NEW HERE? LEARN MORE
closeclose
Last visit was: 23 Apr 2024, 10:22 It is currently 23 Apr 2024, 10:22
Decision Tracker
My Rewards
New posts
New comers' posts

Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel

Over the last five years, the unemployment rate in the country

SORT BY:
Date
Kudos
Tags:
Find Similar Topics 
Show Tags
Hide Tags
User avatar
L
generis
Senior SC Moderator
Joined: 22 May 2016
Posts: 5330
Own Kudos [?]: 35482 [4]
Given Kudos: 9464
Send PM
CAT Tests
Over the last five years, the unemployment rate in the country [#permalink] New post   08 May 2021, 23:57
2
Kudos
2
Bookmarks
Expert Reply
00:00
A
B
C
D
E

Difficulty:

25% (medium)

Question Stats:

64% (01:11) correct 36% (01:20) wrong based on 326 sessions
Hide Show timer Statistics

Project SC Butler: Sentence Correction (SC2)


For SC butler Questions Click Here




Over the last five years, the unemployment rate in the country has been as high, and in some cities even higher than, what it was during the Great Depression.

A) as high, and in some cities even higher than, what it was

B) so high, and in some cities even higher than, that

C) as high as, and in some cities even higher than, it did

D) as high, and in some cities even higher than, that

E) as high as, and in some cities even higher than, that
ShowHide Answer
Official Answer
E
Most Helpful Reply
User avatar
L
generis
Senior SC Moderator
Joined: 22 May 2016
Posts: 5330
Own Kudos [?]: 35482 [5]
Given Kudos: 9464
Send PM
CAT Tests
Over the last five years, the unemployment rate in the country [#permalink] New post   08 May 2021, 23:59
2
Kudos
3
Bookmarks
Expert Reply
OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

Project SC Butler: Sentence Correction (SC2)



THE PROMPT

Quote:
Over the last five years, the unemployment rate in the country has been as high, and in some cities even higher than, what it was during the Great Depression.

• THAT vs. IT
The sentence compares the unemployment rate at two different times.
Because the two unemployment rates are different (they are both unemployment rates but they are not the same unemployment rate), the correct pronoun is that and not it.

→ It corresponds with exactly one antecedent, in this case, the unemployment rate over the last five years.
We cannot simply stick that precise noun into a different time period.

→ That makes a "copy" of "unemployment rate." This copy that allows us to use the pronoun that in a different context.
I discuss the way in which that can be a "copy" pronoun on this thread, in my post, here.

• IDIOM
AS . . . AS
The correct idiomatic structure is as high as.

Quote:
A) as high [AS], and in some cities even higher than, what it was

• the pronoun IT is incorrect
→ The use of it to refer to employment rate is incorrect, as I discussed above.

Try substituting "the unemployment rate over the last five years" into the word "it."

Substitution: Over the last five years, the unemployment rate in the country has been as high [AS], and in some cities even higher than, what [the unemployment rate over the last five years] was during the Great Depression.
That sentence makes no sense.

• IDIOM
The correct idiomatic structure is as high as and not as high (you need the second "AS").
ELIMINATE A

Quote:
B) so high, and in some cities even higher than, that

• IDIOM
The correct idiom is as high as and not so high.
ELIMINATE B

Quote:
C) as high as, and in some cities even higher than, it did

• Just as is the case in option A, we need the pronoun that, not it
ELIIMINATE C

Quote:
D) as high, and in some cities even higher than, that

• IDIOM
The correct idiomatic structure is as high as and not simply as high.
You need a second as.
• Just below the prompt I wrote notes about this issue.
We need as high as
ELIMINATE D
Quote:
E) as high as, and in some cities even higher than, that

• I do not see any errors
• that correctly refers to unemployment rate
• in this option, the correct idiomatic structure is used: as high as.
KEEP

The answer is E.

COMMENTS

SharmaRahul10201 and vipulgoel , welcome to SC Butler.

zhanbo , interesting question.
Yes, you could use "what it was" rather than "that."
I'll bet that you can come up with a good explanation about why what it was will work but the lone pronoun it will not work.

Kudos to all (even wrong answers).

Stay safe.
General Discussion
User avatar
L
zhanbo
VP
VP
Joined: 27 Feb 2017
Posts: 1488
Own Kudos [?]: 2299 [1]
Given Kudos: 114
Location: United States (WA)
GMAT 1: 760 Q50 V42
GMAT 2: 760 Q50 V42
GRE 1: Q169 V168

GRE 2: Q170 V170
Send PM
Re: Over the last five years, the unemployment rate in the country [#permalink] New post   09 May 2021, 01:03
1
Kudos
My answer is (E). It took me 01:19.

(A) Should use "as high as".

(B) See above.

(C) "It did" should be "it was".
Question: How about what it was?

(D) See (A)

(E) that = the unemployment rate
The sentence thus appropriately compare “the unemployment rate over the last five years" with "that during the Great Depression."
Question: How about what it was?
User avatar
B
vipulgoel
Manager
Manager
Joined: 03 May 2013
Posts: 95
Own Kudos [?]: 50 [1]
Given Kudos: 114
Location: India
Schools: Anderson '24 LBS '24 Madison Marshall '24 Mays McCombs '24 McDonough '24 Mendoza Merage
Send PM
Re: Over the last five years, the unemployment rate in the country [#permalink] New post   09 May 2021, 02:08
Why comma b/w then and essential modifier that

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
P
swim2109
Senior Manager
Senior Manager
Joined: 09 Oct 2017
Posts: 250
Own Kudos [?]: 122 [2]
Given Kudos: 64
Location: Pakistan
Concentration: Finance, Strategy
Schools: Columbia CBS '24 (S) Fuqua '24 (WL) Marshall '24 (D) Sloan '24 (WA) Tepper '24 (WL) McCombs '24 Johnson '24 (A) Wharton '25
GMAT 1: 640 Q48 V31
GRE 1: Q169 V160
GPA: 2.83
Send PM
Reviews Badge
Re: Over the last five years, the unemployment rate in the country [#permalink] New post   09 May 2021, 03:16
2
Kudos
E is the answer.

As ..... as is the idiom. A,B, D should be discarded.

'That' should be used to compare the unemployment rate to the unemployment rate during the great depression.

'Ít did' doesnt make sense as it was would be more appropriate.
User avatar
B
SharmaRahul10201
Intern
Intern
Joined: 25 Apr 2021
Posts: 7
Own Kudos [?]: 3 [1]
Given Kudos: 16
GMAT 1: 700 Q49 V36 (Online)
GMAT 2: 730 Q49 V40 (Online)
Send PM
Reviews Badge
Re: Over the last five years, the unemployment rate in the country [#permalink] New post   09 May 2021, 04:54
1
Kudos
My answer is C

A) as high, and in some cities even higher than, what it was

B) so high, and in some cities even higher than, that
so high, .... , that during the great depression incorrect comparison

C) as high as, and in some cities even higher than, it did
as high as is correct idiom form and the past tense 'did' is correct
D) as high, and in some cities even higher than, that

E) as high as, and in some cities even higher than, that
avatar
D
TarunKumar1234
VP
VP
Joined: 14 Jul 2020
Posts: 1139
Own Kudos [?]: 1292 [1]
Given Kudos: 351
Location: India
Send PM
Re: Over the last five years, the unemployment rate in the country [#permalink] New post   09 May 2021, 06:24
1
Kudos
Over the last five years, the unemployment rate in the country has been as high, and in some cities even higher than, what it was during the Great Depression.

A) as high, and in some cities even higher than, what it was -> as high as is the idiom. Incorrect.

B) so high, and in some cities even higher than, that -> Same as A. Incorrect.

C) as high as, and in some cities even higher than, it did -> "It" is incorrect to use.

D) as high, and in some cities even higher than, that -> Same as A. Incorrect.

E) as high as, and in some cities even higher than, that -> that refers to "the unemployment rate", it is correct.

So, I think E. :)
User avatar
P
carouselambra
Current Student
Joined: 14 Mar 2018
Posts: 319
Own Kudos [?]: 441 [1]
Given Kudos: 43
Send PM
Re: Over the last five years, the unemployment rate in the country [#permalink] New post   09 May 2021, 09:40
1
Kudos
IMO E

Over the last five years, the unemployment rate in the country has been as high, and in some cities even higher than, what it was during the Great Depression.

A) as high, and in some cities even higher than, what it was

B) so high, and in some cities even higher than, that

C) as high as, and in some cities even higher than, it did

D) as high, and in some cities even higher than, that

E) as high as, and in some cities even higher than, that
User avatar
L
generis
Senior SC Moderator
Joined: 22 May 2016
Posts: 5330
Own Kudos [?]: 35482 [2]
Given Kudos: 9464
Send PM
CAT Tests
Over the last five years, the unemployment rate in the country [#permalink] New post   09 May 2021, 12:06
2
Kudos
Expert Reply
generis wrote:

Project SC Butler: Sentence Correction (SC2)



Over the last five years, the unemployment rate in the country has been as high, and in some cities even higher than, what it was during the Great Depression.

A) as high, and in some cities even higher than, what it was

B) so high, and in some cities even higher than, that

C) as high as, and in some cities even higher than, it did

D) as high, and in some cities even higher than, that

E) as high as, and in some cities even higher than, that

vipulgoel wrote:
Why comma b/w then and essential modifier that

Posted from my mobile device

vipulgoel , good question.

First, in contexts different from this one, an essential modifier beginning with that or who can occasionally be separated from its noun.
Sometimes a short phrase intervenes.
SPOILER ALERT, OFFICIAL (and hard) QUESTION: For example, the essential noun modifier that is separated from its noun by a short phrase, in this official question, here.

Essential modifiers can also be separated from their nouns by other essential modifiers that must follow the noun and are often long—so long that it makes sense to insert a comma after the other modifiers and before that in order to maintain clarity and make life easy for the reader.
A few official questions contain commas that seem forbidden.
Here's the thing: rule 11 of the standard list of comma rules trumps the essential modifier comma rule.
Rule 11 states, "Use commas wherever necessary to prevent possible confusion or misreading." [my emphasis]

You can find the list of comma rules here.

Second, this "that" is not an essential modifier.

This "that" is a pronoun that makes a different "copy" of a noun.
This that makes a copy of the unemployment rate.
That = a copy of the unemployment rate that exists in a time period different from the Great Depression.
The different time period is over the last five years.

This that is not a noun modifier.

This that is its own noun in the form of a "copy" pronoun that means "the unemployment rate [over the last five years]."

Hope that answer helps.
User avatar
L
generis
Senior SC Moderator
Joined: 22 May 2016
Posts: 5330
Own Kudos [?]: 35482 [0]
Given Kudos: 9464
Send PM
CAT Tests
Re: Over the last five years, the unemployment rate in the country [#permalink] New post   14 May 2021, 01:58
Expert Reply
The official explanation is here.
User avatar
L
zhanbo
VP
VP
Joined: 27 Feb 2017
Posts: 1488
Own Kudos [?]: 2299 [0]
Given Kudos: 114
Location: United States (WA)
GMAT 1: 760 Q50 V42
GMAT 2: 760 Q50 V42
GRE 1: Q169 V168

GRE 2: Q170 V170
Send PM
Re: Over the last five years, the unemployment rate in the country [#permalink] New post   14 May 2021, 02:27
generis wrote:
OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

Project SC Butler: Sentence Correction (SC2)



THE PROMPT

Quote:
Over the last five years, the unemployment rate in the country has been as high, and in some cities even higher than, what it was during the Great Depression.

• THAT vs. IT
The sentence compares the unemployment rate at two different times.
Because the two unemployment rates are different (they are both unemployment rates but they are not the same unemployment rate), the correct pronoun is that and not it.

→ It corresponds with exactly one antecedent, in this case, the unemployment rate over the last five years.
We cannot simply stick that precise noun into a different time period.

→ That makes a "copy" of "unemployment rate." This copy that allows us to use the pronoun that in a different context.
I discuss the way in which that can be a "copy" pronoun on this thread, in my post, here.

• IDIOM
AS . . . AS
The correct idiomatic structure is as high as.

Quote:
A) as high [AS], and in some cities even higher than, what it was

• the pronoun IT is incorrect
→ The use of it to refer to employment rate is incorrect, as I discussed above.

Try substituting "the unemployment rate over the last five years" into the word "it."

Substitution: Over the last five years, the unemployment rate in the country has been as high [AS], and in some cities even higher than, what [the unemployment rate over the last five years] was during the Great Depression.
That sentence makes no sense.

• IDIOM
The correct idiomatic structure is as high as and not as high (you need the second "AS").
ELIMINATE A

Quote:
B) so high, and in some cities even higher than, that

• IDIOM
The correct idiom is as high as and not so high.
ELIMINATE B

Quote:
C) as high as, and in some cities even higher than, it did

• Just as is the case in option A, we need the pronoun that, not it
ELIIMINATE C

Quote:
D) as high, and in some cities even higher than, that

• IDIOM
The correct idiomatic structure is as high as and not simply as high.
You need a second as.
• Just below the prompt I wrote notes about this issue.
We need as high as
ELIMINATE D
Quote:
E) as high as, and in some cities even higher than, that

• I do not see any errors
• that correctly refers to unemployment rate
• in this option, the correct idiomatic structure is used: as high as.
KEEP

The answer is E.

COMMENTS

SharmaRahul10201 and vipulgoel , welcome to SC Butler.

zhanbo , interesting question.
Yes, you could use "what it was" rather than "that."
I'll bet that you can come up with a good explanation about why what it was will work but the lone pronoun it will not work.

Kudos to all (even wrong answers).

Stay safe.


Thanks for the detailed explanation, generis.

I actually do not have a good explanation about why "what it was" will work, especially after you just explained, in discussion under option (A), why "what it was" is wrong.
User avatar
B
waytowharton
Manager
Manager
Joined: 22 Apr 2021
Posts: 131
Own Kudos [?]: 11 [0]
Given Kudos: 409
Send PM
Re: Over the last five years, the unemployment rate in the country [#permalink] New post   14 May 2021, 12:29
Is in’t option E incorrect. We don’t have any verb for that.
Shouldn’t the answer be :
“ as high as, and in some cities even higher than, that WAS”

Posted from my mobile device
GMAT Club Bot
gmatclubot
Re: Over the last five years, the unemployment rate in the country [#permalink]
14 May 2021, 12:29
Moderators:
GMATNinja
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
6917 posts
GMATNinjaTwo
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
238 posts

Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group | Emoji artwork provided by EmojiOne
Main navigation
GMAT Resources
Partners
MBA Resources
www.gmac.com|www.mba.com | | GMAT Club Rules | Terms and Conditions