mundasingh123 wrote:

GMATGuruNY wrote:

mundasingh123 wrote:

GMATGuruNY wrote:

mundasingh123 wrote:In ancient Thailand, much of the local artisans' creative energy was expended for the
creation of Buddha images and when they constructed and decorated the temples that
enshrined them.
A. much of the local artisans' creative energy was expended for the creation of
Buddha images and when they constructed and decorated the temples that
enshrined them
B. much of the local artisans' creative energy was expended on the creation of
Buddha images and on construction and decoration of the temples in which they
were enshrined
C. much of the local artisans' creative energy was expended on the creation of
Buddha images as well as constructing and decoration of the temples in which
they were enshrined
D. creating images of Buddha accounted for much of the local artisans' creative
energy, and also constructing and decorating the temples enshrining them
E. the creating of Buddha images accounted for much of the local artisans' creative
energy as well as construction and decoration of the temples that enshrined them

EDIT : How to eliminate D ?
My question is not how to arrive at the OA .
OA B

A verb that is used as a noun (such as constructing in answer choice D) still suggests tense.
In D, constructing...enshrining suggests that the two actions are happening at the same time.
Since the constructing has to happen before the enshrining, eliminate D.
Answer choice B avoids this issue by using the noun construction, which does not convey tense.

Hi Mitch Thanks for the help .
Could you you also clarify if there is any other change in meaning besides the point that you mentioned about both the actions taking place at the same time .
Is (D) grammatically correct ?
Does D convey that " constructing and decorating the temples " is also responsible for much of the local artisans' creative
energy

the creating images of Buddha accounted for much of the local artisans' creative
energy, and also constructing and decorating the temples enshrining them

In D, it needs to be made clear that constructing and decorating are subjects of the verb accounted:

...creating, constructing and decorating...accounted for much of the local artistans' energy...
...creating...accounted for much of local artisans' energy, as did constructing and decorating...

The latter version feels awkward.
Regardless, since the function of the last phrase in D is unclear, eliminate D. It must be clear how every part of the answer choice is functioning.

Hi Mitch you said since the function of the last phrase in D is unclear . Is it because there is no verb there in the last phrase "and also constructing and decorating the temples enshrining them"