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manhattan test

by gmatapril » Thu Mar 24, 2011 12:38 pm
The increase in unemployment rates, coupled with significantly increased retail prices as well as energy costs, are forcing many homeowners to look into alternative sources of fuel in order to save money on winter heating.

A unemployment rates, coupled with significantly increased retail prices as well as energy costs, are
B rates of unemployment, coupled with significant increases in retail prices and energy costs, have been
C unemployment rates, coupled with significant increases in both retail prices and energy costs, is
D unemployment rates, coupled with significantly increased retail prices as well as energy costs, is
E rates of unemployment, coupled with significant increases in both retail as well as energy costs, had been

why is significantly wrong in D.
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by GMATGuruNY » Thu Mar 24, 2011 1:49 pm
gmatapril wrote:The increase in unemployment rates, coupled with significantly increased retail prices as well as energy costs, are forcing many homeowners to look into alternative sources of fuel in order to save money on winter heating.

A unemployment rates, coupled with significantly increased retail prices as well as energy costs, are
B rates of unemployment, coupled with significant increases in retail prices and energy costs, have been
C unemployment rates, coupled with significant increases in both retail prices and energy costs, is
D unemployment rates, coupled with significantly increased retail prices as well as energy costs, is
E rates of unemployment, coupled with significant increases in both retail as well as energy costs, had been

why is significantly wrong in D.
In A and B, the plural verbs are and have been do not agree with the singular subject increase. Eliminate A and B.

In E, both X as well as Y is not idiomatic. The correct idiom is both X and Y. Also, the verb had been should not be in the past perfect tense. Eliminate E.

In D, it is unclear whether the modifier significantly increased refers both to retail prices and to energy costs or only to retail prices. Also, the use of coupled to describe the joining of 3 things (the increase in unemployment rates, the increased retail prices, and energy costs) is awkward. Eliminate D.

The correct answer is C.
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by pesfunk » Thu Mar 24, 2011 6:26 pm
+1 for C
gmatapril wrote:The increase in unemployment rates, coupled with significantly increased retail prices as well as energy costs, are forcing many homeowners to look into alternative sources of fuel in order to save money on winter heating.

A unemployment rates, coupled with significantly increased retail prices as well as energy costs, are
B rates of unemployment, coupled with significant increases in retail prices and energy costs, have been
C unemployment rates, coupled with significant increases in both retail prices and energy costs, is
D unemployment rates, coupled with significantly increased retail prices as well as energy costs, is
E rates of unemployment, coupled with significant increases in both retail as well as energy costs, had been

why is significantly wrong in D.
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by tetura84 » Thu Mar 24, 2011 7:45 pm
Mitch, clear my doubts pls.
1. When we use coupled with = it does not make plural subject?

2. In answer choice D
The increase in unemployment rates, coupled with significantly increased retail prices as well as energy costs
= Here, the list is wrong, increase in unemp. rate + increased retail prices + increased energy costs

In answer choice C
The increase in unemployment rates, coupled with significant increases in both retail prices and energy costs = list is good
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by GMATGuruNY » Fri Mar 25, 2011 8:00 am
Mitch, clear my doubts pls.
1. When we use coupled with = it does not make plural subject?
Correct. Coupled with is a modifier. It has no effect on whether the subject is singular or plural. The same is true for along with:

John, along with all his brothers, is coming to the party.
2. In answer choice D
The increase in unemployment rates, coupled with significantly increased retail prices as well as energy costs
= Here, the list is wrong, increase in unemp. rate + increased retail prices + increased energy costs

In answer choice C
The increase in unemployment rates, coupled with significant increases in both retail prices and energy costs = list is good
Yes, C is more parallel than D, so we should eliminate D and choose C.
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by dhonu121 » Sun May 20, 2012 5:43 am
I have an objection to C which nobody seems to discuss about.
The part unemployment rates, coupled with significant increases in both retail prices and energy costs, is,
increases in bold should be increase as the subject is plural.(both retail prices and energy costs)
??

I am in a fix here.Please clear it.

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