nouns

[vipulgoyal]

Due to the fact that there are many sensitive equipments and dangerous chemicals in the
lab, undergraduates are not permitted there without supervision.
a) Due to the fact that there are many sensitive equipments and dangerous chemicals
b) Because there is much sensitive equipment and many dangerous chemicals
c) Since there is sensitive equipment and much dangerous chemicals
d) Existing much sensitive equipment and many dangerous chemicals there
e) Be it that there are much sensitive equipment and dangerous chemicals
later

[theCodeToGMAT]

Vipul, is there any typo? None of the answer choices look good. What's the source & OA?

My wild pick would be [spoiler]{B}[/spoiler], though

[VivianKerr]

This questions feels a bit un-GMAT-like to me, what is the source?

"Equipment" is a collective noun and is usually used for both singular or plural. "Equipments" is technically a word, but is rarely used in modern English.

"Equipment" would not be countable and so would require the usage of "much."

"Equipments" would be countable and so would require the usage of "many."

The only possible options are A and B. "Due to" is only correct when the sentence makes sense when replaced with "caused by." The fact that there is stuff in a lab doesn't CAUSE undergraduates to not be permitted. It doesn't make logical sense, so (A) is incorrect. There's room for some interpretation in (B), which is why I don't like the question, but I'd assume it was the intended correct answer.

[theCodeToGMAT]

Vivian,
In the choice {B}, "Because there is much sensitive equipment and many dangerous chemicals"

Is the usage "is" correct? We are saying that "because there is/are XYZ and ABC" ... So, I believe we need "are"

[aditya8062]

In the choice {B}, "Because there is much sensitive equipment and many dangerous chemicals"

this is not correct. there is nothing before "is" that can effectively serve as subject. this construction is a "reverse" construction so "is" is definitely wrong !!

@Vivian Kerr: good to see you back at BTG. BTW i have watched quite a few of your episodes of "we are with the band". welcome back

[VivianKerr]

@aditya8062 Thanks! Good to be back!

@theCodeToGMAT Exactly -- both (A) and (B) have serious problems, so I have grave doubts about this one. I'd be curious to know the source. I think they want us to pick (B), but I refuse. No answer, FTW!

[theCodeToGMAT]

@theCodeToGMAT Exactly -- both (A) and (B) have serious problems, so I have grave doubts about this one. I'd be curious to know the source. I think they want us to pick (B), but I refuse. No answer, FTW!

That's the nice answer but none exists in A,B,C,D,E

[vipulgoyal]

ahh, expert comments already here
the source is https://gmatclub.com/forum/due-to-the-fa ... 69505.html
between A and B
since option B simplifies the concern with equipment by using "much" correctly as Vivian said, though I am bit skeptcial about "is" as Rahul said,
still by PoE considering less eveil option I'll go with B (which is OA too)
I guess the problem with A is improper comparision B/w clause and noun phrase which is OK in option B