Over a century ago, a prescient educator discovered that children simu

Question

Over a century ago, a prescient educator discovered that children simultaneously process information through multiple sensory channels,  as a multitude of rivers flowing into the ocean .

A. as a multitude of rivers flowing into the ocean
B. like a multitude of rivers flowing into the ocean
C. as a multitude of rivers do that flow into the ocean 
D. like a multitude of rivers do that flow into the ocean
E. as do the multitude of rivers that flow into that ocean

Comparison should be based on the structure below, right?
X as Y (both X and Y are clauses)
X like Y (both X and Y are nouns)
Can someone categorize the above sentence please.
Whether we are comparing nouns or clauses...thanks.

metallicafan · Answer

+1 B

We must remember that "as" is for clauses (sentences fragments that don't have a verb) and "like" is for phrases (sentence fragments with a verb).
Based on this:

A: ...- Wrong: as is used with a phrase.
B: like a multitude of rivers flowing into the ocean
C: as a multitude of rivers do that flow into the ocean - ackward
D: like a multitude of rivers do that flow into the ocean - Wrong: like is used with a clause.
E: as do the multitude of rivers that flow into that ocean - ackward. "the multitude of rivers" also is wrong, "the" changes the meaning of the sentence. The original sentence doesn't mention a particular multitude of rivers; "the" is not necessary.

I think I deserve kudos 8-)

Eden · Answer

B this reminded me of the song "like a bridge over troubled water...."

"like" here is used to denote similarity. For those who love poetry, a simile

Nishant1984 · Answer

From Meaning perspective B looks good

gmatbull · Answer

"multitude of rivers" = subject
"flow" = verb
With the subject and verb, the entire thing is now a clause, but the comparison doesn't make sense:

"children simultaneously process information through multiple sensory channels as a multitude of rivers flow into the ocean" suggests that children process information as rivers flow into the ocean???

But,

"children simultaneously process information through multiple sensory channels as do a multitude of rivers that flow into the ocean."

looks better; however, this sentence (am afraid) suggests that multiple rivers also "process information through multiple sensory channels"

Experts opinion is required.

Eden · Answer

as a multitude of rivers flowing into the ocean.  
Back to the original question:is it a noun or a clause?
this is a noun-phrase (noun + modifier)
multitude of rivers -a noun
flowing- ing participle modifying the noun

we are comparing the flow of information to the flow of rivers
Both involved many sources(structures/rivers) that carry something (information/water) and eventually merged into one large depository(brain/ocean)

We are comparing a clause to a (noun)phrase. This eliminates options with "as"
C,D and E are incorrect because they implied that the rivers also process information.
B-"like" is used to compare a clause to a phrase, and we are comparing similar qualities (the flow of information/river)

shrouded1 · Answer

IMO B
It's a metaphor, you don't use "as"

Posted from my mobile device

hansolo · Answer

B. Like can be safely used for metaphorical comaprisions such as this one.

Posted from my mobile device

tryambaks · Answer

Over a century ago, a prescient educator discovered that children simultaneously process information through multiple sensory channels, as a multitude of rivers flowing into the ocean.

A. as a multitude of rivers flowing into the ocean
B. like a multitude of rivers flowing into the ocean
C. as a multitude of rivers do that flow into the ocean
D. like a multitude of rivers do that flow into the ocean
E. as do the multitude of rivers that flow into that ocean

Show Spoiler

Comparison should be based on the structure below, right?
X as Y (both X and Y are clauses)
X like Y (both X and Y are nouns)
Can someone categorize the above sentence please.
Whether we are comparing nouns or clauses...thanks.

Show Answer

Official Answer

B

devikeerthan · Answer

Correct. 'Like' needs to be used in these cases. hence B

TarunKumar1234 · Answer

Over a century ago, a prescient educator discovered that children simultaneously process information through multiple sensory channels, as a multitude of rivers flowing into the ocean.

A. as a multitude of rivers flowing into the ocean
B. like a multitude of rivers flowing into the ocean
C. as a multitude of rivers do that flow into the ocean
D. like a multitude of rivers do that flow into the ocean
E. as do the multitude of rivers that flow into that ocean

Show Spoiler

Comparison should be based on the structure below, right?
X as Y (both X and Y are clauses)
X like Y (both X and Y are nouns)
Can someone categorize the above sentence please.
Whether we are comparing nouns or clauses...thanks.

Show Answer

Official Answer

B

Over a century ago, a prescient educator discovered that children simu

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Over a century ago, a prescient educator discovered that children simu

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