Beavers

Expert replies

BlueDragon2010: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 91; Joined: Tue Mar 31, 2009 11:19 amFollowed by: 1 member

by BlueDragon2010 » Thu Feb 13, 2014 6:39 pm

Although beavers can still be found throughout the western United States, their number has declined compared with the eighteenth century, when the abundance of beavers lured armies of European trappers into the Rocky Mountain region to slaughter them for their pelts.

(A) their number has declined compared with

(B) their numbers have declined compared with

(C) their numbers have declined since

(D) their numbers have declined in comparison to those of

(E) the number of them declined since

Like this post

Source: Beat The GMAT — Sentence Correction | Thu Feb 13, 2014 6:39 pm

Patrick_GMATFix: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 1052; Joined: Fri May 21, 2010 1:30 amFollowed by: 98 members; Thanked: 335 times

by Patrick_GMATFix » Thu Feb 13, 2014 7:01 pm

"their numbers" is the proper way to refer to the number of individuals in a population (idiomatic). In addition, only similar things can be compared so it doesn't make sense to write "their numbers have declined compared with the 18th century" (we cannot compare the number of beavers to the 18th century). The full solution below is taken from the GMATFix App.

-Patrick

Check out my site: GMATFix.com

To prep my students I use this tool >> (screenshots, video)

Ask me about tutoring.

Like this post

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] » Fri Feb 14, 2014 12:50 am

Hi BlueDragon2010,

This SC is based on a couple of standard grammar rules:

1) Modification - The opening phrase and comma (before the underlined portion begins) is a common way to test Modification. The opening phrase describes what comes directly after the comma - in this case, the reference to "beavers" describes "their numbers." Eliminate A and E.

2) Comparison - Comparison rules dictate that we must compare LIKE things. So if we're going to do a comparison, we must compare "number of beavers" to "number of beavers." Unfortunately, the words after the underlined portion are "the eighteenth century", so a direct comparison of "number" to "number" isn't possible. We'll need to choose an answer that describes how the number has "declined" since the eighteenth century. Eliminate B and D.

Final Answer: C

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

Contact Rich at [email protected]

Like this post

Post new topic Locked

• Page 1 of 1

GMAT Course Reviews

560 reviews

1168 reviews

431 reviews

359 reviews

147 reviews

5/5

5 Star (560 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