According to the laws of this nation, individuals are minors until the

Hello Everyone!

Let's tackle this question, one problem at a time, and narrow it down to the correct answer quickly! First, let's take a quick scan over the options and highlight any major differences in orange:

According to the laws of this nation, individuals are minors until they reach the age of eighteen, although this is less in some countries and more in others.

A. although this is less in some countries and more in others
B. but this age is lower in some countries; higher in others
C. although in some countries, it is lower and in others it is higher
D. although it is less than that in some countries and more than that in others
E. but the relevant age is lower in some countries and higher in others

After a quick glance over the options, there are a couple places we can focus on to narrow down our choices quickly:

1. although vs. but
2. more/less vs. higher/lower

Since both of these will eliminate 2-3 options quickly, let's start with #1 on our list: although vs. but. While it may seem like these two conjunctions are interchangeable, they aren't always that way. Here is an easy way to remember how "although vs. but" works:

although = can be replaced with the phrase "despite the fact that" and it will still make sense
Although we were 20 minutes late to the movie, we didn't miss anything. --> Despite the fact that we were 20 minutes late, we didn't miss anything. = OK
My bike tire is flat, although I made it home on time anyway. --> My bike tire is flat, despite the fact that I made it home on time anyway. = WRONG

but = used to show contrast; does not mean the same thing as "despite the fact that"
My bike tire is flat, but I made it home on time anyway. --> OK

Now that you're more familiar with although vs. but, let's see if we can figure out which one we need in this sentence. We know that we're merely contrasting the age laws in this nation with laws in other countries, so it doesn't make sense to say that the age here is 18 despite the fact that it's different in other countries. It makes more sense to say the age here is 18, but it's different in other countries. Let's see how each option handles this:

A. although this is less in some countries and more in others
B. but this age is lower in some countries; higher in others
C. although in some countries, it is lower and in others it is higher
D. although it is less than that in some countries and more than that in others
E. but the relevant age is lower in some countries and higher in others

We can eliminate options A, C, & D because they use "although" instead of "but" to show contrast.

Now that we have it narrowed down to only 2 options, let's take a closer look at each option to determine which one is better:

B. but this age is lower in some countries; higher in others
This option is INCORRECT for a couple reasons. First, saying "this age" is confusing for readers - it means that the number 18 is lower in some countries and higher in others. That's not really true - 18 is 18, no matter where you live. Second, the semicolon before "higher" isn't right. Semicolons only work if the phrases before and after it are independent - and in this case, the phrase after the semicolon isn't an independent clause. Therefore, we can't use a semicolon there.

E. but the relevant age is lower in some countries and higher in others
This is CORRECT! It is saying the relevant age is lower or higher, not that the actual number 18 is lower or higher, which is what we're going for. There also aren't any problems with punctuation later on.

There you have it - option E is the correct choice! If you become familiar with how common conjunctions and punctuation work, you can spot problems and eliminate wrong options quickly. By narrowing it down to only 2 choices right away, you heavily increase your chance of picking the right one!

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So what would happen if you went with #2 on our list (more/less vs. higher/lower) instead? Here's how that would break down:

A. although this is less in some countries and more in others
B. but this age is lower in some countries; higher in others
C. although in some countries, it is lower and in others it is higher
D. although it is less than that in some countries and more than that in others
E. but the relevant age is lower in some countries and higher in others

You can eliminate options A & D because we use higher/lower to talk about ages, not more/less.

B. but this age is lower in some countries; higher in others
C. although in some countries, it is lower and in others it is higher
E. but the relevant age is lower in some countries and higher in others

You would still eliminate option C because the conjunction "although" doesn't work here.

B. but this age is lower in some countries; higher in others
E. but the relevant age is lower in some countries and higher in others

You would end up choosing between B & E again, and you'd still end up with E as the correct choice - just in 3 steps instead of 2! Sure, this route may take you a little bit longer, but it's still a lot faster to focus on "either/or" differences because they'll eliminate 2-3 options quickly!


Don't study for the GMAT. Train for it.
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The errors..
(I) Pronoun errors..
All except E wrongly use pronouns 'this','it' etc to talk of 'age to be considered minor'. All the choices erroneously point back to illogically to 'age of eighteen'.
(II) Although vs But
'But' is a coordinating conjunction ( part of FANBOYS) that connects two Independent clauses, while 'Although' is a subordinating conjunction that connects the dependent clause to IC.
I would say that BUT is better, as the two clauses are independent. It really doesn't show a contrast.
It is 18 in a nation, while in others it is higher or lower.

E

(A) although this is less in some countries and more in others
What does this refer back to? Logically should be relevant age or minor age or something like that, BUT there is nothing in the first clause that this can refer to. It illogically refers to 'age of eighteen'.
(B) but this age is lower in some countries; higher in others
What does this age refer back to? Logically should be relevant age or minor age or something like that, BUT there is nothing in the first clause that this age can refer to. It illogically refers to 'age of eighteen'. Also, use of ; is to join two clauses, and higher in others does not suit under that
(C) although in some countries, it is lower and in others it is higher
What does it refer back to? Logically should be relevant age or minor age or something like that, BUT there is nothing in the first clause that it can refer to. It illogically refers to 'age of eighteen'.
(D) although it is less than that in some countries and more than that in others
Same as C
(E) but the relevant age is lower in some countries and higher in others
Correct
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The word 'although' implies that the second part of the sentence should somehow contradict the logic of the first part (e.g. ...minors until eighteen, even though they can drink from sixteen).
Thus the usage in (A), (C) and (D) is wrong and all are eliminated.
(B) is wrong as the semicolon makes no sense (Which independent clauses are separated? Why use a semicolon at all?).

(E) is correct.
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Damn, how did you get the 2020 questions so quick?!

According to the laws of this nation, individuals are minors until they reach the age of eighteen, although this is less in some countries and more in others.

A. although this is less in some countries and more in others
B. but this age is lower in some countries; higher in others <--not sure why "higher in others" is separated from what this is intending to modify
C. although in some countries, it is lower and in others it is higher
D. although it is less than that in some countries and more than that in others
E. but the relevant age is lower in some countries and higher in others
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According to the laws of this nation, individuals are minors until they reach the age of eighteen, although this is less in some countries and more in others.

A. although this is less in some countries and more in others- pronoun issue- this needs to followed by a noun
B. but this age is lower in some countries; higher in others- pronoun issue 'this age' illogically refers to the age of eighteen, usage of semicolon is incorrect
C. although in some countries, it is lower and in others it is higher- pronoun issue 'it'
D. although it is less than that in some countries and more than that in others - pronoun issue 'it'
E. but the relevant age is lower in some countries and higher in others- Correct

Answer E
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Lower & Higher are comparative adjectives. Don't we need "than" ? I did not select E, because it doesn't have "than"

Hi Shweta, you are absolutely correct about the requirement of than, except that than is implied here.

So, it's like this:

James earns $100k, while Michelle earns lesser.

This is equivalent to:

James earns $100k, while Michelle earns lesser (than James).

I believe you chose D. The big issue with D is the incorrect use of it (it is not referring to anything, a big no-no on GMAT)
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If we look at the distinction between ‘although’ and ‘but’ we can get ahead of this question.

The intent here is to show contrast – to juxtapose two different laws.

‘Although’ works when something that follows resolves an earlier statement.

‘But’ helps to show contrast and is more fitting here since there is no contradiction given.

Let’s look at the options:

A. although this is less in some countries and more in others

B. but this age is lower in some countries; higher in others

C. although in some countries, it is lower and in others it is higher

D. although it is less than that in some countries and more than that in others

E. but the relevant age is lower in some countries and higher in others

Eliminate Options A, B, C and D.

Option B is the best choice.

Hope this helps!
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AjiteshArun GMATNinja chetan2u

I totally agree with answer choice E, it is the best of the given options, but just out of curiosity, I am kinda thinking about option C. I know that although in option C makes much less sense than but in option E does, but I am interested in the pronouns “it” and “that” in option C. .. Can’t “it”refer back to “age” and “that” refer back to the number “18”. All the explanations above state that “it” refers back to “age of eighteen” ie “age” along with its modifier/prepositional phrase “of eighteen”. Is this some kind of preference/ rule that the pronoun will refer back to entire “noun+prepositional phrase” and not just the noun?

Looking forward to hearing from you

Regards,

Posted from my mobile device

Hi INSEADIESE,

I don't think that we can use an it to refer to eighteen here. Just to be clear, I am not aware of any rule that says we can't, but the way eighteen is used here is slightly different from the way you may be looking at it. Eighteen is often used to refer to the number {18}, but that is not the case in age of eighteen. That is, "the age of eighteen" is not "the age of {the number eighteen}".

Again, this is not based on any rule, and I may be completely wrong here.
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According to the laws of this nation, individuals are minors until they reach the age of eighteen, although this is less in some countries and more in others.

A. although this is less in some countries and more in others
B. but this age is lower in some countries; higher in others
C. although in some countries, it is lower and in others it is higher
D. although it is less than that in some countries and more than that in others
E. but the relevant age is lower in some countries and higher in others

Let’s jump to find out the right option out of wrong options
A. If this is considered as age , then age can’t be measured as less or more. Less or more can be used to measure any quantity
B. Semicolon is irrelevant here. There is no meaning for that independent clause - higher in others
C. There is no comma before ‘and ‘ . In others it is higher - Seems awkward
D. Again same error as in A
E. The relevant age- no ambiguity. Lower and higher- correct measurements for age.
So, E is right answer

Posted from my mobile device

Hello Experts,
VeritasKarishma GMATNinja

1) Is Age countable or uncountable?
I thought less is correct instead of lower.
Can you explain why lower or higher is correct in this sentence? Can we use lower or higher without than?

2) I think although and but both are correct. Is my understanding correct?

3)Why D is incorrect? Why "it" can't refer to age?

Hello Sneha2021,

We hope this find this well.

Having gone through the question and your queries, we believe we can resolve your doubts.

1) Age is uncountable, and for this reason "lower" is correct. Both "lower" and "higher" can be used without "than", if they are not being used to compare elements.

2) "although" and "but" both show contrast, but convey slightly different meanings. "although" carries the connotation of "despite the fact that", while "but" does not.

3) D is mainly incorrect due to the use of "although" for the reason mentioned above.

We hope this helps.
All the best!
Experts' Global Team
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1) Age isn't countable, but this decision point isn't about that. (If you were choosing between, say, "less" and "fewer," you'd worry about countability.) And there's no rule forbidding the use of "lower" or "higher" without "than."

For instance:

"While inflation was low last higher, experts predict that it will be higher next year."

Notice that "than" isn't used, but that's fine. We have a perfectly logical comparison, and that's what we care about.

2) I wouldn't be comfortable using "but" vs "although" as a decision point -- the distinction is too subtle.

3) (D) is illogical. Take another look:


The pronouns "it" and "that" both seem to refer to "the age of eighteen." But that's nonsense. How could the age of 18 be less in one country than the age of 18 in another? Because this option is illogical, you can toss it.

I hope that helps!
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Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation to this question-

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 in this country, individuals are minors until they reach the age of eighteen, but the age until which individuals remain minors is lower in some countries and higher in others.

Concepts tested here: Meaning + Pronouns + Grammatical Construction

• If a list contains only two elements, they must be joined by a conjunction.

A:
1/ This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the clause "this is less in some countries and more in others"; the construction of this clause illogically implies that the age of eighteen is lower in some countries and higher in others; the intended meaning is that the age until which individuals remain minors is lower in some countries and higher in others.

B:
1/ This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "this age"; the construction of this phrase illogically implies that the age of eighteen is lower in some countries and higher in others; the intended meaning is that the age until which individuals remain minors is lower in some countries and higher in others.
2/ Option B incorrectly uses a semicolon to join two elements in a list - the adjective phrases "lower in some countries" and "higher in others"; remember, if a list contains only two elements, they must be joined by a conjunction.

C:
1/ This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the clause "it is lower and in others, it is higher"; the construction of this clause illogically implies that the age of eighteen is lower in some countries and higher in others; the intended meaning is that the age until which individuals remain minors is lower in some countries and higher in others.

D:
1/ This answer choice suffers from a pronoun error, as the pronoun "it" lacks a clear and logical reference.

E: Correct.
1/ This answer choice uses the clause "the relevant age is lower in some countries and higher in others"; the construction of this clause conveys the intended meaning - that the age until which individuals remain minors is lower in some countries and higher in others.
2/ Option E avoids the pronoun error seen in Option D, as it uses the noun phrase "the relevant age" in place of the pronoun "it".
3/ Option E correctly uses conjunction ("and" in this sentence) to join two elements in a list - the adjective phrases "lower in some countries" and "higher in others".

Hence, E is the best answer choice.

All the best!
Experts' Global Team
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