Hi folks,

I’m afraid the correct answer for this one is choice E and not choice D.

Although the turtle has been toothless for more than 150 million years, in some contemporary turtle species the moderately sharp and jagged edges of their horny jaws function for teeth.

Per the context of the sentence, it is not difficult to understand that here turtle’s “horny jaws” are NOT compared to “teeth”. The horny jaws actually play the role/function of teeth. Hence, this sentence presents function of horny jaws.

PoE:

A. their horny jaws function for teeth: Incorrect.
1. Plural pronoun “their” does not agree in number with singular “turtle”.
2. Use of “for” is incorrect.

B. its horny jaws function for teeth: Incorrect. Use of “for” is unidiomatic.

C. its horny jaws function as do teeth: Incorrect. Notice that “as” is followed by a clause here, presenting comparison. This is not correct because the sentence does not compare the horny jaws with teeth.

D the horny jaws function as teeth do: Incorrect. Same as choice C.

E the horny jaws function as teeth: Correct. When “as” is used to present role/function of something/someone, it is followed by a noun entity. Here “as” is correctly followed by noun entity “teeth”. Hence, this is the correct answer.

P.S: To be able to get rid of the confusion of when to use “as” and when to use “like”, read the article by clicking on the following link:
as-vs-like-correct-and-incorrect-usages-133950.html

Also. At e-gmat, we have 4 dedicated “In-depth” concepts for this topic with many exercise questions. In fact, “Usage of Like” features in our free concepts level – Level 1 Preview Concepts. Just log in to e-gmat.com, register for FREE and learn the concept.

Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Shraddha
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straight E, cause it's the only option that compares silmilar things. C and D compares action to noun.

Although the turtle has been toothless for more than 150 million years, in some contemporary 'turtle' species the moderately sharp and jagged edges of their horny jaws function for teeth.

a) their horny jaws function for teeth ----- 'their' is Plural - Should agree with 'turtle' in number

b) its horny jaws function for teeth ----- 'function for' is unidiomatic. It should be function AS x does.

c) its horny jaws function as do teeth

d) the horny jaws function as teeth do ------ It's the turtle's horny jaws that is being mentioned not some random horny jaw. Hence the possessive case 'its' should be used

e) the horny jaws function as teeth ------- Same as above + fuction as teeth 'do' is the correct way to compare an action.


Ans is C

i think we can eliminate A for unidiomatic "function for" rather than SVA since their here refers to "turtle species" rather than turtle...am i right in this reasoning..????

Its or Their is not required.. A,B,C are out..

Here subject is clear.. "contemporaty turtle species"
"in some contemporary turtle species the moderately sharp and jagged edges of their horny jaws function for teeth"
= In X the moderately sharp and jagged edges of horny jaws function as teeth.
( it clear that we are talking about X's horny jaws .. We need not to refer with possive pronoun.. )

D) Y [of horny jaws] function as Z do. "Y" not || "Z do "
E) Y [of horny jaws] function as Z. Y ||Z

E is perfect.
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I believe the correct idiom is function as... so a,b, and c are out
Between D&E, D changes the meaning to say that the jaws perform the same functions as teeth do (the jaws chew), whereas E retains the original meaning that the jaws act as teeth -> so E

I go with E.

B and C are out because the sentence mentions in some species... Hence its more appropriate to use 'the'.

I think 'their' would be correct as subject is plural in the second clause.
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Agree with the explanation . E it is

Although the turtle has been toothless for more than 150 million years, in some contemporary turtle species the moderately sharp and jagged edges of their horny jaws function for teeth.
a) their horny jaws function for teeth
b) its horny jaws function for teeth
c) its horny jaws function as do teeth
d) the horny jaws function as teeth do
e) the horny jaws function as teeth

OA:E

correct idiom function as>>Eliminate A,B

Point to be noted:species can be used as both singular/plural

Between C,D,E??
The it is said to work as a possesive poison..this is not clear..please explain in detail
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