Harshgmat wrote:
akhil911 wrote:
The report suggests that in some cases radiation levels might have an inverse effect — rodents and insects in areas with higher radiation exposure may show greater adaptation, and thus less genetic damage, compared to areas with lower radiation levels.
(A) compared to areas with lower radiation levels
(B) compared to those in areas with lower radiation levels
(C) as those with lower radiation levels in their area
(D) than areas with lower radiation levels
(E) than those in areas with lower radiation levels
generis,
The findings also suggest that in some cases radiation levels might have an inverse effect — birds in areas with higher radiation exposure may show
greater adaptation, and thus less genetic damage,
than those in areas with lower radiation levels.
What I understand is that answer choice E is correct because of - correct usage of -
greater ....than.
Am I missing any other decision point for selecting Choice E over Choice B?
Also if we have the question prompt as below :
The report suggests that in some cases radiation levels might have an inverse effect — rodents and insects in areas with higher radiation exposure may show
unique adaptability, and thus less genetic damage,
compared to areas with lower radiation levels.
(B) compared to those in areas with lower radiation levels
Is answer choice B correct for this modified question?If so then -The report suggests that in some cases radiation levels might have an inverse effect — rodents and insects in areas with higher radiation exposure may show
unique adaptability, and thus less genetic damage,
compared to those in areas with lower radiation levels.
A)
compared to those in areas with lower radiation levelsor
B)
compared with those in areas with lower radiation levelsHere for this modified question prompt are both choices A) and B) acceptable ?
Am I correct to say that the selection between
Compared to and
Compared with is not expected to be the testing point on GMAT?
EDITEDHarshgmat , as usual, good questions.
Quote:
Am I missing any other decision point for selecting Choice E over Choice B?
Yes, but the general rule is not very well-known.
In addition to the lack of "than" in choice B that you note correctly —
Reject choice (B) because it includes BOTH "compared to" and the comparative adjectives "greater" and "less."
That construction is considered redundant most of the time.
The words "greater" and "less" already imply comparison.
That is, if we have a comparative adjective or word, almost always we should not include "compared to/with."*
I think you knew that fact, though; your hypothetical sentence appears to be an attempt to eliminate the need for "than."
Quote:
Also if we have the question prompt as below :
The report suggests that in some cases radiation levels might have an inverse effect — rodents and insects in areas with higher radiation exposure may show unique adaptability, and thus less genetic damage,
(B) compared to those in areas with lower radiation levels
Is answer choice B correct for this modified question?
Probably. The official sentence closest to this construction that I have seen is
this one about U.S. immigrants.
I am dubious, though, because GMAC frequently tests concision in comparisons. And concision depends on context.
In
this question about minivans, concision is achieved by using "compared" instead of "than."
But in this question about hotel rooms, "than" is better than "compared."
Concision is not the only thing being tested, but in the minivan and many other questions, concision is an important factor.
So yes, your sentence is possible. (B) inserted:
...rodents and insects in areas with higher radiation exposure may show
unique adaptability, and thus less genetic damage,
compared to those in areas with lower radiation levels.-- I think there are issues with the comma after "adaptability," and perhaps also issues with the word "those."
It's logically clear that the referents are the rodents and the insects, but the descriptors are unwieldy.
-- "Those" would be better spelled out.
Quote:
A) compared to those in areas with lower radiation levels
... or B
I'm confused by the question about inserting option A or B into your hypothetical sentence.
It seems that you rewrote (A). But that question (A or B?) and the next are similar in thrust, so . . .
Quote:
Am I correct to say that the selection between Compared to and Compared with is not expected to be the testing point on GMAT?
You are correct.
According to many seasoned experts, GMAC ignores the very traditional (read: old school) distinction between "compared to" and "compared with."
Both constructions may show up in different options. I have yet to see a question in which the difference made a difference. Other errors determined the answer.
I am glad you mentioned the issue. Please see the expert sources in the second footnote.
Hope that helps.
*See, e.g., Magoosh, Complete Guide to GMAT Idioms on page 10: "The GMAT does not like the words 'compared to' or 'compared with' combined with other comparative words [e.g. comparative adjectives]."
See also:
If a comparative word is present, "compared to/with" is redundant. AND
"Compared to" is redundant in a sentence that already contains a comparative word.**
Manhattan Prep: "The GMAT ignores the traditional distinction between compared to and compared with." Sentence Correction, 6th ed., p.223
Three experts who have taught GMAT prep for a decade or more agree.
• GMATGuruNY,HERE
• Ron Purewal, here
• Payal Tandon, HERE