% agree with the explanation above. Is there a mistake with the OA?

"as well as" can work as a preposition that go with doing in the pattern
main clause+comma+doing
question " burning less gasoline, as well as less" in gmatprep show this point, pls, google to find it.

so, it is no problem with "being differnt" in choice A and B
but it is wordy and inferior.