Expanded E
Based on recent box office receipts, the public's appetite for documentary films, like its interest in nonfiction books, seems to be on the rise. –Here, if momentarily mask the modifier in between the commas, then it will be clear that the verb actually belongs to the public's appetite for documentary films; thus what follow like is not a clause but simply a noun phrase. Hence E is good.
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Official Solution (Credit: Manhattan Prep)

The original sentence contains a faulty comparison. “Nonfiction books” is either illogically compared to “the public’s appetite,” or improperly used to suggest that "nonfiction books" are examples of “documentary films.” The proper comparison should be between the public's "appetite" for x and its "appetite" for y.

(A) This choice is incorrect as it repeats the original sentence.

(B) In this choice, "nonfiction books" is illogically compared to the public's "appetite." The proper comparison should be between the public's "appetite" for x and its "appetite" for y. Moreover, the use of the comparison word "as" is incorrect. "As" is used to compare verb phrases, not nouns; in this case, two nouns ("appetite" and "interest") are compared so the comparison word "like" should be used instead.

(C) This choice logically compares the public's "appetite" for documentary films to its "interest" in nonfiction books. However, the use of the comparison word "as" is incorrect. "As" is used to compare verb phrases, not nouns; in this case, two nouns ("appetite" and "interest") are compared so the comparison word "like" should be used instead.

(D) This choice logically compares the public's "appetite" for documentary films to its "interest" in nonfiction books. However, this choice incorrectly uses the plural pronoun "their" to refer to the singular noun "the public."

(E) CORRECT. This choice logically compares the public's "appetite" for documentary films to its "interest" in nonfiction books.

Its D,
we need to compare "appetite for documentary films" to interest in nonfiction books

Based on recent box office receipts, the public's appetite for documentary films, like nonfiction books, seems to be on the rise.

a. like nonfiction books-wrong comparision

b. as nonfiction books-again the same as A

c. as its interest in nonfiction books-it is fine except fo AS
d. like their interest in nonfiction books--sounds oK but find out whether public is plural or singular
e. like its interest in nonfiction books -- i go for this

Guys please correct me.

Her we are comparing actions (appetite and interest) and for comparing action we use "as" and not "like".

Should not the answer be C in that case.

I used to look at comparison that way, but it is incorrect. "As" and "like" can be used interchangeably. If C were correct, it would have had a verb after books.

"the public's appetite for [X], like the public's [something] for [nonfiction books], seems to be on the rise.

X&Y consistency

the format should be [something] for [nonfiction books]

So you want something in the form of answer (D) or (E).

(C) is no good because "as" does not draw a comparison---"like" is used for comparisons as in this case. (Notice I just used "as" because I wasn't drawing a comparison).


But between (D) and (E) which one?

Well, it's also testing singular vs plural (public - singular or plural?)

Public refer to a collection of people, but the word itself is SINGULAR.

So between (D) and (E), you have to choose (E): like its interest in nonfiction books.

Thanks daagh.

So correct me If I am wrong.

In the GMAT

'Like' is only compatible with either a Noun or a Noun Phrase (when comparing, Infact,it's always a comparison when we use 'Like')

whereas, 'As' is compatible with a Clause ( when comparing)
& it's As + Noun ( when stating Function / Designation)

Are there still any other exceptions to these guidelines?

If yes, please state them.

how come their does not refer to public's appetite where as its refer to public's appetite. I do not understand please explain

In American English, public is taken as singular. hence, E is correct. But In British English, public can be either singular or plural. But GMAT is American
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A and B compare ‘public’s appetite’ to ‘nonfiction books’ WRONG
C uses ‘as’ to refer to a noun WRONG
D uses ‘their’ to refer to ‘appetite’ (singular) WRONG

So the only option left is E.

I was down to two options.

D and E.

D- like their interest in nonfiction books- their is wrong as it is referring to 'public's appetite'
E - like its interest in nonfiction books- Correct. In sentence 'its' is referring to public's appetite'.
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Question ...
The its in the correct answer choice is referring back to a possessive noun form, that of public's appetite. Can pronouns refer back to possessive noun forms?
Would not, then, the correct answer choice essentially read .... like the public's appetite interest for ...?

Hi.... In the answer choice: "like its interest in nonfiction books" ---> "its" is referring back to possessive noun "the public's"....Remember "its" can be used for singular Possessive noun.

Hi ankitprad, this is in fact a perfect usage: a possessive pronoun referring to a possessive noun!


Correct, and that's the intended meaning as well: like the public's appetite interest in nonfiction books
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" comma+like" dose not refer to the close noun, it refers to the subject and the preceding clause.

I thought that "like" can only be used if comparing to similar things.
Are "appetite" and "interest" considered similar?

Hi fireagablast, basically like is used to depict similar characteristic between two entities.

Here, the two entities are:

i) public's appetite for documentary films
ii) public's interest in nonfiction books

Similar characteristic: Both entities are on the rise.

Another officially correct sentence that you might initially find confusing:

Like the grassy fields and old pastures that the upland sandpiper needs for feeding and nesting when it returns in May after wintering in the Argentine Pampas, the bird itself is vanishing in the northeastern United States as a result of residential and industrial development and of changes in farming practices.

Again, the two entities are:

i) the grassy fields and old pastures
ii) the bird

Similar characteristic: Both entities are vanishing.

p.s. Our book EducationAisle Sentence Correction Nirvana discusses the usage of "like", its application and examples in significant detail. If you or someone is interested, PM me your email-id; I can mail the corresponding section.
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