Results from numerous studies show that if a diabetic plans his or her

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION



THE PROMPT


Issues

• pronoun/noun agreement
→ the subject a diabetic is singular; the correct pronoun for the third person singular is his or her.
The pronoun they can stand only for plural nouns.
GMAC writers test this issue because they know that native speakers very often incorrectly say "they" when referring to a singular person.
Yes, using his or her is awkward. But doing so is correct.
This "his or her" problem is inherent in the English language. If the subject is a singular person, do not use "they."

• parallel verb tenses: exercises must be parallel to plans and thus in present tense
→ the nonunderlined portion commits us to the present tense with the verb plans.
The other verbs must be in present tense because the word and between the first two verbs is a parallelism marker
(. . .that if a diabetic plans his or her diet and ______ with)
The word in the blank must be present tense (i.e., the word should be exercises).

• quicker vs. more quickly
Get this one straight. GMAT tests this issue, too.
More quickly is an adverb that modifies the verb phrase regain control.
Quicker is a comparative adjective that can describe only a noun, never a verb:
→ Correct: Jerry has a quicker temper than he used to have and often says strangely cruel things.
→ Correct: Most professional athletes possess reflexes that are quicker than those of average people.

• subject/verb agreement: someone is singular. If a verb is used, it should be does, not do.

THE OPTIONS

• exercised should be exercises in order to be parallel with plans

• the singular subject a diabetic does not agree with the plural pronoun they

• quicker should be more quickly in order to modify the verb phrase regain control

• the verb do should be does, this way: ... than does someone who attempts to do so alone.
ELIMINATE A


• I do not see any errors
• exercises is parallel to plans

• "he or she" agrees with the singular subject a diabetic

• more quickly correctly modifies regains control

• what about the fact that this option contains no does?
That fact does not matter.
The sentence is not ambiguous. We understand the comparison: a diabetic who has support is compared to a diabetic without support
Do not waste precious time trying to decide whether the verb does is required in what would be ellipsis and substitution.
That issue is among the most difficult in sentence correction.
Read and compare the other options.
KEEP B


• as is the case in option A, they is incorrect

• also as is the case in option A, quicker should be more quickly
ELIMINATE C


• exercised should be exercises to be parallel with plans

• had regained and had stuck are sequentially illogical
→ HAD + past participle (verbED), called "past perfect," is used to indicate the earlier of two events in the past
→ the diabetic had not regained control and stuck to weight goals before she planned her diet and exercised with friends, but rather after the diet and exercise.
ELIMINATE D

• quicker should be more quickly
• ignore the verb tense issue
→ is this a zero conditional? (IF simple present, THEN simple present)
→ or is this a Type 1 conditional? (IF simple present, THEN simple future)
The answer does not matter.
You have your error in the word quicker.
(If you were to push me, I'd say that all of the verbs should be used in the present tense because this sentence seems to be describing a general truth in which both the condition (the IF) clause and the result (the THEN) clause are rendered in simple present.
ELIMINATE E

The correct answer is B.

COMMENTS

I must keep this part brief.

These answers range from very good to excellent.
Answers with explanations get kudos.
Keep up the good work.