Even if u dont know which one would be the right option ... much below or well below. ..

U can still proceed with answering the question correctly.

Like how i did .

i dint know whether twud be much below or well below ...
so i tried finding other flaw in the sentence...

we are comparing earnings of women to earnings of men...

The only answer option that does this correctly is D .

First earnings is plural . So plural verb is required.

Hence eliminate A, B.

Now C and E are comparing earnings of women with men... which is a faulty comparison.

Hence D is the correct answer.
Besides its also using those ( plural )

And correctly comparing earnings of women to those of men.

IMO D

Though i would like to know when to use much below or well below

Hope this helps

gmat800_ wrote:The earnings of women are well below that of men in spite of educational differences that are diminishing between the sexes

a) well below that of men in spite of educational differences that are diminishing
b) much below that of men's despite educational differences diminishing
c) much below men in spite of diminishing educational differences
d) well below those of men in spite of diminishing educational differences
e) below men´s despite their educational differences that are diminishing


OA: D

BTW, what is the difference between "well below" & "much below", is there a rule to handle that?

gmat800_ wrote:The earnings of women are well below that of men in spite of educational differences that are diminishing between the sexes

a) well below that of men in spite of educational differences that are diminishing
b) much below that of men's despite educational differences diminishing
c) much below men in spite of diminishing educational differences
d) well below those of men in spite of diminishing educational differences
e) below men´s despite their educational differences that are diminishing


OA: D

BTW, what is the difference between "well below" & "much below", is there a rule to handle that?

D is better than A not bcoz of well or much but bcoz of those over that

earnings of women ---------> plural
to compare we need plural pronoun That refers to singular antecedent where as those to plural antecedent
a)for the same reason A is out
B)that of men's..double possesive form.redundant
c)earnings are compared to men.........wrong comparison
e)not llel earnings of women has to be llel with earnings of men

IMO (D) earnings should be compared with those..... Hence D... not A..

thnks guys,, I really appreciate ur comments.

difference between "well below" & "much below", is there a rule to handle that?

IMHO there is no difference. Both terms are used to indicate that we are referring to a large amount of a substance or thing.

Perhaps to trick us into an unnecessary 3:2 split, etc.