OG - Roads

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OG - Roads

by melguy » Sat Jul 30, 2011 9:35 pm
Hello

I have a Q from OG12 that I need some help with

Dirt roads may evoke the bucolic simplicity of another century, but financially strained townships point out that dirt roads cost twice as much as maintaining paved roads.

(A) dirt roads cost twice as much as maintaining paved roads
(B) dirt roads cost twice as much to maintain as paved roads do
(C) maintaining dirt roads costs twice as much as paved roads do
(D) maintaining dirt roads costs twice as much as it does for paved roads
(E) to maintain dirt roads costs twice as much as for paved roads

I understand the comparison in A is between the dirt roads and maintenance and hence its wrong. I understand the reason that OA is B. But i am unable to get why is D wrong? I cant find a reason to eliminate it.

Is it maintaining and 'does'?
thanks in advance!
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by e-GMAT » Tue Aug 02, 2011 2:47 pm
maintaining dirt roads costs twice as much as it does for paved roads.

Comparison marker - twice as much as
The two elements being compared are as marked.

Now what is the antecedent of "it". There are two possible antecedents of "it" and none of these make sense when substituted in the sentence.

1: Maintaining dirt roads -
Maintaining dirt roads costs twice as much as maintaining dirt roads does for paved roads.

2: Maintaining
Maintaining dirt roads costs twice as much as maintaining does for paved roads.
What do we mean by saying - maintaining does for paved roads. Its as if "maintaining" does something for paved roads.

Thus, choice D is incorrect.

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