Question:

Because of less availability and greater demand for scientific research, platinum remains consistently expensive, like gold.

Answer Choices:

A. Because of less availability and greater demand for scientific research, platinum remains consistently expensive, like gold.
B. Because of less availability and increased demand for scientific research, platinum remains consistently expensive, like that of gold.
C. Because of decreased availability and increased demand in scientific research, platinum remains expensive, like gold.
D. Because of decreased availability and increased demand for scientific research, platinum remains expensive, like gold.
E. Because of decreased availability and greater demand in scientific research, platinum remains at a consistently high price, like that of gold.

Answer:

(c) - NOT (d)... which is what i put... the answer explanation doesn't really explain why "demand in" is better than "demand for"...

Here's there explanation -> ...Third, "Demand for scientific research" implies that the research is in demand, when in fact it is the platinum. "Demand in scientific research" would be better....

poor explanation![/u]

There are two possible ways in which you could read the intent of the original sentence:
(1) Because there is increased demand FOR scientific research - in other words, society/business/whoever else is calling for more scientific research to be performed - platinum costs more.
(2) Because there is increased demand [FOR platinum] IN scientific research, platinum costs more.

The first of these interpretations is absurd: it's a total non-sequitur, since a call for more science won't directly affect the price of a specific good like platinum. The second interpretation, on the other hand, makes perfect sense.

In any case, it boils down to understanding the idiomatic usage: demand FOR X means that X itself is what's desired, whereas demand IN X means that something else is demanded to satisfy the interests of field/endeavor X.

Now why is "Decreased" preferred over "Less", I never get these Quantity questions right.. What should I look for in these kind of questions .. .Any help would be great...Thanks

Sid

Sid,

As a rule of thumb, use "less" or "greater" when making a comparison:

"I have less time available for my friends than I did before I began studying for the GMAT."
"I have greater responsibility since my big promotion at work."

In this sentence, less platinum is available now than before, and more platinum is demanded now than before. However, "than before" is not verbalized.

It's better to say "decreased" and "increased," as they mean a change has occured over time, and no addition comparison words to that effect are necessary.

And just as a side note, to me it just sounds a little weird to say "Because of less availability..., platinum..." Availability is an awkward choice of noun, because it seems to require more: "availability of platinum," perhaps. It would be better to say "Platinum is less available," but we don't have that option.