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by NaimaB » Wed Nov 19, 2014 6:15 am
When calculating the annual tax deducted at the end of the year, it is sometimes difficult to predict whether an income will surpass a certain bracket.

(A) When calculating the annual tax deducted at the end of the year, it is sometimes difficult to predict whether an income will surpass a certain bracket

(B) When calculating the tax deducted at the end of the year, it is sometimes difficult to predict if an income will surpass a certain bracket

(C) It is sometimes difficult to predict whether or not an income will surpass a certain bracket when calculating the tax deducted annually

(D) When calculating the tax deducted at the year's end, it is sometimes difficult to predict whether an income will surpass a certain bracket

(E) When calculating the tax deducted at the end of the year, it is sometimes difficult to predict whether an income will surpass a certain bracket or not

Correct answer is D.

My questions are:
1. Is the use of '' year's '' in answer D correct? As far as i know, 's is only allowed with concrete/tangible nouns to express possession. Would appreciate any expert's opinion to clear my concept in this regard.
2. Is the use of 'or not' with 'whether' is wrong?
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by GMATGuruNY » Wed Nov 19, 2014 2:28 pm
NaimaB wrote:When calculating the annual tax deducted at the end of the year, it is sometimes difficult to predict whether an income will surpass a certain bracket.

(A) When calculating the annual tax deducted at the end of the year, it is sometimes difficult to predict whether an income will surpass a certain bracket

(B) When calculating the tax deducted at the end of the year, it is sometimes difficult to predict if an income will surpass a certain bracket

(C) It is sometimes difficult to predict whether or not an income will surpass a certain bracket when calculating the tax deducted annually

(D) When calculating the tax deducted at the year's end, it is sometimes difficult to predict whether an income will surpass a certain bracket

(E) When calculating the tax deducted at the end of the year, it is sometimes difficult to predict whether an income will surpass a certain bracket or not
In some cases, a subordinate clause will omit a subject and a verb when their presence is clearly understood.
Such a clause is called a VERBLESS clause.
Generally, a VERBLESS CLAUSE is introduced by a CONJUNCTION such as if, although, while, when, etc.
Example:
John should not eat while watching television.
Conveyed meaning:
John should not eat while [he is] watching television.
Here, the words in brackets are omitted, but their presence is implied.

If a sentence begins with a verbless clause, the implied subject of the verbless clause must be the FIRST WORD after the comma.
A, B, D and E: When calculating, it is sometimes...
Here, the first word after the comma is it, implying that IT is CALCULATING.
Not the intended meaning.
Eliminate, A, B, D and E.

C: It is sometimes difficult to predict whether or not an income will surpass a certain bracket.
Here, or not is redundant.
It would be sufficient to say the following:
It is sometimes difficult to predict whether an income will surpass a certain bracket.
Eliminate C.

Ignore this SC.
It does not have a correct answer.
What is the source?
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by NaimaB » Wed Nov 19, 2014 8:34 pm
This question is from a simulation test of The Economist GMAT Tutor. It was the first question of the test and i got it wrong. I chose option C as it was the only option left after eliminating A,B,D and E based on the reason you provided.

In the explanations, they have eliminated A because of the redundant use of annual and year in the same sentence.

B was eliminated for the use of 'if' in the sentence. As this is not a conditional sentence, 'If' can not be used.

C & E are eliminated because of the use of 'or not' with 'whether'

D is shown as the right answer in the explanation.

Can you please clear my confusion about using 's with year?
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by GMATGuruNY » Thu Nov 20, 2014 4:20 am
NaimaB wrote:Can you please clear my confusion about using 's with year?
The following phrases have appeared in official SCs from GMAC:
50 years' production
today's technology.

The OE for SC94 in the OG13 states the following:
a comparison between this year's and last year's heating-oil prices.

Given these official usages, I would not cite year's end as a valid reason to eliminate an answer choice.
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