In contrast to ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States trade deficit with Mexico declined by $500 million as a result of record exports to that country.
A. In contrast to ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States trade deficit with Mexico declined by $500 million as a result of record exports to that country.
B. In contrast to ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States sold record exports to Mexico, reducing its trade deficit by $500 million.
C. When compared with ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States sold record exports to Mexico, reducing their trade deficit by $500 million.
D. Compared with ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States sold record exports to Mexico, reducing the trade deficit by $500 million.
E. Compared to ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States record exports to Mexico caused a $500 million decline in the trade deficit with that country.
OA: A
I would appreciate if you can tell me why E is a incorrect choice.
In contrast to vs. Compared to
This topic has expert replies
- utkalnayak
- Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
- Posts: 53
- Joined: Thu Dec 25, 2014 2:23 pm
- Thanked: 1 times
- MartyMurray
- Legendary Member
- Posts: 2131
- Joined: Mon Feb 03, 2014 9:26 am
- Location: https://martymurraycoaching.com/
- Thanked: 955 times
- Followed by:140 members
- GMAT Score:800
The expression compared to is used to express similarity between on thing another. Here's an example.utkalnayak wrote:In contrast to ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States trade deficit with Mexico declined by $500 million as a result of record exports to that country.
A. In contrast to ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States trade deficit with Mexico declined by $500 million as a result of record exports to that country.
B. In contrast to ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States sold record exports to Mexico, reducing its trade deficit by $500 million.
C. When compared with ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States sold record exports to Mexico, reducing their trade deficit by $500 million.
D. Compared with ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States sold record exports to Mexico, reducing the trade deficit by $500 million.
E. Compared to ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States record exports to Mexico caused a $500 million decline in the trade deficit with that country.
OA: A
I would appreciate if you can tell me why E is a incorrect choice.
His writing has been compared to that of Dickens.
That sentence is meant to convey that people find his writing to be similar to that of Dickens.
In choice E, compared to is incorrectly used to convey that there is a contrast. If read literally, the sentence would almost seem to say that the record exports are somehow similar to the ongoing imbalances, which is nonsensical.
Having said that, I have seen some say that the GMAT does not restrict the use of compared to to the way I described above, instead, according to those people, it is used interchangeably with compared with. Even if this is the case, the meaning of the sentence in choice E is still unclear and the sentence could still be interpreted in the way I described above. Therefore, E is not a good choice and using the expression in contrast to is a much better way to begin the sentence.
Marty Murray
Perfect Scoring Tutor With Over a Decade of Experience
MartyMurrayCoaching.com
Contact me at [email protected] for a free consultation.
Perfect Scoring Tutor With Over a Decade of Experience
MartyMurrayCoaching.com
Contact me at [email protected] for a free consultation.
- GMATGuruNY
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 15539
- Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pm
- Location: New York, NY
- Thanked: 13060 times
- Followed by:1906 members
- GMAT Score:790
B: In contrast to ongoing trade imbalances...the United Statesutkalnayak wrote:In contrast to ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States trade deficit with Mexico declined by $500 million as a result of record exports to that country.
A. In contrast to ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States trade deficit with Mexico declined by $500 million as a result of record exports to that country.
B. In contrast to ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States sold record exports to Mexico, reducing its trade deficit by $500 million.
C. When compared with ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States sold record exports to Mexico, reducing their trade deficit by $500 million.
D. Compared with ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States sold record exports to Mexico, reducing the trade deficit by $500 million.
E. Compared to ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States record exports to Mexico caused a $500 million decline in the trade deficit with that country.
Here, a contrast is illogically drawn between THE UNITED STATES and TRADE IMBALANCES.
Eliminate B.
C and D: compared with ongoing trade imbalances...the United States
Here, the UNITED STATES is illogically compared with TRADE IMBALANCES.
Eliminate C and D.
X may be compared to Y only if X and Y are LIKE THINGS.
E: Compared to ongoing trade imbalances, the United States record exports
Here, RECORD EXPORTS are illogically compared to TRADE IMBALANCES.
Since RECORD EXPORTS and TRADE IMBALANCES are NOT like things, the usage of compared to is inappropriate.
Eliminate E.
The correct answer is A.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.
As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.
For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.
As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.
For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
- utkalnayak
- Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
- Posts: 53
- Joined: Thu Dec 25, 2014 2:23 pm
- Thanked: 1 times
That makes sense, comparison should be between 2 parallel objects. Thank you Mitch.
Thanks,
Utkal
Utkal
GMAT/MBA Expert
- [email protected]
- Elite Legendary Member
- Posts: 10392
- Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pm
- Location: Palo Alto, CA
- Thanked: 2867 times
- Followed by:511 members
- GMAT Score:800
Hi utkalnayak,
This SC is built on a Comparison. Comparison rules require that we compare LIKE things.
For example:
We can compare....
a country to a country.
a country to several countries.
a deficit to a surplus.
a surplus to several deficits
Etc.
From the answer choices, we can see that the first part of the comparison is "ongoing TRADE IMBALANCES WITH CHINA AND JAPAN", so we have to make sure that the second part of the comparison is comparable to "trade imbalances...." Answers B, C and D gives us "the United States"; answer E gives us "United States record exports." None of these is comparable to "trade imbalances." Eliminate them all. Answer A gives us "the United States trade deficit" which IS comparable to "trade imbalances."
Final Answer: A
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
This SC is built on a Comparison. Comparison rules require that we compare LIKE things.
For example:
We can compare....
a country to a country.
a country to several countries.
a deficit to a surplus.
a surplus to several deficits
Etc.
From the answer choices, we can see that the first part of the comparison is "ongoing TRADE IMBALANCES WITH CHINA AND JAPAN", so we have to make sure that the second part of the comparison is comparable to "trade imbalances...." Answers B, C and D gives us "the United States"; answer E gives us "United States record exports." None of these is comparable to "trade imbalances." Eliminate them all. Answer A gives us "the United States trade deficit" which IS comparable to "trade imbalances."
Final Answer: A
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
What about the pronoun ".....that country"
Which country does this pronoun refer to??
We would say Mexico but it could be another country??
Also, should there not be a possessive "apostrophe" with the United States trade deficit to show that we are comparing the "trade deficit"
Hope I am not getting it all wrong..
Which country does this pronoun refer to??
We would say Mexico but it could be another country??
Also, should there not be a possessive "apostrophe" with the United States trade deficit to show that we are comparing the "trade deficit"
Hope I am not getting it all wrong..
- GMATGuruNY
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 15539
- Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pm
- Location: New York, NY
- Thanked: 13060 times
- Followed by:1906 members
- GMAT Score:790
The United States trade deficit with Mexico declined by $500 million as a result of record exports to that country.Tmoni26 wrote:What about the pronoun ".....that country"
Which country does this pronoun refer to??
We would say Mexico but it could be another country??
Given the preceding clause -- which indicates that the United States trade deficit with Mexico declined -- a reader will know from context that record exports to that country means RECORD EXPORTS FROM THE UNITED STATES TO MEXICO.
No other interpretation is possible.
A noun can serve as an adjective:Also, should there not be a possessive "apostrophe" with the United States trade deficit to show that we are comparing the "trade deficit"
SOCCER player
HISTORY book
COMPUTER keyboard
In all of these examples, the first noun serves as an adjective modifying the second noun.
The UNITED STATES trade deficit.
Here, United States serves as an adjective modifying trade deficit.
What KIND of trade deficit?
The UNITED STATES trade deficit.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.
As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.
For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.
As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.
For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
-
- Legendary Member
- Posts: 712
- Joined: Fri Sep 25, 2015 4:39 am
- Thanked: 14 times
- Followed by:5 members
Hi Mitch,GMATGuruNY wrote:B: In contrast to ongoing trade imbalances...the United Statesutkalnayak wrote:In contrast to ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States trade deficit with Mexico declined by $500 million as a result of record exports to that country.
A. In contrast to ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States trade deficit with Mexico declined by $500 million as a result of record exports to that country.
B. In contrast to ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States sold record exports to Mexico, reducing its trade deficit by $500 million.
C. When compared with ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States sold record exports to Mexico, reducing their trade deficit by $500 million.
D. Compared with ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States sold record exports to Mexico, reducing the trade deficit by $500 million.
E. Compared to ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States record exports to Mexico caused a $500 million decline in the trade deficit with that country.
Here, a contrast is illogically drawn between THE UNITED STATES and TRADE IMBALANCES.
Eliminate B.
C and D: compared with ongoing trade imbalances...the United States
Here, the UNITED STATES is illogically compared with TRADE IMBALANCES.
Eliminate C and D.
X may be compared to Y only if X and Y are LIKE THINGS.
E: Compared to ongoing trade imbalances, the United States record exports
Here, RECORD EXPORTS are illogically compared to TRADE IMBALANCES.
Since RECORD EXPORTS and TRADE IMBALANCES are NOT like things, the usage of compared to is inappropriate.
Eliminate E.
The correct answer is A.
1- What do you mean use 'compare to' when they are like things?
2-Can I use 'compare to' interchangeably with 'compare with' like the following examples:
A- Compared to ongoing trade imbalances, the United States ongoing trade imbalances....
B- Compared with ongoing trade imbalances, the United States ongoing trade imbalances......
3- Is placing 'when' before compared considered not idiomatic in GMAT?
Thanks
- GMATGuruNY
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 15539
- Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pm
- Location: New York, NY
- Thanked: 13060 times
- Followed by:1906 members
- GMAT Score:790
An imbalance is an INEQUALITY.Mo2men wrote: Hi Mitch,
1- What do you mean use 'compare to' when they are like things?
Exports are PRODUCTS.
It is illogical to compare an INEQUALITY to PRODUCTS.
Thus, an imbalance cannot logically be compared to exports.
The GMAT does not distinguish between compare to and compare with.2-Can I use 'compare to' interchangeably with 'compare with'
The two phrases should be considered interchangeable.
Generally, when compared is to be avoided because it will distort the intended meaning.3- Is placing 'when' before compared considered not idiomatic in GMAT?[/u]
C: When compared with ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States sold record exports to Mexico.
Here, the usage of when implies that record exports were sold AT A PARTICULAR MOMENT:
WHEN the United States was COMPARED.
Not the intended meaning:
The record exports were NOT sold at a particular moment.
Eliminate C.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.
As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.
For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.
As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.
For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3