doubt 24

Expert replies

aditya8062: Legendary Member; Posts: 774; Joined: Mon Jan 23, 2012 4:32 amFollowed by: 14 members; Thanked: 46 times

by aditya8062 » Mon Oct 06, 2014 10:46 am

Praise for Johnny Starstruck and his entourage are common, although statistics
show Americans still associate his name with the ritualistic murders.
(A) are common, although statistics show Americans still associate his name
with
(B) are common, although statistics shows Americans still associate his name
with
(C) are common, although statistics shows Americans still associate his name to
(D) is common, although statistics show Americans still associate his name with
(E) is common, although statistics shows Americans still associate his name to

my doubt: is "statistics" singular OR plural OR is it both? is "associate to" correct?

Source: Beat The GMAT — Sentence Correction | Mon Oct 06, 2014 10:46 am

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] » Mon Oct 06, 2014 12:21 pm

Hi aditya8062,

To help with this issue, try thinking about the words in context of an actual sentence:

Can you use the phrase "A statistic" in a sentence?
How about the word "statisticS" in a sentence?

There is an idiom for the word "associate…." --> "associate…..with….."

With this SC, I didn't use the statistic/statistics split at all:

1) Verbs: The word "Praise" is a singular noun, which takes the verb "is." Eliminate A, B, and C.

2) Idioms: The correct idiom is "associate….with…." eliminate E.

Final Answer: D

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

Contact Rich at [email protected]

james: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 17; Joined: Sun Oct 05, 2014 9:20 am

by james » Tue Oct 07, 2014 1:14 am

i got from an online resource that "statistics" could be both singular & plural.
Here it goes:

"The word statistics is used both as singular and as plural.
•The singular statistics is the science of collection, presentation, analysis and interpretation of numerical data

•The plural statistics refers to numerical facts or observations collected with a definite purpose. Statistics in this sense have the following characteristics:
1.Statistics are a sum total of observations...."

With this on mind coupled with the idiom "associate X with Y", D wins.

Hope this is helpful.

Featured schoolRound 2 closes Jan 7, 2027 67 days left

Chicago Booth

Since 1982, 10 Booth faculty members have received the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, more than any other business school.

#3
U.S. News rank: $175,000
Median base salary: 670
Average GMAT Focus: 635
Students in the class

Apply to Booth Visit chicagobooth.edu See the full profile

Photo: Warren LeMay, CC BY-SA 2.0

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