It is possible that, like the Volkswagen, whose unchanging

It is possible that, like the Volkswagen, whose unchanging exterior over decades concealed many changes in its internal machinery, the evolution of many prehistoric microbes occurred with no significant modification to their sheaths.

Like the VW (first term of the comparison), ??? (second term). The first is a concreted noun, so a comparison VW - evolution or modification makes no sense.

(A) the evolution
(B) the evolution
(C) no significant modification
(D) the sheaths of many prehistoric microbes
(E) many prehistoric microbes

The only concrete nouns are in D and E. To pick the correct answer we have to take a look at the structure of the comparison:
subject(VW), did something LIKE
many prehistoric microbes(subject), did something else.
E matches the structure.

Hope this is what you mean by meaning perspective

It is possible that, like the Volkswagen, whose unchanging exterior over decades concealed many changes in its internal machinery, the evolution of many prehistoric microbes occurred with no significant modification to their sheaths.

(A) the evolution of many prehistoric microbes occurred with no significant modification to their sheaths - Illogical comparison - Volkswagen vs evolution

(B) the evolution of many prehistoric microbes was occurring without significant modification of their sheaths - Illogical comparison - Volkswagen vs evolution

(C) no significant modification was made to the sheaths of many prehistoric microbes as they were evolving- Illogical comparison - Volkswagen vs modification

(D) the sheaths of many prehistoric microbes went without significant modification during their evolution- Illogical comparison - Volkswagen vs sheaths

(E) many prehistoric microbes evolved without significant modification of their sheaths- Correct

Answer E

This question is based on Comparison.

The preposition ‘like’ indicates a comparison. The noun placed after the preposition is “the Volkswagen”. So, the noun placed after the comma must be comparable to the Volkswagen on the basis of an unchanging exterior.

In Option A, “the evolution of microbes” is compared to the Volkswagen. Since the comparison is illogical, Option A can be eliminated.

The same error of comparison is repeated in Option B. This option also contains the past continuous tense – was occurring – which is not necessary as there is no continuity of action that is conveyed. So, Option B can be eliminated.

In Option C, the phrase “no significant modification” is not comparable to the Volkswagen. This option also contains the past continuous tense – were evolving. So, Option C can be eliminated.

In Option D, “the sheaths” is not comparable to the Volkswagen. So, Option D can also be eliminated.

In Option E, “many prehistoric microbes” can logically be compared to the Volkswagen since the basis of comparison is changes to the exterior or the sheath.
Therefore, E is the most appropriate option.

Jayanthi Kumar.

I'm not able to understand here,
what we are comparing to VW to prehistoric microbes or changes to prehistoric ?

how can we compare car to bacteria.... I'm still not able to understand.
Pls explain champs

Because their appearance so to say didn't change over a certain period.

I never miss any question with "like" in it . Wish all SC questions had like in them : )

E is the answer which makes proper comparison between Volkswagen and prehistoric microbes.

Can someone explain the comparison in this sentence from a meaning perspective. Thanks!

like x, y

so only E follows
concealed with out
evolved woth out :: so parallel and same usage

this is traditional comparision problem in which farmiliar "like" is tested. however, if we do not have an ability to analyse meaning , you face hard time.

"like" problem, if it is easy, makes clear the two element/nouns compared. but in harder "like" problem, we have to find out which noun can compared with which noun . in this harder problem, it is not easy to see what are two logically comparable nouns.

using only meaning analysis because there is no hard point of grammar here -this means all of you have enough grammar to do this problem, you can find out that the logically comparable nouns is mirobe and Wowagen.

dont despair if you fail on this problem, take a time to practice again and again, you will develop ability to analyse meaning relation.

a classification of meaning errors is a revolutionary advance for you to master meaning analysis needed on SC gmat.

Comparison must be proper ,such as apple to apple ( Noun to noun)

Only option E correctly compares Volkswagen to Microbes

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