research conducted at over 100 American universities

[igordudchenko]

According to a recent study conducted at over 100 American universities, the number of college graduates interested in pursuing a career in financial services is likely to double by 2010.

a) is likely to double

b) are likely to increase by twice

c) are likely to double

d) will double

e) will increase by twice
===
The OA is A, not D.
How do I know that D is incorrect? Shall I treat the word 'likely' as a correct constant and focus only on a correct form/meaning of the verb 'is'?

[gaurav.pdhyy]

Agreed to the point. Why not D ? is it coz of uncertainity vs certainity? if thts the case then how do u identify the outcome ? as in many studies the outcome is certain as a predicted phenomenon while some studies / research predicts something that might hold true ?

[tim]

this one boils down to the level of certainty. the study cannot conclude that something WILL happen, only that it is likely..

[igordudchenko]

Tim, just to clarify: so 'likely' will be applicable for any type of forecast or study mentioned in a sentence?

[jnelson0612]

Tim, just to clarify: so 'likely' will be applicable for any type of forecast or study mentioned in a sentence?

Sorry, I'm not Tim, but "likely" would be appropriate to use for any forecast or prediction in which some future event is believed to be probable but not definite.

[shankar245]

According to a recent study conducted at over 100 American universities, the number of college graduates interested in pursuing a career in financial services is likely to double by 2010.

I selected the correct option thinking that the underlined part which is the subject needs a verb and that is provided by is likely...

Is my understanding correct?

Please help.

[jnelson0612]

According to a recent study conducted at over 100 American universities, the number of college graduates interested in pursuing a career in financial services is likely to double by 2010.

I selected the correct option thinking that the underlined part which is the subject needs a verb and that is provided by is likely...

Is my understanding correct?

Please help.

Well, you could certainly rule out B and C using this observation. "number" is singular, so "is" would be a good match; however, "will" could also match with "number". So you may have gotten lucky. :-)

[sachin.w]

Does gmat test things as the one mentioned below in SC?

knowledge that study always predicts something to be likely about a future event?

[tim]

i'm afraid i don't understand your question. can you be more specific?

[sachin.w]

This question requires us to know the fact that study always predicts something to be likely about a future event.

My Question is if the GMAT SC tests such things as well..

[tim]

the question requires no such thing. what makes you think it does?