Dear Friends,
Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
generis wrote:
In his eagerness to find a city worthy of Priam, the German archaeologist Schliemann cut through Troy and uncovered a civilization a thousand years older as was the city Homer's heroes knew.
(A) older as was the city Homer's heroes knew
(B) more ancient than the city known to Homer's heroes
(C) older than was the city known to Homer's heroes
(D) more ancient of a city than Homer's heroes knew
(E) older of a city than was the one known to Homer's heroes
Concepts tested here: Comparisons + Idioms . Terms such as "more" and "less" must have a logical sequence with "than"; in a comparison, "more/less...than" is the idiomatic construction.
. A comparison must always be made between similar elements.
A: This answer choice incorrectly compares the noun “civilization” to the verb phrase “was the city Homer's heroes knew”; please remember, a comparison must always be made between similar elements. Further, Option A incorrectly uses the unidiomatic construction “older as”; remember, terms such as "more" and "less" must have a logical sequence with "than"; in a comparison, "more/less...than" is the idiomatic construction.
B: Correct. This answer choice correctly compares the noun “civilization” with the noun “the city”. Further, Option B correctly uses the idiomatic construction “older + than”. Additionally, Option B is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.
C: This answer choice incorrectly compares the noun “civilization” to the verb phrase “was the city known to Homer's heroes”; please remember, a comparison must always be made between similar elements.
D: This answer choice incorrectly compares the noun “civilization” to the verb phrase “Homer's heroes knew”; please remember, a comparison must always be made between similar elements. Further, Option D uses the needlessly wordy phrase “more ancient of a city”, rendering it awkward and redundant.
E: E. This answer choice incorrectly compares the noun “civilization” to the verb phrase “was the one known to Homer's heroes”; please remember, a comparison must always be made between similar elements. Further, Option E uses the needlessly wordy phrase “older of a city”, rendering it awkward and redundant.
Hence, B is the best answer choice.All the best!
Experts' Global Team
Small typo in B's explanation. 'Older' is not used. But it was helpful. Thank you