Twice v/s two times

[shilpi]

In the 1980’s the rate of increase of the minority population of the United States was nearly twice as fast as the 1970’s.

(A) twice as fast as
(B) twice as fast as it was in
(C) twice what it was in
(D) two times faster than that of
(E) two times greater than

Is there any rule to solve these types of questions...
The ans is C

[ice t]

A, B, and E all compare "the rate of increase of the minority population" with the 1970's itself. But here you want to compare the 80's rate with the 70's.

C and D both make this comparison correctly but only C is idiomatic and concise.

[coolsrini1981]

How come B compare rate with 1970's ...i thnk it correclty compares Rate of inc with same in 1970's pls xplain.

[Aimhighest]

Is there any typo error in question?

It looks weird.

[skarya]

imoC

In the 1980’s the rate of increase of the minority population of the United States was nearly twice as fast as the 1970’s.

(A) twice as fast as
(B) twice as fast as it was in
(C) twice what it was in - correct
(D) two times faster than that of
(E) two times greater than

For Rule, please see Erin's explanation:
http://www.sentencecorrection.com/fo...te+of+increase

[Aimhighest]

Thanks skarya!

Great post again.

[animesh]

Great explanation by Erin. Thanks for the link Skarya.

[r4rohini]

comparison b/w A,B and E is wrong...
C and D are close... but C is more clear n concise