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Difficulty:
45%
(medium)
Question Stats:
53% (01:02) correct
47%
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wrong
based on 447
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The school officials believe that students will be equally likely to break the new rules as the current ones.
(A) equally likely to break the new rules as
(B) as much likely to break the new rules as
(C) as likely to break the new rules as they are
(D) equally likely to break the new rules as they are
(E) equally likely that they will break the new rules as
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(A) equally likely to break the new rules as
(B) as much likely to break the new rules as
(C) as likely to break the new rules as they are
(D) equally likely to break the new rules as they are
(E) equally likely that they will break the new rules as
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In the actual sentence
The school officials believe that students will be equally likely to break the new rules as the current ones.
"equally likely .. as" - is unidiomatic. It should be "as likely.. as"
Meaning -
The sentence implies that
The school officials believe that students will be AS likely to break the new rules AS they are likely to break the current ones.
(The students treat both the new rules and the current ones similarly).
i.e.
The school officials believe that students will be AS likely to break the new rules AS they are the current ones.
Note : This truncation of verb i.e. likely to break (called ellipsis) is allowed if
1. the meaning does not change.
2. there is no tense shift.
(A) equally likely to break the new rules as
"equally likely .. as" - is unidiomatic.
(B) as much likely to break the new rules as
"break the rules" can't be compared with "current rules."
(C) as likely to break the new rules as they are
Correct
(D) equally likely to break the new rules as they are
"equally likely .. as" - is unidiomatic.
(E) equally likely that they will break the new rules as
"equally likely .. as" - is unidiomatic.
IMO C
The school officials believe that students will be equally likely to break the new rules as the current ones.
"equally likely .. as" - is unidiomatic. It should be "as likely.. as"
Meaning -
The sentence implies that
The school officials believe that students will be AS likely to break the new rules AS they are likely to break the current ones.
(The students treat both the new rules and the current ones similarly).
i.e.
The school officials believe that students will be AS likely to break the new rules AS they are the current ones.
Note : This truncation of verb i.e. likely to break (called ellipsis) is allowed if
1. the meaning does not change.
2. there is no tense shift.
(A) equally likely to break the new rules as
"equally likely .. as" - is unidiomatic.
(B) as much likely to break the new rules as
"break the rules" can't be compared with "current rules."
(C) as likely to break the new rules as they are
Correct
(D) equally likely to break the new rules as they are
"equally likely .. as" - is unidiomatic.
(E) equally likely that they will break the new rules as
"equally likely .. as" - is unidiomatic.
IMO C
vivek1408
Joined: 04 Feb 2020
Last visit: 03 May 2022
Posts: 11
Location: Japan
Schools: Japan MBA (WD)
GMAT 1: 690 Q49 V35
GPA: 3.12
Answer is C
The school officials believe that students will be equally likely to break the new rules as the current ones.
A, D and E options can be eliminated because they use the wrong idiom.
Correct idiom is as X as Y.
Option B makes an illogical comparison.
Answer is this C
Posted from my mobile device
The school officials believe that students will be equally likely to break the new rules as the current ones.
A, D and E options can be eliminated because they use the wrong idiom.
Correct idiom is as X as Y.
Option B makes an illogical comparison.
Answer is this C
Posted from my mobile device
Posts: 297
IMO C
The school officials believe that students will be equally likely to break the new rules as the current ones.
Idiom : As likely as
2:3 split
(A)equally likely to break the new rules as
(B) asmuch likely to break the new rules as <verb is missing>
(C) as likely to break the new rules as they are
(D)equally likely to break the new rules as they are
(E)equally likely that they will break the new rules as
The school officials believe that students will be equally likely to break the new rules as the current ones.
Idiom : As likely as
2:3 split
(A)
(B) as
(C) as likely to break the new rules as they are
(D)
(E)
Posts: 1,101
The school officials believe that students will be equally likely to break the new rules as the current ones.
(A) equally likely to break the new rules as-> for comparison idiom is "as like....as". It is incorrect.
(B) as much likely to break the new rules as-> Idiom error is corrected. Now, we are comparing "to break the new rules" with "the current ones". It is incorrect. We need to compare with "break the current ones".
(C) as likely to break the new rules as they are-> Idiom error is corrected. Now, we are comparing "to break the new rules" with "as they are (break the current ones)". It is correct.
(D) equally likely to break the new rules as they are-> Same as A.
(E) equally likely that they will break the new rules as-> Same as A.
So, I think C.
(A) equally likely to break the new rules as-> for comparison idiom is "as like....as". It is incorrect.
(B) as much likely to break the new rules as-> Idiom error is corrected. Now, we are comparing "to break the new rules" with "the current ones". It is incorrect. We need to compare with "break the current ones".
(C) as likely to break the new rules as they are-> Idiom error is corrected. Now, we are comparing "to break the new rules" with "as they are (break the current ones)". It is correct.
(D) equally likely to break the new rules as they are-> Same as A.
(E) equally likely that they will break the new rules as-> Same as A.
So, I think C.
So to be honest, I initially chose A moreso because my hand was forced than anything else because I did recognize the idiom error. However, I don't think C is the correct answer either.
The school officials believe that students will be equally likely to break the new rules as the current ones.
(A) equally likely to break the new rules as
-as...as is the correct idiom
-suggests nonsensically that the students will be equally like to break the new rules AS the current ones; so the new students will do so AS? No...
(B) as much likely to break the new rules as
-'much' here is nonsense and not necessary
(C) as likely to break the new rules as they are
-OK so this one has the correct idiom as...as
-BUT from a meaning perspective, it makes no sense whatsoever. Why would you say that the students are likely to break the new rules AS THEY ARE the current ones? Would you be more likely to break the rules on the grounds that something is current alone? There should be a comparison happening here. Even if you got past that, it would be easier to reframe the sentence in a way which foregoes the comparison altogether: "as they are the current ones" is completely unnecessary. Just say "...students will be likely to break the new rules"
(D) equally likely to break the new rules as they are
-they? Same issue as C
(E) equally likely that they will break the new rules as
-likely to is idiomatic
generis thoughts?
The school officials believe that students will be equally likely to break the new rules as the current ones.
(A) equally likely to break the new rules as
-as...as is the correct idiom
-suggests nonsensically that the students will be equally like to break the new rules AS the current ones; so the new students will do so AS? No...
(B) as much likely to break the new rules as
-'much' here is nonsense and not necessary
(C) as likely to break the new rules as they are
-OK so this one has the correct idiom as...as
-BUT from a meaning perspective, it makes no sense whatsoever. Why would you say that the students are likely to break the new rules AS THEY ARE the current ones? Would you be more likely to break the rules on the grounds that something is current alone? There should be a comparison happening here. Even if you got past that, it would be easier to reframe the sentence in a way which foregoes the comparison altogether: "as they are the current ones" is completely unnecessary. Just say "...students will be likely to break the new rules"
(D) equally likely to break the new rules as they are
-they? Same issue as C
(E) equally likely that they will break the new rules as
-likely to is idiomatic
generis thoughts?
acegmat20
Joined: 02 Aug 2019
Last visit: 15 Nov 2021
Posts: 20
Location: India
Schools: ISB'22 NUS '22 IIMA PGPX'22
Schools: ISB'22 NUS '22 IIMA PGPX'22
Posts: 20
IMO, C.
The sentence has an idiomatic error in - 'equally likely..as', however the correct idiom is 'as likely..as'
There also exists a comparison error as 'the students' likelihood of breaking the new rules' is compared to the 'old rules'
(A) equally likely to break the new rules as --Incorrect; unidiomatic and comparison error
(B) as much likely to break the new rules as --Incorrect; unidiomatic - as much likely..as and same comparison error
(C) as likely to break the new rules as they are --Correct.; this option corrects both the errors.
(D) equally likely to break the new rules as they are --Incorrect; this corrects the comparison error but leaves the idiomatic error
(E) equally likely that they will break the new rules as --Incorrect; unidiomatic
The sentence has an idiomatic error in - 'equally likely..as', however the correct idiom is 'as likely..as'
There also exists a comparison error as 'the students' likelihood of breaking the new rules' is compared to the 'old rules'
(A) equally likely to break the new rules as --Incorrect; unidiomatic and comparison error
(B) as much likely to break the new rules as --Incorrect; unidiomatic - as much likely..as and same comparison error
(C) as likely to break the new rules as they are --Correct.; this option corrects both the errors.
(D) equally likely to break the new rules as they are --Incorrect; this corrects the comparison error but leaves the idiomatic error
(E) equally likely that they will break the new rules as --Incorrect; unidiomatic
callmeDP
Joined: 25 Oct 2020
Last visit: 12 Dec 2022
Posts: 69
Status:No one but you matter
Location: India
Schools: Alberta '23 HEC Montreal
Schools: Alberta '23 HEC Montreal
Posts: 69
The school officials believe that students will be equally likely to break the new rules as the current ones.
As X as Y
As should be followed by subject (noun) to make comparision clear
(A) equally likely to break the new rules as
(B) as much likely to break the new rules as
(C) as likely to break the new rules as they are
(D) equally likely to break the new rules as they are
(E) equally likely that they will break the new rules as
IMO C
As X as Y
As should be followed by subject (noun) to make comparision clear
(A) equally likely to break the new rules as
(B) as much likely to break the new rules as
(C) as likely to break the new rules as they are
(D) equally likely to break the new rules as they are
(E) equally likely that they will break the new rules as
IMO C
Anuragsharma93
Joined: 07 Apr 2020
Last visit: 05 Apr 2022
Posts: 100
Location: India
Schools: ISB'22 IESE '24 Kenan-Flagler '24 LBS '24 NTU NUS Rotman '24 Tepper '24
GMAT 1: 680 Q48 V35
GPA: 3.6
Products:
Schools: ISB'22 IESE '24 Kenan-Flagler '24 LBS '24 NTU NUS Rotman '24 Tepper '24
GMAT 1: 680 Q48 V35
Posts: 100
IMO C
The school officials believe that students will be equally likely to break the new rules as the current ones.
(A) equally likely to break the new rules as - Unidiomatic
(B) as much likely to break the new rules as -- As much likely ? - Unidiomatic
(C) as likely to break the new rules as they are -- No need to repeat the subject again after are - this is the right answer.
(D) equally likely to break the new rules as they are - Unidiomatic
(E) equally likely that they will break the new rules as -- Fails to show comparison..
The school officials believe that students will be equally likely to break the new rules as the current ones.
(A) equally likely to break the new rules as - Unidiomatic
(B) as much likely to break the new rules as -- As much likely ? - Unidiomatic
(C) as likely to break the new rules as they are -- No need to repeat the subject again after are - this is the right answer.
(D) equally likely to break the new rules as they are - Unidiomatic
(E) equally likely that they will break the new rules as -- Fails to show comparison..
Bunuel
Official Explanation:
Answer: C
The correct idiomatic construction is as likely...as. Only C gets this right and should be the correct answer. Note that the use of much in B makes no sense. Also, you need to repeat they at the end to make the comparison clear.
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Bunuel
Just want to know the usage of "they" --> In idiom "As X as Y" .....X and Y need to be parallel. The hing we have in X is the new rules ( no noun is included in X) so i think in Y too no noun should be repeated.
Please help me in this concept to understand.
Thanks in advance
CEdward
CEdward , this sentence contains ellipsis, which I have inserted using boldface type:
→ The school officials believe that students will be as likely to break the new rules as they are [likely to break] the current ones.
Quote:
(C) is the correct answer. It makes sense.
This question is modeled on an official question that I link to below.
The question is good.
Quote:
(I inserted the highlighted material.)
Interesting analysis. I'm glad that you investigate meaning!
Answer to your italicized question: of course not.
Of course people are not more likely to break rules simply because the rules are new.
I think you are imputing a meaning to the sentence that does not exist, although I can see your perspective.
Let's shift gears a little.
The sentence does not state or imply that students will be likely to break new rules because the rules are new.
(You're right: such logic is absurd.)
The sentence implies that students will be likely to break new rules because students are likely to break all rules.
Quote:
There is a comparison happening here: I inserted the elided words in order to make the comparison clear.
I grant that the use of ellipsis in this sentence is quite sophisticated.
Above, I wrote, "The school officials believe that students will be as likely to break the new rules as they are [likely to break] the current ones.."
What is compared in this sentence?
Students' likelihood to break current rules
and
Students' future likelihood to break new rules
Those likelihoods are equal. That's the comparison.
Quote:
I like how engaged you are.
We can't "just say" that "students are likely to break the new rules" and simultaneously capture the logic of the sentence.
You have just ejected one-half of the comparison.
Foul. Yellow card. The officials instituted some shiny new rules that they hope will fix a problem.
But the officials are worried.
The shiny new rules might not fix the problem.
Why not?
Answer: because students are AS likely to break new rules AS they are likely to break current rules.
Underlying logic? Students are likely to break all rules.
(Why pass new rules, then, you ask? Now we are way out of SC land.)
I understand your frustration and that of many others.
As a writer and an editor, I must consciously hold back my instinct to rewrite sentences and simultaneously remember that my job in SC is to find the least bad of five options.
GMAT SC writers test concepts really well, but often they must sacrifice elegant prose to do so.
(Everyone should try writing just one SC question. Just one. Try.)
So we are not looking for a perfect sentence.
We are looking for the sentence that remains after we have eliminated the four worst answers.
You might want to take a look at a similar official question, here.
Finally, above all else, everyone, please remember the pattern.
Correct:
AS . . . AS
Wrong:
AS . . . THAT
AS . . . THAN
EQUALLY . . . AS
I hope that answer helps.
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jrk23
jrk23 , this sentence contains linking verbs (will be, are) and [ellipsis], this way:
The school officials believe that students will be as likely to break the new rules as they are [likely to break] the current ones.
We are dealing with two time frames, future ("will be . . . likely") and present.("are likely").
We need they are in order to separate the present from the future.
Without they are, "to break the new rules" and "to break current ones" are both connected to the future tense will be likely.
Now it sounds as though students will be as likely to break current rules as students will be likely to break new rules.
Again, if we do not insert they are, then will be ... likely to break carries over to the current ones:
→ The school officials believe that the students will be as likely to break the new rules as [they will be likely to break] the current ones.
Wrong.
How is it possible that, right now, students will be likely to break current rules?
How can students break current rules in a future with new rules?
That situation is logically incoherent. Nonsensical.
We insert they are in order to signal the different time frames of the two actions and thus make sense.
(BTW, don't focus too much on the parallelism in this question. Focus on AS ... AS. Only one choice uses the correct comparison.)
I hope that answer helps.
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