Some scientists have been critical of the laboratory tests conducted b

Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation to this question-

Concepts tested here: Subject-Verb Agreement + Tenses + Redundancy/Awkwardness

• The simple past tense is the correct tense for referring to hypothetical situations in the current time frame.
• The simple present tense is used to indicate actions taking place in the current time frame, indicate habitual actions, state universal truths, and convey information that is permanent in nature.

A: Trap. This answer choice incorrectly refers to the plural noun “amounts” with the singular verb “exceeds”.

B: This answer choice incorrectly uses the simple present tense verb “can” to refer to a hypothetical action in the current time frame; please remember, the simple past tense is used to refer to hypothetical situations in the current time frame, and the simple present tense is used to indicate actions taking place in the current time frame, indicate habitual actions, state universal truths, and convey information that is permanent in nature. Further, Option B uses the passive voice construction “exceeds by far”, rendering it awkward and needlessly wordy.

C: This answer choice incorrectly refers to the plural noun “amounts” with the singular verb “exceeds”. Further, Option C uses the simple present tense verb phrase “are able to” to refer to a hypothetical action in the current time frame; please remember, the simple past tense is used to refer to hypothetical situations in the current time frame, and the simple present tense is used to indicate actions taking place in the current time frame, indicate habitual actions, state universal truths, and convey information that is permanent in nature.

D: This answer choice uses the passive voice constructions “exceed by far” and “those able to be consumed by humans", rendering it awkward and needlessly wordy.

E: Correct. This answer choice correctly refers to the plural noun “amounts” with the plural verb “exceed”. Further, Option E uses the simple past tense verb “could” to refer to a hypothetical situation in the current time frame. Additionally, Option E is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.

Hence, E is the best answer choice.

To understand the concept of "Simple Tenses" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):



All the best!
Experts' Global Team

Answer is E
Subject - Verb agreement "Amounts...exceed"

Go with E

A, B and C use exceeds which is wrong
D - awkward/wordy

Subject "amounts" does not agree with verb in A, B and C so those are out

In D, those able to be consumed is an awkward construction

that leaves E

gsxr pinned the S-V agreement flaw.

Unquestionably E.

laxieqv> kaitou no setsume o kanpeki ni kaku no wa sugoi desu ne!! Jibun de kakimasu ka? copii to haritsukemasu ka?? kimi wa GMAT o zettai 800 ten dekiru to omoimasu!! Ooen shimasu yo

( sorry for being off-topic)
@GMATT73: iie, watashi wa mada dame desu . I am not such a GMAT guru to provide all OAs and OEs myself. Indeed, I grabbed a SC book from my univ's library, which I find a great one. I really don't know its original English version, but I'm sure my book is a Chinese version of one since it contains quite a lot similar examples to those posted here so far. My motto is to share what I've got. Thus, I've posted those SCs with OAs and OEs here. Not to be humble, I indeed still need to learn a lot from all of you here!!

the amounts of carcinogins exceed

is there usage of this syntax below?
amount ...exceeds

first split -> exceed vs exceeds
Since exceed refer to amounts hence it should be plural. There reject exceeds which implies A, B and C are rejected.

Between D and E "to be" makes the underlined phrase passive where as the non-underlined is active. Hence D is rejected.

E is the answer

First split - singular vs plural
amounts which is plural implies that we need to use plural here and hence "exceeds"
Eliminate A, B, and C.

Second split - Active vs passive
use of "to be" in D makes is passive where as the non-underlined phrase is in active voice. Eliminate D

Answer --> E

GMATPrep Screenshot attached
[img]G:\EXAM01.JPG[/img]

dear experts, or mikemcgarry

I cross off D because I think that Subject "the amounts of XXX" is singular and that verb should be "exceeds" .

unfortunately, correct verb is plural, I am confused.

another question is that why amounts of XXX, IMO, amount is modifies uncountable noun, so amount of XXX is singular. the amounts of XXX is first time for me, would you please clarify how should I distinguish plural or singular among the amount of XXX, a mount of XXX , and the amounts of XXX,

does a mounts of XXX exist ?

thanks in advance

happy new year, dears.

>_~

Hi zoezhuyan, let me try to explain this. I'm no expert by the way. Haha.

the amounts of suspected carcinogens

You are right about "amount modifies the uncountable noun." But here in the OS, we are talking about MANY carcinogens. So the amount should be amounts.


I hope this helps

Wish you a happy new year too!

thanks so much , Sirakri , it's helpful

embarrass because of my poor basic knowledge .

work hard on the journey to GMAT, from bottom to the top...

>_~

Can an expert please let me know the difference between "can" and "could"?

Great writing...Gmat isn't how expert you are it is all about how methodical you are.

Choice E is best. The plural verb exceed agrees in number with its subject, amounts, and the phrase those that humans could consume conveys the intended meaning clearly and without unnecessary wordiness. In choices A, B, and C, the singular exceeds does not agree in number with its plural subject, amounts. Choices B and C omit the conjunction that _an omission that is grammatically acceptable, but in the case of this sentence diminishes clarity. In D, the use of the passive voice in the phrase those able to be consumed by humans is unjustified, as it increases wordiness while stating the meaning less precisely: it is accurate to call humans "able,' but not to call those [amounts] "able."

Hence E.