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by deep.amangmat » Sat Jun 25, 2011 4:22 pm
Hi Rishi,
Here is the pasted question text. It is usually better to type in the complete question so that people do not have to download the attachment to view the question :)

Canadian scientists have calculated that one human being should be struck every nine years by a meteorite, while each year sixteen buildings can be expected to sustain damage from such objects.

(A) one human being should be struck every nine years by a meteorite
(B) a human being should be struck by a meteorite once in every nine years
(C) a meteorite will strike one human being once in every nine years
(D) every nine years a human being will be struck by a meteorite
(E) every nine years a human being should be struck by a meteorite

OA = D

Canadian scientists have calculated that one human being should be struck every nine years by a meteorite, while each year sixteen buildings can be expected to sustain damage from such objects.

I rejected choice C based on two errors:
Parallelism - This sentence shows two aspects of effects of hitting of the meteorite. The non-underlined portion is written in passive voice - each year 16 buildings can be expected to sustain damage. So the underlined portion should also be written in passive voice - as in Choice D - every 9 years a human being will be struck.

Meaning - I somehow felt that choice C implies that meteorite will strike 1 person, as if it the meteorite will strike with a purpose of striking a person. Somehow I felt that choice D emphasizes appropriately on the fact that 1 person will be struck.

Thanks,

Aman
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by rishijhawar » Mon Jun 27, 2011 12:03 am
Aman, thanks for your reply. Could you please elaborate on Parallelism error. Thx
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by deep.amangmat » Mon Jun 27, 2011 8:01 am
Hey buddy, please hit the "thanks" button to thank. It takes less effort to hit thanks than to type thanks :) :)

The parallelism error in choice C is because of use of different voices:
Here is the list in Choice C. Notice how the items that play similar role are in different portions of the elements. (color coded parts)
1 - a meteorite will strike one human being once in every nine years
2 - each year 16 buildings can be expected to sustain damage from such objects.

Here is the list in Choice D. Notice how the items that play similar role are in same corresponding portions of the elements. (color coded parts)

1 - every 9 years a human being will be struck by a meteorite.
2 - each year 16 buildings can be expected to sustain damage from such objects.

Hope this helps :)
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