Sentence Correction

Even though the direct costs of malpractice disputes amounts to a sum lower than one percent of the $541 billion the nation spent on health care last year, doctors say fear of lawsuits plays a major role in health-care inflation.
(A) amounts to a sum lower
(B) amounts to less
(C) amounted to less
(D) amounted to lower
(E) amounted to a lower sum

Why D is wrong?

OA C

Do you say lower than 1 percent ?
less than one percent is the right usage .

C it is !

You can rule out A,B- no subject-verb agreement

Use less to for distance, amount, and non-countable objects.

Thanks,
Viju

what is wrong with B ?

blaster wrote:what is wrong with B ?

Even though...........last year........ -- We are talking about a past event ( last year). So, we need PAST TENSE(amounted) and not Present

okay guys. I am confused here. Can someone explain the reason for choosing the given OA?

Al Although the government's expenditures on law suits involving tobacco companies amounts to a sum dramatically lower than that spent by tobacco companies, many believe that the government should allocate no more funds to a battle they perceive as pointless.

(A) expenditures on law suits involving tobacco companies amounts to a sum dramatically lower than
(B) expenditures on law suits involving tobacco companies amount to a sum dramatically less than
(C) expenditures on law suits involving tobacco companies amount to a sum dramatically lower than
(D) law suit expenditures regarding tobacco companies amount to a dramatically lower sum than
(E) law suit expenditures against tobacco companies amounts to a sum dramatically lower than

The OA to this question is C