Recently discovered gravitational lensing around certain proximate sta

IMO B.
'incidentally from' is the correct idiom.
That leaves A, B and D.
'a common phenomenon' cannot be parallel to 'developing' so that leaves answer choice B 'a type'.

In my opinion, E is the answer.

The comparison is not correct in A and D.

a common phenomenon in the universe rather than developing incidentally from

Now we are left with B, C, and E.
In B and C, the comparison is as below :

a common phenomenon in the universe rather than a type.....- I think this is also not a comparison. Moreover, option B has an error "... that(was) developed...".
So this leaves us with only option E. I think the comparison is correct here a phenomenon v/s a development.

Instead of is for replacement.
rather than is for comparison so we use rather than
option B nicely explains by mentioning the type.So B is the winner

+1 for B.

(A) rather than developing incidentally from

(B) rather than a type that developed incidentally from --> Correct, idiom usage "X rather than Y", and conveys intended meaning

(C) rather than a type whose development was incidental of

(D) instead of developing incidentally from

(E) instead of a development that was incidental of

Hence, B.
_________________

In option B, "that developed incidentally from...." is it correct? shouldn't be "that was developed....."?
Please explain.

MANHATTAN REVIEW OFFICIAL EXPLANATION:

The first thing you should consider here is whether to use rather or instead. Instead does not have an element of choice in it, merely an element of replacement. You would say, for example: I went instead of Jack. You would also say: He is a weak man rather than a timid man. Because this is not a case of replacement, you need the word ‘rather’. That leaves us with choices A, B and C as possible answers. A correct comparison is required. The planets are a ‘phenomenon... rather then a type’. You are correctly comparing two nouns so A can be eliminated. ‘Incidental of’ is an incorrect structure. ‘Incidental to’ is correct. Therefore only B is eliminates all these errors and is the correct answer.
_________________

Hello from the GMAT Club VerbalBot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.
_________________