Despite the curators claim, none of the unattributed sketches in the

Question

Despite the curator’s claim, none of the unattributed sketches in the museum’s upcoming Flemish exhibit, all estimated  to be more than 400-years old, are  likely the work of Jan Vermeer, who was active in Flanders during the 17th Century.

(A) to be more than 400-years old, are

(B) to be over 400-years old, is

(C) at over 400-years old, are

(D) at more than 400-years old, is

(E) to be older than 400-years, is

Abhishek009 · Accepted Answer

Good one !!

SANAM Word + Singular Noun = Singular Verb
SANAM Word + Plural Noun = Plural Verb

Cut the flab -

Despite the curator’s claim  , none    of the unattributed sketches   in the museum’s upcoming Flemish exhibit,all estimated   to be more than 400-years old,  are likely the work of Jan Vermeer   ,who was active in Flanders during the 17th Century.

The structure here is : None + ...... of the unattributed  sketches ....

None + Plural hence it will take a Plural verb , are

Further the correct idiomatic usage of estimate is : Estimated to be

Now our task is reduced to -

1. Sentence containing are 
2. Use of Correct Idiomatic use of Estimate

(A)  to be  more than 400-years old,  are

(B) to be over 400-years old,  is   - Incorrect

(C)  at  over 400-years old, are  - Incorrect

(D)  at  more than 400-years old, is  - Incorrect

(E) to be older than 400-years,  is   - Incorrect

Hence the answer is straight (A)..

PS : SANAM pronouns the noun object of the OF phrase can help you determine the number of the subject. - MGMAT SC 13th Edition.

dominicraj · Answer

Hi,

Even I got this one wrong. It seens none can be taken as singular as well as plural.

In such cases the the subject that follows dominates the verb. In our case "sketches".

Hence "are".

Thanks gmt1. kudos to you.

Regards,
Dom.

gmatgrl · Answer

Hi Abhishek, thanks for this; I had asked in my earlier post as well. If you could provide an example of where the sentence uses

Noun + Singular

It will help me understand better.

Abhishek009 · Answer

Sorry

for creating confusion please it was a typo I Please read Noun as None.. ( I have edited my post as well) Plz refer MGMAT SC 13 which clearly states - With the SANAM pronouns the noun object of the Of phrase can help you determine the number of the subject. As far as this question is concerned - The blue highlighted part ( as well as the context of the sentence )clearly refers to the Sketches of Jan Vermeer - Hence it is plural in sense... Example of the Rule of None Of ___________ rule + Singular/Plural 1. None of the cake was left. - Used as Singular 2. None of the cookies were left. - Used as Plural .

OptimusPrepJanielle · Answer

Despite the curator’s claim, none of the unattributed sketches in the museum’s upcoming Flemish exhibit, all estimated  to be more than 400-years old, are  likely the work of Jan Vermeer, who was active in Flanders during the 17th Century.

1 Since "none" (not any) is plural, eliminate B, D, and E. 2 C should say "estimated at 400-years old" but that would change the meaning. An estimate cannot be "over 400-years old."

(A) to be more than 400-years old, are

(B) to be over 400-years old, is

(C) at over 400-years old, are

(D) at more than 400-years old, is

(E) to be older than 400-years, is

souvik101990 · Answer

GMAT likes
dated at >> dated to be
estimated to be >> estimated at

GMAT is weird that way.
I have official examples to back this.

Also none is a tricky pronoun. It is NOT ambiguous. It agrees with the verb according to the noun that it refers to.

For example

None of my classmates are from India. - Correct.
None of the chocolate was left for me to eat - Correct as well.

chetan2u · Answer

Hi,
The Q test on two main concepts:-
1)  idiom : estimated to be ---- estimatyed at is not correct
2)  verb: none can be singular/plural depending on the noun.. ---- sketches requires plural verb : ARE

A is the only correct choice

abhimahna · Answer

Good Question.

Best example of SANAM Pronouns ( Some, Any, None, All and Many )

None of the X --> Verb depends on X.

Since X is plural in this question, hence verb will be plural.

VerbalBot · Answer

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Despite the curators claim, none of the unattributed sketches in the

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