CAT 4 - Q19 - Policy makers remain....

[JbhB682]

Hi Experts - I have a question on A.

First, here is my understanding

There is a picture of a cat lying on the couch: This is not accurate as we don't know if the cat is lying on the couch or the picture is lying on the couch

There is a picture of a cat sleeping on the couch: This is accurate as the picture CANNOT LOGICALLY sleep on the couch. Only the cat can sleep on the couch. Hence out of the two interpretations, one one interpretation [cat sleeping on the couch] makes sense. Hence, this sentence is okay.

[JbhB682]

Option A) is considered incorrect because option A leaves two interpretations regarding what is driving up the cost of goods exactly.

(interpretation 1) Few Signs are driving the costs
OR
(interpretation 2) Energy prices are driving the costs

But just like my example above where we know a picture is unable to sleep -- i can't think of a legitimate meaningfull scenario when "signs" ever drive up the cost of goods. From a logical perspective, "Signs" can never drive up the cost of goods.

Thus, even though there maybe two interpretations to option A , interpretation 1 (where in which, signs drive the costs of goods) can be knocked out because it is not a scenario that can ever be logical.

Hence in option A - only meaningul interpretation is Energy prices that are driving the costs

thoughts ?

[esledge]

You make a good case that only "increasing energy prices," not "few signs" could be "driving up the cost." However, that's not the main reason to eliminate (A), or even the primary issue with that split.

The split is "signs of" vs. "signs that," which get used in distinct ways:

Use "signs of" if what follows is a noun (it can be a modified noun).
Use "signs that" if what follows is a clause.

In fairness, "increasing energy prices driving up the cost" is an (awkward) modified noun in (A), but it shouldn't be (meaning-wise). The signs are not of the "prices" themselves; the signs indicate whether the action is happening, namely whether they "are driving up the cost."

Here are some examples from the Strategy Guide of "signs of (a noun)":
--But in 1965, photos taken by the Mariner 4 probe revealed a Mars without rivers, oceans, or signs of life.
--The test is also less painful and invasive than a mammogram, which is typically used to detect early signs of breast cancer.
--Pierre was recovering from the flu when he visited Shelley last week, and now Shelley is showing signs of the flu.

Here's an example from the Strategy Guide of "signs that (a clause)":
--Although strong at the moment, the economy is showing signs that it may slow down soon.