OG Verbal Review 2016 – Q #38
Around 1900, fishermen in the Chesapeake Bay area landed more than seventeen million pounds of shad in a single year, but by 1920, overfishing and the proliferation of milldams and culverts that have blocked shad migrations up their spawning streams had reduced landings to less than four million pounds.
(A) that have blocked shad migrations up their spawning streams had reduced landings to less
(B) that blocked shad from migrating up their spawning streams had reduced landings to less
(C) that blocked shad from migrating up their spawning streams reduced landings to a lower amount
(D) having blocked shad from migrating up their spawning streams reduced landings to less
(E) having blocked shad migrations up their spawning streams had reduced landings to an amount lower
OG mentions OA as B. Although, there are two different time periods mentioned, shouldn’t ‘had’ be used for the earlier time period ?
Is C wrong solely for missing ‘had’ ?
the first clause refers to a specific time period “around 1900”. Hence, the past tense – “landed”.
“by 1920” suggests the occurrence of something before another event in the past (here the year – 1920). the event (reduced landings) occurred before 1920.
Hi Aravind,
Can you please comment on the use of less in option B. Shouldn’t it be fewer?
Thanks
