Proof of the popularity of the mobile phone lies in the number of inst

Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation to this question-

Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:
Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of the crucial part of this sentence is that the number of instruments sold has more than doubled in the last year.

Concepts tested here: Subject-Verb Agreement + Meaning + Tenses + Awkwardness/Redundancy

• The present perfect tense (marked by the use of the helping verb “has/have”) is used to describe events that concluded in the past but continue to affect the present.
• The simple past tense is used to refer to events that concluded in the past.
• The simple present tense is used to indicate actions taking place in the current time frame, indicate habitual actions, state universal truths, and convey information that is permanent in nature.

A: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "was increased more than 2 times"; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that the number of instruments sold was increased by a second entity in more than two instances; the intended meaning is that the number of instruments sold has, by itself, more than doubled in the last year. Further, Option A incorrectly uses the simple past tense verb "was increased" to refer to an action that concluded in the past but continues to affect the present; please remember, the present perfect tense (marked by the use of the helping verb “has/have”) is used to describe events that concluded in the past but continue to affect the present, and the simple past tense is only used to refer to events that concluded in the past.

B: Trap. This answer choice incorrectly uses the simple past tense verb "increased" to refer to an action that concluded in the past but continues to affect the present; please remember, the present perfect tense (marked by the use of the helping verb “has/have”) is used to describe events that concluded in the past but continue to affect the present, and the simple past tense is only used to refer to events that concluded in the past. Further, Option B uses the needlessly wordy phrase "increased by...2 times", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

C: Correct. This answer choice correctly refers to the singular noun "number" with the singular verb "has...doubled". Further, Option C uses the phrase "has more than doubled", conveying the intended meaning - that the number of instruments sold has, by itself, more than doubled in the last year. Additionally, Option C correctly uses the present perfect tense verb "has...doubled" to refer to an action that concluded in the past but continues to affect the present. Besides, Option C is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.

D: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "was more than doubled"; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that the number of instruments sold was more than doubled by a second entity in the last year; the intended meaning is that the number of instruments sold more than doubled, by itself, in the last year. Further, Option D incorrectly uses the simple past tense verb "was doubled" to refer to an action that concluded in the past but continues to affect the present; please remember, the present perfect tense (marked by the use of the helping verb “has/have”) is used to describe events that concluded in the past but continue to affect the present, and the simple past tense is only used to refer to events that concluded in the past.

E: This answer choice incorrectly refers to the singular noun "instruments" with the plural verb "increase". Further, Option E incorrectly uses the simple present tense verb "increase" to refer to an action that concluded in the past but continues to affect the present; please remember, the present perfect tense (marked by the use of the helping verb “has/have”) is used to describe events that concluded in the past but continue to affect the present, and the simple present tense is only used to indicate actions taking place in the current time frame, indicate habitual actions, state universal truths, and convey information that is permanent in nature. Additionally, Option E uses the needlessly wordy phrase "increase by more than double", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

Hence, C is the best answer choice.

To understand the concept of "Present Perfect Tense" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):



To understand the concept of "Simple Tenses" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):



All the best!
Experts' Global Team