1000 SC #157

by **gter** Wed Nov 28, 2007 11:09 pm

157. Balzac drank more than fifty cups of coffee a day and died of caffeine poisoning; furthermore, caffeine did not seem to bother Samuel Johnson, the great writer and lexicographer, who was reported to have drunk twenty-five cups of tea at one sitting.
(A) furthermore, caffeine did not seem to bother
(B) however, caffeine did not seem to bother
(C) however, caffeine did not seem to have bothered
(D) furthermore, caffeine did not seem to have bothered
(E) in addition, caffeine did not seem to bother

Can someone please explain why the answer is B and not C? I do not like b because it is in the present tense. C using a present perfect form implies action that occured at an indeterminate time in the past.

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by **Guest** Wed Nov 28, 2007 11:28 pm

Gter,

In my opinion C is not in Present Tense but in Past Tense "Did Not" ---I didn't not drink coffee. You never say I didn't not drank coffee.

So seem to have bothered would suggest that drinking coffee STILL not bother Samuel, whereas in the non underlined portion of the sentence has "REPORTED".

MGMAT tutors please comment if my understanding is correct?

Saurabh Malpani

by **raja_asu** Fri Nov 30, 2007 12:33 am

Choice B is right.
Choice C uses present perfect tense which is wrong, since its not clear whether he is still alive.And his drinking habit was reported in the past.Hence, past tense should be used.

Choice B is not present tense as you have mentioned.It is past tense"...did..".

Rajesh

by **RonPurewal** Fri Nov 30, 2007 5:42 am

http://www.manhattangmat.com/forums/sc- ... t1716.html