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manhattan sc question

by sandeep1306 » Thu Jul 14, 2011 1:56 am
An economic recession can result from a lowering of employment rates triggered by a drop in investment, which causes people to cut consumer spending and starts a cycle of layoffs leading back to even lower employment rates.

a. a lowering of employment rates triggered by a drop in investment, which causes people to cut consumer spending and start a cycle of layoffs leading back to even lower employment rates.

b a lowering of employment rates triggered by dropping investment, which cause people to cut consumer spending and starts a cycle of layoffs leading back to even lower employment rates.

c. falling employment rates triggered by a drop in investment, causing cutbacks in consumer spending and starting a cycle of layoffs that lead to even lower employment rates.

d. falling employment rates that are triggered by a drop in investment, causing people to cut consumer spending and starting a cycle of layoffs that lead back to even lower employment rates.

e. falling employment rates that are triggered by a drop in investment, that cause cutbacks in consumer spending and the start of a cycle of layoffs leading to even lower employment rates.
Thanks,
Sandeep
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by sandeep1306 » Thu Jul 14, 2011 1:58 am
The OA is C

However, i am confused over the fact that " which " always refers to the noun "immediately" preceding it.Going by that C seems incorrect as which illogically refers to " a drop in investment"

can someone please clarify?
Thanks,
Sandeep
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by rob338 » Thu Jul 14, 2011 1:59 am
IMO C
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by rob338 » Thu Jul 14, 2011 2:05 am
Hi sandeep1306,

which is absent in 'C'.
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by Ozlemg » Thu Jul 14, 2011 2:55 am
-The original sentence contains a clause beginning with "which" that logically describes the result of lower employment rates. However, as written, this clause seems to describe the result of "a drop in investment" because "which" modifies the noun just before it. We need to find a replacement that makes the causal relationship clear.
-Additionally, the phrase "causes people to cut consumer spending" is wordy and somewhat illogical
-Finally, the use of "back" is redundant, as it is implied by the word "cycle".


[spoiler](C)[/spoiler] CORRECT.
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by GMATGuruNY » Thu Jul 14, 2011 3:30 am
sandeep1306 wrote:An economic recession can result from a lowering of employment rates triggered by a drop in investment, which causes people to cut consumer spending and starts a cycle of layoffs leading back to even lower employment rates.

a. a lowering of employment rates triggered by a drop in investment, which causes people to cut consumer spending and start a cycle of layoffs leading back to even lower employment rates.

b a lowering of employment rates triggered by dropping investment, which cause people to cut consumer spending and starts a cycle of layoffs leading back to even lower employment rates.

c. falling employment rates triggered by a drop in investment, causing cutbacks in consumer spending and starting a cycle of layoffs that lead to even lower employment rates.

d. falling employment rates that are triggered by a drop in investment, causing people to cut consumer spending and starting a cycle of layoffs that lead back to even lower employment rates.

e. falling employment rates that are triggered by a drop in investment, that cause cutbacks in consumer spending and the start of a cycle of layoffs leading to even lower employment rates.
In A and B, it is unclear whether triggered modifies a lowering or employment rates. Eliminate A and B.

In D, leading back to even lower unemployment rates makes no sense. The even lower rates are the RESULT; it is not possible to lead back to a result.

In E, it is unclear what exactly cause cutbacks. Generally, the pronoun that should not be preceded by a comma. Eliminate E.

The correct answer is C.

A present participle preceded by a comma (such as causing in the OA) generally refers to the subject of the preceding clause. In C, causing refers to the economic recession: the economic recession is causing cutbacks and starting a cycle of layoffs.

In A, which causes implies -- incorrectly -- that the drop in investment causes the cutbacks.

In B, which cause implies -- incorrectly -- that the employment rates cause the cutbacks.

Neither A nor B conveys the intended meaning.
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