Early estimates from last year’s business report indicate that in the

Question

Early estimates from last year’s business report indicate that in the fourth quarter $1.8 million in profits was earned from repeat customers, nearly sixty percent of the total buyers,  two times as much as the first quarter .

(A) two times as much as the first quarter 
(B) two times their number in the first quarter 
(C) twice the number in the first quarter 
(D) twice the first quarter’s 
(E) double as in the first quarter

thakurarun85 · Answer

(A) two times as much as the first quarter
profit compared with quarter
(B) two times their number in the first quarter
Their?
(C) twice the number in the first quarter
looks good
(D) twice the first quarter’s
Quarter's what?
(E) double as in the first quarter
what in first quarter?

VelvetThunder · Answer

Correct answer C

"two times...." is modifying the profits that were earned, not the customers or the buyers. We want this modifier to be an adverbial modifier. Immediately eliminate A,B and E as they are noun modifiers and modify customers/buyers.

Between C and D, D is incorrect because there needs to be a noun after the possessive "quarter's". Correct answer C

Vatsal7794 · Answer

How answer C is correct  VelvetThunder

In option C - Twice the number of what?

Posted from my mobile device

ExpertsGlobal5 · Answer

Hello  Vatsal7794 ,

We hope this finds you well.

To answer your query, here, "the number" refers to "$1.8 million".

We hope this helps.
All the best!
Experts' Global Team

Ranger3112 · Answer

What is the problem with option D? The possessive refers to the quarter's profit.

ExpertsGlobal5 · Answer

Hello  Ranger3112 ,

We hope this finds you well.

To answer your query, Option D is inferior to Option C because the possessive construction "the first quarter’s" is needlessly indirect and somewhat ambiguous. "the number in the first quarter" conveys the intended meaning more directly and clearly.

We hope this helps.
All the best!
Experts' Global Team

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