Columbus

[gmat740]

The greatest road system built in the Americas prior to the arrival of Christopher Columbus was the Incan highway, which, over 2,500 miles long and extending from northern Ecuador through Peru to Southern Chile.
A. Columbus was the Incan highway, which, over 2,500 miles long and extending
B. Columbus was the Incan highway, over 2,500 miles in length, and extended
C. Columbus, the Incan highway, which was over 2,500 miles in length and extended
D. Columbus, the Incan highway, being over 2,500 miles in length, was extended
E. Columbus, the Incan highway was over 2,500 miles long, extending
ANSWER: E
Alright, E is the Best answer here because we need continuous tense. But We also need “Which”

[SanjeevK]

Since "The greatest road system built in the Americas prior to the arrival of Christopher Columbus" is modifying "the Incan highway", we don't need which here.

Hope this helps

[real2008]

The greatest road system built in the Americas prior to the arrival of Christopher Columbus was the Incan highway, which, over 2,500 miles long and extending from northern Ecuador through Peru to Southern Chile.
A. Columbus was the Incan highway, which, over 2,500 miles long and extending
B. Columbus was the Incan highway, over 2,500 miles in length, and extended
C. Columbus, the Incan highway, which was over 2,500 miles in length and extended
D. Columbus, the Incan highway, being over 2,500 miles in length, was extended
E. Columbus, the Incan highway was over 2,500 miles long, extending
ANSWER: E
Alright, E is the Best answer here because we need continuous tense. But We also need “Which”

Dude! I don't find the continuous tense here........

[gmat740]

Dude! I don't find the continuous tense here........

E. Columbus, the Incan highway was over 2,500 miles long, extending

[Vemuri]

IMO, its not about the continuous tense that makes E correct. Infact "extending" is a gerund in this context. Lets use POE to understand why E is the best answer.

A. Columbus was the Incan highway, which, over 2,500 miles long and extending
Awkward construction. Also a pause (comma) is not required after "which"

B. Columbus was the Incan highway, over 2,500 miles in length, and extended
The usage of the word "length" is incorrect in this context. It should be "long".

C. Columbus, the Incan highway, which was over 2,500 miles in length and extended
The usage of the word "length" is incorrect in this context. It should be "long".

D. Columbus, the Incan highway, being over 2,500 miles in length, was extended
The usage of the word "length" is incorrect in this context. It should be "long".

[mehravikas]

@gmat740

Please mark your answers with a spoiler. There is not much benefit of evaluating the answers choices if the answer is already known.

[ketkoag]

IMO, its not about the continuous tense that makes E correct. Infact "extending" is a gerund in this context. Lets use POE to understand why E is the best answer.

A. Columbus was the Incan highway, which, over 2,500 miles long and extending
Awkward construction. Also a pause (comma) is not required after "which"

B. Columbus was the Incan highway, over 2,500 miles in length, and extended
The usage of the word "length" is incorrect in this context. It should be "long".

C. Columbus, the Incan highway, which was over 2,500 miles in length and extended
The usage of the word "length" is incorrect in this context. It should be "long".

D. Columbus, the Incan highway, being over 2,500 miles in length, was extended
The usage of the word "length" is incorrect in this context. It should be "long".

vemuri,
i think "extending from northern Ecuador through Peru to Southern Chile." is a modifier that modifies "The greatest road system". I personally don't feel that "extending" here is a gerund..
please lemme know if i m missing something..

[Vemuri]

vemuri,
i think "extending from northern Ecuador through Peru to Southern Chile." is a modifier that modifies "The greatest road system". I personally don't feel that "extending" here is a gerund..
please lemme know if i m missing something..

You are absolutely right, extending is a modifier in this context. What was I thinking :roll: