Like the idolization accorded the Brontes and Brownings, James Joyce

Question

Like the idolization accorded the Brontes and Brownings , James Joyce and Virginia Woolf are often subjected to the kind of veneration that blurs the distinction between the artist and the human being.

(A) Like the Idolization accorded the Brontes and Brownings

(B) As the Brontes' and Brownings' idolization

(C) Like that accorded to the Brontes and Brownings

(D) As it is of the Brontes and Brownings

(E) Like the Brontes and Brownings

whamberto · Accepted Answer

I chose E as the correct answer:

The use of "like" signals a comparison in which the 2 things being compared should be logically and grammatically parallel.

A. In this answer choice, the idolization is being compared to 2 people - James Joyce and Virginia Woolf. This does not make sense.

B. Again, idolization is beging compared to the 2 people.

C. I was not sure what "that" refers to. Also, it seems like "that accorded" is being compared to James Joyce and Virginia Woolf. This answer can't be right.

D. The use of "it" is ambiguous because I'm not sure what it is supposed to refer to. Again, "it" is being compared to the 2 people.

E. This answer clearly states the comparison. The use of "like" is correct and the Brontes and Brownings are accurately compared to James Joyce and Virginia Woolf.

sriniwas · Answer

Hello,

What does the pronoun "this" (in 'this kind') refer to?

Thanks!

KyleWiddison · Answer

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

KW

Posted from my mobile device

sasyaharry · Answer

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

MikeScarn · Answer

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 .

Coxy4972 · Answer

(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

mba757 · 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  ” to “James Joyce and Virginia Woolf”

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

(E) Like the Brontes and Brownings
 best option

bansalgaurav · Answer

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 ......

GVelarde · Answer

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!

anshul0130 · Answer

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

ExpertsGlobal5 · Answer

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

VerbalBot · Answer

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Like the idolization accorded the Brontes and Brownings, James Joyce

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Like the idolization accorded the Brontes and Brownings, James Joyce

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