Lotus body temperature

Question

Like humans and other warm-blooded animals, researchers report that the lotus has the remarkable ability of keeping its temperature in a narrow range.

(A) Like humans and other warm-blooded animals, researchers report that the lotus has the remarkable ability of keeping its temperature in a narrow range.

(B) Researchers report that within a narrow range, the lotus has the remarkable ability to keep its temperature like humans and other warm-blooded animals do.

(C) Researchers report that the lotus has the remarkable ability of keeping its temperature to a narrow range, as humans and other warm-blooded animals can.

(D) Researchers report that the lotus has the remarkable ability to keep its temperature within a narrow range, as do humans and other warm-blooded animals.

(E) As humans and other warm-blooded animals can, researchers report that the lotus has the remarkable ability of keeping its temperature in a narrow range.

Patrick_GMATFix · Answer

The correct answer should directly compare either humans and animals to the lotus, or what humans and animals can do to what the lotus can do. Further, we can eliminate any choice that uses "like" to compare clauses (the 2nd comparison option in the previous sentence). It's incorrect to say "the lotus can do X like humans can"

Finally, there are a few comparable bits that can be used ("ability to" vs "ability of", "within a narrow range" vs "to a narrow range"). The full solution below is taken from the GMATFix App.

-Patrick

Bill@VeritasPrep · Answer

"Ability to" is preferable to "ability of". You would say "I have the ability to fly", not "I have the ability of flying". Eliminate A, C, and E.

"As" is better than "like" because we are comparing verbs (having the ability). If we were directly comparing the lotus with humans and other animals, we would use "like".

Also, B is awkward and vague. Within a narrow range, the lotus has the ability to keep its temperature...what? Keep it constant? Keep it high?

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richachampion · Answer

There are so many things tested here -

Idiom ability to VS ability of
Comparison
Correct Usage of like Vs as

But what I do not understand is the Official explanation for Option B.

The OE: The Placement of the adverbial Modifier within a narrow range, has this phrase explaining where the lotus has the ability to keep its temperature (as opposed to giving it aways) - https://screencast.com/t/sJRnaOr4z3m

I am unable to make head ad tail of this statement.

GMATGuruNY · Answer

richachampion wrote:But what I do not understand is the Official explanation for Option B.

The OE: The Placement of the adverbial Modifier within a narrow range, has this phrase explaining where the lotus has the ability to keep its temperature (as opposed to giving it aways) - https://screencast.com/t/sJRnaOr4z3m

I am unable to make head ad tail of this statement.

Generally, an introductory prepositional phrase serves as an ADVERB modifying the main verb in the following clause.
B: within a narrow range, the lotus HAS
Here, within a narrow range (an introductory prepositional phrase) seems to modify has (the main verb in the following clause).
Conveyed meaning:
The lotus HAS within a narrow range.
Not the intended meaning.

The intention here is to discuss the range of the TEMPERATURE.
OA: to keep its temperature within a narrow range
Here, within a narrow range is an adverb modifying to keep.
Conveyed meaning:
The temperature is KEPT within a narrow range.
This is the intended meaning.

richachampion · Answer

GMATGuruNY wrote:richachampion wrote:But what I do not understand is the Official explanation for Option B. The OE: The Placement of the adverbial Modifier within a narrow range, has this phrase explaining where the lotus has the ability to keep its temperature (as opposed to giving it aways) - https://screencast.com/t/sJRnaOr4z3m I am unable to make head ad tail of this statement. Generally, an introductory prepositional phrase serves as an ADVERB modifying the main verb in the following clause. B: within a narrow range, the lotus HAS Here, within a narrow range (an introductory prepositional phrase) seems to modify has (the main verb in the following clause). Conveyed meaning: The lotus HAS within a narrow range. Not the intended meaning. The intention here is to discuss the range of the TEMPERATURE. OA: to keep its temperature within a narrow range Here, within a narrow range is an adverb modifying to keep. Conveyed meaning: The temperature is KEPT within a narrow range. This is the intended meaning. Thanks once again MR. Hunt.

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