Three out of every four automobile owners in the United

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Three out of every four automobile owners in the United [#permalink]

11 May 2012, 22:17

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Question Stats:

77% (01:38) correct

22% (00:31) wrong

based on 18 sessions

Three out of every four automobile owners in the United States also own a bicycle.

(A) Three out of every four automobile owners in the United States also own a bicycle.
(B) Out of every four, three automobile owners in the United States also owns a bicycle.
(C) Bicycles are owned by three out of every four owners of automobiles in the United States.
(D) In the United States, three out of every four automobile owners owns bicycles.
(E) Out of every four owners of automobiles in the United States, bicycles are also owned by three.

The OA is A but how can "three" automobile owners also own "a" bicycle? C seems to be the best answer even if it's in passive voice.

Would appreciate your help on this.

Thanks,
Yash

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Re: GMAT Prep Question - Bicycle Owners [#permalink]

12 May 2012, 02:47

Hi Yash, usually the gmat prefers 'active voice' (eg. Yash owns a Ferrari) over 'passive voice' (eg. This Ferrari is owned by Yash) and if there is an answer choice in active voice you should choose it.

(A) Three out of every four automobile owners in the United States also own a bicycle.

I think you're confusing verb forms. In the last part of the sentence, own (is in plural) which correctly modifies three owners.

Another useful thing to remember: a quantity word like three is usually plural except for the form: "The number of"

eg. The number of sick people is increasing.

eg. Three people are sick.

Hope this clears things a little. Also take a look at my sentence correction flashcards here:

GMAT Club General GMAT Questions and Strategies Forum..just scroll down and look for macjas's sc flashcards or search for it..

The rules that apply to this sc question are all mentioned in those flashcards.

Good luck studying yaar!

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Re: GMAT Prep Question - Bicycle Owners [#permalink]

12 May 2012, 04:58

Here if I understand Yash, his doubt is not about the plurality of the past tense verb won. After all, won can be both singular of plural in all the three persons.
His point is how three people can own a single bike, as if one owns the front wheel, the second the frame and third the back wheel. This is just amusing in the least. However, it is not uncommon to use a singular object for a general group; we often say most of the IT people have a house; most of the rural houses in Kerala have at least one Jack tree. The humans have a pair of eyes. This is a commonly accepted usage. Therefore, there is no need to bother much. A is good enough.
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Re: GMAT Prep Question - Bicycle Owners [#permalink] 12 May 2012, 04:58

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Three out of every four automobile owners in the United

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