Although the first pulsar, or rapidly spinning collapsed star, to be sighted was in the summer of 1967 by graduate student Jocelyn Bell, it had not been announced until February 1968.
A. Although the first pulsar, or rapidly spinning collapsed star, to be sighted was in the summer of 1967 by graduate student Jocelyn Bell, it had not been announced until February 1968.
B. Although not announced until February 1968, in the summer of 1967 graduate student Jocelyn Bell observed the first pulsar, or rapidly spinning collapsed star, to be sighted.
C. Although observed by graduate student Jocelyn Bell in the summer of 1967, the discovery of the first sighted pulsar, or rapidly spinning collapsed star, had not been announced before February 1968.
D. The first pulsar, or rapidly spinning collapsed star, to be sighted was observed in the summer of 1967 by graduate student Jocelyn Bell, but the discovery was not announced until February 1968.
E. The first sighted pulsar, or rapidly spinning collapsed star, was not announced until February 1968, while it was observed in the summer of 1967 by graduate student Jocelyn Bell.
In-depth Explanation and Correct Answer Below (so you don’t see it while reviewing the question)
Although the first pulsar, or rapidly spinning… Explanation
Although the first pulsar, or rapidly spinning collapsed star, to be sighted was in the summer of 1967 by graduate student Jocelyn Bell, it had not been announced until February 1968.
(A) Although the first pulsar, or rapidly spinning collapsed star, to be sighted was in the summer of 1967 by graduate student Jocelyn Bell, it had not been announced until February 1968.
Incorrect use of past perfect. It was announced after observed. Past perfect places something further in the past putting the announcement before the sighting.
(B) Although not announced until February 1968, in the summer of 1967 graduate student Jocelyn Bell observed the first pulsar, or rapidly spinning collapsed star, to be sighted.
Order is completely jumbled. Leading modifier issue: “Although not announced until February 1968” (what should you expect after this?).
(C) Although observed by graduate student Jocelyn Bell in the summer of 1967, the discovery of the first sighted pulsar, or rapidly spinning collapsed star, had not been announced before February 1968.
Incorrect use of past perfect. It was announced after observed. Past perfect places something further in the past putting the announcement before the sighting.
(D) The first pulsar, or rapidly spinning collapsed star, to be sighted was observed in the summer of 1967 by graduate student Jocelyn Bell, but the discovery was not announced until February 1968.
(E) The first sighted pulsar, or rapidly spinning collapsed star, was not announced until February 1968, while it was observed in the summer of 1967 by graduate student Jocelyn Bell.
Was it announced WHILE it was observed?
Correct Answer: D
For some SC guidance, here’s a link to a breakdown of GMAT sentence correction.