SC's Question number - 989, 990

989). 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

990). Part of the proposed increase in state education spending is due to higher enrollment, since the number of students in public schools have grown steadily since the mid-1980's and, at nearly 47 million, are at a record high.

(A) enrollment, since the number of students in public schools have grown steadily since the mid-1980's and, at nearly 47 million, are at

(B) enrollment, with a number of students in public schools growing steadily since the mid-1980's and, at nearly 47 million, reaching

(C) enrollment: since students in public schools have grown steadily in number since the mid-1980's and, at nearly 47 million, have reached

(D) enrollment: the number of student in public schools has grown steadily since the mid-1980's and, at nearly 47 million, has reached

(E) enrollment: students in public schools have grown steadily in number, since the mid-1980's and, at nearly 47 million, are at

Answers:

989). OA - C

A, B - incorrect - wrong tense. Present perfect tense is required here.

D, E - incorrect - non essential modifier which is needed to modify profits

990). OA - D

A - incorrect - subject verb agreement - ...the number(singular)...have(plural)..

B - incorrect - awkward, violating paarllelism

A, C - incorrect - use of since is wrong.

C, E - incorrect - suggests that students have reached a record high..it is the number of students that has reached a record high