Early medieval monasteries, while clearly less accessible to

Early medieval monasteries, while clearly less accessible to outsiders, often served as repositories for texts like modern libraries.

(A) while clearly less accessible to outsiders, often served as repositories for texts like modern libraries correct

(B) like modern libraries, often served as text repositories, though they were clearly less accessible to outsiders

(C) while clearly less accessible to outsiders, often served as repositories for texts as does the modern libary wrong comparison

(D) like modern libraries, while clearly less accessible to outsiders, often served as repositories for texts wrong modifier

(E) while clearly less accessible to outsiders, acted like modern libraries act by serving as repositories for texts should be acted as

the problem with C is that "library" needs a plural form to be parallel with "medieval monasteries".

Early medieval monasteries, while clearly less accessible to outsiders, often served as repositories for texts like modern libraries.

(A) while clearly less accessible to outsiders, often served as repositories for texts like modern libraries

(B) like modern libraries, often served as text repositories, though they were clearly less accessible to outsiders

(C) while clearly less accessible to outsiders, often served as repositories for texts as does the modern library

(D) like modern libraries, while clearly less accessible to outsiders, often served as repositories for texts

(E) while clearly less accessible to outsiders, acted like modern libraries act by serving as repositories for texts

(B) & (D) are out right away because "while clearly less accessible" is misplaced.
Monasteries are less accessible; modern libraries are not less accessible, in fact, they should be more accessible.
This is the intended meaning of the sentence. Monasteries have similar functions modern libraries do, but monasteries were less accessible.

(C) is out because at the end of the sentence it changes to a singular library. It's comparing monasteries (a general term) to "the modern library" (a specific).

Between (A) and (E), (A) just seems better.

why c is incorrect ? GMATNinja generis

GMATNinja

Why is Option A correct.

Here the comparison is between how the 'Early medieval libraries' act v/s how do the modern libraries act.

So shouldn't this comparison be explicitly indicated by 'as' rather than 'like'

Hi

Let me try to answer your query.

"Like" is typically used to indicate similarity and is used preceding nouns. For eg:

John and Stuart, like their father Benjamin, are left handed.

Here, we communicate the idea that John and Stuart are similar to their father Benjamin in the fact that they are right handed.

"As", on the other hand, is used to indicate "the same". It is typically used before a clause. However, "as" can also be used to indicate roles or functions, in which case it can be used before a noun as well. For eg:

John works in an auto firm, as does Stuart. Here, we intend to communicate that John and Stuart are the same in the specific fact that both work for auto firms.
As your teacher, I must tell you about your weaknesses. Here, we communicate my role of a teacher and hence the use of "as" is justified.

Now, coming to the question under consideration, the idea being communicated clearly is that early monasteries are similar to modern libraries in that they "served as repositories for texts". Hence, "like" is the correct usage.

Hope this helps.

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