Manned space programs

[goelmohit2002]

Hi All,

In the below question, the correct answer is "E". Can somebody please help me understand what is wrong with "A" and "D" ?

In the early days of the manned space programs, three astronauts died in a fire before engineers discovered that a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen, rather than pure oxygen, will be breathable and less incendiary.

a) will be breathable and less incendiary.
b) breathes better than it burns.
c) was less incendiary than breathable.
d) to be breathable rather than incendiary.
e) would be breathable and less incendiary.

Thanks
Mohit

[pakaskwa]

... engineers discovered that a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen, rather than pure oxygen, will be breathable and less incendiary.

a) will be breathable and less incendiary.
in original sentence, engineers discovered indicates that it's past tense. So using will be is incorrect.


d) to be breathable rather than incendiary.
It changed the original meaning. It indicates that mixture of oxygen and nitrogen is breathable, but not incendary, which is not true.

[goelmohit2002]

... engineers discovered that a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen, rather than pure oxygen, will be breathable and less incendiary.

a) will be breathable and less incendiary.
in original sentence, engineers discovered indicates that it's past tense. So using will be is incorrect.


d) to be breathable rather than incendiary.
It changed the original meaning. It indicates that mixture of oxygen and nitrogen is breathable, but not incendary, which is not true.

Thanks. I got for "D"..but for "A"...the same logic IMO applies for "would" too....both "will" and "would" indicate future tense....

Please tell what I am missing here. As per my understanding...

Will = future almost guaranteed event.
Would = future event but not sure of its outcome.

Thanks
Mohit

[senthil]

As per Wrenin Martin ,

would,could,might all are past tense ...

may be one of their forms may take the meaning as what u say but really not heard of what you 've mantioned above...

[goelmohit2002]

I am not sure about Wrenin and Martin. But IMO OG-10 follows will Vs would distinction. Q250 of OG-10 has similar will Vs would distinction.

Please tell if I am missing something here.

Thanks
Mohit

[bmlaud]

If Principal clause is simple past, the subordinate clause can only take simple past or past perfect.

Principle clause: Three astronauts died...(simple past)
Subordinate clause: that a mixture of oxygen and ..... would be ( past of will be)....

Thus E