Hello Everyone!
It looks like we have a
comparison question here, and that means we are mainly dealing with parallel structure and idioms! Let’s take a quick look at each option to figure out what to focus on:
1. Checking that the two items being compared are equal
2. Using correct idiomatic terms for comparisonsLet’s start with #1 on our list. In all of the options, the first half of the comparison focuses on “ants.” This means the other half of the comparison must focus on something of equal value – in this case, termites. Let’s see how each answer holds up:
(A) As with
ants,
the elaborate social structure of termites includes a few individuals reproducing →
NOT PARALLEL(B) As do
ants,
termites have an elaborate social structure, which includes a few individuals to reproduce →
PARALLEL(C) Just as with
ants,
termite social structure is elaborate, including a few individuals for reproducing →
NOT PARALLEL(D) Like
ants,
termites have an elaborate social structure in which a few individuals reproduce →
PARALLEL(E) Like
that of ants,
the termite social structure is elaborate, including a few individuals that reproduce →
PARALLELThere you go – right away, we can toss out options A and C because they are not comparing two equal items! Now that we have it narrowed down to just B, D, and E.
If you read option E closely, you may see it has another problem with parallelism:
(E) Like that of ants, the termite social structure is elaborate, including a few
individuals that reproduce and
the rest serveFor this to be parallel, these two parts would need to be adjusted. It could say "individuals
that reproduce and the rest
that serve," or reword it to get rid of the word "that" on both sides.
So let's toss out option E because it also doesn't uses parallel structure.Let’s look at #2 on our list: idiomatic terms for comparison.On the GMAT exam, the use of "like" vs. "as" has to do with what two things are being compared. We use "like" to compare two nouns, and "as" to compare two actions or phrases with verbs attached to them.
LIKE = noun + noun (The yellow
car, like the red
car, comes with a sunroof.)
AS = verb phrase + verb phrase (My aunt
bakes soft oatmeal cookies, as her mother
did when she was a child.)
So let's see how options B and D stack up:
(B) As do ants, termites have an elaborate social structure, which includes a few individuals to reproduce → WRONGWe don't use "as" to compare two nouns - it should be "like."
(D) Like ants, termites have an elaborate social structure in which a few individuals reproduce → CORRECT!There you go – you’re left with only one option!
Option D is correct because it uses the proper “like” for a comparison of two nouns, and the two items being compared are equal!Don’t study for the GMAT. Train for it.
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