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Latest post Wed, Dec 31 2008 7:14 PM by CalifJim. 3 replies.
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xstephenx  +  627745 Wed, 31 Dec 08 02:18 PM

 52. Had Judy been more careful on the maths exam, she __ much better results now.

   A. would be getting B. could have got

   C. must get             D. would get

my choice is D , the given one is A.
puzzled.

Joined on Wed, Dec 24 2008
New Member 49
Avangi  +  627844 Wed, 31 Dec 08 04:02 PM
I wouldn't use any of them.  The whole thing makes no sense.

I would accept: "Had Judy studied harder during the first part of the semester, she would be getting much better results now.

I should think in order for someone to make the statement you quote, the exam would have to be a done deal.  How could you still be getting results?

Possibly if the corrected papers are at this moment being returned / passed out, you could say, "she would be getting a much better result than she is now getting."  But I'd certainly use "result" in the singular.  Perhaps it's a regional thing.

But regarding your D. choice, "would get" doesn't match with "If Judy had been."  However, "would be getting" does.   I know it's true, but I can't seem to explain it.

Anyway, it's a bad sentence.

I think the intended usage is like, "If you had filed your income tax return on time, you would be getting your refund check in the mail at about this time."  You would not say, "you would get your refund check etc."  I'm struggling for a way to explain why that is. 

I don't believe the use of "been" in the "if" clause has anything to do with choosing answer A.  It could be:
If Judy had been more careful
If Judy had worked harder
Had Judy been more careful
Had Judy worked harder
Joined on Mon, Nov 19 2007
Veteran Member 8,180
". . . le plaisir delicieux et toujours nouveau d'une occupation inutile." - Henri de Regnier
xstephenx, 326 days ago
detailed and professional!
thx a bunch. Avangi.
happy new year!
    
CalifJim  +  627956 Wed, 31 Dec 08 07:14 PM

xstephenx
“52. Had Judy been more careful on the maths exam, she __ much better results now.”
I don't even understand the sentence to begin with!  I agree with Avangi that it is anomalous.

The following would make more sense.

Had Judy studied harder in math, she would be getting better grades on her exams now.


And I don't see any serious objection to the following version:

Had Judy studied harder in math, she would get better grades on her exams (now).

-- although I would leave out the final word now because this version seems to relate more to the future.

Strange question you have there!

CJ
Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004
California
Veteran Member 22,389
"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche
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