Hi, experts
Please share your thoughts and correct my view. Appreciated
According to surveys by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, about 20 percent of young adults used cocaine in 1979, doubling those reported in the 1977 survey.
(A) doubling those reported in the 1977 survey
(B) to double the number the 1977 survey reported
(C) twice those the 1977 survey reported
(D) twice as much as those reported in the 1977 survey
(E) twice the number reported in the 1977 survey
OA:E
(A) is wrong because "those" cannot replace "20 percent of young adults". If this view is correct, is it possible to use "that " here? because it is singular.
(D) is wrong because "as much as" has no referent.
Experts, please confirm my view above and correct me if it's wrong.
Many thanks in advance
5-Day Free Trial
5-day free, full-access trial TTP
Available with Beat the GMAT members only code
MORE DETAILS
According to surveys by the National Institute on Drug Abuse
This topic has expert replies
-
toro86717498
- Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Tue Jul 26, 2016 3:51 am
-
crackverbal
- Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
- Posts: 157
- Joined: Mon Aug 16, 2010 7:30 pm
- Location: India
- Thanked: 65 times
- Followed by:3 members
No it would not. -ing modifiers at the end of a clause must modify the subject of the clause.
-ing modifiers at the end of a clause have 2 functions -
1. Subordinate action
example -
Students can improve their performance on the tests, using an error log. (Here, "using error logs" modifies the subject "Students" and also serves as a subordinate action to the main clause).
2. Effect
example -
Amit ate only salads this month, losing 5 kilos. (Here, "losing 5 kilos" is an effect of the main clause. it also applies to the subject Amit).
hence, "doubling ..." would apply to the subject - 20% of young adults. this would be incorrect.
D - as much as cannot be used to refer to plurals ('those')
for example - scientists have concluded that the planet's crust harbors up to three times as much water as previously thought. (Water is singular)
You can buy as many chocolates as you want. (Here, 'chocolates' - plural. You 'as many as' with plural nouns).
Hope this helps.
-ing modifiers at the end of a clause have 2 functions -
1. Subordinate action
example -
Students can improve their performance on the tests, using an error log. (Here, "using error logs" modifies the subject "Students" and also serves as a subordinate action to the main clause).
2. Effect
example -
Amit ate only salads this month, losing 5 kilos. (Here, "losing 5 kilos" is an effect of the main clause. it also applies to the subject Amit).
hence, "doubling ..." would apply to the subject - 20% of young adults. this would be incorrect.
D - as much as cannot be used to refer to plurals ('those')
for example - scientists have concluded that the planet's crust harbors up to three times as much water as previously thought. (Water is singular)
You can buy as many chocolates as you want. (Here, 'chocolates' - plural. You 'as many as' with plural nouns).
Hope this helps.
Join Free 4 part MBA Through GMAT Video Training Series here -
https://gmat.crackverbal.com/mba-throug ... video-2018
Enroll for our GMAT Trial Course here -
https://gmatonline.crackverbal.com/
For more info on GMAT and MBA, follow us on @AskCrackVerbal
https://gmat.crackverbal.com/mba-throug ... video-2018
Enroll for our GMAT Trial Course here -
https://gmatonline.crackverbal.com/
For more info on GMAT and MBA, follow us on @AskCrackVerbal
-
GMATGuruNY
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 15539
- Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pm
- Location: New York, NY
- Thanked: 13060 times
- Followed by:1906 members
- GMAT Score:790
The agent of a COMMA + VERBing modifier must be the nearest preceding SUBJECT.toro86717498 wrote:According to surveys by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, about 20 percent of young adults used cocaine in 1979, doubling those reported in the 1977 survey.
(A) doubling those reported in the 1977 survey
(B) to double the number the 1977 survey reported
(C) twice those the 1977 survey reported
(D) twice as much as those reported in the 1977 survey
(E) twice the number reported in the 1977 survey
In A, COMMA + doubling seems to refer to 20 percent of young adults -- the preceding subject -- implying that 20 percent of young adults were DOUBLING those reported in the 1977 survey.
This meaning is nonsensical.
Eliminate A.
Generally, an infinitive modifier serves to express the INTENT of the preceding subject.
In B, to double implies that the intent of 20 percent of young adults was TO DOUBLE the number the 1977 survey reported.
Not the intended meaning.
Eliminate B.
In C, those seems intended to refer to young adults.
As a result, a STATISTIC (20 percent) is illogically compared to a NON-STATISTIC (young adults).
Also, those reported in the 1977 survey implies that YOUNG ADULTS were REPORTED in the survey.
Not the intended meaning:
The young adults were not reported; a STATISTIC about the young adults was reported (the number who used cocaine).
Eliminate C.
In D, much cannot serve to refer to a countable noun such as young adults.
Eliminate D.
The correct answer is E.
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
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
-
toro86717498
- Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Tue Jul 26, 2016 3:51 am
GMATGuruNY wrote:Hi Mitchtoro86717498 wrote:According to surveys by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, about 20 percent of young adults used cocaine in 1979, doubling those reported in the 1977 survey.
(A) doubling those reported in the 1977 survey
(B) to double the number the 1977 survey reported
(C) twice those the 1977 survey reported
(D) twice as much as those reported in the 1977 survey
(E) twice the number reported in the 1977 survey
The agent of a COMMA + VERBing modifier must be the nearest preceding SUBJECT.
In A, COMMA + doubling seems to refer to 20 percent of young adults -- the preceding subject -- implying that 20 percent of young adults were DOUBLING those reported in the 1977 survey.
This meaning is nonsensical.
Eliminate A.
Since those refers to plural pronoun, it should replace young adults. So the intending meaning is: implying that 20 percent of young adults were DOUBLING young adults reported in the 1977 survey.
Can you please clarify what's wrong here? Thanks so much.
-
GMATGuruNY
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 15539
- Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pm
- Location: New York, NY
- Thanked: 13060 times
- Followed by:1906 members
- GMAT Score:790
toro86717498 wrote:Young adults cannot be doubled.GMATGuruNY wrote:Hi Mitchtoro86717498 wrote:According to surveys by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, about 20 percent of young adults used cocaine in 1979, doubling those reported in the 1977 survey.
(A) doubling those reported in the 1977 survey
(B) to double the number the 1977 survey reported
(C) twice those the 1977 survey reported
(D) twice as much as those reported in the 1977 survey
(E) twice the number reported in the 1977 survey
The agent of a COMMA + VERBing modifier must be the nearest preceding SUBJECT.
In A, COMMA + doubling seems to refer to 20 percent of young adults -- the preceding subject -- implying that 20 percent of young adults were DOUBLING those reported in the 1977 survey.
This meaning is nonsensical.
Eliminate A.
Since those refers to plural pronoun, it should replace young adults. So the intending meaning is: implying that 20 percent of young adults were DOUBLING young adults reported in the 1977 survey.
Can you please clarify what's wrong here? Thanks so much.
Only a VALUE can be doubled.
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
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
-
Mo2men
- Legendary Member
- Posts: 712
- Joined: Fri Sep 25, 2015 4:39 am
- Thanked: 14 times
- Followed by:5 members
Dear GMATGuru,GMATGuruNY wrote:The agent of a COMMA + VERBing modifier must be the nearest preceding SUBJECT.toro86717498 wrote:According to surveys by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, about 20 percent of young adults used cocaine in 1979, doubling those reported in the 1977 survey.
(A) doubling those reported in the 1977 survey
(B) to double the number the 1977 survey reported
(C) twice those the 1977 survey reported
(D) twice as much as those reported in the 1977 survey
(E) twice the number reported in the 1977 survey
In A, COMMA + doubling seems to refer to 20 percent of young adults -- the preceding subject -- implying that 20 percent of young adults were DOUBLING those reported in the 1977 survey.
This meaning is nonsensical.
Eliminate A.
Generally, an infinitive modifier serves to express the INTENT of the preceding subject.
In B, to double implies that the intent of 20 percent of young adults was TO DOUBLE the number the 1977 survey reported.
Not the intended meaning.
Eliminate B.
In C, those seems intended to refer to young adults.
As a result, a STATISTIC (20 percent) is illogically compared to a NON-STATISTIC (young adults).
Also, those reported in the 1977 survey implies that YOUNG ADULTS were REPORTED in the survey.
Not the intended meaning:
The young adults were not reported; a STATISTIC about the young adults was reported (the number who used cocaine).
Eliminate C.
In D, much cannot serve to refer to a countable noun such as young adults.
Eliminate D.
The correct answer is E.
1- In OA, I assume '20% of young adults' is a number to make the comparison with 'twice the number reported......' correct?
2- If the above is correct '20% of young adults' is statistic or number, can choice A be changed to:
doubling the number reported in the 1977 survey.
-
GMATGuruNY
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 15539
- Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pm
- Location: New York, NY
- Thanked: 13060 times
- Followed by:1906 members
- GMAT Score:790
Correct!Mo2men wrote:Dear GMATGuru,
1- In OA, I assume '20% of young adults' is a number to make the comparison with 'twice the number reported......' correct?
The OA to SC71 in the OG11 includes a similar construction:2- If the above is correct '20% of young adults' is statistic or number, can choice A be changed to:
doubling the number reported in the 1977 survey.
The cameras of the Voyager II spacecraft detected six small, previously unseen moons circling Uranus, doubling...the number of satellites now known to orbit the distant planet.
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
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
-
Mo2men
- Legendary Member
- Posts: 712
- Joined: Fri Sep 25, 2015 4:39 am
- Thanked: 14 times
- Followed by:5 members
Dear GMAtGuru,GMATGuruNY wrote:In C, those seems intended to refer to young adults.toro86717498 wrote:According to surveys by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, about 20 percent of young adults used cocaine in 1979, doubling those reported in the 1977 survey.
(A) doubling those reported in the 1977 survey
(B) to double the number the 1977 survey reported
(C) twice those the 1977 survey reported
(D) twice as much as those reported in the 1977 survey
(E) twice the number reported in the 1977 survey
As a result, a STATISTIC (20 percent) is illogically compared to a NON-STATISTIC (young adults).
Also, those reported in the 1977 survey implies that YOUNG ADULTS were REPORTED in the survey.
Not the intended meaning:
The young adults were not reported; a STATISTIC about the young adults was reported (the number who used cocaine).
Eliminate C.
In choice C, can the construction 'twice as many young adults as..........' correct? how could be the sentence look like?
Thanks
-
GMATGuruNY
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 15539
- Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pm
- Location: New York, NY
- Thanked: 13060 times
- Followed by:1906 members
- GMAT Score:790
Proposed revision:Mo2men wrote:
In C, those sDear GMAtGuru,
In choice C, can the construction 'twice as many young adults as..........' correct?
as many young adults as the 1997 survey reported
Conveyed meaning:
The 1997 survey reported many young adults.
This meaning seems illogical.
The 1997 survey reported a NUMBER.
It did not report the young adults themselves.
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
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
Interesting post, thanks for sharing!toro86717498 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 03, 2016 7:02 pmHi, experts
Please share your thoughts and correct my view. Appreciated
According to surveys by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, about 20 percent of young adults used cocaine in 1979, doubling those reported in the 1977 survey.
(A) doubling those reported in the 1977 survey
(B) to double the number the 1977 survey reported
(C) twice those the 1977 survey reported
(D) twice as much as those reported in the 1977 survey
(E) twice the number reported in the 1977 survey
OA:E
(A) is wrong because "those" cannot replace "20 percent of young adults". If this view is correct, is it possible to use "that " here? because it is singular.
(D) is wrong because "as much as" has no referent.
Experts, please confirm my view above and correct me if it's wrong.
Many thanks in advance
