The growth of the railroads led to the abolition of local ti

[varun289]

The growth of the railroads led to the abolition of local times, which was determined by when the sun reached
the observer's meridian and differing from city to city, and to the establishment of regional times.
A. which was determined by when the sun reached the observer's meridian and differing
B. which was determined by when the sun reached the observer's meridian and which differed
C. which were determined by when the sun reached the observer's meridian and differing
D. determined by when the sun reached the observer's meridian and differed
E. determined by when the sun reached the observer's meridian and differing





e

[GMATGuruNY]

The growth of the railroads led to the abolition of local times, which was determined by when the sun reached
the observer's meridian and differing from city to city, and to the establishment of regional times.

A. which was determined by when the sun reached the observer's meridian and differing
B. which was determined by when the sun reached the observer's meridian and which differed
C. which were determined by when the sun reached the observer's meridian and differing
D. determined by when the sun reached the observer's meridian and differed
E. determined by when the sun reached the observer's meridian and differing

In A and B, which was (singular) seems to refer to abolition (the nearest singular antecedent), implying that the ABOLITION was determined by when the sun reached the observer's meridian.
The intended meaning is that LOCAL TIMES were determined by when the sun reached the observer's meridian.
Eliminate A and B.

In C, which is standing in for local times, implying the following:
local times WERE DETERMINED by when the sun reached the observer's meridian and [local times] DIFFERING from city to city.
Here, were determined (verb) and differing (adjective) are not parallel.
A conjunction such as and must connect PARALLEL FORMS.
Eliminate C.

D implies the following:
local times DETERMINED BY when the sun reached the observer's meridian and [local times] DIFFERED from city to city.
Here, determined by (adjective) and differed (verb) are not parallel.
A conjunction such as and must connect PARALLEL FORMS.
Eliminate D.

The correct answer is E.

Only in the OA does and serve to connect parallel forms:
local times DETERMINED BY when the sun reached the observer's meridian and [local times] DIFFERING from city to city.
Here, determined by and differing both serve as ADJECTIVES modifying local times.