12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition - Day 10: The historic Blair

Question

12 Days of Christmas 🎅 GMAT Competition with Lots of Questions & Fun

The historic Blair House, in Washington DC, and the Schloss Mesburg in Brandenburg have the peculiar distinction  of being recognized historical landmarks that must also function as active state guest houses  for dignitaries visiting America and Germany respectively.

(A) of being recognized historical landmarks that must also function as active state guest houses
(B) of recognized historical landmarks that must also function like active state guest houses
(C) that they are recognized historical landmarks that must function like state guest houses
(D) that, as recognized historical landmarks, they must also function like active state guest houses
(E) to be a recognized historical landmark that must also function as an active state guest house

Bunuel · Accepted Answer

Experts' Global Official Explanation:

Comparison + Idioms + Meaning + Subject-verb Agreement

Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of this sentence is that the Blair House and the Schloss Meseberg are historical landmarks that must also function in the same manner as active state guest houses do.

• “like” is used for comparing nouns, “as” is used for comparing actions/clauses, and “such as” is used for giving examples.

A. Correct.  This answer choice uses the phrase “of being recognized historical landmarks”, conveying the intended meaning- that the Blair House and the Schloss Meseberg are two distinct historical landmarks. Further, Option A correctly uses “as” to compare “must also function” and “active state guest house (function)”; remember, “like” is used for comparing nouns, “as” is used for comparing actions/clauses, and “such as” is used for giving examples.

B. Trap. This answer choice incorrectly uses “like” to compare “must also function” and “active state guest houses (function)”; remember, “like” is used for comparing nouns, “as” is used for comparing actions/clauses, and “such as” is used for giving examples. Further, Option B alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “distinction of recognized historical landmarks…”; the omission of the word “being” incorrectly implies that Blair House and the Schloss Mesburg have received peculiar distinctions from recognized historical landmarks; the intended meaning of this sentence is that the Blair House and the Schloss Meseberg are historical landmarks.

C. This answer choice incorrectly uses “like” to compare “must function” and “state guest houses (function)”; remember, “like” is used for comparing nouns, “as” is used for comparing actions/clauses, and “such as” is used for giving examples.

D. Trap. This answer choice incorrectly uses “like” to compare “they must also function” and “active state guest houses (function)”; remember, “like” is used for comparing nouns, “as” is used for comparing actions/clauses, and “such as” is used for giving examples.

E. This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase “to be a recognized historical landmark that must also function as an active state guest house”; the construction of this phrase illogically implies that both the Blair House and the Schloss Meseberg are a singular recognized historical landmark that must function as a singular active state guest house; the intended meaning is that the Blair House and the Schloss Meseberg are individual historical landmarks.

A is the best answer choice.

____________________________
  Video Explanation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5VZn1elpo8

SushantPaudel · Answer

Here,

(A) of being recognized historical landmarks that must also function as active state guest houses
- The original sentence. Correct.

(B) of recognized historical landmarks that must also function like active state guest houses
- The use of "like" is less precise than "as" in this context. Incorrect.

(C) that they are recognized historical landmarks that must function like state guest houses
- This option introduces unnecessary repetition with "that they are recognized historical landmarks." The original sentence is more concise. Incorrect.

(D) that, as recognized historical landmarks, they must also function like active state guest houses
- The use of "as" is more appropriate than "like" in this context. Incorrect.

(E) to be a recognized historical landmark that must also function as an active state guest house
- The use of "to be" changes the meaning slightly and is not as concise as the original. Incorrect.

The original sentence (A) is the most clear and concise option.

nivivacious · Answer

(A) Incorrect: The use of "of" is incorrect here as it doesn't clearly indicate the relationship between the landmarks and their function as guest houses. Being is also almost always wrong in GMAT
(B) Incorrect: The use of "like" suggests a comparison which changes the intended meaning of the sentence.
(C) Incorrect: The phrase "that they are recognized historical landmarks" is not properly connected to the rest of the sentence.
(D) Correct: Of all the options, this seems the best choice, even though the use of "like" instead of "as" changes the meaning of the sentence
(E) Incorrect: The use of the singular "a recognized historical landmark" and "an active state guest house" does not agree with the plural subjects "Blair House" and "Schloss Mesburg".

DongTan · Answer

The correct option is (A) "of being recognized historical landmarks that must also function as active state guest houses."

This option effectively conveys the intended meaning. It states that both the Blair House and the Schloss Mesburg have the peculiar distinction of being recognized historical landmarks. Additionally, it specifies that these landmarks must also function as active state guest houses for dignitaries. The phrase "of being recognized historical landmarks that must also function as active state guest houses" accurately describes the dual role and purpose of these locations.

The other options either have awkward phrasing, incorrect punctuation, or do not convey the intended meaning as clearly as option (A).

Archit3110 · Answer

here 2/3 split distinction that is correct
also eliminate option with as , like is correct
 (C) that they are recognized historical landmarks that must function like state guest houses 
 (D) that, as recognized historical landmarks, they must also function like active state guest houses

OPTION D

poojaarora1818 · Answer

The historic Blair House, in Washington DC, and the Schloss Mesburg in Brandenburg have the peculiar distinction  of being recognized historical landmarks that must also function as active state guest houses  for dignitaries visiting America and Germany respectively.

(A) of being recognized historical landmarks that must also function as active state guest houses incorrect 
(B) of recognized historical landmarks that must also function like active state guest houses  Correct  
(C) that they are recognized historical landmarks that must function like state guest houses Incorrect 
(D) that, as recognized historical landmarks, they must also function like active state guest houses Incorrect 
(E) to be a recognized historical landmark that must also function as an active state guest house Incorrect

Schinchan_bh · Answer

(D)imo

(D) that, as recognized historical landmarks, they must also function like active state guest houses.

This option maintains clarity and correctly conveys the relationship between the two properties and their roles. The use of "that, as recognized historical landmarks," appropriately introduces additional information about the properties without disrupting the sentence's structure.

vishal_gupta · Answer

The historic Blair House, in Washington DC, and the Schloss Mesburg in Brandenburg have the peculiar distinction  of being recognized historical landmarks that must also function as active state guest houses  for dignitaries visiting America and Germany respectively.

(A) of being recognized historical landmarks that must also function as active state guest houses (Correct. As the sentence required to show a function, as is required instead of like.)) 
 (B) of recognized historical landmarks that must also function like active state guest houses (Usage of like is not correct.)
(C) that they are recognized historical landmarks that must function like state guest houses (Like is not correct. That clause is not required here.)
(D) that, as recognized historical landmarks, they must also function like active state guest houses (same as C)
(E) to be a recognized historical landmark that must also function as an active state guest house (to be is not correct usage. to be is used for sentences in which we have to highlight a particular function of an entity, which is not a case here.)

juancarlos12 · Answer

The historic Blair House, in Washington DC, and the Schloss Mesburg in Brandenburg have the peculiar distinction  of being recognized historical landmarks that must also function as active state guest houses  for dignitaries visiting America and Germany respectively.

(A) of being recognized historical  landmarks that  must also function as active state guest houses  --> Wrong modification, because landmarks cannot function as houses 
(B) of recognized historical  landmarks that  must also function like active state guest houses  -->Wrong, same mistake of "that" 
(C) that they are recognized historical  landmarks that  must function like state guest houses  -->Wrong, same mistake of "that" 
 (D) that, as recognized historical landmarks, they must also function like active state guest houses  -->Right use of the comparisson "as"  
(E) to be a recognized historical  landmark that  must also function as an active state guest house  -->Wrong, same mistake of "that"

Right answer: D

jaysea · Answer

(A) of being recognized historical landmarks that must also function as active state guest houses - Answer A
(B) of recognized historical landmarks that must also function like active state guest houses - this statement combines historical landmark status and function "like", when they should be separate ideas, eliminate
(C) that they are recognized historical landmarks that must function like state guest houses - loss of "active" causes clause to lose some meaning vs A. eliminate
(D) that, as recognized historical landmarks, they must also function like active state guest houses - improperly attributes function to landmark status, eliminate
(E) to be a recognized historical landmark that must also function as an active state guest house - singular landmark when the sentence talks about 2 houses, eliminate

sj296 · Answer

(A)  of being recognized historical landmarks that must also function as active state guest houses .............This is correct. o have  the distinction of being  is idiomatic

(B) of recognized historical landmarks that must also function  like  active state guest houses...........'being' is required. 'like' is incorrect.

(C) that they are recognized historical landmarks that must function  like  state guest houses.............'like' shouldn't be used.

(D) that, as recognized historical landmarks, they must also function  like  active state guest houses.........same as C

(E)  to be  a recognized historical landmark that must also function as an active  state guest house .........'to be' is unidiomatic in this sentence. Also, we need plural 'houses' instead of singular.

IMO OA should be A.

Elite097 · Answer

The historic Blair House, in Washington DC, and the Schloss Mesburg in Brandenburg have the peculiar distinction of being recognized historical landmarks that must also function as active state guest houses for dignitaries visiting America and Germany respectively.

(A) of being recognized historical landmarks that must also function as active state guest houses
Function is represented by 'as' and use being shows state of being hence correct

(B) of recognized historical landmarks that must also function like active state guest houses
being is missing and like cannot be used to prsent function as it is not a comparison

(C) that they are recognized historical landmarks that must function like state guest houses
like cannot be used to prsent function as it is not a comparison

(D) that, as recognized historical landmarks, they must also function like active state guest houses
like cannot be used to prsent function as it is not a comparison

(E) to be a recognized historical landmark that must also function as an active state guest house
to be is not the correct usage to express the intended meaning and also we cannot use singular tense to describe two areas

Ans A

$!vakumar.m · Answer

The historic Blair House, in Washington DC, and the Schloss Mesburg in Brandenburg have the peculiar distinction  of being recognized historical landmarks that must also function as active state guest houses  for dignitaries visiting America and Germany respectively.
function as is correct instead of function like - Option B, C and D are out
A vs E - 
(E) to be a recognized historical landmark that must also function as an active state guest house
Incorrect - we have a compound subject (The historic Blair House, in Washington DC, and the Schloss Mesburg in Brandenburg ) - so we need 'historical landmarks' and not 'historical landmark'.
Answer A

paulkim46 · Answer

Answer: (A)

(A): Correct.
(B): Missing verb ('of recognized').
(C): Strange phrasing and addition of needless preposition.
(D): Unnecessarily odd breaks between clauses.
(E): Incorrect verb tense.

andreagonzalez2k · Answer

(A) of being recognized historical landmarks that must also function as active state guest houses
 To have the distinction of being is idiomatic. "as" is correct because "function as active" is a verb. 
 CORRECT

(B) of recognized historical landmarks that must also function like active state guest houses
 omits being, which in this particular idiom is crucial. "like" incorrect

(C) that they are recognized historical landmarks that must function like state guest houses
 "that" adds more words without launching into the distinction. "like" incorrect

(D) that, as recognized historical landmarks, they must also function like active state guest houses
 "that" error as in C. it then skews the meaning of the sentence.

(E) to be a recognized historical landmark that must also function as an active state guest house
 "to be" incorrect here. "a recognized historical" is singular and there are two houses

IMO A

brp616 · Answer

IMO A

A flows and keeps the intended meaning of the sentence intact

B - ‘like’ is used incorrectly here, ‘as’ fits better

C - ‘distinction that they are’ would not be paired next to each other

D - ‘distinction that’ aren’t usually paired and it implies that historical landmarks must always be used as state quarters whereas the sentence is really trying to say it’s peculiar to do both

E- mixing singular and plural

Posted from my mobile device

Kinshook · Answer

The historic Blair House, in Washington DC, and the Schloss Mesburg in Brandenburg 
have the peculiar distinction  of being recognized historical landmarks 
that must also function as active state guest houses  for dignitaries visiting America and Germany respectively.

Concise and correct in meaning
Correct

Usage of must also function  like  is incorrect whereas must also function  as  is correct.
Incorrect

Since  The historic Blair House, in Washington DC, and the Schloss Mesburg in Brandenburg   is plural, usage of singular  landmark  and  house  is incorrect.

IMO A

VivekSri · Answer

I will go with option D.

Using of that in starting makes the sentence grammatically correct. Further, "as recognized historical landmarks" is correctly written in the sentence. Also if remove comma to comma, it is giving clear meaning.

Suboopc · Answer

A)  This conveys the meaning that their distinction is even though they are historical landmarks, they must also function as guesthouses
B) This seems to say that they have distinction of other landmarks
C) This statement is almost correct but it does not highlight the distinction. Them being historical landmarks is not a distinction
D) This makes it seem like all historical landmarks function as guesthouses. Not a distinction.
E) This means that they have a distinction so that they can be historical landmarks. Landmark is singular here.

12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition - Day 10: The historic Blair

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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition - Day 10: The historic Blair

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