1000SC Q.37

[bingojohn]

Can anyone please help me with this:

37. According to a recent study by Rutgers University, the number of women in state legislatures has grown in every election since 1968.

(A) the number of women in state legislatures has grown
(B) the number of women who are in state legislatures have grown
(C) there has been growth in the number of women in state legislatures
(D) a growing number of women have been in state legislatures
(E) women have been growing in number in state legislatures

I went with D, but the answer is A. I don't understand the subtle differences between these options, in this case. Thanks for any help.

[beny]

A clearly states that the women are in state legislatures.

D implies that "number" is in slate legislature. Furthermore, SVA b/w "number" and "have" is incorrect.

[krishnamurthyu]

(A) the number of women in state legislatures has grown

(B) the number of women who are in state legislatures have grown
1. the number of women - have : verb problem,
who , redundant

(C) there has been growth in the number of women in state legislatures
passive and wordy
(D) a growing number of women have been in state legislatures
a growing number of women : Wordy
(E) women have been growing in number in state legislatures
awkward

A:is the best

[andy9590]

"The number of women" corresponds to "has increased" so A is the right option.

C and D are rather wordy.

[rohangupta83]

1) The phrase The number of always takes a singular verb form

For example

The number of cars in that parking lot has grown steadily the whole week.



2) The phrase A number of always takes a plural verb form

For example

A number of cars in that parking lot have shattered windows


hence, imo A

The number of women................... has......................