Why "it" in the underlined segment refers to retai

This topic has expert replies
User avatar
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 30
Joined: Wed Mar 27, 2013 4:37 am
This question is from OG13,

36. Along with the drop in producer prices announced
yesterday, the strong retailsalesfigures released
today seem like it is indicative that the economy,
although growing slowly, is not nearing a recession.
(A) like it is indicative that
(B) as if to indicate
(C) to indicate that
(D) indicative of
(E) like an indication of

Obviously, the answer is C, but the OG explains: "it"is used incorrectly because it should agree with sales figures.
My question: it is ...that is an emphasizer, I think it refers to nothing.

Please explain that to me ~ Thanks in advance~
Source: — Sentence Correction |

User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 447
Joined: Sun Apr 22, 2012 7:13 am
Thanked: 46 times
Followed by:13 members
GMAT Score:700

by hemant_rajput » Wed Apr 17, 2013 10:27 pm
A- it doesn't match with plural subject figures. It is a pronoun and it should match properly to it antecedent.
B - no need of conditional if
C - correct
D - awkward
E - wrong phrase.
I'm no expert, just trying to work on my skills. If I've made any mistakes please bear with me.

• Page 1 of 1