The source of this question is Princeton Review – Crack the GMAT. I understand that “which” must be immediately preceded by the word it modifies (although prepositional phrases can be exceptions). Why isn't (A) the correct choice? Doesn’t “which” modify $167B? Additionally, which numerical idiom is appropriate with percentages: “14 percent higher” or “14 percent more than”?

Sales of United States manufactured goods to non-industrialized countries rose to $167 billion in 1992, which is 14 percent more than the previous year and largely offsets weak demand from Europe and Japan.

A) which is 14 percent more than the previous year
B) which is 14 percent higher than it was the previous year
C) 14 percent higher than the previous year's figure
D) an amount that is 14 percent more than the previous year was
E) an amount that is 14 percent higher than the previous year's figure

In answer A, the word right before the comma is 1992, not $167B. It literally needs to be the word right before.

Generally, you'd use 14% higher than here.

Can you explain why Answer E is not correct?

Thanks!

Eric,

Is C the Official Answer ?

I think it´s E, isn´t it?

I think E is the correct answer, too. Eric, can you confirm?

Stacey,

Would you please clarify this issue. I learned that the clause ( adjective or noun) should literally comes after the word it modifies. If i am understanding it correctly, Answer choice E) : " an amount that is 14 percent higher than the previous year's figure" is modifying the word $167 billion while the word before it is 1992.
Although, if I just follow my ears, E sounds the correct answer;however, if i follow the rules, E seems to be incorrect.

If you could clarify this issue, that will be a great help.

Regards.

Only noun modifiers have to touch the nouns they're talking about. Not all clauses are noun modifiers, as is the case with E. A noun modifier specifically has to be referring to some noun without including that noun, or another noun or pronoun that refer to it, in the modifier.

E says "an amount that is 14 percent higher than the previous year's figure"

"An amount" refers back to the original noun we're talking about. So I don't need to have this whole clause touch "167 billion" - it's already got a noun in there that tells me what it's talking about.

Stacey,

I would like to genuinely thank you for your efforts in responding the MGMAT students’ issue and clear their doubts. I have started getting right answer to lot more problems after this explanation.

Regards.