Following the split in 1980 , the chances of a spree ballet

Question

Following the split in 1980 ,  the chances of a spree ballet reunion, as per fans ,were more likely than tank tops and short pants making a comeback .

A. the chances of a spree ballet reunion, as per fans, were more likely than tank tops and short pants making a comeback.
B. spree ballet reunion chances were as likely to tank tops and short pants making a comeback. 
C. fans thought spree ballet reunion is as likely as tank tops or short pants making a comeback
D. the chances of a spree ballet reunion were most likely as tank tops and short pants making a comeback
E. fans thought the chances of a Spree ballet reunion were as likely as tank tops and short pants making a comeback.

skovinsky · Answer

When you see an introductory phrase followed by a comma, the first thing you should think about is modification - does whatever that phrase is describing immediately follow the comma.

In this question, that normally right thinking would lead you astray, since the introductory phrase doesn't really modify anything.

So, we need to turn to other issues to decide upon the correct choice. Fortunately, 4 of the answers are clearly wrong, so we should end up in the right place at the end of the day.

We see the awkward "as per fans" in the original sentence and eliminate (A).

(B) contains the idiomatically incorrect "were as likely to..."; we know that "as likely" should be followed by "as", not "to" (in a comparison).

(C) is missing the "a" in "fans thought   spree ballet reunion...".

(D) has the awkward phrasing "were most likely as" - again, we need "as likely as".

Accordingly, only (E) survives our scrutiny and must be the correct choice.

Zatarra · Answer

But Stuart, isnt "as likely" meant to describe an event
We say an event is as likely to take place ...
Dont we say "the chances of this happening are high"
We use "high" for chances.Doesnt the word "chances" denote "likelihood" itself.Then why must we say "The chances are as likely"

skovinsky · Answer

That's generally true, which is why even (E) isn't perfect - but it's certainly the least flawed of the choices we have.

Ideally, the sentence would read:

Following the band's split in 1980, fans thought a Spree Ballet reunion as likely as the comeback of tank tops and short pants.

What's the source?

Zatarra · Answer

I Received the question as a subscription mail from scorechase.com.They didnt reveal the OA.
But "a Spree Ballet reunion as likely as the comeback of tank tops and short pants. " doesnt have a verb

skovinsky · Answer

"thought" is the verb - you don't need to think a verb in this construction. If you really want one, however, you can add "to occur" after "as likely".

metallicafan · Answer

IMO, it is A.

I think that E is not parallel (chances vs. tank tops and short pants).

Zatarra · Answer

Couldnt it be 
Following the band's split in 1980, fans thought a Spree Ballet reunion  is  as likely as the comeback of tank tops and short pants.

Zatarra · Answer

theres no pint picking without giving the reasoning

Wofford · Answer

I picked A. E changes the meaning... doesn't it?

Zatarra · Answer

Guys please dont get restless.I received this question from scorechase and they didnt reveal the OA

gmat1011 · Answer

The OA is E from the score chase website.

Posted from my mobile device

Zatarra · Answer

Can you give me the url,though ill try to find out on my own as well

gmat1011 · Answer

Just use the power of google. Here you go: https://www.scorechase.com/gmat/9995-q60 ... dioms.html Posted from my mobile device

rohu27 · Answer

Guys plz help me out in getting this right.

the use of word more likely in choice A, signifies tht event X has more probablity than event Y? isnt tht the case here?
but none of the answer choices say so. I agree choice E may be correct gramatically, but whn it comes to meaning?
whts wrong wth my thinking here?

Onell · Answer

I am with you. E changes the meaning of the sentence. A says more likely than ==> is more probable E says as likely as ==> less or equally probable. However A B D has dangling modifier. C changes the tense.... So best is E. I doubt its source

Following the split in 1980 , the chances of a spree ballet

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