In my opinion, conjugating the object of a sentence instead of the subject is not an idiom--it's a grammatical error, related to the most basic structure of sentences (subjects and verbs).

Yes, it sometimes sounds awkward when used correctly, but that does not make it any less correct. If the writers at the GMAC want to consider that an "idiom," then that's fine, and of course GMAT students should take note. But that doesn't mean that I have to personally agree with them.

Although if I were forced to choose, I still would select Choice B (prioritizing correct grammar over awkwardness), I would say that there is no correct answer to this question, because Choice B is awkward (albeit correct) and non-parallel, and Choice C is grammatically incorrect. GMAC says (emphasis mine) "Select the answer that produces the most effective sentence; your answer should make the sentence clear, exact, and free of grammatical error. It should also minimize awkwardness, ambiguity, and redundancy." I don't see an answer choice here that fits all of those descriptions.

Would you say "a group of exchange students are coming to visit."? No, you would say "a group of exchange students is coming to visit, because "a group" is the subject, not "students." What's the difference between "a group" and "a proportion?" Essentially, nothing.

I think we need to stop treating the GMAC question-writers as infallible gods, and realize that they are also human, and whether they will admit it or not, they make mistakes sometimes too.

From the 2016 Official Guide, page 667:

"Sentence correction questions may include English-language idioms, which are standard constructions not derived from the most basic rules of grammar and vocabulary, but idioms are not intended to measure any specialized knowledge of colloquialisms or regionalisms."

In real life, when having conversations, I do prioritize avoiding awkwardness over grammatical correctness (for example, "It's me"--incorrect but accepted--vs. "It's I"--correct but awkward--when speaking on the phone), and I think that most of us do to avoid seeming pretentious in the company of our friends who are not necessarily grammar experts. But on the GMAT, the language provided by the GMAC suggests that correct grammar should be prioritized over a lack of awkwardness.
_________________

Good example. Although both conjugations are acceptable in different instances, "A majority is Russian" is the most correct version. Majority is a singular noun in this case, because being Russian is common to of all of them collectively.

Likewise, the correct answer should be "a majority of women work," not "a majority of women works."

http://www.grammar.com/Group-Nouns-majority-do-or-majority-does

In your "Russian" example, the answer is crystal-clear, but I will concede that on this actual GMAT question there is more wiggle room. You could argue that they are not all working together, since they don't all perform the same jobs.

In addition, on second glance, I did notice one extra aspect of Choice A that I do not like: the word "them." If we use the singular conjugation early in the sentence, then we must preserve the singular reference later in the sentence.

My corrected version: "In Hungary, as in much of Eastern Europe, an overwhelming proportion of women work, mostly in middle management and light industry."
_________________

Sorry, but I just don't agree.

The word "ratio" or "proportion" does not take a plural verb.

The best examples I can give are the many Official GMAT quant questions that follow this rule precisely:

Notice how the question says "the ratio was" (singular verb) instead of "the ratio were" (plural verb).

"In a certain district, the ratio of the number of registered Republicans to the number of registered Democrats was 3/5. After 600 additional Republicans and 500 additional Democrats registered, the ratio was 4/5. After these registrations, there were how many more voters in the district registered as Democrats than as Republicans?"

http://gmatclub.com/forum/in-a-certain-district-the-ratio-of-the-number-of-registered-143983.html
_________________

That's mostly correct, but I believe that we need to clarify the "a number" vs. "a number" distinction. On the GMAT, this is only true if it's put in the form: "A number of _____ are ...."

I still don't personally agree with this choice, but I agree it's clear that "a number of (plural)" and "a proportion of (plural)" and "a fraction/majority/minority of (plural)" is always conjugated using the plural verb form on the GMAT. And yes for the purposes of this forum, the GMAC is king.

Otherwise, "a number," like all other singular subjects, is conjugated in singular form. For example:

"A palindrome is a number that reads the same forward and backward. For example. 2442 and 111 are palindromes. If 5-digit palindromes are formed using one or more of the digits, 1, 2, 3, how many such palindromes are possible?

"A number reads" = "(It) reads" = correct.

a-palindrome-is-a-number-that-reads-the-same-forward-and-bac-161167.html
_________________

Can sum1 pls explain in this question In Hungary, as in much of Eastern Europe, an overwhelming proportion of women work, many of which are in middle management and light industry. should we not use like because hungary and eastern europe is being compared

this is really shocking to see that even after this much discussion still no update on the actual question from "n Hungary" to "In Hungary".
I keep on thinking that how to attach Hungary(w/o 'in' my case as i ignored 'n' from question.) to any part of sentence so it create a complete sentence.

C.

Parallelism and comparison.

IN Hungary..as IN. For this reason, B is out

D and E are out because they don't have IN. D and E are comparing a circumstances in a country with countries.Illogical comparison.

A is out because WHICH is not the correct pronoun to refer to people.
_________________

mcelroytutoring

Surprisingly, GMAT writer edited the SC from New York Times = LINK.


_________________

if C is correct then what will be the verb in the sentence?

very informative question for me