<p>12) The construction of the new pool was to have been completed last month, but the long spell of rainy weather has postponed the opening until October.</p>
<p>a) was to have been completed last month, but
b) will have been completed last month, but
c) was to be completed last month, so
d) has been completed last month, but
e) were to be completed last month, but</p>
<p>Underlined Portion: was to have been completed last month, but
Correct: A</p>
<p>Can someone tell me why choice A is correct? What's wrong with choice D? I narrowed it down to choices A, and D, but chose D. My book doesn't tell me why the original sentence is best.</p>
<p>D certainly changes the meaning of the sentence, and A isn’t grammatically wrong(it just isn’t worded in the best possible way).</p>
<p>I can tell that this is not a BB question. The correct answer is indeed A, but don’t worry because these types of questions will not be on the real SAT.</p>
<p>Ok thanks. By the way, how can I learn to avoid choices that change the meaning of the original sentence? That seems to be my weak spot. I’ve noticed that I have been getting quite a few of these questions incorrect lately.</p>
<p>You can always compare other answer choices with the original sentence. When you read the original sentence, you should always try to retain the meaning of the sentence.</p>
<p>I think CB seldom tests those types of questions. I really don’t think you should worry about them.</p>
<p>D changes the meaning of the sentence because D is saying that the new construction WAS completed last month and has been completed SINCE THEN. Also, it doesn’t make any sense whatsoever when you are trying to assert that something finished in the past is still going on right now. </p>
<p>A good way to pick out which choices change the meaning is by imputing the choice into the sentence, and reading it “out loud” in your head. The most common changes would be tense of the action being performed, subject and subject verb agreement, and in pronouns and their antecedents.</p>