The relationship between corpulence and disease remain controversial

Question

The relationship between corpulence and disease  remain controversial, although statistics clearly associate a reduced life expectancy with  chronic obesity.

(A) remain controversial, although statistics clearly associate a reduced life expectancy with

(B) remain controversial, although statistics clearly associates a reduced life expectancy with

(C) remain controversial, although statistics clearly associates reduced life expectancy to

(D) remains controversial, although statistics clearly associate a reduced life expectancy with

(E) remains controversial, although statistics clearly associates reduced life expectancy to

Project SC Butler: Day 30: Sentence Correction (SC1) 
 For SC butler Questions  Click Here

4d · Accepted Answer

The relationship  between corpulence and disease  remains  controversial
Hence A,B,C are out
In D,E , we have to check whether statistics is singular or plural .
 The word statistics is used both as singular and as plural. 
The singular statistics is the science of collection, presentation, analysis and interpretation of numerical data. 
The plural statistics refers to numerical facts or observations collected with a definite purpose. 
In this case we referring to the facts which associate a reduced life expectancy to chronic obesity.
hence plural
IMO D

Arushit · Answer

IMO D

SUBJECT-VERB are in sync and associate with is the right form

Archit3110 · Answer

The relationship between corpulence and disease : relationship is singular subject and verb which would go well with it would be remains so D,E left

Line "although statistics": statistics is plural so associate will be correct .. and reduced life expectancy with is correct over reduced life expectancy to

IMO D

Ypsychotic · Answer

Here, we are first focusing on subject verb agreement, so as relationship is singular, it would take singular verb i.e. remains, eliminate A,B and C. Next is the emphasis on statistics.

Unlike physics and mathematics, statistics can be used as both singular and plural. It is singular when we refer to the subject but plural when we talk about number and facts.
Here it is plural.

Hence we go with D.

snehaluk · Answer

idiom expectancy "to" something is correct in option "E'
sub-verb agreement is also correct in E

hence "E" is correct

surendrasaini1 · Answer

The relationship between corpulence and disease  remain controversial, although statistics clearly associate a reduced life expectancy with  chronic obesity.

(A) remain controversial, although statistics clearly associate a reduced life expectancy with

(B) remain controversial, although statistics clearly associates a reduced life expectancy with

(C) remain controversial, although statistics clearly associates reduced life expectancy to

(D) remains controversial, although statistics clearly associate a reduced life expectancy with

(E) remains controversial, although statistics clearly associates reduced life expectancy to

The relationship is singular so singular verb is required,statistics is plural in this context so associate is correct.

Will go with choice D.

Regards

shinichikudo · Answer

This question is all about S-V agreement

)) The relationship --> singular so the verb ''remain'' should be ''remains'' --> A, B, C out Statistics --> plurial so ''associate'' and not ''associates'' --> E is out Answer D .

sudarshan22 · Answer

Official Explanation :

Choice A  is incorrect because remain should be remains; the subject of the verb is relationship, not corpulence and disease, which are hardly controversial.

Choices B  and  C  are similarly flawed, and associates in  B ,  C , and  E  should be associate to agree with the intended number of statistics. Finally, associate(s). ..to is unidiomatic in  C  and  E .

Choice D  is the best answer.

lary301254M7 · Answer

The relationship between corpulence and disease remain controversial, although statistics clearly associate a reduced life expectancy with chronic obesity.

(A)  remain  controversial, although statistics clearly associate a reduced life expectancy with

(B)  remain  controversial, although statistics clearly associates a reduced life expectancy with

(C)  remain  controversial, although statistics clearly associates reduced life expectancy to

(D)  remains  controversial, although statistics clearly  associate  a reduced life expectancy  with

(E)  remains  controversial, although statistics clearly  associates  reduced life expectancy  to

Here, the subject is "The relationship", which is singular. Therefore, we need to find a singular verb. 
statistics is plural I believe, so (E) is incorrect
Also, the correct idiom is "associate with"

Ans: (D)

sarahfiqbal · Answer

I chose the answer A. This is why:

Initially I thought "The relationship between corpulence and disease..... because there are two nouns i.e. between A and B I thought it should be followed by "remain"....

But then I realised after looking at the explanations that "relationship" is the subject. And the subject is singular and so the word following that should be "remains". Ok fair enough, I accept that explanation.

Then the words "statistics"..... the forum is suggesting that the word "statistics" is plural. Hence this is followed by "associate" instead of "associates". My thoughts here: I initially thought the word "statistics" is singular. Like "politics". "Politics" is a singular word right? So I figured that "statistics" should be followed by "associates". But somehow this thought process is wrong.

Anyone have any thoughts/feedback to share on this?

dabaobao · Answer

Main Issue: 
Subject Verb Agreement

(A)  remain  controversial, although statistics clearly associate a reduced life expectancy with

(B)  remain  controversial, although statistics clearly  associates  a reduced life expectancy with

(C)  remain  controversial, although statistics clearly  associates  reduced life expectancy to

(D)  remains  controversial, although statistics clearly  associate  a reduced life expectancy with

(E)  remains  controversial, although statistics clearly  associates  reduced life expectancy to

ArupRS · Answer

Unlike physics and mathematics, statistics can be used as both singular and plural. It is singular when we refer to the subject but plural when we talk about number and facts.
Here it is plural.

Regards,
Arup

Debayandc · Answer

What is wrong with "associates with". Experts please help.

GMATNinjaTwo · Answer

In this context, "statistics" is plural, so we need a plural verb ("associate", not "associates").

jaisonsunny77 · Answer

The relationship between corpulence and disease  remain controversial, although statistics clearly associate a reduced life expectancy with  chronic obesity.

(A)  remain controversial, although statistics clearly associate a reduced life expectancy with  - Subject ('relationship') is singular while the verb ('remain') is plural. Here, we have a subject-verb agreement error. hence,  eliminate (A).

(B)  remain controversial, although statistics clearly associates a reduced life expectancy with  - Subject ('relationship') is singular while the verb ('remain') is plural. Here, we have a subject-verb agreement error. hence,  eliminate (B).

(C)  remain controversial, although statistics clearly associates reduced life expectancy to  - Subject ('relationship') is singular while the verb ('remain') is plural. Here, we have a subject-verb agreement error. hence,  eliminate (C).

(D)  remains controversial, although statistics clearly associate a reduced life expectancy with  - Uses the right idiomatic structure 'associate with'. Additionally, we have no subject-verb agreement errors here. Hence,   (D) is the right answer choice. 
 
(E)  remains controversial, although statistics clearly associates reduced life expectancy to  - rather than using 'associate with' structure, (E) uses 'associate to', which is an incorrect idiomatic structure. Hence,  eliminate (E)

pratyush86 · Answer

Here, we are first focusing on subject verb agreement, so as relationship is singular, it would take singular verb i.e. remains, eliminate A,B and C. Next is the emphasis on statistics.

Unlike physics and mathematics, statistics can be used as both singular and plural. It is singular when we refer to the subject but plural when we talk about number and facts.
Here it is plural.

Hence we go with D.

gsmina · Answer

Just sharing my logic, which made me to mark wrong choice rather right choice in last 2 best option.

Here statistics is not considered as subject (branch of study) but rather it is used here as "many a times". 
Thereby answer choice B is correct with SVA (plural subject "statistics" with plural verb "associate").

GMATNinja  correct me if i am wrong in above logic.

vmadan10 · Answer

Hello Experts, I have recently attempted a few GMATClub Tests and I have noticed questions appearing in those tests are more challenging than questions such as this. Would you say that these questions appear regularly in the GMAT and if they do would they be at a 600-700 difficulty level.

Thank you for your assistance.

Thank you for your assistance.

GMATNinja · Answer

I think you have the right idea here, but I'm assuming you meant to type "answer choice D", not "answer choice B"?

The singular subject ("relationship") requires a singular verb ("remains"), so we can eliminate A, B, and C immediately. And, yes, "statistics" is plural in this context.

I hope that helps a bit!

The relationship between corpulence and disease remain controversial

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Sentence Correction (SC - EA only) Questions

The relationship between corpulence and disease remain controversial

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards