yes this is famous question of og

answer is E

its a comparison of present and past

is for present young adults and was for past for earlier generation

no" like" is not correct word for comparison "as" is required here

refer mgmat sc for like vs as use

i know the right answer,

u did not answer the query
nor the formulated sentence.

magnus opus wrote: The O.g explanation says that choice A lacks a verb corresponding to "is". Would the following sentence be correct?

,like that was of earlier generations.

Still No. This construction removes the ambiguity about the referent of that. However, Like is used to compare two nouns. That was of earlier generations is a clause. Like is not suitable here. As is appropriate.

magnus opus wrote: second, it says that "that" lacks a clear antecedent.
The answer explanation say in choice E "it" correctly refers to the phrasal subject"owning and living...."
In that case why is there a confusion regarding the antecedent of "that?"


your reply would really be very helpful, thanks
thanks

Option A
According to a recent poll, owning and living in a freestanding house on its own land is still a goal of a majority of young adults, like that of earlier generations.

In the sentence above, that can possibly refer to -
1) young adults - owning and living in a freestanding house on its own land is still a goal of a majority of young adults, like the young adults of earlier generations.
2) goal - owning and living in a freestanding house on its own land is still a goal of a majority of young adults, like the goal of earlier generations.

Option E
According to a recent poll, owning and living in a freestanding house on its own land is still a goal of a majority of young adults, as it was of earlier generations.

It cannot refer to young adults (it cannot be used for humans). Thus the only possible antecedent of it is the verbal owning and living.

According to a recent poll, owning and living in a freestanding house on its own land is still a goal of a majority of young adults, as owning and living in a freestanding house was (a goal) of earlier generations.

thanks niksworth...
a for a logically organised and thorough explanation