GATE ECE 2015 Set 1 | GA | Question: 6

Question

The following question presents a sentence, part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence, you find four ways of phrasing the underlined part. Following the requirements of the standard written English, select the answer that produces the most effective sentence.

Tuberculosis, together with its effects, ranks one of the leading causes of death in India.

• A. ranks as one of the leading causes of death
• B. rank as one of the leading causes of death
• C. has the rank of one of the leading causes of death
• D. are one of the leading causes of death 

Comments

"as on of the", see the following example:
http://dailyhive.com/toronto/university-toronto-ranks-top-world-2017

Answer 1

Tuberculosis, together with its effects,
A) ranks as one of the leading causes of death

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/rank

Comments

example:

http://dailyhive.com/toronto/university-toronto-ranks-top-world-2017

Answer 2

option A is correct.

Answer 3

when these words  along with, rather than, and as well as)  with compound  nouns  in subject verb agreement  verb should be used according  to first noun  so answer A.           ranks is singular verb

https://www.usingenglish.com/forum/threads/151188-Singular-or-plural-The-doctor-together-with-five-nurses-are-coming

Answer 4

- The original sentence uses the construction "together with," which is important to note. This phrase doesn't make the subject plural, similar to phrases like "along with" or "as well as."
- The sentence aims to convey that tuberculosis, considering both the disease itself and its secondary effects, is a major cause of death in India.
- The most effective phrasing will maintain the singular subject, use idiomatic expression, and clearly convey the idea of ranking or position among causes of death.

Let's analyze each option in detail:

1. ranks as one of the leading causes of death

This is the correct answer. It maintains proper subject-verb agreement and uses idiomatic phrasing.

- Subject-verb agreement: The singular subject "Tuberculosis" agrees with the singular verb "ranks."
- Idiomatic usage: "Ranks as" is a common and clear way to express position or status.

2. rank as one of the leading causes of death

This option is incorrect due to faulty subject-verb agreement.

- Subject-verb agreement: The plural verb "rank" doesn't agree with the singular subject "Tuberculosis."

- Note: The phrase "together with its effects" doesn't make the subject plural.

3. has the rank of one of the leading causes of death

While not grammatically incorrect, this option is less preferable.

- Wordiness: It's unnecessarily verbose compared to option 1.
- Style: "Has the rank of" is less idiomatic and natural-sounding than "ranks as."

4. are one of the leading causes of death

This option is incorrect for multiple reasons.

- Subject-verb agreement: The plural verb "are" doesn't agree with the singular subject "Tuberculosis."
- Semantic issue: "Are" implies that tuberculosis itself is multiple causes, which is illogical.
- This phrasing completely drops the concept of ranking, changing the meaning of the sentence.

**from the information given by Claude AI as it is or edited.