Hello Everybody!
Let’s take a look at this closely to narrow down to the right answer! After a quick scan over the answers, there are a couple major differences that we need to address:
1. Placement of the descriptor “gasoline-powered” or “powered by gasoline”
2. Use of the verb “to convert”: to convert/on converting/will convert
Okay, let’s start with #1 on our list. The placement of the phrase “gasoline-powered” or “powered by gasoline” can completely change the intended meaning of the sentence! Let’s see which ones stick to the intended meaning:
A. to convert its more than 2,000 gasoline-powered trucks in the Los Angeles area to
This is OK because it’s clear that all of the trucks are gasoline-powered, and all of the trucks will be converted to natural gas.
B. to convert its more than 2,000 trucks in the Los Angeles area that are powered by gasoline to
This is INCORRECT because the phrase “that are powered by gasoline” suggests that only some trucks (the ones powered by gasoline) will be converted. This isn’t true – all of the trucks are being converted because they are all gasoline-powered!
C. on converting its more than 2,000 gasoline-powered trucks in the Los Angeles area that will
This is OK because it’s clear that all of the trucks are gasoline-powered, and all of the trucks will be converted to natural gas.
D. for its more than 2,000 gasoline-powered trucks in the Los Angeles area to convert to
This is OK because it’s clear that all of the trucks are gasoline-powered, and all of the trucks will be converted to natural gas.
E. that its more than 2,000 trucks in the Los Angeles area that are powered by gasoline will convert to
This is INCORRECT because the phrase “that are powered by gasoline” suggests that only some trucks (the ones powered by gasoline) will be converted. This isn’t true – all of the trucks are being converted because they are all gasoline-powered!
This means we can eliminate answers B and E because they change the intended meaning. That leaves us with answers A, C, and D. Let’s take a closer look at #2 on our list, proper verb tense, and see how each answer stacks up:
A. to convert its more than 2,000 gasoline-powered trucks in the Los Angeles area to
This is CORRECT! The placement of “gasoline-powered” is good, and the verb “to convert” creates a nice parallel to the later verb “to run.”
C. on converting its more than 2,000 gasoline-powered trucks in the Los Angeles area that will
This is INCORRECT because it uses the phrase “plans on” which is not idiomatically correct. It should always be “plans to” on the GMAT.
D. for its more than 2,000 gasoline-powered trucks in the Los Angeles area to convert to
This is INCORRECT because it creates a bit of a strange, unintended meaning. This sentence, as written, says that the plan is for the trucks to convert themselves to natural gas. That doesn’t make sense!
Don’t study for the GMAT. Train for it.
