BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Question 145 of OG 10

Expert replies
by astrologer » Mon May 26, 2008 8:39 am
In the following question (Q no. 145 of OG):

Most state constitutions now mandate that the state budget be balanced each year.
(A) mandate that the state budget be balanced
(B) mandate the state budget to be balanced
(C) mandate that the state budget will be balanced
(D) have a mandate for a balanced state budget
(E) have a mandate to balance the state budget

OG's answer (Choice A) says that "When mandate is used as a verb to mean "make it mandatory,' it must be followed by that and a verb in the
subjunctive mood"
But this this is the first time i am reading this time of rule when there r thousands of places (which can be trusted for their grammar) use verb 'mandate' without 'that'. A simple and trustable example is Cambridge dictionary:

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/define. ... &dict=CALD

which demonstrate such use of mandate in its example sentence.

Is it something else which makes Choice A to be correct or the answer itself is wrong ..
i m really not sure whether i can trust OG answers fully or not. I found this kinda wrong things in many other questions too.

And shall i blindly accept and follow what OG says .. bcoz it is 'Official' ?
Join the discussion
Source: — Sentence Correction |

by Stuart@KaplanGMAT » Mon May 26, 2008 9:42 am
The GMAT definitely tests the subjunctive and the accredited answer to this question would also be the accredited answer on test day.

If you ask 10 grammarians about English, you'll likely get 15 different opinions about what's correct. The key to success on the GMAT is learning what GMAC considers correct and then adopting those rules.

While the OG has many flaws, it does include an accurate representation of the real SC questions you'll see on the GMAT,
Image

Stuart Kovinsky | Kaplan GMAT Faculty | Toronto

Kaplan Exclusive: The Official Test Day Experience | Ready to Take a Free Practice Test? | Kaplan/Beat the GMAT Member Discount
BTG100 for $100 off a full course
Join the discussion

by astrologer » Mon May 26, 2008 10:08 am
i can blindly follow it then ... :D
Thank u Stuart ...
Join the discussion

• Page 1 of 1