According to scientists at the University of California

Expert replies

AbhiS: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 54; Joined: Sun Nov 03, 2013 12:50 pm; Thanked: 4 times

by AbhiS » Wed Nov 06, 2013 6:49 am

According to scientists at the University of California, the pattern of changes that have occurred in human DNA over the millennia indicate the possibility that everyone alive today might be descended from a single female ancestor who lived in Africa sometime between 140,000 and 280,000 years ago.

(A) indicate the possibility that everyone alive today might be descended from a single female ancestor who
(B) indicate that everyone alive today might possibly be a descendant of a single female ancestor who had
(C) may indicate that everyone alive today has descended from a single female ancestor who had
(D) indicates that everyone alive today may be a descendant of a single female ancestor who
(E) indicates that everyone alive today might be a descendant from a single female ancestor who

OA : D

Source: Beat The GMAT — Sentence Correction | Wed Nov 06, 2013 6:49 am

AbhiS: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 54; Joined: Sun Nov 03, 2013 12:50 pm; Thanked: 4 times

by AbhiS » Wed Nov 06, 2013 6:50 am

Can someone explain me why - have (pural verb form in the non-underlined part) OK with the subject the pattern which is singular

Thanks in advance

theCodeToGMAT: Legendary Member; Posts: 1556; Joined: Tue Aug 14, 2012 11:18 pmFollowed by: 34 members; Thanked: 448 times; GMAT Score:650

by theCodeToGMAT » Wed Nov 06, 2013 7:59 am

AbhiS wrote:Can someone explain me why - have (pural verb form in the non-underlined part) OK with the subject the pattern which is singular

Thanks in advance

In this sentence, "have" is used for "changes" as the pronoun that is used with changes.

"pattern" is the subject and the corresponding verb is "indicates"....

R A H U L

AbhiS: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 54; Joined: Sun Nov 03, 2013 12:50 pm; Thanked: 4 times

by AbhiS » Wed Nov 06, 2013 9:32 am

theCodeToGMAT wrote:
AbhiS wrote:Can someone explain me why - have (pural verb form in the non-underlined part) OK with the subject the pattern which is singular

Thanks in advance
In this sentence, "have" is used for "changes" as the pronoun that is used with changes.

"pattern" is the subject and the corresponding verb is "indicates"....

I am not sure what you are trying to say. Can you clarify with an example

GMATGuruNY: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 15539; Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pmFollowed by: 1906 members; Location: New York, NY; Thanked: 13060 times; GMAT Score:790

by GMATGuruNY » Wed Nov 06, 2013 10:38 am

AbhiS wrote:According to scientists at the University of California, the pattern of changes that have occurred in human DNA over the millennia indicate the possibility that everyone alive today might be descended from a single female ancestor who lived in Africa sometime between 140,000 and 280,000 years ago.

(A) indicate the possibility that everyone alive today might be descended from a single female ancestor who
(B) indicate that everyone alive today might possibly be a descendant of a single female ancestor who had
(C) may indicate that everyone alive today has descended from a single female ancestor who had
(D) indicates that everyone alive today may be a descendant of a single female ancestor who
(E) indicates that everyone alive today might be a descendant from a single female ancestor who

OA : D

In A and B, indicate (plural) does not agree with pattern (singular).
Eliminate A and B.

To express a GENERAL TRUTH -- something that is true now and is expected to remain true in the future -- we use the simple present tense.
The sentence above is expressing a general truth about everyone alive today.
Thus, in C, has descended (present perfect) is inappropriate.
Eliminate C.

In E, descendant from is unidiomatic.
The correct idiom is X is a descendant OF Y.
Eliminate E.

The correct answer is D.

In the non-underlined portion, have occurred (plural) agrees with changes (also plural).
Conveyed meaning:
CHANGES HAVE OCCURRED in human DNA.
The PATTERN of these changes INDICATES that everyone alive today may be a descendant of a single female ancestor.

Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.

As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.

For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3

kisna_428: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 29; Joined: Wed Oct 02, 2013 4:24 am; Thanked: 1 times

by kisna_428 » Thu Nov 07, 2013 8:40 am

Can we spot error by making difference between May and might in D and E ?

GMAT/MBA Expert

[email protected]: Elite Legendary Member; Posts: 10392; Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pmFollowed by: 511 members; Location: Palo Alto, CA; Thanked: 2867 times; GMAT Score:800

by [email protected] » Thu Nov 07, 2013 1:13 pm

Hi kisna_428,

The bigger difference between D and E is the usage of "descendant"

The phrase "descendant OF" is correct.

Another correct phrase would be "descendED FROM", but that isn't an option in D or E.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Contact Rich at [email protected]

kisna_428: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 29; Joined: Wed Oct 02, 2013 4:24 am; Thanked: 1 times

by kisna_428 » Thu Nov 07, 2013 4:59 pm

Because it is indicates , can we not assume we should prefer may to might?
Might may be considered with indicated ?

I am not good at idioms so can not readily depend on idioms!

guptas: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 22; Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2012 8:13 am

by guptas » Sat Nov 23, 2013 7:26 pm

descendant of-makes sense, not descendant from.

GMAT Course Reviews

563 reviews

1168 reviews

431 reviews

359 reviews

147 reviews

5/5

5 Star (563 Reviews)

"Target Test Prep is the closest to the official version of the GMAT exam, about 99% accuracy in terms of the quality and quantity of information. The course has excellently created singular sets of focused lessons and tests for every possible topic that one could come across in the official GMAT exam."

"The TTP course maximizes the efficiency of the time you spend studying. It will take time and effort but I could almost guarantee that if you complete the course exactly as it is laid out you will get an amazing score. They also have a very responsive team willing to help with any questions you might have."

"TTP has two things that I think no other test prep company offers: A teaching approach that reinforces understanding and an attitude that will give you the mental preparedness needed to succeed on the test. TTP gives you a deep understanding of the concept you need to know while teaching you how to think."

Write a Review