Question

There used not to be an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. However, recent advances in medical science have led to a cautious optimism that one will be found in the foreseeable future. A. There used not to be B. There might have been C. There may not be D. There could not be E. There ought to be

Short answer

A. There used not to be

Step-by-step solution

Understand the sentence

The sentence indicates that in the past, there was no effective treatment available for Alzheimer’s disease.

Identify the correct phrase

The correct phrase should convey the meaning that an effective treatment did not exist in the past.

Analyze each option

Option A: 'There used not to be' correctly indicates that an effective treatment did not exist in the past. Option B: 'There might have been' suggests uncertainty in the past, which does not fit. Option C: 'There may not be' indicates present or future uncertainty, not past. Option D: 'There could not be' suggests impossibility but relates more to capability rather than existence. Option E: 'There ought to be' suggests a moral implication rather than a factual past.

Choose the correct option

Since 'There used not to be' exactly captures the idea of non-existence in the past, it is the correct answer.

Key concepts

past tense recognition

Understanding the use of past tenses is crucial for accurately interpreting sentences, especially in the GMAT exam.
In this exercise, recognizing that the sentence speaks about a time when no treatment for Alzheimer’s disease existed helps to identify the correct answer.
Look for cues in the sentence that suggest past tense, like 'used to' or any past tense verbs such as 'was' or 'did'.
For example, in the phrase 'There used not to be an effective treatment,' the word 'used' is in past tense, indicating it’s referring to something that was true before but isn’t necessarily true now.
When practicing past tense recognition, pay attention to:

• Verbs that indicate an action has already happened.
• Words and phrases that suggest a time in the past, such as 'previously,' 'in the past,' or 'formerly.'

correct phrase identification

To answer GMAT questions correctly, picking the right phrase is essential.
In this problem, you need a phrase that conveys the meaning of non-existence in the past.
'There used not to be' is the phrase that makes it clear that an effective treatment previously didn't exist.
Compare this with other options and ask yourself if the phrase makes clear logical sense in the context.
For example, 'There might have been' introduces doubt, which doesn't fit the clear non-existence implied by the original sentence.
Practice identifying correct phrases by:

• Making sure the phrase aligns perfectly with the sentence’s meaning.
• Ensuring the tense matches the context provided (e.g., past, present, future).

analyzing multiple-choice options

One of the key skills in GMAT problem-solving is effectively analyzing multiple-choice options.
Start by eliminating choices that clearly don't align with the sentence’s meaning.
In this exercise, eliminate options like 'There might have been,' 'There may not be,' 'There could not be,' and 'There ought to be,' since none of them correctly indicate past non-existence.
Narrowing down to the correct answer involves:

• Rereading each option in the context of the sentence.
• Eliminating choices that shift the meaning or introduce new ideas.
• Selecting the option that best preserves the original sentence's intent.

This systematic approach will help you increase accuracy and confidence in your answers.

understanding context

Grasping the context of a sentence is vital for choosing the right option.
The context of this GMAT question is that an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease did not exist in the past.
Any correct phrase must faithfully reflect this context without alteration.
'There used not to be' fits perfectly because it aligns with the context of non-existence in the past.
To better understand context, focus on:

• Key words in the sentence that highlight the main idea and time frame.
• Transitions and conjunctions that indicate a relationship between different parts of the sentence (like 'however,' 'although,' etc.).

Paying close attention to these details will help you elegantly and accurately discern the best answer.