For starters, the new treaty is neither easier to understand

Question

For starters, the new treaty is neither easier to understand than its predecessors, nor, overall, are the new institutional arrangements. 

(A) For starters, the new treaty is neither easier to understand than its predecessors, nor, overall, are the new institutional arrangements.
(B) For starters, the new treaty is nor easier to understand than its predecessors, nor, overall, are the new institutional arrangements.
(C) For starters, the new treaty is not easier to understand than its predecessors, nor, overall, are the new institutional arrangements.
(D) For starters, the new treaty is no easier to understand than for its predecessors, nor, overall, are the new institutional arrangements.
(E) For starters, the new treaty is neither easier to understand than for its predecessors, nor, overall, are the new institutional arrangements.

Paul · Answer

A it is. Testing idom "neither...nor". E is not good because it illogically says that the treaty's predecessors have some kind of understanding

stolyar · Answer

The problem is not so obvious and pretty much weird. I spent an hour truying to invent it. A hint: look for a correct comparison.

enigmatic007 · Answer

my ans wud b...C 

 the comparision here is between ''two '' Different ''things'' it should be either '' neither is the new treaty easier than its predecessors to understand nor is it too difficlut to comprehend'' here the comparision is between the treaty in its difficulty to understand and in its easier comprehension...

but the sentnce here talks about two things one: the new TREATY... two- new institutional arangements...

 the snetence here means soem thing like'' neither the new treaty nor the new Institutional arrangementz are easier to understand than their predecessors were '... and the choice A and B confuse us ... D and E use ''for'' and so get it incorrect...

 only C comes close ... but I guess thats a bit confusing...

 let me know If I was right in my ''shot'' ...hahah

 hope that helps!

 Have fun

srijay007 · Answer

I will go with E on this one

reason1: neither-nor
reason2:  For starters , the new treaty is neither easier to understand  than   for its predecessors 
- correct comparison

kpadma · Answer

A good question. I would go with D
if correct exp will follow.

dr_sabr · Answer

For the comparison purpose, I will go with E. Using two/three split strategy, A and E will remain. and logically E explain for who the treaty is easier. Correct me if I am mistaken :-D

.

afife76 · Answer

C it is. this was a hard one... :shh

Vithal · Answer

My FA is A

the comparision here is between the new treaty and the institutional arrangements and hence between A and E I choose A.

E will not make sense, even if the comparision were to be between the Starters and the people who precede the starters

SmashingGrace · Answer

After looking really closely   I choose C.

correct comparison: new treaty vs its predecessors  
in other words: new treaty is just as difficult to understand as all the previous ones

what confused me most is the use of the phrase 'for starters' at the beginning of the sentence. At first, I thought the phrase meant 'firstly', but then I figured out that if I interpreted it to mean 'for beginners' the sentence makes more sense.

Paul · Answer

Alright, I assumed things to fast here. I thought "idiom" so let's pick the right one! But if Stoylar spent over an hour to devise this cunning scheme, then it may be worth re-analyzing this one :computer

A) "neither... nor" is used as an enumeration of adjectives/adverbs/verbs/pronouns pertaining to a subject and usually limited to 2 alternatives. Ex: The book is neither black nor white Ex: I am neither mad nor angry at you Ex: This pen is neither his nor mine In A: For starters, the new treaty is neither easier to understand than its predecessors, nor , overall, are the new institutional arrangements Here, the subject is "new treaty" The enumeration starts with "easier to understand" but then suddenly switch the subject to "new institutional arrangements". The enumeration is flawed. C must be it. D has the same flaw as E does as it erroneously compares the treaty's understanding to the treaty's predecessors. :done

stolyar · Answer

Yes, it is D. A NEITHER-NOR construction is not the case here. The case is an inversion.

the new treaty is NO EASIER to understand..., NOR ARE the new institutional arrangements.

Paul · Answer

Pardon me Stoylar but I'm somewhat distraught by choice D as answer.

For starters, the new treaty is no easier to understand than for  its  predecessors, nor, overall, are the new institutional arrangements

Can you tell me what "its" refers to? Does it refer to "new treaty"? If you meant to say "starters' predecessors", then should not "its" be interchanged for "their"?

mba · Answer

I think its refer to "new treaty", and is correctly used. (Any way I also got this one wrong, picked (A)) Tough one I guess!! :ouch

stolyar · Answer

Agree. ITS should read THEIR. Forgive me people. :stupid2

For starters, the new treaty is neither easier to understand

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