IMO: C for between-and

Yup! We are comparing our intelligence with that of our primates. We need between and 'and' here
Option C

Killed D and E because we need "between" when comparing 2 things.

Killed A and B because we need "and." You compare x and y, not x with y.

IMO C. distinction between X AND Y.

gmatblood wrote:One of the primary distinctions between our intelligence with that of other primates may lay not so much in any specific skill but in our ability to extend knowledge gained in one context to new and different ones.

A. between our intelligence with that of other primates may lay not so much in any specific skill but
B. between our intelligence with that of other primates may lie not so much in any specific skill but instead
C. between our intelligence and that of other primates may lie not so much in any specific skill as
D. our intelligence has from that of other primates may lie not in any specific skill as
E. of our intelligence to that of other primates may lay not in any specific skill but

+1 for C

isn't the construction, so much...as incorrect in option C?
Shouldn't i be as much...as?

isn't the construction, so many...as incorrect in option C?
Shouldn't i be as much...as?

"So much as" is an acceptable construction. As a general rule, if a construction shows up in an OA, we have to accept that it's valid on the GMAT. But if you were hoping for another source to confirm, see here: https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/so+much+as

So my understanding is -

1) not so much sth as sth - correct
2) not so much sth but sth - correct

but you can't mix them up such as not so much sth but as sth

Also, since GMAT prefers more of academic English option with idiom 1 will be more likely correct.

What do experts think?

This question hinges on another difference: between 'lie' and 'lay'.

Lie( used in the question at hand) doesn't take a direct object.


However, verb form 'lay' two uses:
Lay(past tense): past form of the verb 'to lie'--this usage is tested in the question at hand.
lay(present tense):Put in a horizontal position/ Place somewhere.


eg: lie down on table until you feel better. (meaning:recline; in present tense)

last time, the dog lay down in its den when it is sunny. nevertheless, it doesn't [color=blue]lie down[/color] even though it is 110 F outside.
In the first part of the sentence, past form of 'lie'-->'lay' is used.
present tense
In the second part, however, present form of 'lie' is used.

Coming back to our GMAT question, choices A and E use 'may lay'. may cannot be used with the past participle form of a verb(lay:past form of lie). hence A and E are incorrect due to wrong verb tense.

PS:
mnemonic: to LIe(recLIne) /to LAy(pLAce)
further read:https://www.grammarly.com/blog/lay-lie/