12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition - Day 5: One of the primary

Question

12 Days of Christmas 🎅 GMAT Competition with Lots of Questions & Fun

One of the primary reasons for conservationists’ concern is the depletion of Earth’s  floral biodiversity, since the number of plant species considered endangered have grown steadily since the 1960’s and, at nearly 3654, are at  a record high.

(A) floral biodiversity, since the number of plant species considered endangered have grown steadily since the 1960’s and, at nearly 3654, are at 
(B) floral biodiversity, with a number of plant species considered endangered growing steadily since the 1960’s and, at 3654, reaching
(C) floral biodiversity: since plant species considered endangered have grown steadily in number since the 1960’s and, at 3654, have reached
(D) floral biodiversity: plant species considered endangered have grown steadily in number, since the 1960’s and, at 3654, are at
(E) floral biodiversity: the number of plant species considered endangered has grown steadily since the 1960’s and, at 3654, has reached

nivivacious · Answer

(A) Incorrect: It uses "have" and "are" for "the number of plant species" which is singular.
(B) Incorrect: While grammatically correct, this changes meaning - there was a cause and effect relationship implied with since usage and with does not convey this
(C) Incorrect: It uses "have" for "plant species considered endangered" which is singular.
(D) Incorrect: It uses "have" and "are" for "plant species considered endangered" which is singular.
(E) Correct: It maintains the cause and effect relationship and correctly uses "has" for "the number of plant species" which is singular.
Hence E

poojaarora1818 · Answer

One of the primary reasons for conservationists’ concern is the depletion of Earth’s  floral biodiversity, since the number of plant species considered endangered have grown steadily since the 1960’s and, at nearly 3654, are at  a record high.

(A) floral biodiversity, since the number of plant species considered endangered have grown steadily since the 1960’s and, at nearly 3654, are at  Incorrect 
(B) floral biodiversity, with a number of plant species considered endangered growing steadily since the 1960’s and, at 3654, reaching Incorrect 
(C) floral biodiversity: since plant species considered endangered have grown steadily in number since the 1960’s and, at 3654, have reached Incorrect 
(D) floral biodiversity: plant species considered endangered have grown steadily in number, since the 1960’s and, at 3654, are at Correct 
(E) floral biodiversity: the number of plant species considered endangered has grown steadily since the 1960’s and, at 3654, has reached Incorrect

bv8562 · Answer

IMO (C) floral biodiversity: since plant species considered endangered have grown steadily in number since the 1960’s and, at 3654, have reached

Bunuel · Answer

Experts' Global Official Explanation:

Subject-verb Agreement + Tenses + Meaning + Redundancy/Awkwardness

Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of this sentence is that conservationists are concerned over the depletion of Earth’s biodiversity, as the number of plant species considered endangered has grown steadily since the 1960’s and, at 3654, has reached a record high.

• Colons are used to join two independent clauses, when the second explains or illustrates the first.

A. This answer choice incorrectly uses the plural verbs “have” and “are” to refer to the singular noun phrase “number of plant species”.

B. Trap. This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “with a number of plant species considered endangered growing steadily”; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that several plant species that are considered endangered are growing; the intended meaning is that the total number of plant species that are considered endangered is growing.

C. This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “plant species considered endangered have grown steadily in number”; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that plants that are considered endangered have increased in number; the intended meaning is that the number of plant species that are considered endangered is growing. Further, Option C redundantly uses “since” alongside a colon; this usage is redundant, as both “since” and colons are used to provide explanations; please remember, colons are used to join two independent clauses, when the second explains or illustrates the first. 
 
D. This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “plant species considered endangered have grown steadily in number”; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that plant species that are considered endangered have increased in number; the intended meaning is that the number of plant species that are considered endangered is growing.

E. Correct.  This answer choice uses the phrase “the number of plant species considered endangered has grown”, conveying the intended meaning- that the number of plant species that are considered endangered has increased. Further, Option E correctly uses the singular verbs “has grown” and “has reached” to refer to the singular noun “number”. Further, Option E is free of any redundancy or awkwardness.

E is the best answer choice.

____________________________
  Video Explanation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMBgbX650RA

arpan7 · Answer

C,D,E uses semicolon which is incorrect.
B has parallelism error.
Hence A

Posted from my mobile device

pooh.2304 · Answer

The correct option is (E)
This option maintains proper parallelism and uses the correct verb forms to convey the information clearly and grammatically.

Schinchan_bh · Answer

The correct choice is E) floral biodiversity: the number of plant species considered endangered has grown steadily since the 1960’s and, at 3654, has reached.

This choice maintains correct subject-verb agreement and effectively communicates the intended meaning.

vishal_gupta · Answer

One of the primary reasons for conservationists’ concern is the depletion of Earth’s  floral biodiversity, since the number of plant species considered endangered have grown steadily since the 1960’s and, at nearly 3654, are at  a record high.

(A) floral biodiversity, since the number of plant species considered endangered have grown steadily since the 1960’s and, at nearly 3654, are at (since is not required) 
 (B) floral biodiversity, with a number of plant species considered endangered growing steadily since the 1960’s and, at 3654, reaching (reaching correctly modifies the preceding clause) 
 (C) floral biodiversity: since plant species considered endangered have grown steadily in number since the 1960’s and, at 3654, have reached (Colon not required.)
(D) floral biodiversity: plant species considered endangered have grown steadily in number, since the 1960’s and, at 3654, are at (Colon not required.)
(E) floral biodiversity: the number of plant species considered endangered has grown steadily since the 1960’s and, at 3654, has reached (Colon not required.)

Archit3110 · Answer

'the number ' is singular
 (A) floral biodiversity, since the number of plant species considered endangered have grown steadily since the 1960’s and, at nearly 3654, are at   'the number ' is singular
 (B) floral biodiversity, with a number of plant species considered endangered growing steadily since the 1960’s and, at 3654, reaching  verb-ing issue
 (C) floral biodiversity: since plant species considered endangered have grown steadily in number since the 1960’s and, at 3654, have reached  since usage in beginning is wrong
 (D) floral biodiversity: plant species considered endangered have grown steadily in number, since the 1960’s and, at 3654, are at since usage in beginning is wrong
 (E) floral biodiversity: the number of plant species considered endangered has grown steadily since the 1960’s and, at 3654, has reached 
 correct option E

ThatIndianGuy · Answer

A) floral biodiversity, since the number of plant species considered endangered have grown steadily since the 1960’s and, at nearly 3654, are at - Wrong, "the number" must be followed by singular verb
(B) floral biodiversity, with a number of plant species considered endangered growing steadily since the 1960’s and, at 3654, reaching - Wrong, "with a no of " is wrong usage
(C) floral biodiversity: since plant species considered endangered have grown steadily in number since the 1960’s and, at 3654, have reached - Wrong, since cannot be used to connect independent clauses 
(D) floral biodiversity: plant species considered endangered have grown steadily in number, since the 1960’s and, at 3654, are at - Wrong, "plant species are record high" or the number is record high
(E) floral biodiversity: the number of plant species considered endangered has grown steadily since the 1960’s and, at 3654, has reached - correct

anubhuti9 · Answer

Choose option E due to singular(The number) and correct usage of present perfect tense
E) floral biodiversity:  the number  of plant species considered endangered  has grown  steadily since the 1960’s and, at 3654,  has reached

sj296 · Answer

(A) floral biodiversity, since the number of  plant species  considered endangered  have  grown steadily since the 1960’s and, at nearly 3654, are at............SV error.

(B) floral biodiversity, with  a number of  plant species considered endangered growing steadily since the 1960’s and, at 3654,  reaching ...................change in the intended meaning. We need something that gives a reason for conservationists’ concerns.

(C) floral biodiversity: since  plant species  considered endangered have grown steadily in number since the 1960’s and, at 3654,  have reached ..............3654 is a current number, therefore use of have is wrong here.

(D)  floral biodiversity: plant species considered endangered have grown steadily in number, since the 1960’s and, at 3654, are at
 .............This seems fine.

(E) floral biodiversity: the number of plant species considered endangered has grown steadily since the 1960’s and, at 3654,  has reached ..............Same as C option.

IMPO OA should be D option.

Suboopc · Answer

A) 'the number of plant species  have  grown' is incorrect. The number is singular
B)'a number of plant species...' makes it seem like the number of plants are increasing which is illogical in this context.
C)Since is not required after colon
D)Plant species have grown in number is illogical in this context as they are endangered
 E)  Correctly conveys to point that number of endangered species is increasing.

SushantPaudel · Answer

Certainly, let's analyze each option:

A) floral biodiversity, since the number of plant species considered endangered have grown steadily since the 1960’s and, at nearly 3654, are at
- This option has a subject-verb agreement issue. "The number" is singular, so it should be "has grown" instead of "have grown." Additionally, the phrase "at nearly 3654, are at" is awkward.

B) floral biodiversity, with a number of plant species considered endangered growing steadily since the 1960’s and, at 3654, reaching
- This option corrects the subject-verb agreement issue, and the use of "with" helps to connect the clauses more smoothly. However, the phrase "at 3654, reaching" is a bit awkward and could be clearer.

C) floral biodiversity: since plant species considered endangered have grown steadily in number since the 1960’s and, at 3654, have reached
- This option also corrects the subject-verb agreement issue, but the use of "since" after the colon is a bit awkward. The phrase "at 3654, have reached" is clearer than option (B) but could still be improved.

D) floral biodiversity: plant species considered endangered have grown steadily in number, since the 1960’s and, at 3654, are at
- This option has a misplaced modifier issue. The phrase "since the 1960’s" should be placed closer to what it modifies. Additionally, the use of "are at" is awkward.

E)  floral biodiversity: the number of plant species considered endangered has grown steadily since the 1960’s and, at 3654, has reached 
- This option corrects the subject-verb agreement issue and presents a clear and concise structure. The use of "the number" and "has reached" is grammatically correct and maintains clarity.

In summary, option (E) is the most grammatically correct and clear choice.

brp616 · Answer

I think it is !

A - When we say 'the number of species ...' sure we are talking about many species but it is ONE number, so we must use singular forms of the verb. Therefore, we can immediately knock out A

B - this implies the plant species are growing and not the number, can eliminate

C - introduces 'since' in a way that implies it is giving this as a reason for something, but it is disconnected by a colon from the first part of the sentences and has no second clause that would justify having the word there

D - 'have grown steadily in number, since the 1960s' - no comma should be placed here, this would be connecting it

E - no glaring errors, so it looks good!

Mukulkumar19 · Answer

(A) floral biodiversity, since the number of plant species considered endangered have grown steadily since the 1960’s and, at nearly 3654, are at     incorrect use of have as number is singular 
 (B) floral biodiversity, with a number of plant species considered endangered growing steadily since the 1960’s and, at 3654, reaching    incomplete sentence because of use of with 
 (C) floral biodiversity: since plant species considered endangered have grown steadily in number since the 1960’s and, at 3654, have reached    incorrect use of colon, the later part of the sentence should be independent 
 (D) floral biodiversity: plant species considered endangered have grown steadily in number, since the 1960’s and, at 3654, are at    meaning error, plant species have not grown 
 (E) floral biodiversity: the number of plant species considered endangered has grown steadily since the 1960’s and, at 3654, has reached    correct use of colon and treatment of number as singular

missionmba2025 · Answer

(A) floral biodiversity, since  the number  of plant species considered endangered  have  grown steadily since the 1960’s and, at nearly 3654, are at

the number is singular .. use of have is incorrect.

(B) floral biodiversity, with a number of plant species considered endangered growing steadily since the 1960’s and, at 3654, reaching

Not a proper sentence. No main verb. Eliminate.

(C) floral biodiversity:  since plant species considered endangered have grown steadily in number since the 1960’s and, at 3654, have reached

We should have an independent clause. This is a dependent clause. Hence eliminate.

(D) floral biodiversity:  plant species  considered endangered have grown steadily in number, since the 1960’s and,  at 3654 , are at

The plant species are not at 3654, the number is at 3654, Hence, this construction is not correct. Eliminate.

(E) floral biodiversity: the number of plant species considered endangered has grown steadily since the 1960’s and, at 3654, has reached

Correct.

IMO E

$!vakumar.m · Answer

One of the primary reasons for conservationists’ concern is the depletion of Earth’s  floral biodiversity, since the number of plant species considered endangered have grown steadily since the 1960’s and, at nearly 3654, are at  a record high.
The original sentence has a subject-verb agreement issue: The subject "the number" is singular, but the verb "have grown" is plural.

(A) floral biodiversity, since the number of plant species considered endangered have grown steadily since the 1960’s and, at nearly 3654, are at
Incorrect - SV agreement issue

(B) floral biodiversity, with a number of plant species considered endangered growing steadily since the 1960’s and, at 3654, reaching
Incorrect - at 3654, reaching a record high is an issue.

(C) floral biodiversity: since plant species considered endangered have grown steadily in number since the 1960’s and, at 3654, have reached
Incorrect - plant species... have grown steadily in number .... and have reached a ... - illogical. this option suggests that the plant species have reached a record high

(D) floral biodiversity: plant species considered endangered have grown steadily in number, since the 1960’s and, at 3654, are at
Incorrect - plant species have grown steadily in number and are at record high - illogical

(E) floral biodiversity: the number of plant species considered endangered has grown steadily since the 1960’s and, at 3654, has reached
SV error and parallelism issue have been removed in this option. Also, at has been used only once - no redundancy
Answer E

jaysea · Answer

(A) floral biodiversity, since the number of plant species considered endangered have grown steadily since the 1960’s and, at nearly 3654, are at. Reject A, E is preferred
(B) floral biodiversity, with a number of plant species considered endangered growing steadily since the 1960’s and, at 3654, reaching. reject B, "with" doesn't match the structure of the rest of the clause
(C) floral biodiversity: since plant species considered endangered have grown steadily in number since the 1960’s and, at 3654, have reached. Reject C in favor of E
(D) floral biodiversity: plant species considered endangered have grown steadily in number, since the 1960’s and, at 3654, are at. Reject D, improper commas

(E) floral biodiversity: the number of plant species considered endangered has grown steadily since the 1960’s and, at 3654, has reached Accept E, the colon use ties the two clauses and lets the 2nd clause expand the first

12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition - Day 5: One of the primary

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

12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition - Day 5: One of the primary

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