800 Bob 2

[clammiestqasar]

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

[andrey_tsi]

My answer - D

A and B - wrong comparison between ministers and year
C - awkward "what it was"
D - looks like right
E - wrong "a number double that of 1977's"

[The Jock]

My take is D

twice as much as is an appositive modifier, so it must modify some noun that comes immediately before the comma.

A. twice as much as modifying clergy, wrong
B. Same as A
C. What is creating confusion here
D. This is the right answer here
E. Wrong "A number .....

For detailed explanation refer papgust's verbal flash cards posts...

[kvcpk]

IMO E.

Here i have a query..

"twice as much as 1977" in the question is trying to modify
".....there were 20,376 female ministers" OR
"almost 9 percent of the nation's clergy"

How to decide this?

[gmat1011]

I think it should be c - double what it was in 1977 (a bit awkward but nothing wrong and maintains consistency with use of "in" before the year)

IN I think is the key - only c has it --- IN 1986 there were 20,376 female ministers...

[gmat1011]

"it" in C actually has no antecedent so I guess that is out

can only be D of what is left

[gmat1011]

If B had been " twice as many as IN 1977" --- that would have sealed it...

[reply2spg]

IMO D here

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 - Number is compared with 1977, WRONG
(B) twice as many as 1977 - Same as A
(C) double what it was in 1977 - 'what it' does not have any clear referance
(D) double the figure for 1977 - Correct
(E) a number double that of 1977's - 'that of 1977's' is not correct