Neuroscientists distinguish organic amnesia, which has some physical

here is the official explanation from kaplan

I beg to differ with your reasoning. Using 'and' is as meaningful as using 'from' in relation to the word 'Distinguish'. I don't think this question is representative of GMAT, especially, given the fact that options A & D have no errors in them.

Secondly, when you can distinguish A-s from B-s, the emphasis is on the A-s. You are capable of singling an A out, when you see it in a bundle of A-s and B-s. Of course, if you can do that, you can logically do the converse (B-s) too.

On the other hand, when you can distinguish between A-s and B-s, there is no such emphasis. The weight is on the act of distinguishing itself, and A-s and B-s are, so to say, equals.

In the original question, clearly the author is implying to stress that one amnesia is different from the other.

Correct Idiom : " distinguish between A and B "
Answer : D

The first modifier in E also has some problems that others didn't mention:

1) We can't say that some cause exists "in" organic amnesia. We'd need to say "FOR which some cause exists."
2) It's odd to put "such as" after a verb. Since we want "such as" to provide an example of a cause, it makes more sense to have it following the word "cause," as in D.

The question is based on Idiomatic Usage and Parallelism.
The verb just before the underlined portion begins is ‘distinguish’.
The phrase is either distinguish X from Y, or distinguish between X and Y.
‘Distinguish from’ is used when we want to show that a certain quality differentiates X from Y.
E.g.: The efficiency of XYZ car distinguishes it from all the other cars in that segment.

‘Distinguish between’ is used when we want to demonstrate or point out the differences between X and Y.
E.g.: The study distinguishes between commuters who use private transport and commuters who use public transport.

In this sentence, it is the latter meaning that is conveyed. The neuroscientists are pointing out that the two types of amnesia are different. There is no suggestion that one is superior to the other or that there is some quality that sets one or the other apart. There are modifiers to describe the cause of each.

Options A and B contain the former phrase and Options C, D, and E contain the latter. Since the meaning conveyed by the latter phrase is required, Options A and B can be eliminated.

Let us examine the options further:
In Option B, the modifiers are not placed next to their respective subjects, but have been clubbed together at the end, affecting the clarity of the sentence. So, Option B can be eliminated.

In Option C, the pronoun “they” refers to “Neuroscientists”, conveying the meaning that neuroscientists have experienced some……..head. The meaning thus conveyed is illogical, so Option C can be eliminated.

In Option E, there is a lack of parallelism in the way the two types of amnesia are described. The modifiers are not structured in a similar manner. Furthermore, the meaning conveyed by the phrase “in which some physical cause exists” is that some physical causes exists in organic amnesia. The meaning is illogical as a cause cannot exist in the thing. So, Option E can also be eliminated.

The only difference between A and D is that of the phrase. However, as discussed above, the meaning required by the sentence is conveyed by the phrase ‘distinguish between’, so, Option A can be eliminated.

Therefore, D is the most appropriate option.

Jayanthi Kumar.

Well said and agree. All the other ‘experts’ over here try to justify the answer after probably knowing what it is.

This explanation is on target! Kudos to you.
Not a good Qn from Kaplan

Posted from my mobile device

The key to cracking the question is getting the comparison correct

(A) organic amnesia, which has some physical cause such as an occurrence of blunt force trauma to the head, from psychogenic amnesia, which is purely psychological in origin
This conveys distorted meaninig and the comparison is not complete

(B) organic amnesia from psychogenic amnesia, the first of which has some physical cause such as an occurrence of blunt force trauma to the head, and the second of which is purely psychological in origin
Similar flaws as A

(C) between organic amnesia, in which they have experienced some physical cause such as an occurrence of blunt force trauma to the head, and psychogenic amnesia, which is purely psychological in origin
This asssosiates organic amnesia with psychogenic amnesia not treating them as seperate entities

(D) between organic amnesia, which has some physical cause such as an occurrence of blunt force trauma to the head, and psychogenic amnesia, which is purely psychological in origin
This nails don the meaning and the comparison is perfect

(E) between organic amnesia, in which some physical cause exists such as an occurrence of blunt force trauma to the head, and psychogenic amnesia, which is purely psychological in origin
Similar reasoning as C
Hence IMO D

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