SC

[mandeepak]

The results of the company’s cost- cutting measures are evident in its profits, which
increased five percent during the first three months of this year after it fell over the
last two years.
A.which increased five percent during the first three months of this year after it
fell
B.which had increased five percent during the first three months of this year
after it had fallen
C.which have increased five percent during the first three months of this year
after falling
D.with a five percent increase during the first three months of this year after
falling
E.with a five percent increase during the first three months of this year after
having fallen

[annrae]

C ? Whats the OA ?

[Danielle]

The answer is C. 'over the last two years' demands that the verb form of to fall in the sentence be imperfect, which is 'falling', leaving only C and D as options. 'which' is the correct as it refers to the profits, whereas 'with' does not refer to them at all. It is ambiguous as to whether it is talking about the profits or the cost cutting measures.

[muks]

I also agree with option C.
But can you tell the rule behind

The answer is C. 'over the last two years' demands that the verb form of to fall in the sentence be imperfect, which is 'falling', leaving only C and D as options.

[Danielle]

In this case the rule that decides the answer is this:

When speaking of something that happened in the past tense, use past tense. When speaking of something that happened over time, use imperfect tense.

In this case the example sentence was using the wrong tense. It was using past tense, and answer choice C is in the imperfect without changing anything else.

[muks]

thanks Danielle

[ranji]

great tip Danielle..sure will come useful!

[jan08]

Can anybody please explain how can "which" modify a plural noun.

here "which" is modifying a plural noun - profits...

Is is correct to say:
There are 5 cars, which are blue...

and that is why I thought E should be the answer...if profit would have been used instead of profits then no confusion about C.

Thanks