SC

[Millie]

In 1981 children in the United States spent an average of slightly
less than two and a half hours a
week doing household chores; *by 1997 they had spent nearly six hours
a week*.

A. chores; by 1997 they had spent nearly six hours a week
B. chores; by 1997 that figure had grown to nearly six hours a week
C. chores, whereas nearly six hours a week were spent in 1997
D. chores, compared with a figure of nearly six hours a week in 1997
E. chores, that figure growing to nearly six hours a week in 1997

[Kevin Mascarenhas]

E. chores, that figure growing to nearly six hours a week in 1997

"that" is mostly used as modifier in GMAT. " that figure growing to " is wrong usage.

 

D. chores, compared with a figure of nearly six hours a week in 1997

Here it appears as if figure is compared with chores or children. Incorrect

 

C. chores, whereas nearly six hours a week were spent in 1997

Not parallel. United States spent.... whereas..... a week were spent.

 

B or A was the call..

 

Comparing A and B. A looks slightly odd in meaning.

A is seems like as if,  by 1997 children completed spending 6 hrs a week.

 

B mentions out that the figure grew to 6 hrs a week.

 

So B is the answer

 

Cheers!

Kevin

 

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Cheers!

 

Kevin..

SkypeID: KevinMasci

FB: kevin...@gmail.com

LinkedIn: http://in.linkedin.com/in/kevinmascarenhas

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[Millie]

Thanks. But why do we need to use past perfect in option B- "had
grown" when the earlier stated action was in 1981

> *Kevin..*
> SkypeID: KevinMasci
> FB: kevin.ma...@gmail.com
> LinkedIn:http://in.linkedin.com/in/kevinmascarenhas
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Kevin Mascarenhas]

Was expecting that question.. :)

But  there is no better answer than option B. 

Also I am guessing that the tense "Had" is used for the phrase By 1991. That means, the instance 1991 is something of the past and before that past instance growing of figure happened.

So 1st instance. figure grew to 6hrs a week.

2nd instance 1991 came.

This is assuming that the both the things are event of the past when the author says this sentence.

 

I feel the explanation makes atleast  a little sense but it is only my guess.