Like the idolization accorded the Brontes and Brownings, James Joyce

This is actually a mistake in bringing the problem over. The original problem uses 'the' instead of 'this'.

KW

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The original sentence compares idolization to James Joyce and Virginia Wolf. This is incorrect.
'Like' is used to compare nouns. These two points eliminate answers A,B,C and D

Comparisons - Like vs As
Like: used to compare nouns, pronouns, or noun phrases.
As: used to compare two clauses.

The intention of this sentence is to compare nouns - Brontes and Brownings with Joyce and Woolf.

Eliminate B and D


Invalid comparison. This sentence compares idolization with Brontes and Brownings.


We should ask ourselves what "that" is referring to. Logically, it could only refer to "the veneration," which is VERY far away. And even if we could reach that far, our comparison would be invalid.

Our comparison would be "Like the veneration accorded to the Brontes and Brownings, James Joyce and Virginia Woolf..."

We can't compare "veneration" with "Joyce and Woolf."


Correct comparison. We're comparing the Brontes and Brownings with Joyce and Woolf.

(A) Like the Idolization accorded the Brontes and Brownings
- Comparing Idolization to Joyce and Woolfe doesn't make logical sense.

(B) As the Brontes' and Brownings' idolization
- This made little logical sense to me, as we are still looking at 'idolization' as the subject, which wouldn't be compared to Joyce and Woolfe

(C) Like that accorded to the Brontes and Brownings
- THAT is dangling for me, there is a sense of ambiguity to what it is referring to.

(D) As it is of the Brontes and Brownings
- Similar to above, what is???

(E) Like the Brontes and Brownings
- Correct use of 'Like' - when comparing, the correct construction is 'like + Noun,' therefore this fits perfectly with grammar rule.

(E) Correct answer

(A) Like the Idolization accorded the Brontes and Brownings
(1) Not comparing apples to apples – “idolization” to “James Joyce and Virginia Woolf”

(B) As the Brontes' and Brownings' idolization
(1) Not comparing apples to apples – “idolization” to “James Joyce and Virginia Woolf”

(C) Like that accorded to the Brontes and Brownings
(1) Not comparing apples to apples – “that [presumably, idolization]” to “James Joyce and Virginia Woolf”

(D) As it is of the Brontes and Brownings
(1) Not comparing apples to apples – “it [presumably, idolization]” to “James Joyce and Virginia Woolf”

(E) Like the Brontes and Brownings
best option

Though I agree on the points made above, I am still confused over extra "s" in the 'Brontes' and 'Brownings'.... It sounds me like an apostrophe "s"... reading 'E' creates a sense as : Like the Brontes and Brownings XYZ, James Joyce and Virginia Woolf are often subjected ......

Hi bansalgaurav,

The word "Brontes" has an "s" because it is plural. The reference is to the Bronte sisters (Charlotte, Emily, and Anne). We need the last name to be plural because there is more than one "Bronte".

Singular: Bronte
Plural: Brontes

The possessives are:
Singular: Bronte's
Plural: Brontes'

Hope this helps!

We need to compare Brontes and Brownings with James Joyce and Virginia Woolf. any option that is not having this comparison will be incorrect.

Option A - Incorrect comparison. Idolization is compared to James Joyce and Virginia Woolf
Option B - Incorrect comparison. Idolization is compared to James Joyce and Virginia Woolf
Option C - Incorrect comparison. Kind of Veneration is compared to James Joyce and Virginia Woolf
Option D - Incorrect comparison. It refers to Kind of veneration, and Kind of veneration is compared to James Joyce and Virginia Woolf.
Also, if "as" is used as conjunction than as is preferred at the end of the sentence, and Like is preferred at the beginning of the sentence.

Option E. Correct comparison. Comparison is between Brontes and Brownings.

Thanks,
Anshul P

Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation to this question-

Concepts tested here: Comparisons

• Comparisons must always be made between similar things.

A:
1/ This answer choice incorrectly compares "the idolization accorded the Brontes and Brownings" to "James Joyce and Virginia Woolf"; remember, comparisons must always be made between similar things.

B:
1/ This answer choice incorrectly compares "the Brontes' and Brownings' idolization" to "James Joyce and Virginia Woolf"; remember, comparisons must always be made between similar things.

C:
1/ This answer choice incorrectly compares "that accorded to the Brontes and Brownings" to "James Joyce and Virginia Woolf"; remember, comparisons must always be made between similar things.

D:
1/ This answer choice incorrectly compares "it is of the Brontes and Brownings" to "James Joyce and Virginia Woolf"; remember, comparisons must always be made between similar things.

E: Correct.
1/ This answer choice correctly compares "the Brontes and Brownings" with "James Joyce and Virginia Woolf".

Hence, E is the best answer choice.

All the best!
Experts' Global Team

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