Dear Friends,
Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
I3igDmsu wrote:
Just like the background in art history needed by an archaeologist in order to evaluate finds of ancient art, the nautical archaeologist needs specialized knowledge of the history of ship design in order to understand shipwrecks.
(A) Just like the background in art history needed by an archaeologist in order to evaluate finds of ancient art, the
(B) Just as an archaeologist who needs a background in art history to evaluate finds of ancient art, a
(C) Just as an archaeologist needs a background in art history to evaluate finds of ancient art, so a
(D) Like the archaeologist who evaluates finds of ancient art and requires a background in art history, so the
(E) As evaluating finds of ancient art requires an archaeologist who has the background in art history, so the
Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of this sentence is that the nautical archaeologist needs specialized knowledge of the history of ship design in order to understand shipwrecks, in the same way, that an archaeologist needs a background in art history to evaluate finds of ancient art.
Concepts tested here: Meaning + Comparisons• The infinitive verb form ("to + base form of the verb" - "to + evaluate" in this sentence) is the preferred construction for showing the intent or purpose of an action.
• A comparison must always be made between similar elements.
A: This answer choice incorrectly compares "the background in art history" to "the nautical archaeologist"; please remember, a comparison must always be made between similar elements.
B: This answer choice incorrectly compares the noun "an archaeologist" to the clause "a nautical archaeologist needs...shipwrecks"; please remember, a comparison must always be made between similar elements.
C: Correct. This answer choice correctly compares the clauses "an archaeologist needs...ancient art" and "a nautical archaeologist needs...to understand shipwrecks. Further, Option C uses the phrase "to evaluate finds of ancient art"; the use of the infinitive verb form ("to + base form of the verb" - "to + evaluate" in this sentence) conveys the intended meaning - that the archaeologist needs a background in art history for the purpose of evaluating finds of ancient art; please remember, the infinitive verb form ("to + base form of the verb" - "to + evaluate" in this sentence) is the preferred construction for showing intent or purpose of an action.
D: This answer choice incorrectly compares the noun "the archaeologist" to the clause "the nautical archaeologist needs...shipwrecks"; please remember, a comparison must always be made between similar elements. Further, Option D alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "and requires a background in art history"; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that the archaeologist evaluates finds of ancient art and
as a separate action requires a background in art history; the intended meaning is that the archaeologist requires a background in art history
for the purpose of evaluating finds of ancient art.
E: This answer choice incorrectly compares "evaluating finds of ancient art requires...art history" -- the act of evaluating finds of ancient art requiring an archaeologist with a background in art history to "the nautical archaeologist needs...shipwrecks" -- the act of the nautical archaeologist needing specialized knowledge of the history of ship design; please remember, a comparison must always be made between similar elements.
Hence, C is the best answer choice.All the best!
Experts' Global Team
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