The ad hoc committee had recommended

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gmatdriller: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 418; Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 12:48 pmFollowed by: 3 members; Thanked: 6 times

by gmatdriller » Thu Nov 08, 2012 2:53 am

The ad hoc committee had recommended a large amount of big changes in the latest test
of the anti-inflammatory agent, despite already being fairly complex and expensive.

A. amount of big changes in the latest test of the anti-inflammatory agent, despite
B. amount of change in the latest test of the anti-inflammatory agent, despite
C. number of big changes in the latest test of the anti-inflammatory agent, despite its
D. number of big changes in the latest test of the anti-inflammatory agent, despite
E. amount of change in the latest test of the anti-inflammatory agent, though

Kindly spot errors in the choices....thanks.

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Source: Beat The GMAT — Sentence Correction | Thu Nov 08, 2012 2:53 am

Chiquitita: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 15; Joined: Fri Aug 24, 2012 1:51 am; Thanked: 1 times

by Chiquitita » Thu Nov 08, 2012 3:30 am

Choices A, B and E are wrong because they mention the word "amount", whereas change is a countable item. So, it comes down to Choices C & D which correctly uses "number" with changes.

Choice D omits "its" at the end of the phrase, making it seem as if the ad hoc committee is "fairly complex and expensive".

I would go with choice C -- as the "its" at the end of the phrase removes any ambiguity with respect to the subject of the complexity (the test of the agent).

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Captaingmat: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 6; Joined: Sun Oct 28, 2012 10:06 pm

by Captaingmat » Thu Nov 08, 2012 3:55 am

A,B,E are wrong because of the word amount. Changes are countable so number is better than amount.
D is wrong because it is not clear what is expensive the committee or the changes or the agent
I would go with C.

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theachiever: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 116; Joined: Wed Oct 03, 2012 10:44 pmFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 5 times

by theachiever » Thu Nov 08, 2012 4:00 am

We are describing about how big the changes are and not a measurable quantity hence options with the word "amount" are ruled out.
Option "C" elliminates the redundancy and ambiguity.

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eki: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 38; Joined: Mon Mar 15, 2010 8:38 pm; Location: Mumbai; Thanked: 7 times; GMAT Score:710

by eki » Thu Nov 08, 2012 4:05 am

As already explained earlier that A,B and E are wrong, we are left with only C and D. But looking closely at the options I feel both are incorrect. C - "it" instead of "its" would have looked better, but still would have been ambiguous(it = committee or test).
D- it is non sensical because it means that the committee is complex and expensive.

Are you that the options given are correct?

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gmatdriller: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 418; Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 12:48 pmFollowed by: 3 members; Thanked: 6 times

by gmatdriller » Thu Nov 08, 2012 1:31 pm

OA is ideed C.

But if D(, despite already being...")is ambiguous, why is
C(, despite its already being...")not also wrong for the same reason?
After all, both Ad hoc committee and "test of the anti-inflammatory agent,"
are singular.

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nailGmat2012: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 33; Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2012 5:18 pm

by nailGmat2012 » Fri Nov 09, 2012 7:16 am

what's the source of this question?

should be "number of" - a,b & e ruled out.

"its" clearly does not make sense. I presume it's "it". even then "it" can refer to committee or the agent.

D can refer the committee or the changes.

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gmatdriller: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 418; Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 12:48 pmFollowed by: 3 members; Thanked: 6 times

by gmatdriller » Sun Nov 11, 2012 5:03 am

" number of big changes in the latest test of the anti-inflammatory agent, despite its...
already being fairly complex and expensive.

The underlined part has X of Y, despite ITS ( i think "its" clearly refers to the subj of prep i.e test): The test is fairly complex and expensive...makes sense.

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naveenchandra kv: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 24; Joined: Sun Aug 21, 2011 8:41 pm; Thanked: 5 times

by naveenchandra kv » Mon Nov 12, 2012 5:57 am

Hi Gmat driller,

You wrote-- After all, both Ad hoc committee and "test of the anti-inflammatory agent,"
are singular.

Yes they are singular. But look for what logically follows "its".

Is the Adhoc commitee fairly complex and expensive??-- Gives Nonsensical Meaning
Is the Test fairly complex and expensive??-- yes, makes sense.

So "its" actually has clear antecedent as "test" and there is no ambiguity.

Always emphasize on overall meaning.

Hope it helps.

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