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Parbe
Those who come to church with a predisposition to religious belief will be happy in an auditorium or even a storefront, and there is no doubt that religion is sometimes better served by adapted spaces of this kind instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it.
(A) adapted spaces of this kind instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it
(B) adapted spaces like these rather than some of the buildings actually designed for them
(C) these adapted spaces instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it
(D) such adapted spaces rather than by some of the buildings actually designed for them
(E) such adapted spaces than by some of the buildings actually designed for it


A) instead of by is wrong
C) instead of by is wrong
D) rather than by is wrong
E) usage of such and it

B because of the usage of like. 'such as' refers to specific examples while like refers not only those specific examples but others too. also use of 'rather than' and 'for them' is correct.
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Parbe
Those who come to church with a predisposition to religious belief will be happy in an auditorium or even a storefront, and there is no doubt that religion is sometimes better served by adapted spaces of this kind instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it.
(A) adapted spaces of this kind instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it
(B) adapted spaces like these rather than some of the buildings actually designed for them
(C) these adapted spaces instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it
(D) such adapted spaces rather than by some of the buildings actually designed for them
(E) such adapted spaces than by some of the buildings actually designed for it

instead of - wrong...it's a mistake that throws in your eyes, screaming - reject me!
A/C out.

in B and D - we have the pronoun them, which refers to "religion" - improper usage of pronoun (doesn't agree in number - religion is singular, while them is plural).

E remains.
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Hi All,

Those who come to church with a predisposition to religious belief will be happy in an auditorium or even a storefront, and there is no doubt that religion is sometimes better served by adapted spaces of this kind instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it.

(A) adapted spaces of this kind instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it — Since there is already a comparison in the stem, there is no need to add "instead of"
(B) adapted spaces like these rather than some of the buildings actually designed for them — Religion is singular
(C) these adapted spaces instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it — Since there is already a comparison in the stem, there is no need to add "instead of"
(D) such adapted spaces rather than by some of the buildings actually designed for them — Religion is singular
(E) such adapted spaces than by some of the buildings actually designed for it — We just needed this "than" to make the comparison complete

Can you elaborate on the highlighted section? I'm not able to find an existing comparison in the stem :|
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nickimonckom
Hi All,

Those who come to church with a predisposition to religious belief will be happy in an auditorium or even a storefront, and there is no doubt that religion is sometimes better served by adapted spaces of this kind instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it.

(A) adapted spaces of this kind instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it — Since there is already a comparison in the stem, there is no need to add "instead of"
(B) adapted spaces like these rather than some of the buildings actually designed for them — Religion is singular
(C) these adapted spaces instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it — Since there is already a comparison in the stem, there is no need to add "instead of"
(D) such adapted spaces rather than by some of the buildings actually designed for them — Religion is singular
(E) such adapted spaces than by some of the buildings actually designed for it — We just needed this "than" to make the comparison complete

Can you elaborate on the highlighted section? I'm not able to find an existing comparison in the stem :|


The comparison in the stem is what I have written in blue : Better served by adapted space.... by some of the building
We are comparing "adapted space" with "some of the building" in their way to serve the religion. The comparison is triggered by the use of "is better served" — better is a comparative — but incomplete because we need a "than" to make it stands properly.

The option C is adding another comparative indicator and makes the awkward construction : Better served by (x) instead of by (y)

The option E is the only one which makes the proper comparison : Better served by (x) than by (y)
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Those who come to church with a predisposition to religious belief will be happy in an auditorium or even a storefront, and there is no doubt that religion is sometimes better served by adapted spaces of this kind instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it.

Quote:
(A) adapted spaces of this kind instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it
adapted spaces is a plural. So there should be "these kind" rather than "this kind". INCORRECT
Quote:
(B) adapted spaces like these rather than some of the buildings actually designed for them
Like is used to compare nouns. Here there is no such comparison rather examples of adapted spaces were introduced in the first clause. Such as is used to give examples. INCORRECT
Quote:
(C) these adapted spaces instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it
Instead of -> replacement. Here the comparison is to show preference that X can serve better than Y. Rather than should be used. INCORRECT
Quote:
(D) such adapted spaces rather than by some of the buildings actually designed for them
religion is better served by X rather than Y -> is the structure here. Religion is singular so "it" must be used at the last. Pronoun error. INCORRECT
Quote:
(E) such adapted spaces than by some of the buildings actually designed for it
This is the best choice among the lot. CORRECT

OPTION: E
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Quote:
Those who come to church with a predisposition to religious belief will be happy in an auditorium or even a storefront, and there is no doubt that religion is sometimes better served by adapted spaces of this kind instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it.

A. We need spaces of "these kinds" as we are referring to "auditorium or storefront". "Instead of by" is wrong as two prepositions cannot be lined one after another.
Also, better + than" is correct.

B. For showing examples use "such as" in place of "like".
Use of "them" is wrong as it is referring to singular "predisposition"

C. Same as A.

D. Use of "them" is wrong as it is referring to singular "predisposition"
Better + than is correct. Use of "rather" before "than" is wrong.

E. Correct.


(A) adapted spaces of this kind instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it

(B) adapted spaces like these rather than some of the buildings actually designed for them

(C) these adapted spaces instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it

(D) such adapted spaces rather than by some of the buildings actually designed for them

(E) such adapted spaces than by some of the buildings actually designed for it
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Parbe
Official Guide for GMAT Verbal Review, 2005

Practice Question
Question No.: SC 89
Page: 249
Those who come to church with a predisposition to religious belief will be happy in an auditorium or even a storefront, and there is no doubt that religion is sometimes better served by adapted spaces of this kind instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it.

(A) adapted spaces of this kind instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it

(B) adapted spaces like these rather than some of the buildings actually designed for them

(C) these adapted spaces instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it

(D) such adapted spaces rather than by some of the buildings actually designed for them

(E) such adapted spaces than by some of the buildings actually designed for it

The correct idiom here is "better [by] ... than [by]." Answer choices (A), (B), (C), and (D) fail to employ the correct idiom. Only answer choice (E) makes the correct comparison.
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Parbe
Those who come to church with a predisposition to religious belief will be happy in an auditorium or even a storefront, and there is no doubt that religion is sometimes better served by adapted spaces of this kind instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it.

(A) adapted spaces of this kind instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it

(B) adapted spaces like these rather than some of the buildings actually designed for them

(C) these adapted spaces instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it

(D) such adapted spaces rather than by some of the buildings actually designed for them

(E) such adapted spaces than by some of the buildings actually designed for it

https://www.nytimes.com/1982/12/26/books/housing-for-the-spirit.html

It is asking much of a physical structure to do all this, yet it is from the ability to embrace these contradictions that the most successful religious architecture has come - and by successful I mean the architecture that evokes some religious feeling, some sense of mystery and awe, from believers and nonbelievers alike. Those who come with the predisposition to religious belief will be happy in an auditorium or even a storefront, and there is no doubt that religion is sometimes better served by such adapted spaces than by some of the buildings actually designed for it. But such spaces do not, of course, represent what we might call the potential of religious architecture; they house religious practice as an old barn might house a theater troupe, and when they are quiet and empty they lose all that makes them special.

Attachment:
WhatsApp Image 2018-06-16 at 21.12.53.jpeg

Main Issue:


Correct Idiom: "Better than"

(A) adapted spaces of this kind instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it - Wrong: Idiom

(B) adapted spaces like these rather than some of the buildings actually designed for them - Wrong: Idiom 2) Pronoun

(C) these adapted spaces instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it - Wrong: Idiom 2) Structure

(D) such adapted spaces rather than by some of the buildings actually designed for them - Wrong: Idiom 2) Pronoun

(E) such adapted spaces than by some of the buildings actually designed for it - Correct
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Those who come to church with a predisposition to religious belief will be happy in an auditorium or even a storefront, and there is no doubt that religion is sometimes better served by adapted spaces of this kind instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it.

(A) adapted spaces of this kind instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it

Remember this: in gmat, we can never use "this", "that", or "those" to substitute any subjects. They are usually used in the comparison and followed modifier or nouns. For example: the amount of food eaten by me is more than that eaten by him.

Instead, we should use "it", "they", or specific nouns. That leads to the conclusion: in gmat, "sth. of this kind", or "like this, these" are inferior to "such + noun".


(B) adapted spaces like these rather than some of the buildings actually designed for them

same as A, "like these" is wrong. In addition, these buildings are designed for "religion" so "is" is correct, not "them".

(C) these adapted spaces instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it

"instead of" can be followed by nouns only.

(D) such adapted spaces rather than by some of the buildings actually designed for them

"them" is wrong, same as B. From what I remember, rather than + by in this context is correct. "instead of" can be followed by nouns only, but "rather than" doesn't have to.

(E) such adapted spaces than by some of the buildings actually designed for it

Correct. There is a "better" in the original sentence, so there must be a comparison indicator -- "than".
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Those who come to church with a predisposition to religious belief will be happy in an auditorium or even a storefront, and there is no doubt that religion is sometimes better served by adapted spaces of this kind instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it.

(A) adapted spaces of this kind instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it

(B) adapted spaces like these rather than some of the buildings actually designed for them

(C) these adapted spaces instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it

(D) such adapted spaces rather than by some of the buildings actually designed for them

(E) such adapted spaces than by some of the buildings actually designed for it
Hello GMATNinja
I read one of your explanations in an specific question where you said that THIS is always wrong in GMAT. So can I say that choice A is wrong for this reason?
Appreciate you helps in the forum!
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TheUltimateWinner
Quote:
Those who come to church with a predisposition to religious belief will be happy in an auditorium or even a storefront, and there is no doubt that religion is sometimes better served by adapted spaces of this kind instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it.

(A) adapted spaces of this kind instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it

(B) adapted spaces like these rather than some of the buildings actually designed for them

(C) these adapted spaces instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it

(D) such adapted spaces rather than by some of the buildings actually designed for them

(E) such adapted spaces than by some of the buildings actually designed for it
Hello GMATNinja
I read one of your explanations in an specific question where you said that THIS is always wrong in GMAT. So can I say that choice A is wrong for this reason?
Appreciate you helps in the forum!
Hmm... we said that "'this' is always wrong," eh? That doesn't seem likely. Please link to the post so we can see what you mean? :?

The "this" in (A) does leave the reader wondering, "umm, what kind, exactly? Of the auditorium and storefront kind? What does that mean?" That's probably a small vote against (A) but not a strong enough reason to eliminate it.

Also, keep in mind that this question hasn't been published in an official source in many years, so perhaps there's a reason they retired it. ;)
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TheUltimateWinner
Quote:
Those who come to church with a predisposition to religious belief will be happy in an auditorium or even a storefront, and there is no doubt that religion is sometimes better served by adapted spaces of this kind instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it.

(A) adapted spaces of this kind instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it

(B) adapted spaces like these rather than some of the buildings actually designed for them

(C) these adapted spaces instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it

(D) such adapted spaces rather than by some of the buildings actually designed for them

(E) such adapted spaces than by some of the buildings actually designed for it
Hello GMATNinja
I read one of your explanations in an specific question where you said that THIS is always wrong in GMAT. So can I say that choice A is wrong for this reason?
Appreciate you helps in the forum!
Hmm... we said that "'this' is always wrong," eh? That doesn't seem likely. Please link to the post so we can see what you mean? :?

The "this" in (A) does leave the reader wondering, "umm, what kind, exactly? Of the auditorium and storefront kind? What does that mean?" That's probably a small vote against (A) but not a strong enough reason to eliminate it.

Also, keep in mind that this question hasn't been published in an official source in many years, so perhaps there's a reason they retired it. ;)
GMATNinja
Thanks for the explanation. i am sorry for using the word 'always'! Probably you explain something about the use of 'this' in some places, but i forget the link. I'll send the link if I find it somehow.
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Those who come to church with a predisposition to religious belief will be happy in an auditorium or even a storefront, and there is no doubt that religion is sometimes better served by adapted spaces of this kind instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it.

(A) adapted spaces of this kind instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it -> better.....instead of....is incorrect form.

(B) adapted spaces like these rather than some of the buildings actually designed for them-> "religion is.....them" is incorrect form. We need "it" in last.

(C) these adapted spaces instead of by some of the buildings actually designed for it -> Same as A. Incorrect.

(D) such adapted spaces rather than by some of the buildings actually designed for them -> Same as B. Incorrect.

(E) such adapted spaces than by some of the buildings actually designed for it -> Both errors are removed and there is no new error introduced. Let's keep it.

So, I think E. :)
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Hi, I have two doubts regarding this question.
1. What is the correct reason to eliminate both A and C? i picked E because the "such adapted spaces" made the most sense to me.

2. Also, what is the difference between a simple "than" and "rather than"?
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sv2023
Hi, I have two doubts regarding this question.
1. What is the correct reason to eliminate both A and C? i picked E because the "such adapted spaces" made the most sense to me.

2. Also, what is the difference between a simple "than" and "rather than"?

Hello sv2023,

We hope this finds you well.

To answer your queries, the use of "instead of" in both A and C is redundant, as the sentence uses the "better...than" construction to draw the comparison.

Further, there is no difference in meaning between "rather than" and "than"; "rather than" is just needlessly wordy, as "rather" can be deleted without a loss of clarity.

We hope this helps.
All the best!
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