Dear Friends,
Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
quiet888 wrote:
Unlike using spices for cooking, in medicinal usage they are taken in large quantities in order to treat particular maladies
(A) Unlike using spices for cooking, in medicinal usage they are taken
(B) Unlike spices that are used in cooking, in using spices for medicine, they are taken
(C) Unlike cooking with spices, taking spices for medicinal use is done
(D) In cooking, small quantities of spices are used, whereas in medicinal usage spices are taken
(E) In cooking, the usage of spices is in small quantities,whereas in medicinal usage they are taken
Choice A: This answer choice incorrectly compares "spices" to "medicinal usage". Thus, this answer choice is incorrect.
Choice B: This answer choice compares "spices" to "in using". Thus, this answer choice is incorrect.
Choice C: This answer choice incorrectly modifies the noun phrase "taking spices for medical use" with the phrase "is done in large quantities"; here, "taking" is a gerund and refers to the practice of taking spices for medical use. Therefore, the use of the modifier phrase "is done in large quantities" incorrectly implies that the practice is done in large quantities rather than the intended meaning that large quantities of the spices are consumed. Thus, this answer choice is incorrect.
Choice D: This answer choice maintains proper comparison, modifier use, and parallelism throughout the sentence. Moreover, this answer choice is also quite concise and conveys the intended meaning of the sentence. Thus, this answer choice is correct.
Choice E: This answer choice incorrectly compares "the usage", a noun, to "they are taken", a verb phrase. The use of the passive voice also makes this answer choice quite awkward. Thus, this answer choice is incorrect.
Hence, D is the best answer choice.One important thing to note here is that Option C does not commit the error of using "like" to compare verbs, although it may seem to do so at first glance. The phrases "cooking with spices" and "taking spices" are not verbs; they are gerunds and refer to the practices of "cooking..." and "taking..." respectively.
To understand the concept of "Like v/s As on GMAT", you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):
All the best!
Experts' Global Team
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