sc 538

[magical cook]

538. Not since Galileo suffered the “scurvy humor” of the Inquisition has a religious organization so effectively curbed the ability of a major scientist that he could pursue a theory.
(A) has a religious organization so effectively curbed the ability of a major scientist that he could pursue
(B) did a religious organization so effectively curb the ability of a major scientist that he could pursue
(C) has a religious organization so effectively curbed the ability of a major scientist to pursue
(D) did a religious organization so effectively curb the ability of a major scientist to pursue
(E) has a religious organization so effectively curbed whether a major scientist had the ability that he could be pursuing

Hi,
The answer is C... but I need explation why

1) has to be have PP tense?
2) why to perue is better than "that he could persue"??

[RAGS]

The sentence says that since a time in the past till date no institution has been able to curb scientists. So the action described continues to present hence simple present tense should be used.
Did refers to past tense and the action has not been copleted till date
Hope clarifies the doubt

[Cybermusings]

I think the correct idiom should be not since ....has a ...hence eliminate choice D&B
A is awakward and roundabout
I would root for C....E is also wordy and awkward

[cjiang16]

In my eyes, this is not a good question. Is it from GMAC?

[madhur_ahuja]

This is from 1000 SC.

[goelmohit2002]

538. Not since Galileo suffered the “scurvy humor” of the Inquisition has a religious organization so effectively curbed the ability of a major scientist that he could pursue a theory.
(A) has a religious organization so effectively curbed the ability of a major scientist that he could pursue
(B) did a religious organization so effectively curb the ability of a major scientist that he could pursue
(C) has a religious organization so effectively curbed the ability of a major scientist to pursue
(D) did a religious organization so effectively curb the ability of a major scientist to pursue
(E) has a religious organization so effectively curbed whether a major scientist had the ability that he could be pursuing

Hi,
The answer is C... but I need explation why

1) has to be have PP tense?
2) why to perue is better than "that he could persue"??

IMO we need since + has.
ability + to.

Only C follows these two.

[sandy217]

" Since" should trigger the use of present perfect, Eliminate B , D
I think "so <Adjective/adjective phrase> that" is correct idiom. But the problem with A is "He" is ambiguous.
It can refer galileo or scientist.

E can be eliminated on the grounds of wordiness ...