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

Question

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

Cadaver · Accepted Answer

B - Comparing an activity to a person...Strike out

D - Same issue

E - Same issue

C - Like a sick parakreet - Like refers to noun (a person) can't be possible..

Only plausible - A

WonderingSoul · Answer

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

daagh · Answer

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

bhatiavai · Answer

Clear A.

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

Many Thanks

mukulvaidya · Answer

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

sleepynut · Answer

Only option A makes a proper comparison : trying to mimic & attempting to sing
(A) correct
(B) Trying to mimic vs intoxicated person
(C) Trying to mimic vs singing
(D) Trying to mimic vs intoxicated person
(E) Trying to mimic vs intoxicated person

vishalkumar4mba · Answer

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 !!

Nevernevergiveup · Answer

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.

Nevernevergiveup · Answer

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.

mvictor · Answer

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...

sallysea · Answer

Merged topics. Please, search before posting questions!

dabhishek87 · Answer

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

OC2910 · Answer

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

daagh · Answer

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

OC2910 · Answer

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

Bunuel · Answer

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.

Rv7622 · 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

CrackverbalGMAT · Answer

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

vedha0 · Answer

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

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

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

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

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