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Nanobotstv
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Already anxious after watching a horror movie, Michelle mistook the so 22 Sep 2016, 13:25
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C
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!

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15% (low)

Question Stats:

74% (00:41) correct 26% (00:52) wrong based on 395 sessions

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Already anxious after watching a horror movie, Michelle mistook the sound of a backfiring car as the blast of a gunshot.

A) the sound of a backfiring car as the blast of a gunshot.
B) a car as it was backfiring for the blast of a gunshot.
C) the sound of a backfiring car for the blast of a gunshot.
D) a car as it was backfiring as the blast of a gunshot.
E) a backfiring car as the blast of a gunshot.

Please assist with above problem.
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C
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Already anxious after watching a horror movie, Michelle mistook the so 22 Sep 2016, 16:12
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alanforde800Maximus
Already anxious after watching a horror movie, Michelle mistook the sound of a backfiring car as the blast of a gunshot.

A) the sound of a backfiring car as the blast of a gunshot.
B) a car as it was backfiring for the blast of a gunshot.
C) the sound of a backfiring car for the blast of a gunshot.
D) a car as it was backfiring as the blast of a gunshot.
E) a backfiring car as the blast of a gunshot.

Please assist with above problem.
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Dear alanforde800Maximus,

I'm happy to respond. :-)

First of all, it's important to know the idioms. Here are some free GMAT idiom flashcards.

The correct idiom with the verb "to mistake" is "to mistake X for Y." We need the connector "for" between the two terms. Only (B) and (C) use "for," so the other three answers make idiom mistakes.

Choice (B) makes a logic mistake: she doesn't confuse the car itself for the sound of a gunshot. In the idiom, X & Y have to be comparable things that would be confused.

This leaves (C), which is flawless. It uses the correct idiom and it logically compares one sound to another. This is the OA.

Does all this make sense?

Mike :-)
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Already anxious after watching a horror movie, Michelle mistook the so 23 Sep 2016, 00:13
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alanforde800Maximus
Already anxious after watching a horror movie, Michelle mistook the sound of a backfiring car as the blast of a gunshot.

A) the sound of a backfiring car as the blast of a gunshot.
B) a car as it was backfiring for the blast of a gunshot.
C) the sound of a backfiring car for the blast of a gunshot.
D) a car as it was backfiring as the blast of a gunshot.
E) a backfiring car as the blast of a gunshot.

Please assist with above problem.
Dear alanforde800Maximus,

I'm happy to respond. :-)



First of all, it's important to know the idioms. Here are some free GMAT idiom flashcards.

The correct idiom with the verb "to mistake" is "to mistake X for Y." We need the connector "for" between the two terms. Only (B) and (C) use "for," so the other three answers make idiom mistakes.

Choice (B) makes a logic mistake: she doesn't confuse the car itself for the sound of a gunshot. In the idiom, X & Y have to be comparable things that would be confused.

This leaves (C), which is flawless. It uses the correct idiom and it logically compares one sound to another. This is the OA.

Does all this make sense?

Mike :-)
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Thanks for great explanation.
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Already anxious after watching a horror movie, Michelle mistook the so 25 Jul 2017, 07:36
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Already anxious after watching a horror movie, Michelle mistook the sound of a backfiring car as the blast of a gunshot.

Two important things to answer the question:

1. Ensure the answer correctly states the sound of a car for the sound of a blast of a gunshot, not with the car or anything else
2. Answer should be idiomatic - Mistook X For Y

A) the sound of a backfiring car as the blast of a gunshot.
B) a car as it was backfiring for the blast of a gunshot.
C) the sound of a backfiring car for the blast of a gunshot.
D) a car as it was backfiring as the blast of a gunshot.
E) a backfiring car as the blast of a gunshot.

Hence, Answer is C

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Already anxious after watching a horror movie, Michelle mistook the so 20 Aug 2017, 16:56
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alanforde800Maximus
Already anxious after watching a horror movie, Michelle mistook the sound of a backfiring car as the blast of a gunshot.

A) the sound of a backfiring car as the blast of a gunshot.
B) a car as it was backfiring for the blast of a gunshot.
C) the sound of a backfiring car for the blast of a gunshot.
D) a car as it was backfiring as the blast of a gunshot.
E) a backfiring car as the blast of a gunshot.

Please assist with above problem.
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the correct idiom is to mistake x for y

c
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Already anxious after watching a horror movie, Michelle mistook the so 23 Mar 2018, 05:26
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alanforde800Maximus
Already anxious after watching a horror movie, Michelle mistook the sound of a backfiring car as the blast of a gunshot.

A) the sound of a backfiring car as the blast of a gunshot.
B) a car as it was backfiring for the blast of a gunshot.
C) the sound of a backfiring car for the blast of a gunshot.
D) a car as it was backfiring as the blast of a gunshot.
E) a backfiring car as the blast of a gunshot.

Please assist with above problem.
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Correct idiom: Mistook X for Y

(C)
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Already anxious after watching a horror movie, Michelle mistook the so 26 Apr 2019, 19:22
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a small doubt
is there any other way by which we can reject option A

because let's just say i didnt had any idea about the Idiom

Mistook X for Y

than it would be very difficult for me to answer this question correctly

if possible someone kindly guide me
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Already anxious after watching a horror movie, Michelle mistook the so 26 Apr 2019, 20:14
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shubham2312
a small doubt
is there any other way by which we can reject option A

because let's just say i didnt had any idea about the Idiom

Mistook X for Y

than it would be very difficult for me to answer this question correctly

if possible someone kindly guide me
Show more
That would be tough in this question, as it is built to force test takers to take that call. Take a look at options A and C:

A the sound of a backfiring car as the blast of a gunshot.
C the sound of a backfiring car for the blast of a gunshot.

The as/for call is the only way to choose between these two options.

You can try this official question as well.
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Already anxious after watching a horror movie, Michelle mistook the so 12 Sep 2023, 05:35
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