Whereas in mammals the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells

Concept tested: Parallelism, Meaning, Modifiers
Difficulty: 650
Illustration: Unlike/Wheras X, …………………, Y…………..
In this construction X and Y are compared and we know that comparisons, on the GMAT, must always be logical and parallel.
In B, tiny tubes are compared to birds. Also, voice should be maintained in a parallel structure; B clearly violates the rule.
In C, D, E the “Unlike” comparisons that are made are illogical.
In C and D mammals have been compared with bird’s tubes. Unlike should always be followed by nouns as Unlike follows the same rule as Like.
So E is also incorrect as "Unlike" cannot distinguish between a noun and a phrase.
A is the correct answer where the comparisons are logical.
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Hello Everyone!

This is a great example of a comparison question you might find on the GMAT! Let's start by taking a closer look at the original question and highlight any major differences we can find in orange:

Whereas in mammals the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in parallel lines, in birds the tubes form a random pattern.

(A) Whereas in mammals the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in parallel lines, in birds the tubes
(B) Whereas the tiny tubes for the conveying of nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in mammals in parallel lines, birds have tubes that
(C) Unlike mammals, where the tiny tubes for conveying nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in parallel lines, birds’ tubes
(D) Unlike mammals, in whom the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in parallel lines, the tubes in birds
(E) Unlike the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells, which in mammals are arrayed in parallel lines, in birds the tubes

We already know that this is a comparison question, so we don't need to start with the obvious differences. Instead, let's look at the most common grammar rule that's tied to comparisons: PARALLELISM!

Whenever we see comparison questions, the first thing we should look at is if the two items being compared to one another are parallel. They need to be the same type of thing, worded similarly, and in the same number. Let's check out each option to see which comparisons are parallel, and eliminate the ones that are not:

(A) Whereas in mammals the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in parallel lines, in birds the tubes --> PARALLEL
(B) Whereas the tiny tubes for the conveying of nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in mammals in parallel lines, birds have tubes that --> NOT PARALLEL
(C) Unlike mammals, where the tiny tubes for conveying nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in parallel lines, birds’ tubes --> NOT PARALLEL
(D) Unlike mammals, in whom the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in parallel lines, the tubes in birds --> NOT PARALLEL
(E) Unlike the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells, which in mammals are arrayed in parallel lines, in birds the tubes --> NOT PARALLEL


There you have it - only option A compares two parallel items! If you can become familiar with the common problems with certain types of sentences (lists, comparisons, hypotheticals, etc.), finding the right choice is much easier!


Don't study for the GMAT. Train for it.
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[quote="nakib77"]Whereas in mammals the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in parallel lines, in birds the tubes form a random pattern.


(A) Whereas in mammals the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in parallel lines, in birds the tubes

(B) Whereas the tiny tubes for the conveying of nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in mammals in parallel lines, birds have tubes that

(C) Unlike mammals, where the tiny tubes for conveying nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in parallel lines, birds’ tubes

(D) Unlike mammals, in whom the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in parallel lines, the tubes in birds

(E) Unlike the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells, which in mammals are arrayed in parallel lines, in birds the tubes

This question is based on Comparison/Contrast.

The words ‘Unlike’ and ‘Whereas’ signify a contrast. In such sentences, the noun/phrase immediately after these words signify the thing that is being contrasted and it is contrasted with whatever noun/phrase appears after the comma further on in the sentence. So, the two things must be comparable or parallel.

In this sentence, “in mammals” can be parallel to “in birds”; “the tiny tubes in mammals” can be parallel to “the tiny tubes in birds”; “the tiny tubes in mammals” can be parallel “to the tiny tubes in birds”.

(A) Whereas in mammals the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in parallel lines, in birds the tubes
Since the conjunction ‘whereas’ is followed by the phrase “in mammals”, a similar phrase must appear after the comma. The phrase “in birds” is present, so the comparison is parallel. Option A is correct.

(B) Whereas the tiny tubes for the conveying of nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in mammals in parallel lines, birds have tubes that
In this option ‘whereas’ is followed by the phrase “the tiny tubes”, which is not parallel to the clause “birds have tubes”. So, Option B can be eliminated.

(C) Unlike mammals, where the tiny tubes for conveying nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in parallel lines, birds’ tubes
Technically speaking, “mammals” can be compared to “birds’ tubes” since both are nouns. However, since there is a clause after the noun “mammals” that gives information about “the tiny tubes”, the basis of comparison is incorrect in this option. So, Option C is incorrect.

(D) Unlike mammals, in whom the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in parallel lines, the tubes in birds
Option D contains the same error as in Option C. The only difference is that the form of the phrase is different. So, Option D can also be eliminated.

(E) Unlike the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells, which in mammals are arrayed in parallel lines, in birds the tubes
The comparison is not parallel in this option either. The conjunction ‘unlike’ is followed by the phrase “the tiny tubes” but this cannot be parallel to “in birds”. So, Option E can also be eliminated.

Therefore, Option A is the most appropriate.

Jayanthi Kumar.
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Testing Parallelism -

(B) In [b] tiny tubes are compared to birds - Illogical
(C) mammals compared to birds' tubes - Illogical
(D) mammals compared to tubes in birds - Illogical
(E) tiny tubes compared to in birds the tubes - ungrammatical

Only Compares logically and grammatically.

ok wiil see to disentagle this one

here we have a clear comparison of what : tobes that do something in X and tubes tha do another things in something (try to simplify ALWAYS in an upper level question, and also in a low level SC , as well )

1) whreas IN mammals X do something, IN Y do something ...hold on

2) Whereas the tiny tubes for the conveying of nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in mammals in parallel lines, birds have tubes that...........here the sentence goes on its own. It does not comunicate a clear meaning

3) Unlike mammals, where the tiny tubes for conveying nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in parallel lines, birds’ tubes..............here the best thing to do is to eleminate the filler between, so the sentence becomes Unlike mammals.........birds’ tubes............no way; it compares mammals to tubes

4) idem as 3) if you do the same process

5) Unlike the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells, which in mammals are arrayed in parallel lines, in birds the tubes...........here which refers to cells and then this leads us to bird's tubes.....completely wrong modifier.

A) is the answer
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+1A

(A) Whereas in mammals the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in parallel lines, in birds the tubes (Correct comparison between mammals and birds)
(B) Whereas the tiny tubes for the conveying of nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in mammals in parallel lines, birds have tubes that (tiny tubes is compared with birds, eliminate)
(C) Unlike mammals, where the tiny tubes for conveying nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in parallel lines, birds’ tubes (mammals are compared with birds’ tubes, eliminate)
(D) Unlike mammals, in whom the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in parallel lines, the tubes in birds (same as above)
(E) Unlike the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells, which in mammals are arrayed in parallel lines, in birds the tubes (wordy and awkward construction)


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The core is what is being compared with what: It is the tubes in mammals with tubes in birds; all other permutation combinations are just out. Looking at it, it is clear that only A does it meticulously.
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The sentence compares “tiny tubes in mammals” and “tiny tubes in birds”.

A) Compare “tiny tubes in mammals” and “tiny tubes in birds”. Parallel structure: “whereas in mammals the tiny tubes …, in birds the tubes…”  Correct as is
B) Unparalleled structure  Incorrect
C) Compare “mammal” with “birds’ tubes”  Incorrect
D) Compare “mammal” with “the tubes in bird”  Incorrect
E) Correctly compare “the tiny tubes” in mammals with “the tubes” in bird but incorrectly use modifier “which in.. lines”. This modifier is far away from the noun “tiny tubes” to which it modifies  Incorrect

A. Whereas in mammals the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in parallel lines, in birds the tubes --- Correct comparison and parallelism

B. Whereas the tiny tubes for the conveying of nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in mammals in parallel lines, birds have tubes that – wrong comparison of tubes with birds.

C. Unlike mammals, where the tiny tubes for conveying nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in parallel lines, birds€™ tubes – 1. Wrong comparison of mammals with tubes. 2. Where referring to mammals is wrong

D. Unlike mammals, in whom the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in parallel lines, the tubes in birds--- wrong comparison

E. Unlike the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells, which in mammals are arrayed in parallel lines, in birds the tubes – 1.which is having touch rule problem. 2. The symmetry is unparallel.
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Just about parallelism.

A. Whereas in mammals the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in parallel lines, in birds the tubes
B. Whereas the tiny tubes for the conveying of nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in mammals in parallel lines, birds have tubes that
C. Unlike mammals, where the tiny tubes for conveying nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in parallel lines, birds’ tubes
D. Unlike mammals, in whom the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in parallel lines, the tubes in birds
E. Unlike the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells, which in mammals are arrayed in parallel lines, in birds the tubes

Hi GMATClub Expert,
I need to compare apple to apple or orange to orange, not apple to orange or orange to apple, as far i know. So, in E, 'tiny tubes' is compared with 'bird's tiny tubes'. Most of us think that the first 'tiny tubes' may be ALL 'tiny tubes' in this world, and the 2nd 'tiny tubes' is only IN birds. So, 'tiny tubes' in ALL and 'tiny tubes' in BIRDS are not the SAME thing; the comparison is NOT so sweet. So, if this the case, then in A, I think that 'tiny tubes' in MAMMALS and 'tiny tubes' in BIRDS are not the SAME thing at all! So, we can cross out choice A, too. . Do you think these two 'tiny tubes' are the SAME things, expert?

Actually, what SHOULD we compare here? Should we compare just 'MAMMALS' with 'BIRDS' or 'tiny tubes' with 'tiny tubes'?
In apparently, it seems that we're comparing JUST 'apple' with 'apple', we're NOT comparing ONLY 'apple' with 'apple'; we're comparing the first 'apple', which comes from 'apple tree' and the 2nd 'apple', which MUST come from 'apple tree' too. If the 2nd 'apple' comes from 'orange tree', then it is NOT pure comparison ,too. If THIS is true, then 'tiny tubes' IN MAMMALS and 'tiny tubes' IN BIRDS does not make pure comparison at all.
Thank you all GMAT club members.
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Please consider the following statement:
Price of an apple is more than price of an orange... do you think there is a problem with this statement? If my understanding is correct, you are suggesting that this comparison is mistaken as well - is it?

We could also say,
Weight of this apple is less than weight of that orange-shaped alien-ship.. even then I do not see any problem. What do you think?

The problem with option E is as follows:
The seeds of fruits are sweeter than the seeds of apples.
The above comparison is not "sweet" because seeds of fruits already include the seeds of apple. Something can be as sweet as itself, not sweeter than itself.

BUT, I do not see any issue with:
The seeds of the apples are sweeter than the seeds of the oranges grown inside that orange-shaped alien-ship.

Slightly digressing from the comparison issue, but notice the other big problem with E. It says that bone cells in mammals are arrayed in parallel lines; the original sentence says that tiny tubes are arrayed in parallel lines.

That's a total change in meaning.
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Whereas X, Y is idiomatically correct , refer Magoosh here

Whereas in mammals the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in parallel lines, in birds the tubes form a random pattern.

Answer must be (A) , errors in the other options are highlighted in RED
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if this is the perfect parallelism that "the first apple come from apple tree and the second apple come from orange tree", then I'll not suggest anything, here. I accept your explanation.


if i say:
The child of Robert is longer than the child of Jain.
Do you want to say that this comparison is not SWEET because 'child' of Robert already include the 'child' of Jain?
Thank you sayantanc2k...
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Your first point:
I really could not understand what you mean. An elelphant can be heavier than a pen. For comparing an elephant with a pen, they do not require to have some common trait (such as, come from the same tree).

Your second point:
Apple is a type of fruit, but Jain is not a type of Robert.
"The seeds of fruits are sweeter than the seeds of apples." is thus incorrect, but "The child of Robert is longer taller than the child of Jain" is alright. I hope that you can see my point now.

Whereas in mammals the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in parallel lines, in birds the tubes form a random pattern.

A. Whereas in mammals the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in parallel lines, in birds the tubes - Correct
B. Whereas the tiny tubes for the conveying of nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in mammals in parallel lines, birds have tubes that - distorts the contrast ; “tiny tubes for the conveying of nutrients” distorts the original meaning “tiny tubes that convey nutrients”
C. Unlike mammals, where the tiny tubes for conveying nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in parallel lines, bird's tubes - Where incorrectly refers to mammals ; illogical comparison between mammals and birds’ tubes
D. Unlike mammals, in whom the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in parallel lines, the tubes in birds - Illogical comparison
E. Unlike the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells, which in mammals are arrayed in parallel lines, in birds the tubes - In “Unlike X, Y”, both X and Y need to be nouns or pronouns. In this option, Y is a prepositional phrase “in birds” ; Also we are not talking about tiny tubes in general

Answer A
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Main Issue:

Comparison: "Whereas X, Y"


(A) Whereas in mammals the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in parallel lines, in birds the tubes - Correct

(B) Whereas the tiny tubes for the conveying of nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in mammals in parallel lines, birds have tubes that - Wrong: Comparison 2) Modifier

(C) Unlike mammals, where the tiny tubes for conveying nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in parallel lines, birds’ tubes - Wrong: Comparison 2) Modifier

(D) Unlike mammals, in whom the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in parallel lines, the tubes in birds - Wrong: Comparison

(E) Unlike the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells, which in mammals are arrayed in parallel lines, in birds the tubes - Wrong: Comparison

(A) Whereas in mammals the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in parallel lines, in birds the tubes
Best option

(B) Whereas the tiny tubes for the conveying of nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in mammals in parallel lines, birds have tubes that
(1) Incorrect comparison – “Whereas the [tiny] tubes…birds…”; (2) illogical meaning – “…cells are arrayed in mammals in parallel lines…” sounds like the mammals themselves are in parallel lines; (3) idiom error – “the conveying of…” should be “that convey,” which is also just more direct/clear

(C) Unlike mammals, where the tiny tubes for conveying nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in parallel lines, birds’ tubes
(1) Incorrect comparison – “Unlike mammals…birds’ tubes…”; (2) idiom error – “the conveying of…” should be “that convey,” which is also just more direct/clear

(D) Unlike mammals, in whom the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in parallel lines, the tubes in birds
(1) Incorrect comparison – “Unlike mammals… the tubes…”

(E) Unlike the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells, which in mammals are arrayed in parallel lines, in birds the tubes
(1) Incorrect comparison – “Unlike the [tiny] tubes… in birds…”; the portion within the “which” clause seems to tee up a trap for the following portion (“which IN MAMMALS…, IN BIRDS…”) – this doesn’t work though, considering the “which” clause is nonrestrictive