This April, three out of seven people will file tax returns

Question

This April, three out of seven people will file  tax returns with a disk found in software stores and accounting texts . 

A. tax returns with a disk found in software stores and accounting texts 
B. a tax return with a disk found in software stores and accounting texts 
C. tax returns with disks found in a software store and an accounting text 
D. tax returns with a disk found in a software store and an accounting text 
E. a tax return with a disk found in a software sotre and an accounting text


please explain the answer. thanks.

uvs_mba · Answer

This was kinda hard but my pick was D. 

Since tax returns needs to be plural as 3 people are filling it. Then each tax return is going to have a disk, so they are not submitting multiple disks, and each one is going to submit an accounting text and not various accounting texts.

govinam · Answer

OA is B

GMATT73 · Answer

"in a software store" implies that the disk can be purchased at only one specific store.

uvs_mba · Answer

Thanks Matt :-D

Btw I was waiting for your posts man, coz you always have awsome explainations. BTW whats the rule with a number out of something? Is there any such rule? I'm losing it now :cry:

kripalkavi · Answer

My two cents...

A. tax returns with a disk found in software stores and accounting texts -  this means the three people are filing tax returns with  a (one) disk.  
B. a tax return with a disk found in software stores and accounting texts -  means  each  of the three people are filing tax returns with  a  disk. Makes sense.  
C. tax returns with disks found in a software store and an accounting text -  Means that the disk is found in  a  (one) software store. Unlikely 
D. tax returns with a disk found in a software store and an accounting text  - Means that the disk is found in  a  (one) software store. Unlikely 
E. a tax return with a disk found in a software sotre and an accounting text  - Means that the disk is found in  a  (one) software store. Unlikely

buzzgaurav · Answer

MATT is spot on with the explaination.
"A software store" clearly implies "one single store" which is not the correct meaning.

elmagnifico · Answer

three out of seven requires singular return. "a tax return" the disc is found in A and B.

thus my answer is B.

moni77 · Answer

I managed to narrow down the answer chioces to A and B, but I made the mistake in picking A. I didn't fully understand its intent. Now I know. Thanks guys

iruns0metimes · Answer

kripalkavi, great explanation.

could someone shed some light on the "text" vs "texts" here? that is what threw me off the most.

businessm · Answer

hi

I still don't get why A is wrong.
Does the structure "x  out of y " imply  singular  for tax returns?

Three people will file a tax return => means that together they will file one tax return
Three people will file tax returns => means that each person will file one tax return

Please explain.

anirudhoswal · Answer

According to Kaplan, option B is correct because -

The word "each" is silent in this sentence. This makes a world of difference.

This April, three out of seven people will each file a tax return with a disk found in software stores and accounting texts.

3 reasons I still prefer A -

1)

When each or every follows a subject, it has no bearing on the verb form.

Example

They each are great tennis players.

So, the kaplan explanation looses its sheen.

2)

Also you ould say ,

This April, three out of seven people will file their tax returns with a disk found in software stores and accounting texts.

This means that "tax returns" should be several tax returns, not one(a) tax return.

3) Tax returns can be an inherently plural object as one person can file multiple forms in the sane return -

I filed my tax returns today.
I am not too sure about this but there is some info here

https://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=862506

I will be glad if I someone can elaborate

rgds
Anirudh

lionheart187 · Answer

Doesn`t changing  tax returns  to  a tax return  change meaning?

A) states that 3 out of 7 will file multiple tax returns (1040, 1040X) whereas B) states that 3 out of 7 will file one single tax return.

This changes meaning...

Someone explain??

This April, three out of seven people will file tax returns

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