1000 Series 968 Question

[singhag]

Interest rates on mortgages have declined steadily during the first six months of this year but virtually remained unchanged during the next three months.
(A) have declined steadily during the first six months of this year but virtually remained unchanged
(B) declined steadily during the first six months of this year but virtually remain unchanged
(C) steadily declined during the first six months of this year but remain virtually unchanged
(D) declined steadily during the first six months of this but have remained virtually unchanging'
(E) declined steadily during the first six months of this year but have remained virtually unchanged

Kindly post your answer with an explanation...OA after some discussion

[kstv]

have remained virtually makes more sense. Present perfect for an event in the past continuing in the present.
So D or E.

unchanged matches declined. So E.

[gmatmachoman]

have remained virtually makes more sense. Present perfect for an event in the past continuing in the present.
So D or E.

unchanged matches declined. So E.

Agreed...E uses 2 actions.

Past tense for the action that took place 6 months back & present perfect for the one that took place in th epast & continues in to the present!!

But can any one tell what if C looks like this ??

(C) steadily declined during the first six months of this year but remained virtually unchanged


Will c be a right choice then???

[bhumika.k.shah]

Interest rates on mortgages have declined steadily during the first six months of this year but virtually remained unchanged during the next three months.

A. have declined steadily during the first six months of this year but virtually remained unchanged - present perfect tense not required here . ELIMIATE

B. declined steadily during the first six months of this year but virtually remain unchanged - declined ..remain not parallel ELIMINATE

C. steadily declined during the first six months of this year but remain virtually unchanged - declined ..remain not parallel ELIMINATE

D. declined steadily during the first six months of this but have remained virtually unchanging - of this what ? who ? when ? why ? ELIMINATE

E. declined steadily during the first six months of this year but have remained virtually unchanged - declined...remained..parallel.CORRECT

Hope this helps

[bhumika.k.shah]

You can also find your answers in any of these links.

https://www.beatthegmat.com/1000sc-q-968-t20677.html

https://www.beatthegmat.com/interest-rat ... nt=Toronto

Hope this helps

[gmatmachoman]

But can any one tell what if C looks like this ??

(C) steadily declined during the first six months of this year but remained virtually unchanged


Will C be a right choice then???

[bhumika.k.shah]

Gee good question gmatmachoman

even i would like to know whether it should be declined steadily or steadily declined ???

Any views ?

But can any one tell what if C looks like this ??

(C) steadily declined during the first six months of this year but remained virtually unchanged


Will C be a right choice then???

[singhag]

OA E