Last visit was: 19 Nov 2025, 06:57 It is currently 19 Nov 2025, 06:57
Home
GMAT
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Rewards
Chat
My Profile
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
Back to Forum
Create Topic
   1   2   3   
555-605 Level|   Comparisons|         
User avatar
KyleWiddison
User avatar
Manhattan Prep Instructor
Joined: 30 Apr 2012
Last visit: 06 Jul 2016
Posts: 781
Own Kudos:
2,684
Given Kudos: 5
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 781
Kudos: 2,684
Although people in France consume fatty foods at a rate comparable to 20 Apr 2016, 14:25
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I agree with the post above. We would see 'that of' in that type of construction.
KW

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
sukanyar
User avatar
Joined: 20 Apr 2013
Last visit: 20 Dec 2017
Posts: 113
Own Kudos:
126
Given Kudos: 19
Posts: 113
Kudos: 126
Although people in France consume fatty foods at a rate comparable to 21 Apr 2016, 03:54
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
KyleWiddison
I agree with the post above. We would see 'that of' in that type of construction.
Show more
Kyle, what would "that" refer to in that case?
User avatar
sayantanc2k
User avatar
Joined: 14 Dec 2013
Last visit: 09 Dec 2022
Posts: 2,393
Own Kudos:
15,523
Given Kudos: 26
Location: Germany
Schools:
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V47
WE:Corporate Finance (Pharmaceuticals and Biotech)
Expert
Expert reply
Schools:
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V47
Posts: 2,393
Kudos: 15,523
Although people in France consume fatty foods at a rate comparable to 21 Apr 2016, 04:55
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
sukanyar
KyleWiddison
I agree with the post above. We would see 'that of' in that type of construction.
Kyle, what would "that" refer to in that case?
Show more

The pronoun "that" would refer to "rate".

Although people in France consume fatty foods at a rate comparable to that (the rate) of the United States, their death rates from heart disease are far lower in France.
User avatar
sukanyar
User avatar
Joined: 20 Apr 2013
Last visit: 20 Dec 2017
Posts: 113
Own Kudos:
126
Given Kudos: 19
Posts: 113
Kudos: 126
Although people in France consume fatty foods at a rate comparable to 21 Apr 2016, 05:23
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
sayantanc2k
The pronoun "that" would refer to "rate".

Although people in France consume fatty foods at a rate comparable to that (the rate) of the United States, their death rates from heart disease are far lower in France.
Show more
Thanks sayantanc2k for your reply. So, "the rate of the United States" seems unclear to me. I mean, is that valid? Do countries have a "rate" :lol: ?
User avatar
chetan2u
User avatar
GMAT Expert
Joined: 02 Aug 2009
Last visit: 15 Nov 2025
Posts: 11,238
Own Kudos:
43,702
 [1]
Given Kudos: 335
Status:Math and DI Expert
Location: India
Concentration: Human Resources, General Management
GMAT Focus 1: 735 Q90 V89 DI81
Products:
My Reviews
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT Focus 1: 735 Q90 V89 DI81
Posts: 11,238
Kudos: 43,702
 [1]
Although people in France consume fatty foods at a rate comparable to 21 Apr 2016, 05:36
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
sukanyar
sayantanc2k
The pronoun "that" would refer to "rate".

Although people in France consume fatty foods at a rate comparable to that (the rate) of the United States, their death rates from heart disease are far lower in France.
Thanks sayantanc2k for your reply. So, "the rate of the United States" seems unclear to me. I mean, is that valid? Do countries have a "rate" :lol: ?
Show more

You are correct, we cannot miss out certain words because it makes the sentence illogical in comparison..
the correct sentence could be
Although people in France consume fatty foods at a rate comparable to that (the rate) of the people in the United States, their death rates from heart disease are far lower in France.[/quote]
User avatar
sayantanc2k
User avatar
Joined: 14 Dec 2013
Last visit: 09 Dec 2022
Posts: 2,393
Own Kudos:
15,523
 [1]
Given Kudos: 26
Location: Germany
Schools:
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V47
WE:Corporate Finance (Pharmaceuticals and Biotech)
Expert
Expert reply
Schools:
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V47
Posts: 2,393
Kudos: 15,523
 [1]
Although people in France consume fatty foods at a rate comparable to 21 Apr 2016, 11:36
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
sukanyar
sayantanc2k
The pronoun "that" would refer to "rate".

Although people in France consume fatty foods at a rate comparable to that (the rate) of the United States, their death rates from heart disease are far lower in France.
Thanks sayantanc2k for your reply. So, "the rate of the United States" seems unclear to me. I mean, is that valid? Do countries have a "rate" :lol: ?
Show more

Your observation is correct. As chetan2u rightly explained, the preposition should be "in" (to be parallel with "in France"), not "of". I missed out on that. :)
User avatar
sukanyar
User avatar
Joined: 20 Apr 2013
Last visit: 20 Dec 2017
Posts: 113
Own Kudos:
126
Given Kudos: 19
Posts: 113
Kudos: 126
Although people in France consume fatty foods at a rate comparable to 21 Apr 2016, 21:10
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
sayantanc2k
Your observation is correct. As chetan2u rightly explained, the preposition should be "in" (to be parallel with "in France"), not "of". I missed out on that. :)
Show more
But even with "in", how do we know what "rate" is being talked about?
User avatar
chetan2u
User avatar
GMAT Expert
Joined: 02 Aug 2009
Last visit: 15 Nov 2025
Posts: 11,238
Own Kudos:
43,702
 [1]
Given Kudos: 335
Status:Math and DI Expert
Location: India
Concentration: Human Resources, General Management
GMAT Focus 1: 735 Q90 V89 DI81
Products:
My Reviews
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT Focus 1: 735 Q90 V89 DI81
Posts: 11,238
Kudos: 43,702
 [1]
Although people in France consume fatty foods at a rate comparable to 21 Apr 2016, 21:19
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
sukanyar
sayantanc2k
Your observation is correct. As chetan2u rightly explained, the preposition should be "in" (to be parallel with "in France"), not "of". I missed out on that. :)
But even with "in", how do we know what "rate" is being talked about?
Show more

Hi,
we have just spoken of ONLY one kind of rate in the entire sentence, so the rate would logically refer back to its earlier antecedents and also usage of "comparable to" refers to the previous RATE being talked about..
User avatar
KyleWiddison
User avatar
Manhattan Prep Instructor
Joined: 30 Apr 2012
Last visit: 06 Jul 2016
Posts: 781
Own Kudos:
2,684
Given Kudos: 5
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 781
Kudos: 2,684
Although people in France consume fatty foods at a rate comparable to 26 Apr 2016, 15:30
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
sukanyar
sayantanc2k
The pronoun "that" would refer to "rate".

Although people in France consume fatty foods at a rate comparable to that (the rate) of the United States, their death rates from heart disease are far lower in France.
Thanks sayantanc2k for your reply. So, "the rate of the United States" seems unclear to me. I mean, is that valid? Do countries have a "rate" :lol: ?
Show more

Responding to a PM here.

"That" as a pronoun can serve as a "new copy" of a previously mentioned noun. In this case, we are trying to compare the separate rates - France's (death) rate and the United States' (death) rate. The rates are separate, but we don't want to repeat the use of rate so we use "that" to represent the US' rate.

Here is another example:
The money spent on food for three days at Disneyland is slightly less than THAT spent for an entire month at home (but only slightly).

Here "that" is referring to a different pile of money spent on food for a month, but it is still money so using "that" is appropriate.

KW
[Yes, I did just make a trip to Disneyland :) ]
User avatar
sukanyar
User avatar
Joined: 20 Apr 2013
Last visit: 20 Dec 2017
Posts: 113
Own Kudos:
126
Given Kudos: 19
Posts: 113
Kudos: 126
Although people in France consume fatty foods at a rate comparable to 26 Apr 2016, 21:11
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
KyleWiddison
"That" as a pronoun can serve as a "new copy" of a previously mentioned noun. In this case, we are trying to compare the separate rates - France's (death) rate and the United States' (death) rate. The rates are separate, but we don't want to repeat the use of rate so we use "that" to represent the US' rate.
Show more
Thanks for responding to the PM Kyle, this might be a typo, because the sentence does not seem to be comparing death rate, but rate at which fatty foods are consumed.
User avatar
KyleWiddison
User avatar
Manhattan Prep Instructor
Joined: 30 Apr 2012
Last visit: 06 Jul 2016
Posts: 781
Own Kudos:
2,684
Given Kudos: 5
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 781
Kudos: 2,684
Although people in France consume fatty foods at a rate comparable to 29 Apr 2016, 00:28
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
There are actually two sets of rates that are involved. You are correct that ultimately we are comparing the death rates but the rates of consumption are included to compare how those rates impact the death rates. It may be a bit tricky to keep straight, but including two sets of rates in the sentence is totally legimate.
KW

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
sukanyar
User avatar
Joined: 20 Apr 2013
Last visit: 20 Dec 2017
Posts: 113
Own Kudos:
126
Given Kudos: 19
Posts: 113
Kudos: 126
Although people in France consume fatty foods at a rate comparable to 29 Apr 2016, 01:24
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
KyleWiddison
the rates of consumption are included to compare how those rates impact the death rates.
Show more
Thanks Kyle. That's what is confusing me. There is no mention of "rate of consumption" in the sentence and so, the following sentence would be incorrect:

Although people in France consume fatty foods at a rate comparable to that of the United States, their death rates from heart disease are far lower in France.

that is meant to refer to "rate of consumption of fatty foods", but this is not present in the sentence From my class, I was told that the noun must be present in the sentence in the same form (though I might have mis-interpreted or mis-understood the instructor).
User avatar
KyleWiddison
User avatar
Manhattan Prep Instructor
Joined: 30 Apr 2012
Last visit: 06 Jul 2016
Posts: 781
Own Kudos:
2,684
Given Kudos: 5
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 781
Kudos: 2,684
Although people in France consume fatty foods at a rate comparable to 29 Apr 2016, 18:07
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
The pronoun "that" is more flexible and can be used to represent an idea / phrase. Take for example this other GMAT question: lacking-information-about-energy-use-people-tend-to-81026.html. "That" can be used to represent "the amount of energy used" but "it" cannot because "it" must have a noun it replaces.

KW
User avatar
sukanyar
User avatar
Joined: 20 Apr 2013
Last visit: 20 Dec 2017
Posts: 113
Own Kudos:
126
Given Kudos: 19
Posts: 113
Kudos: 126
Although people in France consume fatty foods at a rate comparable to 29 Apr 2016, 18:55
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hello Kyle, in the example you have stated, "the amount of energy used" is present in the sentence.

However, in this example, "rate of consumption of fatty foods" is "not" present in the sentence. So, if you can give an example where "that" is referring to something that is not present in the sentence, it would help me clear this doubt.
User avatar
sayantanc2k
User avatar
Joined: 14 Dec 2013
Last visit: 09 Dec 2022
Posts: 2,393
Own Kudos:
15,523
Given Kudos: 26
Location: Germany
Schools:
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V47
WE:Corporate Finance (Pharmaceuticals and Biotech)
Expert
Expert reply
Schools:
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V47
Posts: 2,393
Kudos: 15,523
Although people in France consume fatty foods at a rate comparable to 13 May 2016, 11:15
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
sukanyar
Hello Kyle, in the example you have stated, "the amount of energy used" is present in the sentence.

However, in this example, "rate of consumption of fatty foods" is "not" present in the sentence. So, if you can give an example where "that" is referring to something that is not present in the sentence, it would help me clear this doubt.
Show more

Could you please elaborate your query? There is no "that"(creating a new copy) in the correct option.
User avatar
sukanyar
User avatar
Joined: 20 Apr 2013
Last visit: 20 Dec 2017
Posts: 113
Own Kudos:
126
Given Kudos: 19
Posts: 113
Kudos: 126
Although people in France consume fatty foods at a rate comparable to 17 May 2016, 05:59
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
sayantanc2k
Could you please elaborate your query? There is no "that"(creating a new copy) in the correct option.
Show more
Hi sayantanc2k, thanks for your help. if you scroll few posts up, experts have said that the following "modified" sentence would be correct:

Although people in France consume fatty foods at a rate comparable to that in the United States, their death rates from heart disease are far lower in France.

My question is: In the above sentence, what would "that" refer to? I don't think "that" can just refer to "rate", because then it will not be clear "rate of what?".
User avatar
sayantanc2k
User avatar
Joined: 14 Dec 2013
Last visit: 09 Dec 2022
Posts: 2,393
Own Kudos:
15,523
Given Kudos: 26
Location: Germany
Schools:
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V47
WE:Corporate Finance (Pharmaceuticals and Biotech)
Expert
Expert reply
Schools:
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V47
Posts: 2,393
Kudos: 15,523
Although people in France consume fatty foods at a rate comparable to 18 May 2016, 08:34
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
sukanyar
sayantanc2k
Could you please elaborate your query? There is no "that"(creating a new copy) in the correct option.
Hi sayantanc2k, thanks for your help. if you scroll few posts up, experts have said that the following "modified" sentence would be correct:

Although people in France consume fatty foods at a rate comparable to that in the United States, their death rates from heart disease are far lower in France.

My question is: In the above sentence, what would "that" refer to? I don't think "that" can just refer to "rate", because then it will not be clear "rate of what?".
Show more

Still I am not clear where exactly lies your doubt. Reading the posts it appears that you have already understood that "that" refers to "rate"... that's absolutely correct - but somehow you do not agree that "that" can JUST refer to "rate". Also it is very evident from the first part of the sentence that the "rate" refers to the consumption of fatty foods : "people in France consume fatty foods at a rate". Then why are you still not convinced that "that" is referring to the "rate" at which people consume food?
User avatar
sukanyar
User avatar
Joined: 20 Apr 2013
Last visit: 20 Dec 2017
Posts: 113
Own Kudos:
126
Given Kudos: 19
Posts: 113
Kudos: 126
Although people in France consume fatty foods at a rate comparable to 18 May 2016, 10:52
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
sayantanc2k
it is very evident from the first part of the sentence that the "rate" refers to the consumption of fatty foods : "people in France consume fatty foods at a rate". Then why are you still not convinced that "that" is referring to the "rate" at which people consume food?
Show more
Hi sayantanc2k, this is exactly my doubt. Ideally, "that" should be referring to "rate of consumption of fatty foods" (and not just to "rate" because then it would not be clear "rate of what??).

However, this noun phrase "rate of consumption of fatty foods" is not present in the sentence. So, how can "that" refer to a Noun phrase that is not even present in the sentence? I remember it was told in the class that the noun must be present in the sentence in the same form. But may be I did not understand the instructor correctly, hence wanted to clarify.
User avatar
sayantanc2k
User avatar
Joined: 14 Dec 2013
Last visit: 09 Dec 2022
Posts: 2,393
Own Kudos:
15,523
 [1]
Given Kudos: 26
Location: Germany
Schools:
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V47
WE:Corporate Finance (Pharmaceuticals and Biotech)
Expert
Expert reply
Schools:
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V47
Posts: 2,393
Kudos: 15,523
 [1]
Although people in France consume fatty foods at a rate comparable to 21 May 2016, 04:45
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
sukanyar
sayantanc2k
it is very evident from the first part of the sentence that the "rate" refers to the consumption of fatty foods : "people in France consume fatty foods at a rate". Then why are you still not convinced that "that" is referring to the "rate" at which people consume food?
Hi sayantanc2k, this is exactly my doubt. Ideally, "that" should be referring to "rate of consumption of fatty foods" (and not just to "rate" because then it would not be clear "rate of what??).

However, this noun phrase "rate of consumption of fatty foods" is not present in the sentence. So, how can "that" refer to a Noun phrase that is not even present in the sentence? I remember it was told in the class that the noun must be present in the sentence in the same form. But may be I did not understand the instructor correctly, hence wanted to clarify.
Show more

No Sukanya, the pronoun "that" refers to a noun, not a noun phrase as a whole. The pronoun "that" creates a new copy of a previous noun ("rate") in the sentence. Hence presence of "rate" is good enough, as long as it is clear from the context which rate is referred to.
User avatar
EducationAisle
User avatar
Joined: 27 Mar 2010
Last visit: 18 Nov 2025
Posts: 3,891
Own Kudos:
3,579
Given Kudos: 159
Location: India
Schools: ISB
GPA: 3.31
Expert
Expert reply
Schools: ISB
Posts: 3,891
Kudos: 3,579
Although people in France consume fatty foods at a rate comparable to 21 May 2016, 08:28
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Indeed sykanyar, as sayantanc2k has pointed out, that will clearly an unambiguously refer to rate in this sentence.
   1   2   3   
Moderators:
GMATNinja
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
7443 posts
GMATNinjaTwo
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
231 posts
miag
188 posts