fameatop
In order to ensure that chemical reaction in the lab behave as predicted by their mathematical formulas, it is important the heat be applied evenly over the total surface area of the flask instead of a series of irregular points on the surface.
A) instead of
B) as compared with
C) in contrast with
D) rather than to
E) as against being at
As you can see from this problem, it is critical to determine precisely what is being compared. What is being compared in this sentence? \(Where\) the heat is being applied. If you said “location,” you’re partially correct, but with a significant piece missing. In the first portion of the comparison, the heat is being applied “over the total surface area.” Yes, “the total surface area” is the location of the application, but the word “over” is just as important.
Without a preposition to introduce the location in the second portion of the comparison (“to a series of irregular points”), the comparison lacks equivalency of form. To be properly compared, the heat must be applied evenly:
1.
over the entire surface area
rather than
2.
to a series of irregular points.
None of the other answer choices (except answer choice E, which is clearly wrong because of the poor diction (“as against being”) contain the necessary preposition of location to make an exact comparison between the same things:
where the heat is being applied. The correct answer choice is D.