Sentence Correction

In preparation for the prediction of a major earthquake that will hit the state, a satellite-based computer network is being built by the California Office of Emergency Services for identifying earthquake damage and to pinpoint the most affected areas within two hours of the event.

(A) In preparation for the prediction of a major earthquake that will hit the state, a satellite-based computer network is being built by the California Office of Emergency Services for identifying

(B) In preparing for the prediction that a major earthquake will hit the state, the California Office of Emergency Services is building a satellite-based computer network that will identify

(C) In preparing for a major earthquake that is predicted to hit the state, the California Office of Emergency Services is building a satellite-based computer network to identify

(D) To prepare for the prediction of a major earthquake hitting the state, a satellite-based computer network is being built by the California Office of Emergency Services to identify

(E) To prepare for a major earthquake that is predicted to hit the state, the California Office of Emergency Services is building a satellite-based computer network that will identify

[spoiler]OA: C[/spoiler]

I have two questions:

i) Why does C use "in preparing" and not "in preparation"? Would that have been better.

ii) "to prepare" in D and E is an infinitive phrase. What is the property of such such phrases? Do such phrases modify the word next to the infinitive phrase or are these adverbial?

Thanks in advance.

i) Why does C use "in preparing" and not "in preparation"? Would that have been better.

In preparing for the GMAT, John studied two hours each day.
Here, the usage of in preparing for implies that John was PREPARING for the GMAT in many ways and that the main action -- John studied two hours each day -- is only one of the ways in which John was preparing.

In preparation for the GMAT, John purchased the new Official Guide.
Here, the usage of in preparation for does not imply that John was preparing for the GMAT in many ways.
Rather, this phrase simply expresses why John purchased the new Official Guide.

In C, the usage of in preparing for implies that the California Office of Emergency Services is PREPARING for a major earthquake in many ways and that the main action -- the office is building a satellite-based network -- is only one of the ways in which the office is preparing.

ii) "to prepare" in D and E is an infinitive phrase. What is the property of such such phrases? Do such phrases modify the word next to the infinitive phrase or are these adverbial?

Generally, to + VERB serves to express an INTENDED ACTION.
John plans to take the GMAT.
Here, the usage of to take expresses not a current action but an INTENDED action.
Conveyed meaning:
John PLANS (right now) TO TAKE THE GMAT (an action intended to happen in the future).

In D and E, the usage of to prepare incorrectly implies that the California Office of Emergency Services INTENDS -- at some point IN THE FUTURE -- to prepare for an earthquake.
Not so.
Since the office is ALREADY preparing for an earthquake, the usage of an infinitive modifier is inappropriate.

Hi GMATGuruNY ,

Can you please explain the reason to eliminate option B.

Many thanks in advance.

SJ

jain2016 wrote:Hi GMATGuruNY ,

Can you please explain the reason to eliminate option B.

Many thanks in advance.

SJ

B: in preparing for the prediction
Not the intended meaning.
The office is preparing not for the prediction but for A MAJOR EARTHQUAKE.

A conjunction such as and must serve to connect PARALLEL FORMS.
B: that will identify...and to pinpoint
Here, will identify and to pinpoint are not parallel forms.

Eliminate B.

gmatguru,
in D, I think, the followings are also acceptable ERRORs:

1. To prepare for the prediction of a major earthquake -- Not the intended meaning.
The office is preparing NOT for the prediction but for A MAJOR EARTHQUAKE. right ?


2. ...network is being built by the California Office to identify -- awkward and incorrectly implies that network INTENDS to identify, whereas the intended meaning seems to be California Office INTENDS to identify. right ?

p.s: a network can't have any INTEND on its own, I guess. am I correct ?

please confirm!

hi gmatguru,
any thoughts on the above doubts ?

would much appreciate your feedback. thank you!

p.s: @other gmat-experts -- please feel free to share your thoughts as well.

ngk4mba3236 wrote:gmatguru,
in D, I think, the followings are also acceptable ERRORs:

1. To prepare for the prediction of a major earthquake -- Not the intended meaning.
The office is preparing NOT for the prediction but for A MAJOR EARTHQUAKE. right ?

Correct.

2. ...network is being built by the California Office to identify -- awkward and incorrectly implies that network INTENDS to identify, whereas the intended meaning seems to be California Office INTENDS to identify. right ?

p.s: a network can't have any INTEND on its own, I guess. am I correct ?

please confirm!

This line of reasoning is valid.
But it is possible for a logical meaning to be conveyed by SUBJECT + PASSIVE VERB + INFINITIVE MODIFIER.
For an OA with this construction, check here:
https://www.beatthegmat.com/archaeologis ... 10269.html

Hi experts, would you please elaborate further

Another problem really confuses me is that which meaning is logical, prepare the prediction or prepare earthquake?
i did not choice C because i thought people can prepare predication by building something, while can prepare earthquake by enhancing protection. in this case, i thought prepare prediction is more logical because i read "building" in the later part.

Please clarify.


Thanks in advance

Have a nice day.
>_~