Immediately eliminate the "it affects" and "it will affect" choices. "It" can't refer to two different things (preseving status quo and developing a relationship). That leaves A and B. B makes absolutely no sense. A is the clear winner.edirik wrote:This is a GMATPREP question.
The United States will be affected by whether Taiwan develops a closer relationship with mainland China or preserves the status quo, since the island nation is the United States’ seventh-largest trading partner.
A. The United States will be affected by whether Taiwan develops a closer relationship with mainland China or preserves the status quo
B. Whether or not Taiwan develops a closer relationship with mainland China or preserves the status quo affecting the United States
C. Whether or not Taiwan develops a closer relationship with mainland China or the status quo is preserved, it will affect the United States
D. It affects the United States whether Taiwan will develop a closer relationship with mainland China or preserves the status quo
E. It affects the United States whether or not Taiwan will develop a closer relationship with mainland China or preserve the status quo
[spoiler]OA: A[/spoiler]
My question:
I was so bold to think that Taiwan "will" develop relationship or Taiwan "preserves" the status quo with USA. That is why I thought that E would be better than A.
I thought that status quo would require "present tense" while developing the relations would require "future tense". Would someone please let me know what is wrong with my reasoning?
Now as to your question, "status quo" isn't a verb and does not have tense. So I'm not sure I understand the question. The verbs "develops" and "preserves" are in proper tense and balanced. A works.
