The basic needs of the average cat are simple and largely

Somebody wanted a similar official question

The basic needs of the average cat are simple and largely inexpensive: food, water, affection, and shelter, and occasional visits to the veterinarian.

(A) and occasional visits to the veterinarian
(B) with occasional veterinarian visits
(C) with occasional visits to the veterinarian
(D) yet occasionally visiting the veterinarian
(E) but some occasional visits to the veterinarian are needed

OA is C
Source Kaplan

The diet of the ordinary Greek in classical times was largely vegetarian—vegetables, fresh cheese, oatmeal, and meal cakes, and meat rarely.

(A) and meat rarely
(B) and meat was rare
(C) with meat as rare
(D) meat a rarity
(E) with meat as a rarity

OA; E
Source OG 10

Hi daagh,

In Official qstn, why option C wrong here. what is the difference between function of with in option C & E.

Please explain

The OG question:
In both C and E, the ‘with’ phrase acts as a prepositional modifier, modifying the subject ‘the diet’ being largely vegetarian. The problem in C is that, when we say ‘meat as rare’ the sentence is incomplete, leaving a gap ‘as rare’ as what? Or if it is playing a role, then calling meat, a noun as rare, an adjective, makes no sense. Hence C is wrong.

KAPLAN OFFICIAL EXPLANATION:

To deal with the sentence successfully you first need to consider its meaning. The sentence lists five items, four of which support the claim that cats' needs are "simple and largely inexpensive." You know that the fifth item, the trips to the vet, aren't part of this list and shouldn't be parallel with it because, first, the and before shelter suggests that the initial list ends with shelter and, second, trips to the vet are not inexpensive. Therefore, the final item needs to be expressed as an exception. Eliminate (A). At this point, the primary problem is one of expression. Veterinarian visits, while shorter, is less clear and idiomatic than visits to the veterinarian. Out with (B). As for (D), we have a dangling modifier: who is occasionally visiting the vet? Eliminate. Finally, (E) is a passive and much wordier option than (С). (C) it is.

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