In 1986 falling demand brought world oil prices down to less than $10

Question

In 1986 falling demand brought world oil prices down to less than $10 a barrel, more than 60 percent  less than those of their 1985 level.

A. less than those

B. less than their 1985 level

C. less than 1985

D. fewer than 1985

E. fewer than that of the world's 1985 level

Source - Ready4Gmat
Comparisons Series

shameekv1989 · Answer

In 1986 falling demand brought world oil prices down to less than $10 a barrel, more than 60 percent  less than those of their 1985 level.

A. less than those  - 60% less than those doesn't complete the sentence - we need a time frame to compare - 60% less than those (oil prices) in 1985 level

B. less than their 1985 level  - Correct (60% less than oil price's 1985 level)

C. less than 1985  - Incorrect comparison prices with 1985

D. fewer than 1985  - fewer is incorrect for %

E. fewer than that of the world's 1985 level - fewer is incorrect for %

Abhi077 · Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

The phrasing in Choice (A) is awkward and confusing: what does "those" refer to? We don't know. This is one of those instances where we first test the shortest answer choices, (C) and (D), but in this case, neither is right; we can't compare "world oil prices" to "1985." The correct answer choice will be more specific. We also can't use "fewer" here, because we're talking about an amount of money and not a number of countable objects. By process of elimination, we're left with Choice (B), which makes the comparison directly and specifically.

The correct answer is B

jaisonsunny77 · Answer

It is the price level that is being compared.

(A) less than those.. Those of what? the demonstrative pronoun "those" does not have a clear antecedent. Hence, eliminate (A)

Since the price level is uncountable, we can eliminate (D) and (E).

(C) literally states that the price level is less than 1985 - how can a level be less than a particular period in time? This comparison does not make sense. Hence, we can eliminate (C).

therefore, the correct answer is (B).

daagh · Answer

This is a basically flawed and non-standard topic. question. Choice A cannot be tinkered at will and different from what the text underlines. careful, please''=. The pity is that there is an OA an OE for this.

Kritisood · Answer

Also, who is "their" referring to in B? I doubt its correct.

VerbalBot · Answer

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In 1986 falling demand brought world oil prices down to less than $10

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In 1986 falling demand brought world oil prices down to less than $10

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