A 2 min read

According to some economists, the July decrease in unemployment so that it was the lowest in two years suggests that the gradual improvement in the job market is continuing.

(A) so that it was the lowest in two years

(B) so that it was the lowest two-year rate

(C) to what would be the lowest in two years

(D) to a two-year low level

(E) to the lowest level in two years

What does this question test?

This question tests your understanding of the sentence and selection of proper diction to communicate the intended meaning.

What does this sentence mean?

This sentence states that July decrease in unemployment was the lowest in 2 years.  This decrease suggests that the gradual improvement in the job market is continuing.

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What are the errors in the original sentence?

The sentence does not use correct expression.  The idiom – so that – is used to denote purpose.  For example,

Tom cooked dinner so that Mary could get some rest.

In the context of this sentence, the usage of “so that” is non-sensical.  It illogically implies that July decrease in unemployment happened with a purpose of being lowest in 2 years.

Answer Choice Analysis

Choice B:  According to some economists, the July decrease in unemployment so that it was the lowest two-year rate suggests that the gradual improvement in the job market is continuing.

Idiom Error pertaining to use of “so that”:  Similar to Choice A.

Meaning Error: The use of expression “two-year” distorts the intended meaning of the sentence.  Per the intended meaning, in July, the unemployment reached its lowest level in the last 2 years.  Per this choice, unemployment reached a lowest rate.  But it is not clear that “lowest” with regards to what.  Instead “two-year” now modifies “rate”, illogically implying that this is a type of rate.

Choice C:  According to some economists, the July decrease in unemployment to what would be the lowest in two years suggests that the gradual improvement in the job market is continuing.

Verb Tense Error:  By using the verb tense “would”, the sentence now casts doubt in the otherwise factual information.  The July decrease is indeed the lowest in 2 years.  There is no question about that.  However, use of “would” casts an air of uncertainty around this fact.

Choice D:  According to some economists, the July decrease in unemployment to a two-year low level suggests that the gradual improvement in the job market is continuing.

Meaning error:  Similar to Choice B

Choice E:  According to some economists, the July decrease in unemployment to the lowest level in two years suggests that the gradual improvement in the job market is continuing.

No errors.

Thus, Choice E is the correct answer.

What are the key take-away messages?

1. Proper words/idioms should be used to communicate the intended meaning.
2. Be cautious of slight changes in the word arrangement since these changes can distort the intended meaning.  For example, lowest level in two years is different from two-year low level.

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