Although appearing less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins, heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved during the previous year—they are often green and striped, or have plenty of bumps and bruises—heirlooms are more flavorful and thus in increasing demand.


Although appearing less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins, heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved during the previous year—they are often green and striped, or have plenty of bumps and bruises—heirlooms are more flavorful and thus in increasing demand.

A. Although appearing less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins, heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved during the previous year

B. Although heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved during the previous year, appear less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins

C. Although they appear less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins, heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved during the previous year

D. Grown from seeds saved during the previous year, heirloom tomatoes appear less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins

E. Heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved during the previous year, although they appear less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins


In-depth Explanation and Correct Answer Below (so you don’t see it while reviewing the question)

although appearing less appetizing than most

Although appearing less appetizing than most… Explanation

Although appearing less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins, heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved during the previous year—they are often green and striped, or have plenty of bumps and bruises—heirlooms are more flavorful and thus in increasing demand.

(A) Although appearing less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins, heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved during the previous year

“They are often green and striped” should describe what comes before it. Also, drop in “Heirloom Tomatoes” in for “they are often green and striped” and you should see an issue in the flow. Also, missing a main verb to match up with Heirloom tomatoes.

(B) Although heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved during the previous year, appear less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins

(C) Although they appear less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins, heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved during the previous year

“They are often green and striped” should describe what comes before it. Also, drop in “Heirloom Tomatoes” in for “they are often green and striped” and you should see an issue in the flow. Also, missing a main verb to match up with Heirloom tomatoes.

(D) Grown from seeds saved during the previous year, heirloom tomatoes appear less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins

Missing the contrast. We need something along the lines of: Although ugly they are tasty.

(E) Heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved during the previous year, although they appear less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins

Drop in “heirloom tomatoes” for “they” and you’ll see the issue. Also, missing a main verb to match up with Heirloom tomatoes. It’s easier to see some of these mistakes if you take out the modifier “grown from seeds saved during the previous year”.

Correct Answer: B

For some SC guidance, here’s a link to a breakdown of GMAT sentence correction.