Dear Friends,
Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
x2suresh wrote:
A higher interest rate is only one of the factors, albeit an important one, that keeps the housing market from spiraling out of control, like it did earlier in the decade.
A) keeps the housing market from spiraling out of control, like it did
B) keep the housing market from spiraling out of control, as it did
C) keeps the housing market from spiraling out of control, as it did
D) keep the housing market from spiraling out of control, like earlier
E) keep the housing market from spiraling out of control, like it did earlier
Concepts tested here: Subject-Verb Agreement + Comparisons• “like” is used for comparing nouns, “as” is used for comparing actions/clauses, and “such as” is used for giving examples.
• A comparison must always be made between similar elements.
A: This answer choice incorrectly refers to the plural noun "factors" with the singular verb "keeps". Further, Option A incorrectly uses "like" to compare "spiraling out of control" and "did earlier in the decade"; remember, “like” is used for comparing nouns, “as” is used for comparing actions/clauses, and “such as” is used for giving examples.
B: Correct. This answer choice correctly refers to the plural noun "factors" with the plural verb "keep". Further, Option B correctly uses "as" to compare " "spiraling out of control" with "did earlier in the decade".
C: This answer choice incorrectly refers to the plural noun "factors" with the singular verb "keeps".
D: This answer choice incorrectly compares "spiraling out of control" to "earlier in the decade"; remember, a comparison must always be made between similar elements.
E: This answer choice incorrectly uses "like" to compare "spiraling out of control" and "did earlier in the decade"; remember, “like” is used for comparing nouns, “as” is used for comparing actions/clauses, and “such as” is used for giving examples.
To understand the concept of "Like" vs "As" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):
All the best!
Experts' Global Team
Hence, B is the best answer choice.