GMATMadeEasy wrote:@ramannjit :
D and E are incorrect choices because each compares the number of people with the increase in number since previous year.
Why do you say that ? Could you explain with the strucure of the sentence?
HI
"twice as many as the increase...", any such choice are not correct because "increase" uncountable quantity.
twice as many = construction should be used with countable noun. However, twice as much = uncontable noun.
When noun we are talking about is a numerical quantity, then = should use neither "much" nor "many". instead, should use "twice" or "double".
twice as much as the increase... --> incorrect; redundant
twice the increase... --> correct
Ramannjit