Trying to mimic some of the pitch variations of a dolphin chattering

This is a simple question from Manhattan Review. The OA is A;
The parallel structure is “trying to mimic” and “attempting to sing”.

Clear A.

Hi Daagh, Can you please add the OA to the question.

Many Thanks

I believe "when one is intoxicated" modifies human being. It is human being who trying to mimic dophin and parakeet.
You are right regarding the use of when. It refers to time period.
The pronoun when can be used to modify a noun event or time, such as period, age, 1987 or decade.
So when is perfectly alright.

IMO D
Since it is the only one showing correct parallelism.

Like is used when you compare one person with other. When you have to compare qualities , better use as ... as. So, Options B D E are out. Option C is awkward.

Option A looks better compare to other. What is the OA?

Sent from my XT1068 using GMAT Club Forum mobile app

If option A is correct , can you please explain "when one is intoxicated" modifies which part of sentence ???
Second, when is used generally when we refer to actual time for eg: When India got independence (1947) . Can you explain this part as well ?

Thanks !!

Here we are trying to do compare two tasks.

trying to mimic and
trying to sing like parakeet when we are intoxicated

Options B and E can be incorrect as trying to do sth can never be compared to a person.

Coming to D, the second non underlined sentence gives us a hint that person cannot sing like parrot or dolphin due to some reasons. It can be just an attempt so D changes the intended meaning of the sentence and also contains the same error as in above option B and E.

structure of C, like..like........as a person is totally absurd.

Although looks wordy, only option A conveys the intended meaning thru comparison.

but how is this correct?
"to sing like a sick parakeet"
we know that like is correct in comparison only when we compare nouns...here...we compare actions...

Merged topics. Please, search before posting questions!

What does "one" refer to in A? Apart from this, A looks correct?. I rejected A only because of "one"

sir what will be the take away
i crossed A just because use of when which generally follows time period
sir could you please elaborate

oishik2910
Well! the question is one of parallelism and comparisons. However, if you ask me, I will say even the parallelism aspect is enough to expose the correct answer.
Since 'trying' a gerund followed by an infinitive 'to mimic' is not underlined, it has to be matched with a similar phrase on the other side; 'attempting to sing' is its perfect foil as seen in A. you can see that none of the other choices is maintaining this gerund + infinitive parallelism. Therefore, why would I even bother about those choices anyway?
One last word---if you are thorough with your fundamentals, you will be the Usain Bolt of GMAT

thank you sir got the query
my take way will be dont be too quick to eliminate read options carefully

MANHATTAN REVIEW OFFICIAL EXPLANATION:

This question is quite tricky. It involves parallel structure. You have to look carefully to figure out what form the comparison takes. The comparison is not one of similarity, it is one of equality. Saying x is y is quite different from saying x is like y or x is similar to y. Choices B, C and E all change the fundamental underlying concept of the sentence. Choice D disrupts the parallel structure. The parallel structure is “trying to mimic” and “attempting to sing”. Choice A is the correct answer.

B D & E compare an action to a person, they are all wrong. C is really awkward, while A is error free and quite clear.

I am going to select A

Trying to mimic some of the pitch variations of a dolphin chattering is the same as attempting to sing like a sick parakeet when one is intoxicated; the complete lack of harmony and apparent randomness of the noise means the human vocal chords are completely incapable of reproducing these sounds.


(A) the same as attempting to sing like a sick parakeet when one is intoxicated

(B) similar to an intoxicated person singing like a sick parakeet

(C) like singing like a sick parakeet as an intoxicated person

(D) the same as an intoxicated person singing like a sick parakeet

(E) like the intoxicated person is singing like a sick parakeet


This question very clearly tests you on parallelism

What is compared to what?

“Trying to mimic some of the pitch variations of a dolphin chattering” Is compared to “attempting to sing like a sick parakeet when one is intoxicated”

Only option A maintains the correct parallel structure and is correct.

Option B compares “trying to mimic” with an “intoxicated person”. This comparison is illogical. Eliminate.

Option C incorrectly compares
trying to mimic with singing like a sick parakeet

Options D and E contain the same error as B.


Vishnupriya
GMAT Verbal SME

i eliminated B,C,E.

Between D and A, A does maintain parallelism but doesn't the ONE in A refer to the parakeet? isn't there some ambiguity there? where has it been mentioned its a person singing?

can anyone help with this? bb Bunuel GMATNinja