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uHCWB
I thought "as" should be used before an action. But, this time "as" is used to introduce role, I guess

yes you are right. AS has been used here to introduce role of. Even I got this question wrong.
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I got my answer correct but was confused between A and C
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hotshot02
How E is wrong?
It will be helpful if someone can explain..

E is wrong because two independent clauses are connected without any connectors.
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koushiksaha4all
As specific divergent sites that embrace both the material and immaterial, in varying degrees, most hybrid religions are disturbing places of incongruity and difference.

A. As specific divergent sites that embrace both the material and immaterial, in varying degrees, most hybrid religions
B. In similar way that specific divergent sites embrace in varying degrees the material and also the immaterial, most hybrid religions
C. As specific divergent sites embrace both the material and the immaterial, most hybrid religions in varying degrees
D. Most hybrid religions, as specific divergent sites, embracing in varying degrees both the material and the immaterial,
E. Specific divergent sites embrace both the material and the immaterial in varying degrees, similarly most hybrid religions


A can't be correct. It says,"As specific divergent sites that embrace both the material and immaterial, in varying degrees, most hybrid religions"

That is not the correct usage of both X and Y. While posting the question please specify the source.
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Shouldn't answer be C. It shows

1. the correct usage of Both X and Y
2. 'in varying degrees' is modifying most hybrid religions.

In A, I believe it is not clear what 'in varying degrees' modifier is modifying.

Please confirm.
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Can experts comment on the validity of this question?
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Choice E changes the intended meaning of the sentence. Remember the word 'as' can act as a conjunction or a preposition depending on the context.

In Choice A ‘As’ is used as a comparison (As = in the same way). Replace it in the sentence (In the same way specific divergent sites that embrace _________) and implies a contrast in the second clause.

In answer choice E ‘similarly’ incorrectly implies similarity rather than difference. It’s saying the first clause is similar to the second clause which is not the intended meaning.
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It's an excerpt from the book (Buddhism and Postmodern Imaginings in Thailand: The Religiosity of Urban Space
By James Taylor), and there is no comma after the word DEGREES in the book. Doubt the question, experts plz shed some light. I did it right though for the same reason rohan2345 explained, but need an explanation from experts.
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forgot to mention that option A is indeed the sentence written in the book but without a comma after the word degrees
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spring2015
It's an excerpt from the book (Buddhism and Postmodern Imaginings in Thailand: The Religiosity of Urban Space
By James Taylor), and there is no comma after the word DEGREES in the book. Doubt the question, experts plz shed some light. I did it right though for the same reason rohan2345 explained, but need an explanation from experts.

There MUST be a comma after "degrees". The main clause is:

Most hybrid religions are disturbing places of incongruity and difference.
Subject: Most hybrid religions

The modifier of this subject is "As specific divergent sites that embrace both the material and immaterial, in varying degrees,". Hence a comma is required after "degrees".
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Expert,
Can you please explain how A is better than C? As someone mentioned in above posts, I think in option A it is not clear what - "in varying degrees" is modifying?
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Expert,
Can you please explain how A is better than C? As someone mentioned in above posts, I think in option A it is not clear what - "in varying degrees" is modifying?

"In varying degree" is a verb modifier referring to "embrace" - the embracing of the material and the immaterial occurs in varying degrees, e.g., some may embrace more of material than of immaterial, while the others more of immaterial than of material. Such varying degree of embracing is the reason that hybrid religions are incongruous and different.

Option C does not make any sense. First, it is not clear that the divergent sites are themselves the hybrid religions. Second, "in varying degrees" wrongly refers to the verb "are".
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adityapareshshah
Can experts comment on the validity of this question?

FYI, saharshbagaria also, I've just encountered this question in GMAT Club CAT.
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my 1st attempt in the verbal test was wrong but after reading 5-6 times ,I understood the question .
option A is right . AS is correct to compare 2 actions.
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Shouldn't like be used here rather than 'as'?

Like specific divergent sites(that do XYZ), most hybrid religions......

How is the first part of the sentence an action?
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koushiksaha4all
As specific divergent sites that embrace both the material and immaterial, in varying degrees, most hybrid religions are disturbing places of incongruity and difference.

A. As specific divergent sites that embrace both the material and immaterial, in varying degrees, most hybrid religions
B. In similar way that specific divergent sites embrace in varying degrees the material and also the immaterial, most hybrid religions
C. As specific divergent sites embrace both the material and the immaterial, most hybrid religions in varying degrees
D. Most hybrid religions, as specific divergent sites, embracing in varying degrees both the material and the immaterial,
E. Specific divergent sites embrace both the material and the immaterial in varying degrees, similarly most hybrid religions

This question is based on Modifiers.

The sentence begins with a modifier - As specific divergent sites that embrace both the material and immaterial – that describes the subject – most hybrid religions. There is another modifier – in varying degrees - placed in between that modifies the verb ‘embrace’. Option A is the only option that conveys the intended meaning.

Option B changes the meaning by the use of the phrase “In a similar way”. This phrase conveys a comparison between specific divergent sites and hybrid religions. However, the basis of comparison is illogical as the sentence compares the way divergent sites embrace in varying degrees the material and also the immaterial with hybrid religions as disturbing places of incongruity and difference. So, Option B can be eliminated.

The difference between the modifier in Option A and Option C is the relative pronoun ‘that’. The use of the pronoun ‘that’ converts it into an adjective modifier. When the pronoun is removed, the modifier becomes an adverbial modifier that cannot modify the noun ‘hybrid religions’. The conjunction ‘as’ conveys a sense of time, i.e., two actions happening together, which is not the intended meaning in this sentence. So, Option C can be eliminated.

In Option D, the participle phrase “embracing in varying degrees both the material and the immaterial” modifies the subject “most hybrid religions”. However, it is meant to modify the subject ‘specific divergent sites. So, Option D can be eliminated.

Option E consists of two independent clauses that are separated by a comma. The adverb similarly indicates a comparison that is not completely logical.

The conjunction ‘as’ conveys the meaning “in the manner of”. The intended meaning of the sentence is that in the manner of specific divergent sites that embrace both the material and immaterial, in varying degrees, most hybrid religions are disturbing places of incongruity and difference. This is conveyed by Option A. Therefore, A is the most appropriate option.

Jayanthi Kumar.
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I choose C because after "as" we have a clause. In option A we are comparing two nouns using as (which I believe is incorrect). I agree that most hybrid religions in varying degrees distorts the meaning.
Pls help me in eliminating C
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