GMAC loves brevity!! so pick C

gmat_perfect wrote:In laboratory rats, a low dose of aspirin usually suffices to block production of thromboxane, which is a substance that promotes blood clotting, but not seriously interfering with the production of prostacyclin, which prevents clotting.

(A) which is a substance that promotes blood clotting, but not seriously interfering
(B) a substance that promotes blood clotting, but not seriously interfering
(C) a substance that promotes blood clotting, but does not seriously interfere
(D) which is a substance to promote blood clotting, but does not seriously interfere
(E) which is a substance that promotes blood clotting, but not a serious interference

[spoiler]OA: C[/spoiler]

Please explain why is D wrong?

Thanks.

ahhhhh i see it.

D is definitely WRONG!!

Look:

(C) a substance that promotes blood clotting, but does not seriously interfere
(D) which is a substance to promote blood clotting, but does not seriously interfere

thromboxane, the substance, is ALREADY in rats. its is NOT put in TO promote blood clotting.


C is the right answer.

I hope that helps!

In laboratory rats, a low dose of aspirin usually suffices to block production of thromboxane, which is a substance that promotes blood clotting, but not seriously interfering with the production of prostacyclin, which prevents clotting.

(A) which is a substance that promotes blood clotting, but not seriously interfering
(B) a substance that promotes blood clotting, but not seriously interfering
(C) a substance that promotes blood clotting, but does not seriously interfere
(D) which is a substance to promote blood clotting, but does not seriously interfere
(E) which is a substance that promotes blood clotting, but not a serious interference

Step 1) Identify this question as testing you on X&Y consistency framework. The keyword is "but"

Step 2) Notice the answer choice parts highlighted in red. To save time, you should be scanning these answer choices to find the pairs that match up.

Notice in (A) "promotes" does not go with "interfering"
(B) "promotes" does not go with "interfering"
(C) looks good
(D) "to promote" does not go with "interfere" (you need the word "to" again)
(E) "promotes" does not go with "interference"

So really, answer (C) is the only one that is possibly correct. Notice I didn't even spend the time to reason through what makes sense and what doesn't. I simply scanned the answer choices and found only one possibility that could potentially be the answer.

You could have answered this question in less than 10-15 seconds using this method. Of course it helps to go through some of the "does this make sense" thinking. But it's also good exercise to try to answer questions in as little time as possible.

Good approach Pill