GMAT Sentence Correction
Sentence Correction is the most "math-like" question type in the
Verbal - speed is of the essence, and the best way to gain speed is to
exploit the answer choices. The answer set below presents a typical
structure. Of all the possible disasters that threaten American
agriculture, the possibility of an adverse change in climate is maybe
the more difficult for analysis. (A) is maybe the more difficult
for analysis (B) is probably the most difficult to analyze (C) is
maybe the most difficult for analysis (D) is probably the more
difficult to analyze (E) is, it may be, the analysis that is most
difficult
Choice B is the best answer. The sentence compares one thing,
an adverse change in climate, to all other things in its
class-- that is, to all the possible disasters that threaten
American agriculture, therefore, the sentence requires the
superlative form of the adjective, most difficult, rather
than the comparative form, more difficult, which appears
in choices A and D. In A and C, the use of maybe is
unidiomatic, and difficult should be completed by the
infinitive to analyze. Choice E is awkwardly phrased and,
when inserted into the sentence, produces an illogical structure:
the possibility ... is... the analysis that. |