For all their usefulness in facilitating comparisons between cities of

hi...

comparisons between cities of different sizes, per-capita statistics could easily mean comparing two cities of different sizes at one time..

another example..
UEFA cup is played among countries of europe.. here you mean all countries participating
matches in UEFA championship is played between different countries of europe... here it means a match is played between two different countries of europe

For all their usefulness in facilitating comparisons between cities of different sizes, per-capita statistics, especially crime rates, often shine an unfairly harsh light on small towns, in which a single incident can cause such figures to skyrocket.

(A) For all their usefulness in facilitating comparisons between cities of different sizes, per-capita statistics, especially crime rates, often -Correct

(B) Despite they are useful in facilitating comparisons between differently sized cities, per-capita statistics, and especially crime rates, often -"and" is wrongly used

(C) Because they are quite useful in facilitating comparisons between different sized cities, per-capita statistics, especially crime rates, can often -we need to depict contrast; thus, usage of because is incorrect

(D) Quite useful when facilitating comparisons between differently sized cities, per-capita statistics, and especially crime rates, which frequently -not a sentence

(E) For their usefulness in facilitating comparisons between different sized cities, per-capita statistics, especially crime rates, frequently -

I still don't understand why option C is wrong? Any other explanations ?

Two problems:

1. C expresses a reason whereas the original sentence expresses a concession.
2. cities of different sizes is preferable to different sized cities.

Great explanation from MGMAT: https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/foru ... 32281.html

I have two questions regarding this problem
1)How "for all" fits as a contrast word?
2)Is that because despite is a preposition,it can not be followed by a clause?

Hi

I thought per capita statistics was singular, normally we use singular verbs for Maths and Physics also statistics

Could u pls explain why we are using their and shine for per capita statistics

How do we make out the difference?

Thanks in advance

B -- despite "they are useful" is wrong, should not be despite + S + V, but despite + some kind of noun phrase
C -- meaning is the opposite
D -- where is the verb
E -- was my 2nd pick, the use of "for all" sounded better, but not sure if there is a rule

A is the best answer

hazelnut wrote
techiesam

Are you asking whether the inability to use "despite" causes the phrase "for all" to signal contrast, or requires us
to choose "for all" instead of "despite"?

No. "For all" signals contrast because idiomatically that is how the phrase has developed.

Idiomatically, "for all" means "in spite of," "despite," and "notwithstanding."

Maybe you mean that we must use "for all" because we cannot use "despite" in this situation?

We can.
1) Substitute "despite" in option A. That works.
DESPITE their usefulness in facilitating comparisons between cities of different sizes, per-capita statistics, especially crime rates, often shine an unfairly harsh light on small towns, in which a single incident can cause such figures to skyrocket.

2) Add "the fact that" to "despite" in B.
(B) Despite the fact that they are useful in facilitating comparisons . . .

Here is a common example in which the phrase "for all" is standard idiom
for "despite" or "in spite of": "For all its faults, this country is still the best in the world."

Maybe you are saying that the options alone do not clearly show whether this sentence should convey contrast.
I agree.

Two words, however, are cues.
We have "Xs are useful" in every option.
We also have "Xs . . . shine an unfairly harsh light. . . .

USEFUL/HARSH. Contrast. Here are the sentences, with only the contrast element corrected (there are other errors):

(B) Despite [the fact that] they are useful in facilitating comparisons between differently sized cities, per-capita statistics, and especially crime rates, often

(C) Because
Although they are quite useful in facilitating comparisons between different sized cities, per-capita statistics, especially crime rates, can often

(D) Quite useful when facilitating comparisons between differently sized cities, per-capita statistics, and especially crime rates, which [nonetheless can] frequently

(E) For Despite their usefulness in facilitating comparisons between different sized cities, per-capita statistics, especially crime rates, frequently

The words in red are the contrast words, corrected. (There are other errors.)

Xs are useful . . . Xs are unfairly harsh. Contrast.

I hope I understood your question. (And yes: "despite" must be followed by a noun or noun-phrase.)

Hope that helps.

Hi zanaik89

Do you mean something such as:
"Statistics" IS a complex subject?
"Combinatorics" IS [VERY] boring. (Sorry. /end editorial)

If those examples do not capture what you mean,
could you give a few examples of precisely what you mean?

"Statistics" can be singular or plural.

Singular statistics refers to a field of study or science in which data is gathered,
interpreted, etc. Example: "Statistics contains many interesting conceptual approaches."
Or, "Statistics is an easy class."

Plural statistics are the observations, the numerical values,
the results of the analysis. Example: "Statistics on violence against women
are not encouraging."

(One way to figure out the meaning in this particular question comes from the
words right after the phrase "per capita statistics.")

In every sentence, we see, " . . . .per-capita statistics, especially crime rates)

I hope that helps.

Sowelu
"For all" is correct. Good instincts!

Without that one word, ALL, E fails to convey contrast. Whoops.
And Option E uses "different" incorrectly.
Rewrite of E
DESPITE THEIR USEFULNESS in facilitating comparisons between CITIES OF DIFFERENT SIZES, per-capita statistics . . .

From my words here we can infer that:

1) "For all," when contrast is involved, means: notwithstanding, despite, in spite of; and

2) "For," when contrast is involved, typically does NOT mean "for all" (= despite),
and in this example, creates a nonsensical sentence.

Option E STRIPPED DOWN:
For their usefulness in facilitating comparisons . . . statistics . . . shine an unfairly harsh light on small towns.

Huh?

In this sentence, for either conveys nonsense or means because

The idiomatic phrase to convey contrast is "for all."

Example: For all his faults, he had a wonderful sense of humor and a good heart.

Hope that helps.

meaning and error analysis:
1. "per-capita statistics" is subject. The word "statistics" is used both as singular and as plural. Looking at the "Shine" in un-underline part, i say it is plural. use of 'their' is correct.
2. "Between" is used for two distinct object, in this case cities. Among should be a better option, but all choices are using between so let this one go. Consider it for two cities.
3. "per-capita statistics" is modified by modifier "For all their usefulness in facilitating comparisons between cities of different sizes" correct.
4. "especially crime rates" is part of that statistics. modifying statistics.
5. difference between often and frequently --- both means repetition just often < frequently. more over frequently means in frequent intervals that denotes a regularity. while often says it's happening but not in regular intervals.

(A) For all their usefulness in facilitating comparisons between cities of different sizes, per-capita statistics, especially crime rates, often --- Correct answer.

(B) Despite they are useful in facilitating comparisons between differently sized cities, per-capita statistics, and especially crime rates, often ---- and especially crime rates - this one is wrong. it should be parallel with something.

(C) Because they are quite useful in facilitating comparisons between different sized cities, per-capita statistics, especially crime rates, can often --- can often leaves a possibility of not so much facilitating. change of meaning .

(D) Quite useful when facilitating comparisons between differently sized cities, per-capita statistics, and especially crime rates, which frequently ---
1. and especially crime rates --- not right.
2. use of 'which' is not correct as it refers to crime rate and so does rest of the sentence.
3. no subject verb pair.
(E) For their usefulness in facilitating comparisons between different sized cities, per-capita statistics, especially crime rates, frequently ---- change of meaning by using frequently.

GMATNinja please all explain how in option A their possessive noun refers back to statistics? Should not it be wrong?

junii, I am no expert but sharing my view here.

I guess A is the answer here because A is much better than the others. All the other options have precise logical errors. Also, you must have heard GMATNinja say plenty of times that pronoun ambiguity isn't an absolute rule. Hence, A is much better than the rest!

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