Aleuts or Inuits

Question

Inuits of the Bering Sea were in isolation from contact with Europeans longer than Aleuts or Inuits of the North Pacific and northern Alaska.

(A) in isolation from contact with Europeans longer than
(B) isolated from contact with Europeans longer than
(C) in isolation from contact with Europeans longer than were
(D) isolated from contact with Europeans longer than were
(E) in isolation and without contacts with Europeans longer than

OAD

Hi Experts ,

Please explain why not B.

What is the difference between [spoiler]B & D[/spoiler]

Please explain.

Many thanks in advance.

SJ

GMATGuruNY · Answer

jain2016 wrote:Please explain why not B.

What is the difference between [spoiler]B & D[/spoiler]

B: Inuits of the Bering Sea were isolated from contact with Europeans longer than Aleuts or Inuits of the North Pacific and northern Alaska.
This wording allows for two logical interpretations:

1. Inuits of the Bering Sea were isolated from contact with Europeans longer than were Aleuts or Inuits of the North Pacific and northern Alaska [isolated from contact with Europeans].
2. Inuits of the Bering Sea were isolated from contact with Europeans longer than [Inuits of the Bering Sea were isolated from contact with] Aleuts or Inuits of the North Pacific and northern Alaska.

Since the intended comparison is not crystal clear, eliminate B.

OA: Inuits of the Bering Sea were isolated from contact with Europeans longer than were Aleuts or Inuits of the North Pacific and northern Alaska.
Here, the usage of were makes the intended comparison crystal clear:
Inuits of the Bering Sea were isolated from contact with Europeans longer than WERE Aleuts or Inuits of the North Pacific and northern Alaska [isolated from contact with Europeans].

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aflaam · Answer

GMATGuruNY wrote:jain2016 wrote:Please explain why not B. What is the difference between [spoiler]B & D[/spoiler] B: Inuits of the Bering Sea were isolated from contact with Europeans longer than Aleuts or Inuits of the North Pacific and northern Alaska. This wording allows for two logical interpretations: 1. Inuits of the Bering Sea were isolated from contact with Europeans longer than were Aleuts or Inuits of the North Pacific and northern Alaska [isolated from contact with Europeans]. 2. Inuits of the Bering Sea were isolated from contact with Europeans longer than [Inuits of the Bering Sea were isolated from contact with] Aleuts or Inuits of the North Pacific and northern Alaska. Since the intended comparison is not crystal clear, eliminate B. OA: Inuits of the Bering Sea were isolated from contact with Europeans longer than were Aleuts or Inuits of the North Pacific and northern Alaska. Here, the usage of were makes the intended comparison crystal clear: Inuits of the Bering Sea were isolated from contact with Europeans longer than WERE Aleuts or Inuits of the North Pacific and northern Alaska [isolated from contact with Europeans]. Guru, can you comment on the split here: isolated vs in isolation. how to choose?

jain2016 · Answer

Hi Aflaam , I eliminated option A,C, and E because in isolation is not correct idiom. Correct Idiom -- IS ISOLATED FROM @Experts , please correct me if I am wrong. Thanks, SJ

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