A team of Chinese and Dutch mathematicians recently formulated a model

A team of Chinese and Dutch mathematicians recently formulated a model for predicting emigration rates of one species depending on both the local population density of another species and the relationship (competitive, predator-prey, or activator-inhibitor) between the two species.


A. for predicting emigration rates of

B. to predict emigration rates of at least

C. to predict emigration rates of

D. that predict emigration rates of

E. that predict rates of emigration of at least

This is a type of question where the difference is very subtle if we have not done our homework(I mean study )

lets get to it then,it is clear that adding 'at least' clearly alters the original meaning of the sentence so we do a 2/3 split and get rid of B and E.

Now is the difficult part, in option D 'that predict' can logically only refer to the model and not the team(meaning error), and then if we look we find that model is singular and the verb- predict should be singular as well (predicts) to be grammatically correct.therefor strike out D.

now we are left with A and C, lets do slash and burn!(remove everything that does not matter)

A team - recently formulated - a model - to predict or for predicting?

in my opinion 'to predict' is the correct choice.

C is the correct answer.

A team of Chinese and Dutch mathematicians recently formulated a model for predicting emigration rates of one species depending on both the local population density of another species and the relationship (competitive, predator-prey, or activator-inhibitor) between the two species.


A. for predicting emigration rates of --> "to predict" is better/more direct than "for predicting"

B. to predict emigration rates of at least --> use of "at least" changes the meaning

C. to predict emigration rates of --> correct

D. that predict emigration rates of --> "a model" is singular

E. that predict rates of emigration of at least --> same as D

Kaplan's Explanation:

Read the Original Sentence Carefully, Looking for Errors:

When a phrase signifies the purpose or goal of the verb, the GMAT usually prefers the infinitive to form. For example, He bought the dress to make his wife happy, not He bought the dress for making his wife happy. Here, the underlined phrase gives the purpose of "formulated a model," so to predict is the correct form.

Scan and Group the Answer Choices:

A 1-2-2 split is evident at the beginning of the choices: (A) uses "for predicting," (B) and (C) use "to predict," and (D) and (E) use "that predict."

Eliminate Wrong Answer Choices:

(A) can be eliminated due to the error noticed in the initial analysis of the sentence.

(D) and (E) fail to use the infinitive to predict. Additionally, they both use the plural form "predict" for the singular subject, "model." "A model that predict" is therefore wrong for two reasons. Eliminate (D) and (E).

(B) does use the infinitive to predict, but it also adds the words “at least” at the end of the underlined portion. These extra words are unnecessary and in fact change the meaning of the sentence slightly. Eliminate (B).

(C) uses the correct to predict and does not introduce any new errors. (C) is the correct answer.

TAKEAWAY: Watch out for phrases that indicate the purpose or goal of the verb that came before. Demand that the answer use the infinitive form of the verb.

choice A tells that the team formulated a model for predicting emigration rates of

For + -ing: function
We use for + the -ing form of a verb to talk about the function of something or how something is used
e.g. The PC is still the most popular tool for developing software systems.

OR

For + -ing: reason
We use for + the -ing form of a verb to refer to the reason for something:

e.g. You should talk to Jane about it. You know, she’s famous for being a good listener. (A lot of people know she’s such a good listener.)

For + -ing or to + infinitive?
Warning:
We don’t use for + -ing to express our purpose or intention. We use to + infinitive

Based on this, for + ing can be eliminated, i.e. choice A can be eliminated.

Choice B: atleast changes the meaning here. so, this can eliminated.
Choice c: No errors
choice D and E: S-V agreement error, model is singular and predict is plural, so this can be eliminated.

Choice C it is

nicely explained buddy. Thanks

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