Responding to the public’s fascination with-and sometimes

[jyothi h]

This is a gmatprep question :- http://postimg.org/image/iggwv05pd/

Responding to the public’s fascination with-and sometimes
undue alarm over-possible threats from asteroids, a scale
developed by astronomers rates the likelihood that a particular
asteroid or comet may collide with Earth.
A. a scale developed by astronomers rates the likelihood
that a particular asteroid or comet may
B. a scale that astronomers have developed rates how
likely it is for a particular asteroid or comet to
C. astronomers have developed a scale to rate how likely
a particular asteroid or comet will be to
D. astronomers have developed a scale for rating the
likelihood that a particular asteroid or comet will
E. astronomers have developed a scale that rates the
likelihood of a particular asteroid or comet that may.

OA : D

I could not figure out a way to pick between C and D . Went with C eventually.
The reason I picked C , was "astronomers have developed scale TO rate" is better than "astronomers have developed X FOR ratING" ... Can any of the instructors please explain why is C incorrect ? Although I did find "to rate how likely" in option C , awkward .

The reason I eliminated E was - redundancy (likelihood and may ) . Also , "likelihood of X that may" in E sounds incorrect. Could you please explain this usage , if it is incorrect ?

Thanks,
Jyothi

[RonPurewal]

In choosing between C and D, first consider the intended meaning. We're interested in the current likelihood that the comet/asteroid will strike Earth in the future..
In other words, How likely is it NOW that a comet/asteroid WILL STRIKE Earth?

This distinction comes into play when you look at the verbs in C and D. Different verbs.

C mentions "how likely a comet/asteroid will be". Nope. The likelihood is something that exists now, not in the future. (That's the definition of "likelihood": How probable does this event seem right now?
There's no "future likelihood" here. In the future, the event either happens or doesn't happen.)

D mentions the likelihood (as measured at present) that a comet/asteroid will collide (in the future) with Earth. That makes sense.

[RonPurewal]

The reason I eliminated E was - redundancy (likelihood and may ) . Also , "likelihood of X that may" in E sounds incorrect. Could you please explain this usage , if it is incorrect ?

Thanks,
Jyothi

The last choice refers to "the likelihood of an asteroid or comet". That doesn't make sense; a physical object doesn't have a "likelihood". We can only talk about the likelihood that something will happen.


Correct about the redundancy.

[jyothi h]

Thanks Ron , for clarifying my doubts .

[RonPurewal]

Sure.

[aditmnit]

Hi Ron,
It seems that answer should be C
because 'to rate' is preferred over 'for rating'
I checked other forums too, they have C as OA. I am confused please help.

[RonPurewal]

Hi Ron,
It seems that answer should be C

No.

Look at the picture linked from the original post. The official answer is the choice enclosed in a blue box.

[douyang]

Hi Ron, another difference between C and D is that C has an extra "be to", which I think it is not justified. So can we eliminate C this way?

[RonPurewal]

Hi Ron, another difference between C and D is that C has an extra "be to", which I think it is not justified. So can we eliminate C this way?

nope.

consider:
James is likely to lie on his tax return.
I don't know how likely James is to lie on his tax return.

MECHANICALLY, "will be" plays the same role as "is" in the second sentence, and "to collide" plays the same role as "to lie". the problems with that choice lie elsewhere.

[gbyhats]

Hi dear Manhattan instructors

Besides what Ron has told us, is there anything wrong with choice (C), if possible?

C mentions "how likely a comet/asteroid will be". Nope. The likelihood is something that exists now, not in the future. (That's the definition of "likelihood": How probable does this event seem right now?
There's no "future likelihood" here. In the future, the event either happens or doesn't happen.)

hahaha, it is somewhat funny that in my native language do say "the likelihood will be XXX"

e.g.
--> the likelihood of raining will be 75% tomorrow" (translate literally)

That's why I find my friends and I are indecisive between choice (D) and (D).

[RonPurewal]

ok, well, now you know how it works.

if one were writing very formally in your language, would that still be true?
(and, out of curiosity, which language?)

[gbyhats]

if one were writing very formally in your language, would that still be true?

Haha, you know what, after I wrote that post I did think seriously about this issue in my language, I find out that maybe this expression is wrong in my language too!
(The reason why I'm uncertain about this issue is that I never officially pay attention to the grammar of my language too! = Aka. I don't have the authority to say my language do allow such expression)

(and, out of curiosity, which language?)

Chinese! Hahaha, I think I speak better English than Chinese, for my Chinese is so bad (just kidding )

[hardils688]

hi instructors,
i thought 'to rate' will be preferred over 'for rating'.
Reason- 'to rate' is showing the purpose of developing scale.
which according to me seems apt.

that is why went for option c.
can you pls
help me reason in this regard

[RonPurewal]

'to rate' would be more appropriate for an action that helps the astronomers toward their goal (e.g., To rate the likelihood that asteroids will xxxxxx, astronomers are measuring their current trajectories with exquisite precision.)

in any case, that's not the major problem with choice C. the major problem with choice C is that likelihood is a PRESENT thing, so 'will be' is inapposite.
i.e., the question the astronomers are trying to answer is "How likely is this asteroid to eventually strike Earth?" that's the probability at present.

[JingziL752]

Hi experts,

I think the " will be" is incorrect in choice C, because the sentence should be written in active voice: " comet will collide with earth", instead of passive. ( it is "comet" which conduct the "collide" action)

Please correct me if I am wrong!