especially on how to choose between options A and B

focusgmat wrote:While a supernova originally causes a star to increase in brilliance ,
it will eventually cause the star's light to gradually decline and disappear, as a flashlight fading from weakening batteries.


a)
b)decline and disappear , like a flashlight fading from weakening batteries
C)decline or disappear , as a flashlight fading from weakening batteries
d) either decline or disappear, as a flashlight fading from weakening batteries
e)decline and disappear , just as a flashlight fading from weakening batteries

Can anyone elaborate on how to approach this question ?

as i understand, we need a phrase with Subject and verb behind just as and as
and like +N/ ving
thus B is my answer

You should use like when you are comparing nouns or noun phrases and As when you are comparing clauses.

In this question, "a flashlight fading from weakening batteries" looks more like a noun phrase to me. I think "fading from weakening batteries" is modifying flashlight.

I pick B.

Hi,
B is what i choose, because "like" is used for comparison. As is used with "as this as that", just as is an idiom used with "just as.......so".
hope it helps

regards

focusgmat wrote:While a supernova originally causes a star to increase in brilliance ,
it will eventually cause the star's light to gradually decline and disappear, as a flashlight fading from weakening batteries.


a)
b)decline and disappear , like a flashlight fading from weakening batteries
C)decline or disappear , as a flashlight fading from weakening batteries
d) either decline or disappear, as a flashlight fading from weakening batteries
e)decline and disappear , just as a flashlight fading from weakening batteries

Can anyone elaborate on how to approach this question ?

How to decide whether flashlight fading from weakening batteries is acting as a phrase. I thought it was a clause with flashlight as the subject and fading as the verb and chose A.

Can someone pls explain.

In MGMAT SC I read that 'like' is normally used to introduce examples. But in this case it is trying to compare I believe.

Isnt it so?

its not comparision its like giving example hence as is better than like...

as we say " he is as fat as elephant" we never say " he is fat like elephant"


imo A

what is oa?

kvcpk wrote:In MGMAT SC I read that 'like' is normally used to introduce examples. But in this case it is trying to compare I believe.

Isnt it so?

Always use Such as to indicate examples.
Use Like to indicate similarities.

Can you buy me some fruits like oranges or grapefruit? - Wrong

This sentence would mean that you do NOT want oranges or grapefruit; instead, you'd prefer some fruits similar to oranges and grapefruit.

Can you buy me some fruits such as oranges or grapefruit? - Correct

Oranges and grapefruit are examples of the type of fruits we want.

Hope that helps...

I believe answer is A. We are comparing action ( gradually declining and disappearing) with fading of weakening batteries..

viju9162 wrote:I believe answer is A. We are comparing action ( gradually declining and disappearing) with fading of weakening batteries..

Agree with you..

hardik.jadeja wrote: Always use Such as to indicate examples.
Use Like to indicate similarities.

Thanks Hardik!!

viju9162 wrote:I believe answer is A. We are comparing action ( gradually declining and disappearing) with fading of weakening batteries..

Don't you think it is comparing star's light to flashlight?

I think "fading from weakening batteries" is a participle phrase, which acts as a modifier of flashlight.

OA is B as per the SC bible.

Guyz who answered B as the answer and who recognized the statement (a flashlight fading from weakening batteries) as a noun phrase , can you please explain how to recognize noun phrases more clearly please.

I am always getting confused with the Like vs As scenarios.

Summary on my understanding :

Like is used for comparisons or used to compare Nouns
As not used for comparisons or used to compare Clauses

In this question ,I felt option A) is correct because 'AS' is usually used to compare clauses.In this case(B), As a flashlight .... is a clause.

To be more clear on what I understand ,for example :

Joe , like Mary , lives in a stucco house. (It is a comparison of Nouns)
Joe lives in a stucco house, as Mary does. ('as Mary does' is a clause)

Please explain.

You may find this post useful,

https://www.beatthegmat.com/papgust-s-gm ... tml#262321