A researcher claims that a tornado of a given size and strength is likely to cause more deaths, both proportionately and in absolute numbers, in the southeastern region of the United States than in the northeastern.

(A) A researcher claims that a tornado of a given size and strength is likely to cause more deaths, both proportionately and in absolute numbers, in the southeastern region of the United States than in the northeastern.

(B) A researcher claims that a tornado, if of a given size and strength, is likely both proportionately and in absolute numbers to cause more deaths in the southeastern region of the United States than in the northeastern.

(C) A researcher claims that, with a tornado of a given size and strength, it is likely to cause more death, both proportionately and in absolute numbers, in the southeastern rather than in the northeastern region of the United States.

(D) If a tornado is of a given size and strength, a researcher claims, it is more likely, both proportionately and in absolute numbers, to cause death if it is in the southeastern region of the United States rather than in the northeastern region.

(E) Both proportionately and in absolute numbers, a researcher claims that a tornado of a given size and strength is likely to cause more deaths in the southeastern region of the United States rather than in the northeastern.
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(A) A researcher claims that a tornado of a given size and strength is likely to cause more deaths, both proportionately and in absolute numbers, in the southeastern region of the United States than in the northeastern. - I don't find any error, as of now. Keep this.

(B) A researcher claims that a tornado, ((if)) of a given size and strength, is ((likely both proportionately and in absolute numbers)) to cause more deaths in the southeastern region of the United States than in the northeastern.

(C) A researcher claims that, ((with)) a tornado of a given size and strength, ((it)) is likely to cause more death, both proportionately and in absolute numbers, in the southeastern rather than in the northeastern region of the United States.

(D) ((If a tornado is of a given size and strength, a researcher claims,)) ((it is more likely, both proportionately and in absolute numbers,)) to cause death ((if it is in the southeastern region)) of the United States rather than in the northeastern region.

(E) ((Both proportionately and in absolute numbers, a researcher claims)) that a tornado of a given size and strength is likely to cause more deaths in the southeastern region of the United States rather than in the northeastern.

B, C, D and E change the meaning of the sentence.

Hence, A is the best.


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both proportionately and in absolute numbers. Can anyone please tell how proportionately (being an adverb) is parallel with
in absolute numbers (Prep. phrase) in Correct answer. ?

A researcher claims that a tornado of a given size and strength is likely to cause more deaths, both proportionately and in absolute numbers, in the southeastern region of the United States than in the northeastern.

(A) A researcher claims that a tornado of a given size and strength is likely to cause more deaths, both proportionately and in absolute numbers, in the southeastern region of the United States than in the northeastern. CORRECT, both proportionately and in absolute numbers modifies deaths and of a given size and strength modifies tornado

(B) A researcher claims that a tornado, if of a given size and strength, is likely both proportionately and in absolute numbers to cause more deaths in the southeastern region of the United States than in the northeastern.INCORRECT as usage of if which is a clause is incorrect here . "Likely both proportionately and in absolute numbers" is an awkward construction

(C) A researcher claims that, with a tornado of a given size and strength, it is likely to cause more death, both proportionately and in absolute numbers, in the southeastern rather than in the northeastern region of the United States.INCORRECT, as it has no clear antecedent. Also RATHER THAN is used instead of more than. There is a meaning error too

(D) If a tornado is of a given size and strength, a researcher claims, it is more likely, both proportionately and in absolute numbers, to cause death if it is in the southeastern region of the United States rather than in the northeastern region. - INCORRECT, Usage of rather than. Also it does not have clear referent. Additionally there is a meaning change too

(E) Both proportionately and in absolute numbers, a researcher claims that a tornado of a given size and strength is likely to cause more deaths in the southeastern region of the United States rather than in the northeastern. - INCORRECT, Use of RATHER THAN is incorrect.Also there is a meaning change. Modifier Issue is also there as both proportionately and in absolute numbers are misplaced in the beginning of the sentence.
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Can someone explain to me why "both proportionately and in absolute numbers" is correct. I went through all the answer choices and can see that it has been used everywhere so it must be right. I just want to understand how? I mean proportionately is a verb and in absolute numbers is a prepositional phrase then how are they parallel to each other?

GMATNinja: Since it is a OG question I hope you will clear the doubt :P

egmat
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(A) A researcher claims that a tornado of a given size and strength is likely to cause more deaths, both proportionately and in absolute numbers, in the southeastern region of the United States than in the northeastern.

In the above option "Than" is used for comparison ,and comparison is always between two logical things.But here the southeastern region is compared to Northeastern.
Isn't it necessary that "Region" should be followed by Northeastern?

In situations like these, you'll want to ask yourself whether removing the word "region" from the second part of the phrase causes any real problems. Here are some stripped-down versions of the sentence:

1. A tornado causes more deaths in the southeastern region than in the northeastern region.
2. A tornado causes more deaths in the southeastern region than in the northeastern.

Are these two sentences meaningfully different? Is there any confusion about what the word "northeastern" is referring to? I would argue that the answer to both of these questions is "no." The sentence is perfectly fine, either way. And as we look through all five answer choices, there are far more important issues than this one.

I hope this helps!
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