gmatter0913 wrote:
Can somebody help me understand what is wrong with option A?
Any insights on "that vs. as" are welcome.
Hi gmatter0913,
Let’s first learn about the differences in the usage of ‘that’ and ‘as’.
Usage of ‘that’: ‘that’ is generally used to connect two clauses. It works in two ways to connect the clauses:
1.
Subject: While connecting two clauses ‘that’ can act as the subject of the second clause.
He killed the snake that lived in the woods.
Clause 1: He killed the snake
Clause 2: that lived in the woods. (‘that’ is the subject)
2.
Connector: ‘that’ can act as a connector only.
He killed the snake that we saw the other night.
Clause 1: He killed the snake
Clause 2: we saw the other night. (‘that’ is the connector)
Usage of ‘as’: ‘as’ is used in two formats.
1.
As + clause: When ‘as’ is followed by a clause it can play any of the three following roles.
i.) Comparison
ii.) Simultaneous Action
iii.) Reason
2.
As + noun: When ‘as’ is followed by a noun, it means that one of the two entities functions as the other.
Spartacus used to take care of his army as he was the commander of the army. (Reason) Spartacus cared about the children of his army persons, as a father does. (Comparison) As the commander of the army, Spartacus used to take care of his army very well. (Function: Spartacus functions as the commander of the army) As he was working for a software company, he also tutored GMAT students. (Simultaneous Action) EXPLANATIONNow, let’s first understand the structure and meaning of the given sentence:
• In its most recent approach,
the comet Crommelin passed the Earth
o at about the same distance and in about the same position, some 25 degrees above the horizon,
• that
Halley’s comet will pass the next time
o
it appears.
MEANING • The sentence states that in a recent event, the comet Crommelin passed the Earth.
• The comet passed at about the same distance and in about the same position, some 25 degrees above the horizon. This part of the sentence indicates that the distance and position of this comet are similar to something.
• The distance and the position are similar to when Halley’s comet will pass the next time it appears.
Basically the distance and the position of the Crommelin comet are compared to the distance and the position of the Halley’s comet. Now, as explained above, these entities cannot be compared using ‘that’. Hence, we need to use ‘as’.
Hope this helps!
Manyu