vinay1983 wrote:While airline travel can be detrimental to your health, many exercise experts point out that there is a surprising number of airports in the United States -even those in the major cities such as New York and Chicago - that are adjacent to public parks and pedestrian paths and that are easily reachable during long layovers.

A. is a surprising number of airports in the United States - even those in the major cities such as New York and Chicago - that are adjacent to public parks and pedestrian paths and that are easily reachable during long layovers.

B. is a surprising number of airports in the United States - even those in the major cities like New York and Chicago - that are adjacent to public parks, pedestrian paths, and easily reachable during long layovers.

C.are a surprising number of airports in the United States - even those in the major cities such as New York and Chicago - that are adjacent to public parks and pedestrian paths and that are easily reachable during long layovers.

D.are a surprising number of airports in the United States - even those in the major cities like New York and Chicago - that are adjacent to public parks and pedestrian paths, easily reachable during long layovers.

E.are a surprising number of airports in the United States - even those in the major cities such as New York and Chicago - that are adjacent to public parks and pedestrian paths, and easily reachable during long layovers.

theCodeToGMAT wrote:Vicks, the problem sited for A & B "is a surprising number of airports in the United States " is incorrect.
"is" is not judged by "airports" by is judged by " a...number"

Consider the sentence with:
"is the surprising number of airports in the United States " then "is" was correct.

mevicks wrote:

theCodeToGMAT wrote:Vicks, the problem sited for A & B "is a surprising number of airports in the United States " is incorrect.
"is" is not judged by "airports" by is judged by " a...number"

Consider the sentence with:
"is the surprising number of airports in the United States " then "is" was correct.

Hi Rahul,

I think in this sentence the phrase "a number of" means several, thus the usage of "are" seems to be correct. The object of the preposition of is plural (airports) thus we need a plural verb here.
There are several airports (and not there is several airports.)

If a numerical value was mentioned in the sentence it would have required a singular verb is. eg: The number of airports is 500.

Thanks & Regards,
Vivek

vinay1983 wrote:While airline travel can be detrimental to your health, many exercise experts point out that there is a surprising number of airports in the United States -even those in the major cities such as New York and Chicago - that are adjacent to public parks and pedestrian paths and that are easily reachable during long layovers.

A. is a surprising number of airports in the United States - even those in the major cities such as New York and Chicago - that are adjacent to public parks and pedestrian paths and that are easily reachable during long layovers.

B. is a surprising number of airports in the United States - even those in the major cities like New York and Chicago - that are adjacent to public parks, pedestrian paths, and easily reachable during long layovers.

C.are a surprising number of airports in the United States - even those in the major cities such as New York and Chicago - that are adjacent to public parks and pedestrian paths and that are easily reachable during long layovers.

D.are a surprising number of airports in the United States - even those in the major cities like New York and Chicago - that are adjacent to public parks and pedestrian paths, easily reachable during long layovers.

E.are a surprising number of airports in the United States - even those in the major cities such as New York and Chicago - that are adjacent to public parks and pedestrian paths, and easily reachable during long layovers.