A re-consideration of Add-69 (or DQ-766)

starthinker

766.The human growth hormone, made by the pituitary gland, is secreted during sleep in higher concentrations than when awake.
(A) during sleep in higher concentrations than when awake
(B) when sleeping in higher concentrations than waking hours
(C) in higher concentrations during sleeping than waking
(D) in higher concentrations during sleep than during waking hours
(E) in higher concentrations when asleep than when awake

The previous key is D. However, there is a big problem with this answer: what is the meaning of "waking hours"? I asked three native speakers. Their understanding is: waking hours = the period you wake up, i.e., around 8:00 to 8:30 in the morning. (the reason is that the verb, "wake", uses"ing" form.

All of them pick up E. The logic subject issue, in their opinion, is not related in this case. A similar example is "than before" or "than anticipated".

card_mistress

Actually, I don't think the meaning of 'waking hours' matters in this case. 'During waking hours' just has to be parallel to 'during' sleep, both talks about a period of time. E is incorrect because it alters the meaning of the sentence, 'during sleep' and 'during waking hours' should refer to the human, E makes it sound as if the growth hormone sleep and wake. (ie. ...the growth hormone...is secreted in higher concentrations when asleep than when awake).

starthinker

E is incorrect because it alters the meaning of the sentence, 'during sleep' and 'during waking hours' should refer to the human, E makes it sound as if the growth hormone sleep and wake. (ie. ...the growth hormone...is secreted in higher concentrations when asleep than when awake).

Actually, I asked those guys the logic subject issue. But they said that they use in this way.

Since ETS is in US, I think somebody in US can ask native speakers this question. I am not sure the guys I asked are right because they are Canadians, so I hope we can discuss further.

card_mistress

Actually, I would really recommend a formal grammar book because native speakers, American or Canadian, do not necessarily know the right grammar usage. Some interpret the GMAT questions according to the spoken language, which 'sounds right' but does not follow proper English. For instance, many Americans say: hopefully, we can ...do sth., this sounds perfectly logical but GMAT grammar would mark it wrong. So the best would be to do the questions according to a set number of rules

starthinker

because native speakers, American or Canadian, do not necessarily know the right grammar usage.

Good point. I agree with you. Thanks.