Had I realized how close I was to failing, I would not have gone to the party

(a) Had I realized how close
(b) If I would have realized
(c) Had I had realized how close
(d) When I realized how close
(e) If I realized how close

the answer is a
i believe the answer should have been e
here is my reason -> the independant clause has the word would. So that makes me think that the dependant clause should have an if because it is conditional. so why is my answer wrong and a right????

Being a realist, I could not accept her statement that supernatural beings had caused the disturbance.

(a) being a realist
(b) Since I am a realist,
(c) Being that I am a realist,
(d) Being as I am a realist,
(e) Realist that I am,

The answer is a. However I put down b. I have been constantly reminded never to use the word being....so why am i wrong here?

For answer choice (e) to be right, you need past perfect [had + past participle ] in IF cluase , since the Independent clause has - would + have + past participle.

If i had realized how close i was to failing, I would not have gone to the party.
another example: If I had worked harder, I would have passed the exam.

If you have just simple past in If clause ( like in answer choise e), independent cluase should have - would + base form of verb.
example: If it rained , you would get wet.

This concept is very well explained in chapter 3 of MGMAT sentence correction guide.

Thanks.

Hello,

This is true that being is almost incorrect choice in GMAT; however, this is one of the few ways for Being to be correct.

Here Being is used as a Gerund ( 'Verb plus ing' that takes the place of noun in a sentence ). Gerund phrase " Being a realist " is formed by linking verb be + ing. Since the gerund is based on a linking verb , the subject complement ( realist ) is necessary to acquire the complete meaning. Remember that linking verb cannot stand alone.

Being a realist is the subject of the sentence.

The word since ( as in answer choice b) is typically used to show some time reference. I am not sure if Since is correctly used here.

" I AM NOT A GRAMMAR EXPERT. MGMAT Instructors can probably shed more light on this issue.

Really good explanations, mridul12.

On the "being" issue - it is true that "being" is ALMOST always used incorrectly on the test. I've seen it used correctly on exactly one question in the past decade (a GMATPrep question - I've never seen it used correctly on the official test). So you should be highly skeptical of "being" and only choose it if you have to.

Also, a lot of people do use "since" to mean "because" nowadays, but the test still adheres to the old rules - since is used with a specific date or time. Thus, we cannot use it for this sentence.