Nonie94 wrote:
KarishmaB AndrewNHi,
Please can you help to explain how Option A is different from Option D. In both the options "distinct" is modifying "people" and "race" & "culture" seem to modify "distinct"
Thanks
You raise an interesting question about grammar and meaning,
Nonie94. The best answer I can think to give is that
by is used as a preposition, even in a case in which it offers an explanation:
He won the race by a nose. The prepositional phrase is used to explain how
he won the race. In the sentence at hand, in answer choice (D),
by race and culture is meant to explain how the Ainu are
a distinct people. This is a bit different from the original sentence, in which the adverbs
racially and culturally express the degree to which the Ainu are
a distinct people, since the adverbs modify the adjective
distinct.
You can also approach the question from a diction standpoint. Ignore one descriptor and compare (A) and (D) side by side:
(A)
a racially distinct people(D)
a distinct people by raceThere is no case that can be made against the clear and direct nature of the former, whereas the latter is less precise, as explained earlier, and delays the vital expression of meaning.
When I came across the question for the first time, I spent about a minute and a half mulling over the difference between (A) and (D). I ultimately settled on the correct option because I could not find a reason to dispute it, while I had doubts concerning the latter. (I do not eliminate based on doubts, but I may disfavor certain options.)
Thank you for thinking to ask.
- Andrew