Official ExplanationBecause 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.
The answer choice that is in passive voice is much better when compared with Option D which clearly has a SV issue. Never have I ever come across a question in GMAT that has SV exception such as the one here. I kindly request you to refrain from posting questions like this as this is only likely to lead to more confusion among test takers. Off-late i have seen a lot of prep companies focussing only on exceptions rather than on meaning and construction just to stand out, a trend that is very unhealthy.
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Updated on: 16 Sep 2020, 13:55
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