A series of troubling reports released by some of the top environmenta

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION



THE PROMPT


THE OPTIONS

• as much as should be as many as
→ pieces of floating plastic are countable; to talk about countable nouns, we use as many as

• the verb is should be are in order to match the plural subject pieces of floating plastic

• makes up should be make up to agree with the plural subject pieces of floating plastic
ELIMINATE A

• just as is the case in option A, as much as should be as many as

• again as is the case in option A, the verb is should be are

• have made up should be make up
→ have made up (present perfect) is a weird choice, one that is inferior to the simple present tense, make up.
ELIMINATE B


• the verb indicate should be the verb indicates in order to match the subject series
→ series can be singular or plural; if series carries the singular sense of one set, it takes a singular verb.
If series conveys the plural sense of two or more sets, it takes a plural verb.
Singular: A series of lectures is scheduled.
Plural: Two series of lectures are scheduled: one for experts and one for laypeople.
See Usage Note, here.
Although there may be a few or many reports, from context, there is one series of reports about this disturbing problem of plastic in the ocean.

• as is the case in options A and B, the verb is should be are

• is making up should be make up.
→ We use simple present tense in a general statement such as this one.
ELIMINATE C


• I see no issues
→ series . . . indicates
→ pieces of plastic, which are
Which refers to 18,000 pieces.
→ pieces . . . make up
KEEP


• indicate should be indicates; the subject is series, singular

• as many OF is not idiomatic; as many AS is idiomatic
ELIMINATE E

The correct answer is D.

• • Very short POE • •

This question is difficult.
I suppose that you might try to insist that series is plural—but other errors lead to option D, in which case series must be singular.

• Split #1: pieces of plastic are countable
For countable nouns, we use as many as, never as much as
Eliminate A and B

• Split #2: to convey general facts, use simple present verb tense
Option C uses "is making up."
Eliminate C

• Split #3: as many OF is not idiomatic; as many AS is idiomatic
Eliminate E.

The answer is D.

COMMENTS

jhavyom , welcome to SC Butler.

Kudos go to those who got the correct answer and explained well.
If you use my "short POE" reasoning, above, the answer is D irrespective of whether "series" is singular or plural.
Others get smiley faces for taking on a hard question.
Be safe, everyone.