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massan
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Pack 19 Q4: Because there are now so many prevalent incidences... 16 Sep 2020, 15:25
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EMPOWERgmatVerbal

Thank you for a kind reply.

I can embrace this question+answer if GMAT allow such rule exceptions as long as the meaning correlates.

I started studying for GMAT last month and do not know much of GMAT rules. should I expect GMAT to have many questions like this, where answer choices vary depends on exceptions?
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Pack 19 Q4: Because there are now so many prevalent incidences... 16 Sep 2020, 15:41
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D is the ans

Because there are now so many prevalent incidences around the world, a group of researchers have launched an online database to track induced seismicity.

A. Because there are now so many prevalent incidences around the world, a group of researchers have launched an online database to track induced seismicity.
-- Meaning error .. seems a bit unclear in the meaning .. [b]a group of researchers can be plural as well.

B. Because there are now so many prevalent incidences around the world, an online database has been launched by a group of researchers for the tracking of induced seismicity.

-- Passive construction is avoided

C. The incidences of human-induced earthquakes are now prevalent around the world, so much that a group of researchers have launched an induced seismicity database online for their tracking.

idiom error .. so much that is wrong usage

D. The incidences of human-induced earthquakes are now so prevalent around the world that a group of researchers have launched an online database to track induced seismicity.
-- Correct .. correct usage of idiom as well

E. The incidences of human-induced earthquakes are now prevalent around the world, so much so that an online database has been launched by a group of researchers for tracking induced seismicity.

idiom error .. so much so that that is wrong usage

Main take away from this ques :
1. Meaning dictates the wrong ans .
2. a group of researchers can be plural or singular . e.g. -- similarly data can be singular or plural ..
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Pack 19 Q4: Because there are now so many prevalent incidences... 17 Sep 2020, 05:16
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EMPOWERgmatVerbal
Official Explanation

Because there are now so many prevalent incidences around the world, a group of researchers have launched an online database to track induced seismicity.

A. Because there are now so many prevalent incidences around the world, a group of researchers have launched an online database to track induced seismicity.
B. Because there are now so many prevalent incidences around the world, an online database has been launched by a group of researchers for the tracking of induced seismicity.
C. The incidences of human-induced earthquakes are now prevalent around the world, so much that a group of researchers have launched an induced seismicity database online for their tracking.
D. The incidences of human-induced earthquakes are now so prevalent around the world that a group of researchers have launched an online database to track induced seismicity.
E. The incidences of human-induced earthquakes are now prevalent around the world, so much so that an online database has been launched by a group of researchers for tracking induced seismicity.

After a quick glance over the options, there are a few key differences we can focus on:

1. “..there are now so many prevalent incidences…” / “…incidences of human-induced earthquakes are not prevalent…so much that/so…” / …incidences of human-induced earthquakes are now so prevalent around the world…” (Meaning/Clarity)
2. “…a group of researchers have launched…” / “…an online database has been launched…” (Active vs. Passive Voice)
3. to track / for the tracking of / for their tracking / for tracking (Meaning & Pronouns)

Let’s start with the either/or split in #2: Active vs. Passive Voice! Whenever possible, always go with active voice – passive voice is a major no-no on the GMAT. Let’s eliminate any that use passive voice:

A. Because there are now so many prevalent incidences around the world, a group of researchers have launched an online database to track induced seismicity.
B. Because there are now so many prevalent incidences around the world, an online database has been launched by a group of researchers for the tracking of induced seismicity.
C. The incidences of human-induced earthquakes are now prevalent around the world, so much that a group of researchers have launched an induced seismicity database online for their tracking.
D. The incidences of human-induced earthquakes are now so prevalent around the world that a group of researchers have launched an online database to track induced seismicity.
E. The incidences of human-induced earthquakes are now prevalent around the world, so much so that an online database has been launched by a group of researchers for tracking induced seismicity.

We can eliminate options B & E because they use passive voice, which is not preferred on the GMAT. Now that we have it narrowed down a bit, let’s take a closer look at each options and eliminate any problematic choices:

A. Because there are now so many prevalent incidences around the world, a group of researchers have launched an online database to track induced seismicity.
This is INCORRECT because it leaves out an incredibly important detail – incidences of WHAT?? The database wasn’t created because of an increase in seismicity – it was created because of an increase in human-induced earthquakes. Leaving out that important detail alters the intended meaning too much, so let’s rule this one out.

C. The incidences of human-induced earthquakes are now prevalent around the world, so much that a group of researchers have launched an induced seismicity database online for their tracking.
This is INCORRECT for two main reasons. First, it’s not idiomatic to say “so much that.” It’s better to say “so much so that.” Second, the pronoun “their” is too vague here. What is being tracked here? The researchers? They’re the closest possible antecedent, but it doesn’t make sense.

D. The incidences of human-induced earthquakes are now so prevalent around the world that a group of researchers have launched an online database to track induced seismicity.
Here is our CORRECT choice! “So X that Y” is an idiom structure that’s both correct and clear, and “to track induced seismicity” is much clearer than saying “their tracking.”

There you have it – option D is our winner!

Don’t study for the GMAT. Train for it.


NOTE:
We see that there is an issue with using "group of researchers" as a plural and not a singular noun. This is an odd exception to the collective noun rule - the word "group" can operate as both, depending on what aspects you choose to highlight. When you want to highlight that the group is comprised of individual members (in this case, researchers), it's okay to treat it like a plural noun. When you want to highlight that the group is acting as one unit, you would use a singular verb.

Also - if you weed out the options that use passive voice, the options you're left with ALL use "have launched." You can't rule them all out - so you need to focus on finding other differences, and narrow down your choices from there. Remember - the GMAT wants you to find the BEST option of the 5 given. That doesn't always mean they'll be PERFECT. :) :thumbsup:
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Anyone can please explain the use of group, when to use singular and when to use plural.
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Pack 19 Q4: Because there are now so many prevalent incidences... 16 Nov 2021, 05:52
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EMPOWERgmatVerbal
Pack 19, Question 4 of 5:

Because there are now so many prevalent incidences around the world, a group of researchers have launched an online database to track induced seismicity.
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A. Because there are now so many prevalent incidences around the world, a group of researchers have launched an online database to track induced seismicity.
What exactly is prevalent isn't mentioned or not having the right reference , meaning issue therefore out

B. Because there are now so many prevalent incidences around the world, an online database has been launched by a group of researchers for the tracking of induced seismicity.
Similar reasoning as A

C. The incidences of human-induced earthquakes are now prevalent around the world, so much that a group of researchers have launched an induced seismicity database online for their tracking.
Their is creating ambiguity since we the reference isn't perfect therefore out

D. The incidences of human-induced earthquakes are now so prevalent around the world that a group of researchers have launched an online database to track induced seismicity.
The meaning is perfect therefore let us hang on to it

E. The incidences of human-induced earthquakes are now prevalent around the world, so much so that an online database has been launched by a group of researchers for tracking induced seismicity.
The meaning is better conveyed by D therefore out

THerefore IMO D
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