Best choice D.

This is to do with the usage of "LIKE" and "JUST AS".

Between D and E, E has awkward construction. D is best.
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Giving another SHOT

I mean E is the right answer...

but my doubt still remains... why choose 'just as' over 'like' ??
Can someone please explain?
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Don't drink and derive!

Question:
I used the same logic: [use like when you compare nouns and use "as" when you compare actions]. But arent we comparing nouns here? "The drop" & "The buildup" is being compared between a skater (noun 1) and the earth (noun 2).
"The drop" and "The buildup" arent they nouns though? It is preceded by "the" a conjunction and also answers the question "who/what" near the equator. Wouldnt the aforementioned make these words nouns?

I'd like hear you perspective pls. I came up with "C". I'm no verbal expert (scaled score of 27).

1:05 , E is my ans.

Here like is used as a conjunction. This is not preferred/correct usage of like.
I have copied this from a website :

Here is the rule:

Always use "like" as a preposition, never as a subordinating conjunction.

Historically, "like" has often been used as a subordinating conjunction, but in formal modern usage it is considered a definite no-no. The use of "like" as a conjunction had pretty nearly disappeared among the educated public, until a famous cigarette ad declared, "Winston tastes good like a cigarette should!"
The media have so popularized this once forbidden usage that one now hears it (and reads it) almost everywhere. But although it has become generally accepted in colloquial speech and informal writing, it is still considered questionable in formal writing. Anyone who wishes to be taken seriously as a writer needs to be very careful about unnecessarily violating this particular shibboleth, because it is seen by most teachers and editors not only as an error, but as another one of those really big errors.


Here are some examples of "like" used as a subordinating conjunction, along with corrected versions of the sentences.


EXAMPLES:


~My face felt like it had been set on fire.
My face felt as if it had been set on fire.
My face felt as though it had been set on fire.

~In college the teachers don't spoonfeed you the material like the teachers in high school do.
In college the teachers don't spoonfeed you the material, as the teachers in high school do
In college the teachers don't spoonfeed you the material the way the teachers in high school do.

~When I was a freshman I studied like my life depended on it.
When I was a freshman I studied as if my life depended on it.
When I was a freshman I studied as though my life depended on it.

~Some people with only a modest income try to live like they were millionaires.
Some people with only a modest income try to live as if they were millionaires.
Some people with only a modest income try to live as though they were millionaires.

The same goes for using "like" as a conjunction. It has a respectable history of being used as a conjunction, and it is commonly used that way in informal speech and writing today. But it is not commonly used that way in the formal writing of educated people, and so I will not risk my reputation for it. The fact is, it is quite simple to avoid using "like" as a conjunction, just as it is to avoid comma splices.


HTH
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ash
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I'm crossing the bridge.........

It was worth running this post for two reasons. Reason one, you know and reason two the usage of "shibboleth"

Thanks ashkg

Great question. I like the above explanations.

Thanks Gmataquaguy for bringing the question up, I picked B first too. I thought it was the case of a misplaced modifier, where the speed of the earth's rotation was being compared to the increased speed of the figure skater. I see now, that the buildup of ice, and drop in water levels near the equator is being compared with that of a figure skater who draws her arms in. I mistook the modifier.

As others have pointed out in this thread, the answer is E

Hi gmataquaguy, I think B is wrong, because this is a as versus like question. As should be used instead of like whenever an example is being quoted.

e.g. I enjoy winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding.

Like is used to express a certain similarity

e.g. Eating fruits like bananas are good for health

This sentence means, eat fruits similar to bananas.

The difference is very subtle. In the sentence , the speed of the skater is given as an example, therefore such as is more appropriate.

Hope this explanation helps