As contrasted with landlocked Kazakhstan, Ukraine borders the Black Sea, which via the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles connects it to the world ocean.

A. As contrasted with landlocked Kazakhstan
Wordy
B. Unlike the lack of a coast of Kazakhstan
Incorrect. Comparing coast to a country
C. In contrast to landlocked Kazakhstan's
Incorrect, Comparing something from a country with another country
D. Unlike landlocked Kazakhstan
Correct.
E. Unlike that of landlocked Kazakhstan
Incorrect. See C.

As contrasted with landlocked Kazakhstan, Ukraine borders the Black Sea, which via the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles connects it to the world ocean.

A. As contrasted with landlocked Kazakhstan
B. Unlike the lack of a coast of Kazakhstan
C. In contrast to landlocked Kazakhstan's
D. Unlike landlocked Kazakhstan
E. Unlike that of landlocked Kazakhstan

This is a straight forward Comparison question in where Kazakhstan is compare to Ukraine.
Option A, As contrasted with is an incorrect idiom.
Option B compares the lack of a coast of kazhakhstan to Ukraine. Also this violates the rule of Like/Unlike.
In option C, possessive form is compared to noun Ukraine wrongly.
Option E introduces another comparison error. It cannot be inferred what "That of" refers to Ukraine or border or anything else.

this was such a simple question. Shame if i got it wrong....
wish actual GMAT questions were this simple....

As contrasted with landlocked Kazakhstan, Ukraine borders the Black Sea, which via the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles connects it to the world ocean.

A. As contrasted with landlocked Kazakhstan=>wrong usage-idiomatic (pls find ref. below)

B. Unlike the lack of a coast of Kazakhstan=>comparison error

C. In contrast to landlocked Kazakhstan's=>comparison error; missing verb

D. Unlike landlocked Kazakhstan=>perfect

E. Unlike that of landlocked Kazakhstan=>wordy

IMO it should be D; not so sure how to clearly eliminate E.

awaiting OA.

Somewhat similar questions:
unlike-that-of-earlier-works-on-slavery-blassingames-102088.html
as-contrasted-with-the-honeybee-the-yellow-jacket-can-sting-48372.html


Ref. : http://magoosh.com/gmat/2013/gmat-idioms-of-comparison/


Rgds.

As contrasted with landlocked Kazakhstan, Ukraine borders the Black Sea, which via the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles connects it to the world ocean.

A. As contrasted with landlocked Kazakhstan

B. Unlike the lack of a coast of Kazakhstan

C. In contrast to landlocked Kazakhstan's

D. Unlike landlocked Kazakhstan

E. Unlike that of landlocked Kazakhstan

Here is my thought on this. the core sentence is the last part, which via the.., this can be ignore completely as the which is referring to black sea. So the comparison in the first sentence is referring to a country ukraine. This rules out option C, E (that of refers to the borders) and also B (as it refers to coast of kazak). Between A and D, as contrasted with is not the right idiom. Hence option is the best choice.

Here's how u can eliminate E:
E is wrong because it compares 'That' of Kazakhstan to Ukraine. We need to compare either Kazakhstan to Ukraine or That of Kazakhstan to That of Ukraine, cant mix the two. Moreover, 'That' is not making sense at all. It appears to be referring to Border of Kazakhstan but it isnt (it cant because the next part of the sentence uses Border as verb, u cant compare Nouns with Verbs). 'That' can refer to anything but Kazakhstan. Hence we are not comparing similar entities.

Please take note, this is a really common error the GMAT uses in wrong answer choices of comparison. Generally, Subject of part before comma is compared to subject of part after comma.
eg: Unlike that of Kazakhstan, border of Ukraine... - Compares border to border (Correct usage)
Unlike Kazakhstan, Ukraine borders... - Compares Country to Country (plz note here 'Borders' is a verb) (Correct Usage)

Experts, Please correct me if the reasoning is wrong.

I was between C and D until I noticed the "´s".

In my opinion the answer is D.

One question, if C was "C. In contrast to landlocked Kazakhstan", would it be correct?

D it is...!!
Kazakhstan has been compared with Ukraine....straight away D....no other option gives such comparison..

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