Question

Part of the proposed increase in state education spending is due to higher enrollment, since the number of students in public schools have grown steadily since the mid-1980's and, at nearly 47 million, are at a record highA) enrollment, since the number of students in public schools have grown steadily since the mid-1980's and, at nearly 47 million, are atB) enrollment, with a number of students in public schools growing steadily since the mid-1980'and, at nearly 47 million, reachingC) enrollment: since students in public schools have grown steadily in number since the mid-1980's and, at nearly 47 million, have reachedD) enrollment: the number of students in public schools has grown steadily since the mid-1980's and, at nearly 47 millio, has reachedE) enrollment: students in public schools have grown steadily in number since the mid-1980's and, at nearly 47 millio, are at

Answer 1

Answer: D

Replace the underlined clause

Part of the proposed increase in state education spending is due to higher enrollment, since the number of students in public schools have grown steadily since the mid-1980's and, at nearly 47 million, are at a record high

A) enrollment, since the number of students in public schools have grown steadily since the mid-1980's and, at nearly 47 million, are at

B) enrollment, with a number of students in public schools growing steadily since the mid-1980'and, at nearly 47 million, reaching

C) enrollment: since students in public schools have grown steadily in number since the mid-1980's and, at nearly 47 million, have reached

D) enrollment: the number of students in public schools has grown steadily since the mid-1980's and, at nearly 47 million, has reached

E) enrollment: students in public schools have grown steadily in number since the mid-1980's and, at nearly 47 million, are at

Explanation:

D replaces the underlined clause.

A is not the answer because it is just a repetition of  the underlined words.

B. This clause does not replace that underlined. A number of students suggest "some students" and does not refer to the body of students as a whole. Also to be grammatically correct, the clause has to end with "reached"

Neither Options C not E is the answer as omitting "the number" results in failing to quantify "students"