a SURVEY!

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a SURVEY!

by gmat_perfect » Sat Aug 28, 2010 10:21 am
A survey by the National Council of Churches showed that in 1986 there were 20,376 female ministers, almost 9 percent of the nation's clergy, twice as much as 1977.

(A) twice as much as 1977
(B) twice as many as 1977
(C) double what it was in 1977
(D) double the figure for 1977
(E) a number double that of 1977's

[spoiler]OA: D[/spoiler]

Much is not used for count noun such as people, boy, pen, book etc. So, A is out.

B is wrong because the number of female has been compared with a year. It is also in A.

What it was --is not correct in C.

That of 19977's--is NOT correct for double possessive.

I reached in D, but I am not convinced with D.

Would any expert explain how is D correct?

Just explain the correct answer.

Thanks.
Source: — Sentence Correction |

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by kvcpk » Sat Aug 28, 2010 11:04 am
Double is adjective and Twice is adverb.

Hence we need a noun that should be modified by DOUBLE.

The use of FIGURE in option D does this.

Hope this helps!!
"Once you start working on something,
don't be afraid of failure and don't abandon it.
People who work sincerely are the happiest."
Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275BC)

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by paes » Sun Aug 29, 2010 5:34 am
kvcpk wrote:Double is adjective and Twice is adverb.

Hence we need a noun that should be modified by DOUBLE.

The use of FIGURE in option D does this.

Hope this helps!!
I have a little doubt here.

in C : double what it was in 1977 : here what is also a noun.

Can you explain it further.

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by paes » Sun Aug 29, 2010 5:36 am
IMO D

C : there is no antecedent for 'it'. 'It' cann't refer to "20,376 female ministers"

In D, 'figure' is correctly referring to "20,376 female ministers"

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by kvcpk » Sun Aug 29, 2010 5:39 am
paes wrote:
kvcpk wrote:Double is adjective and Twice is adverb.

Hence we need a noun that should be modified by DOUBLE.

The use of FIGURE in option D does this.

Hope this helps!!
I have a little doubt here.

in C : double what it was in 1977 : here what is also a noun.

Can you explain it further.
in C, IT doesnt have a clear antecedent.
"Once you start working on something,
don't be afraid of failure and don't abandon it.
People who work sincerely are the happiest."
Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275BC)

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by gmat_perfect » Sun Aug 29, 2010 6:31 am
paes wrote:
kvcpk wrote:Double is adjective and Twice is adverb.

Hence we need a noun that should be modified by DOUBLE.

The use of FIGURE in option D does this.

Hope this helps!!
I have a little doubt here.

in C : double what it was in 1977 : here what is also a noun.

Can you explain it further.

I explain what as a relative pronoun that has double force.

All the relative pronouns need antecedents to express their meaning.

Example:

I know something. It is true.

==>I know something that is true.
Where,
Something = antecedent
That =Relative pronoun.

Antecedent + Relative Pronoun => A+RP

What = A+ RP.

Example:

I know something that is true.

=> I know what is true. [What = A+RP =something +that]
=> What I know is true.

So,

double what it was in 1977=> Double something that it was in 1977.

Does this make sense?

In my opinion, What = something that. If the something that is appropriate in a sentence, we can use what in place of "something that".

In this regard, I expect the opinion from the experts.

What do you think guys?

Thanks.

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