Early medieval monasteries, while clearly less accessible to outsiders, often served as repositories for texts like modern libraries . (A) while clearly less accessible to outsiders, often served as repositories for texts like modern libraries (B) like modern libraries, often served as text repositories, though they were clearly less accessible to outsiders (C) while clearly less accessible to outsiders, often served as repositories for texts as does the modern libary (D) like modern libraries, while clearly less accessible to outsiders, often served as repositories for texts (E) while clearly less accessible to outsiders, acted like modern libraries act by serving as repositories for texts Image: early_monasteries.jpg This sentence is challenging because of all the things it's trying to do: You have to make a comparison between early medieval monasteries and modern libraries, while also taking into account a modifier for those early medieval monasteries. The modifier, "while clearly less accessible to outsiders," must come directly next to early medieval monasteries, so (B) and (D) are out. Additionally, in (B), it's not clear what they refers to. Now, of the remaining options, (A), (C), and (E), which phrasing works best—like modern libraries or as does the modern library7 The second option is incorrect, as in choice (C); libraries needs to be plural in order to parallel monasteries. And finally, eliminate (E) because acted like modern libraries act is wordier and clumsier than like modern libraries. (A) is the correct answer.

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Early medieval monasteries, while clearly less accessible to

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LakerFan24

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14 Apr 2017, 09:59

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Why is "C" not the right answer? toward the latter end of the sentence, it says "served as repositories ...". Are we not comparing medieval monasteries with modern libraries by their capacity to "serve as repositories"? That's why I believed we need an "as does"

then the problem is which "as does modern libraries" modify. It seems the phrase modify the medieval monastery, so it should be next the the subject, not repositories

hope it clear

I agree with your point -- "as does modern library" should modify the medieval monastery, BUT A/C "A" is structured the exact same way. Therefore, if "C" commits this error, then "A" does too.

The only other issue I can find with "C" is "modern library" = singular, whereas "medieval monasteries" = plural. it would be better if both were parallel. That said, is this enough to counter the "like" vs. "as does"? I'm not entirely sold.

Any other explanations?

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chesstitans

LakerFan24

then the problem is which "as does modern libraries" modify. It seems the phrase modify the medieval monastery, so it should be next the the subject, not repositories

hope it clear

In A, the noun modifier "like modern libraries" is misplaced. Since it refers to the noun "Early medieval monasteries", it should have been placed at the beginning of the sentence so that it touched the noun it refers to:

Like modern libraries, early medieval monasteries, while clearly less accessible to outsiders, often served as repositories for texts.

C is better because two verbs "served" and "does" are compared using "as". The singular plural mix is not really a problem - parallel clauses do not require that their subjects be both singular or both plural.

I believe in transparency as do all my friends... correct ( The parallel clauses have subjects "I" and "friends", one singular and the other plural).

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the problem with C is that "library" needs a plural form to be parallel with "medieval monasteries".

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Early medieval monasteries, while clearly less accessible to outsiders, often served as repositories for texts like modern libraries.

(A) while clearly less accessible to outsiders, often served as repositories for texts like modern libraries

(B) like modern libraries, often served as text repositories, though they were clearly less accessible to outsiders

(C) while clearly less accessible to outsiders, often served as repositories for texts as does the modern library

(D) like modern libraries, while clearly less accessible to outsiders, often served as repositories for texts

(E) while clearly less accessible to outsiders, acted like modern libraries act by serving as repositories for texts

(B) & (D) are out right away because "while clearly less accessible" is misplaced.
Monasteries are less accessible; modern libraries are not less accessible, in fact, they should be more accessible.
This is the intended meaning of the sentence. Monasteries have similar functions modern libraries do, but monasteries were less accessible.

(C) is out because at the end of the sentence it changes to a singular library. It's comparing monasteries (a general term) to "the modern library" (a specific).

Between (A) and (E), (A) just seems better.

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12 May 2020, 02:18

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why c is incorrect ? GMATNinja generis

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12 May 2020, 03:01

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GMATNinja

Why is Option A correct.

Here the comparison is between how the 'Early medieval libraries' act v/s how do the modern libraries act.

So shouldn't this comparison be explicitly indicated by 'as' rather than 'like'

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Hi

Let me try to answer your query.

"Like" is typically used to indicate similarity and is used preceding nouns. For eg:

John and Stuart, like their father Benjamin, are left handed.

Here, we communicate the idea that John and Stuart are similar to their father Benjamin in the fact that they are right handed.

"As", on the other hand, is used to indicate "the same". It is typically used before a clause. However, "as" can also be used to indicate roles or functions, in which case it can be used before a noun as well. For eg:

John works in an auto firm, as does Stuart. Here, we intend to communicate that John and Stuart are the same in the specific fact that both work for auto firms.
As your teacher, I must tell you about your weaknesses. Here, we communicate my role of a teacher and hence the use of "as" is justified.

Now, coming to the question under consideration, the idea being communicated clearly is that early monasteries are similar to modern libraries in that they "served as repositories for texts". Hence, "like" is the correct usage.

Hope this helps.

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