Research in developmental psychology has shown that teenagers are far

Question

Research in developmental psychology has shown that teenagers are far more concerned with  how they are accepted by their peers than younger children .

A. how they are accepted by their peers than younger children
B. being accepted by their peers than children younger than them are
C. how they are accepted by peers as younger children are
D. their acceptance amongst peers than younger children
E. being accepted by their peers than younger children

winterschool · Answer

Research in developmental psychology has shown that teenagers are far more concerned with how they are accepted by their peers than younger children.

A. how they are accepted by their peers than younger children  Correct

B.  being  accepted by their peers than children younger  than them  are  Incorrect

wordy

C. how they are accepted by peers  as  younger children are  Incorrect

correct idioms - .........more...........than.......

D.  their acceptance amongst  peers than younger children  Incorrect

it changes meaning and amongst should be among

E.  being  accepted by their peers than younger children  Incorrect

being uses wrong

I think answer A

Ozzy11100 · Answer

A has an ambiguous meaning, but I don't really like any of the other answer choices.

What is the source of this question?

Bunuel · Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

Research in developmental psychology has shown that teenagers are far more concerned with  how they are accepted by their peers than younger children .

A. how they are accepted by their peers than younger children

This answer choice is stylistically flawed as it does not contain a conjugated verb in the second half of its Comparative structure. This creates an ambiguous sentence: it is unclear whether younger children are compared to teenagers or to peers.

What helps us identify this question as a Comparative question as well as identify the mistake is the following Stop Sign: Like, unlike, than, as

What helps us identify this question as a Comparative question as well as identify the mistake is the following Stop Sign: Like, unlike, than, as

B. being accepted by their peers than children younger than them are

Although this answer choice uses the less concise  children younger than them , it is still the most stylistically correct because it includes a conjugated verb in the second half of the Comparative structure. The addition of the verb clears up the ambiguity of the original sentence.

In the original sentence it was unclear whether younger children were compared to teenagers or to peers. The corrected sentence clarifies that the intended meaning is that teenagers are more concerned with being accepted by their peers than younger children are concerned with being accepted by their own peers.

C. how they are accepted by peers as younger children are

While it corrects the original mistake by adding the conjugated verb are to the second half of the Comparative structure, this answer choice is illogical as well as grammatically incorrect. More cannot be complemented by as because more indicates a difference between the two things compared whereas as indicates a similarity or equality between them.

What helps us identify this question as a Comparative question as well as identify the mistake is the following Stop Sign: Like, unlike, than, as

What helps us identify this question as a Comparative question as well as identify the mistake is the following Stop Sign: Like, unlike, than, as

D. their acceptance amongst peers than younger children

This answer choice repeats the stylistic error of the original sentence. The second half of the Comparative structure does not contain a verb.

What helps us identify this question as a Comparative question as well as identify the mistake is the following Stop Sign: Like, unlike, than, as

E. being accepted by their peers than younger children

This answer choice repeats the stylistic error of the original sentence. The second half of the Comparative structure does not contain a verb.

What helps us identify this question as a Comparative question as well as identify the mistake is the following Stop Sign: Like, unlike, than, as

VerbalBot · Answer

Automated notice from GMAT Club VerbalBot: 

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

 This post was generated automatically.

Research in developmental psychology has shown that teenagers are far

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Sentence Correction (SC - EA only) Questions

Research in developmental psychology has shown that teenagers are far

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards