Live GMAT classes with Target Test Prep start Nov 1 and Nov 21. First class free.

See classes
Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 winner: Target Test Prep, #1 Test Prep

Target Test Prep was voted #1 Best Test Prep in the 2026 Newsweek Readers’ Choice™ Awards.

★★★★★5.0563 reviews
GMATLiveTeachStarts Nov 1
Josh Braslow, Target Test Prep GMAT expert
LIVE ONLINE CLASSES

Get Ready for GMAT Test Day Faster with Live Online Classes

with Josh Braslow, 20+ years in test prep

Nov 1 · Josh Braslow
Sun · 1:00 to 4:00 PM ET
Nov 22 · Josh Braslow
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
40 hours of live online classes + 6 months of TTP OnDemand
  • Attend the first class for free
  • Every class is recorded, so you never fall behind
View classes & enroll
Limited seats availableTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeachOnDemand5 seats leftStart anytime
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Target Test Prep EA OnDemand

Self-paced EA prep. Study on your schedule.

Logan Thompson
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Sep 6 to Dec 6, 2026

with Logan Thompson

165+ EA score guarantee
$05-day trial no automatic billing
Schedule
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
40 hours of live online classes plus six months of access to the complete TTP EA OnDemand course.
  • 165+ EA Score Guarantee
  • 4,100+ Quant, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning practice questions
  • 400+ hours of in-depth video lessons
  • 3,000+ step-by-step video solutions
View EA class & enroll Start free 5-day trial
Limited cohort · enrollment openTrial includes full course accessTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemandStart anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

715+ score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions
Start free 5-day trial
Read 563 reviewsTarget Test Prep

Compare the format, schedule, and included access before enrolling. Prices and seat counts shown reflect the supplied offer details.

Shifting Tectonic Plates - Kaplan

Expert replies
Post new topic Locked
Subscribe topic
Previous Topic Next Topic
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 145
Joined: Fri Jan 18, 2013 8:27 am
Thanked: 7 times
by sparkles3144 » Sat May 03, 2014 5:01 pm
Scientists are currently trying to determine the extent to which tectonic plates have been shifted from their previous positions by earthquakes and other similar phenomena.

A. to which tectonic plates have been shifted
B. to which tectonic plates have shifted
C. of the shift of tectonic plates
D. of tectonic plate shifting
E. that tectonic plates have been shifted

Answer A

Kaplan explanation for C:
You can eliminate C because of the shift...to earthquakes is incomplete without a verb.
What does that mean?

Also, is extent of wrong?

Thanks!
Top
Join the discussion
Source: — Sentence Correction |
Legendary Member
Posts: 774
Joined: Mon Jan 23, 2012 4:32 amFollowed by: 14 members
Thanked: 46 times

by aditya8062 » Sat May 03, 2014 8:46 pm
there are different ways in which u can see this problem .the fact that the non underlined portion of this sentence has the construction "by earthquakes and other similar phenomena" so we need a passive voice construction .that passive voice verb is missing if C were the answer !!
in fact it is precisely for this reason that A is the answer and not B
also "extent of" per se is not wrong
Top
Join the discussion
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 39
Joined: Sat Mar 15, 2014 10:36 pm
Thanked: 1 times

by raj44 » Sat May 03, 2014 9:20 pm
Hi,

Options C,D,E are not idiomatically consistent in the context of the sentence. Since author is trying to emphasize on the "degree" or "level" of shift from their previous positions, the idiom "EXTENT TO" is appropriate rather than "EXTENT OF" or "EXTENT THAT". Now, between choice A and B present perfect continuous is needed, though I feel it should have been "SHIFTING" instead of "SHIFTED".
sparkles3144 wrote:Scientists are currently trying to determine the extent to which tectonic plates have been shifted from their previous positions by earthquakes and other similar phenomena.

A. to which tectonic plates have been shifted
B. to which tectonic plates have shifted
C. of the shift of tectonic plates
D. of tectonic plate shifting
E. that tectonic plates have been shifted

Answer A

Kaplan explanation for C:
You can eliminate C because of the shift...to earthquakes is incomplete without a verb.
What does that mean?

Also, is extent of wrong?

Thanks!
Top
Join the discussion
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 223
Joined: Thu Dec 05, 2013 4:22 amFollowed by: 8 members
Thanked: 12 times

by AnjaliOberoi » Sat May 03, 2014 11:53 pm
Non underlined portion of the sentence says - by earthquakes and other similar phenomena, which means a passive construction is required. Based upon this, we eliminate B, C and D.

Extent to is correct usage in this context.so, E eliminated

A is the best answer
Top
Join the discussion