Dear Friends,
Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
hmsinghania wrote:
New Jersey’s is one of the five highest number of reported cases of Lyme disease in the United States.
(A) New Jersey’s is one of the five highest number of reported
(B) New Jersey’s is one of the five highest numbers in reporting
(C) New Jersey has a report of one of the five highest numbers of
(D) New Jersey has one of the five highest numbers of reported
(E) New Jersey reports one of the five highest number of
Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of this sentence is that the number of cases of Lyme disease reported in New Jersey is one of the five highest in the United States.
Concepts tested here: Meaning + Awkwardness/RedundancyA:1/ This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "one of the five highest number"; the use of the singular noun "number" leads to an incoherent meaning, as comparative/superlative forms (the superlative "highest" in this case) can logically only be applied if multiple elements are referred to; the intended meaning is that the number of cases of Lyme disease reported in New Jersey is one of the five highest in the United States.
2/ Option A uses the needlessly indirect construction "New Jersey’s is", leading to awkwardness.
B:1/ This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "in reporting"; the construction of this phrase leads to an incoherent meaning; the intended meaning is that the number of cases of Lyme disease reported in New Jersey is one of the five highest in the United States.
2/ Option B uses the needlessly indirect construction "New Jersey’s is", leading to awkwardness.
C:1/ This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "has a report of"; the construction of this phrase leads to an incoherent meaning; the intended meaning is that the number of cases of Lyme disease reported in New Jersey is one of the five highest in the United States.
D: Correct.1/ The sentence formed by Option D uses the phrases "one of the five highest numbers" and "reported cases", conveying the intended meaning - that the number of cases of Lyme disease reported in New Jersey is one of the five highest in the United States.
2/ Option D is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.
E: 1/ This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "one of the five highest number"; the use of the singular noun "number" leads to an incoherent meaning, as comparative/superlative forms (the superlative "highest" in this case) can logically only be applied if multiple elements are referred to; the intended meaning is that the number of cases of Lyme disease reported in New Jersey is one of the five highest in the United States.
Hence, D is the best answer choice.All the best!
Experts' Global Team
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