Tough SC - "Such as" - breaking up this idiom

Question

Hello BTR Community,
Although SC is my strongest part of Verbal, I can't seem to understand the attached Q from the GMAC Test. If an expert or someone could kindly TEACH me the concept of breaking up the "such as" idiom with a noun in between "such" and "as", and overall why the correct AC is correct, it would be greatly helpful. Thanks.

I've eliminated the following ACs based on:
A. the ability... have (sub/verb agreement) and the use of "like"
B. kept
C. kept [WHY IS THIS THE ANSWER??]
D. ability for... and "like"
E. abiility ...have (sub/verb agreement)

Jim@StratusPrep · Answer

Can you please post the question in the thread?

GMATGuruNY · Answer

The ability of scientists to provide models of the atmosphere’s complex responses to changing conditions, like seasonal and daily cycles or different planetary conjunctions, have become ever more accurate.

A. The ability of scientists to provide models of the atmosphere’s complex
responses to changing conditions, like seasonal and daily cycles or different planetary conjunctions, have become ever more accurate.

B. The ability of scientists has become ever more accurate in providing models of the atmosphere’s complex responses to changing conditions, such as seasonal and daily cycles or different planetary conjunctions.

C. Scientists have become able to provide ever more accurate models of the atmosphere’s complex responses to such changing conditions as seasonal and daily cycles or different planetary conjunctions.

D. Scientists have become ever more accurate in their ability for providing models of the atmosphere’s complex responses to changing conditions, like seasonal and daily cycles or different planetary conjunctions.

E. Scientists’ ability to provide models of the atmosphere’s complex responses to such changing conditions as seasonal and daily cycles or different planetary conjunctions have become ever more accurate.

In A and E, ability (singular) does not agree with have (plural). Eliminate A and E.

In B, the ability...has become ever more accurate conveys a nonsensical meaning. An ABILITY cannot be ACCURATE. The intended meaning here is that the MODELS are becoming ever more accurate. Eliminate B.

In D, like means SIMILAR TO; it cannot serve to introduce examples. Eliminate D.

The correct answer is C.

X's such as Y and such X's as Y convey the same basic meaning and serve the same purpose: to give examples.
Either is fine.

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vinodsundaram · Answer

Totally agree with Mitch's answer.

By process of elimination, I get C

C. Scientists have become able to provide ever more accurate models of the atmosphere’s complex responses to such changing conditions as seasonal and daily cycles or different planetary conjunctions.

doesn't C sound Weird ? Did i miss anything while spotting the errors?

Scientists have become able to provide ever more accurate models of the atmosphere’s complex responses

anuprajan5 · Answer

GMATGuruNY wrote:The ability of scientists to provide models of the atmosphere’s complex responses to changing conditions, like seasonal and daily cycles or different planetary conjunctions, have become ever more accurate. A. The ability of scientists to provide models of the atmosphere’s complex responses to changing conditions, like seasonal and daily cycles or different planetary conjunctions, have become ever more accurate. B. The ability of scientists has become ever more accurate in providing models of the atmosphere’s complex responses to changing conditions, such as seasonal and daily cycles or different planetary conjunctions. C. Scientists have become able to provide ever more accurate models of the atmosphere’s complex responses to such changing conditions as seasonal and daily cycles or different planetary conjunctions. D. Scientists have become ever more accurate in their ability for providing models of the atmosphere’s complex responses to changing conditions, like seasonal and daily cycles or different planetary conjunctions. E. Scientists’ ability to provide models of the atmosphere’s complex responses to such changing conditions as seasonal and daily cycles or different planetary conjunctions have become ever more accurate. In A and E, ability (singular) does not agree with have (plural). Eliminate A and E. In B, the ability...has become ever more accurate conveys a nonsensical meaning. An ABILITY cannot be ACCURATE. The intended meaning here is that the MODELS are becoming ever more accurate. Eliminate B. In D, like means SIMILAR TO; it cannot serve to introduce examples. Eliminate D. The correct answer is C. X's such as Y and such X's as Y convey the same basic meaning and serve the same purpose: to give examples. Either is fine. Just an addition - in choice D, ability for - I would eliminate basis that as well.

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Tough SC - "Such as" - breaking up this idiom

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