Question

One of the most interest and enduring questions in ecology is why greater biodiversity (as well as biomass) is found in the tropics compared with the temperate regions of the earth. A. One of the most interest and enduring questions in ecology is why greater B. One of the most interesting and endure questions in ecology is why great C. One of the most interesting and enduring questions in ecology is why greater D. One of the most interesting and enduring question in ecology is why greater E. One of the most interesting and enduring questions in ecology is why great

Short answer

C

Step-by-step solution

Identify the subject

The sentence asks for the proper format to convey a common ecology question. The key task is to identify and correct grammatical errors and ensure all elements of the sentence make sense together.

Check adjective-noun agreement

Determine that adjectives ('interesting' and 'enduring') correctly describe the noun 'questions'. Both adjectives should be in their correct form without any spelling errors.

Verify noun forms

Make sure that the word 'questions' is in its plural form to match with the adjectives. Thus, 'questions' is appropriate rather than 'question'.

Confirm additional contextual details

Ensure that the phrase smoothly leads to the question about biodiversity and biomass. The word 'greater' is used correctly in reference to biodiversity.

Review all options

Compare the options: - A. Incorrect due to 'interest' instead of 'interesting'. - B. Incorrect due to 'endure' instead of 'enduring' and 'great'. - C. Correct; uses 'interesting' and 'enduring', and 'questions' is plural. - D. Incorrect due to singular 'question'. - E. Incorrect due to 'great' instead of 'greater'.

Key concepts

Grammar Rules

Understanding and applying grammar rules is crucial for sentence correction questions on the GMAT. Grammar rules help ensure that sentences are clear and coherent. In sentence correction, look for agreement between different parts of the sentence, correct verb forms, proper adjective usage, and logical sentence structure.

• **Identify the Subject**: Ensure that the main subject of the sentence is clear. Misidentifying the subject can lead to errors in the rest of the sentence.
• **Verb Forms**: Use the correct verb form to match the subject. This includes ensuring verbs are in the correct tense and match the subject in number and person.
• **Adjective-Noun Agreement**: Adjectives must correctly describe their nouns. This includes using the proper form and ensuring they agree in number.
• **Logical Structure**: Ensure the sentence follows a logical structure and is free of ambiguity.

Verb-Noun Agreement

Verb-noun agreement is another essential concept in GMAT sentence correction. The verb must agree with its subject in number and person.

In the example sentence, the main noun 'questions' is plural, so any verbs and adjectives that qualify it must also have plural forms.

**Tips for Verb-Noun Agreement**:

• **Singular vs. Plural**: Ensure that singular nouns have singular verbs and adjectives, while plural nouns have plural verbs and adjectives.
• **Check for Clues**: Often, other parts of the sentence will provide clues about whether the subject is singular or plural.
• **Avoid Common Pitfalls**: Watch out for intervening phrases that can confuse verb-noun agreement, such as prepositional phrases or clauses between the subject and verb.

Adjective Usage

Appropriate adjective usage is critical for making sentences clear and concise. Adjectives must correctly describe the nouns they modify and must be in the correct form.

In the given example, 'interesting' and 'enduring' are adjectives modifying 'questions.' These adjectives must correctly match the noun in tense and form.

**Adjective Tips**:

• **Position**: Adjectives must be placed close to the nouns they describe to avoid confusion.
• **Form**: Make sure adjectives are in their correct form. For example, 'interest' is incorrect as it should be 'interesting' to modify 'questions'.
• **Multiple Adjectives**: When using more than one adjective, ensure they do not contradict each other and that they are in the right order.

Plural and Singular Forms

Understanding plural and singular forms helps in creating grammatically correct and easily understandable sentences. Words must be in the right form based on whether they refer to singular or plural subjects.

In the example sentence, the noun 'questions' is plural, which means any adjectives or verbs describing it must also agree in plural form.

**Plural and Singular Tips**:

• **Identify the Subject**: Determine whether the subject is singular or plural.
• **Agreeing Forms**: Ensure verbs and adjectives match the number of the subject.
• **Common Errors**: Watch out for common errors like using singular verbs with plural nouns (e.g., 'question is' instead of 'questions are').

Contextual Coherence

Contextual coherence ensures that the sentence makes sense within the broader context. This involves using appropriate words and structuring the sentence logically.

In the given example, the sentence must logically flow from the identification of a question in ecology to the detail about biodiversity.

**Contextual Coherence Tips**:

• **Flow of Ideas**: Ensure each part of the sentence flows logically to the next. Transitions should be smooth and logical.
• **Relevance**: Make sure all parts of the sentence are relevant to the main idea.
• **Word Choice**: Use words that are contextually appropriate and make the sentence easy to understand.