Need expert confirmation on one thought

[voodoo_child]

In no other historical sighting did Halley's comet cause such a worldwide sensation as did its return in 1910-1911.

A. did its return in 1910-1911
B. had its 1910-1911 return
C. in its return of 1910-1911
D. its return of 1910-1911 did
E. its return in 1910-1911

I came across this SC. C) is obviously the correct answer.

Would it be fine if I modify E) to say "like" its return in 1910...

I just to make sure that we are rulign out choice E because of wrong comparison with prepositional phrase that "as" cant....

Thanks

[e-GMAT]

The short answer to your question is that choice E is incorrect because it makes a comparison between prepositional phrase and a noun -
Element 1 = in no other historical sighting
Element 2 = its return

Now here is the long answer.
Meaning of the sentence - Presents comparison between 'sensation' or impact of different appearances of the Halley's comet.

An interesting thing about this sentence is that it has an inverted structure, which we can "straighten" out as follows:

In no other historical sighting did Halley's Comet cause such a worldwide sensation as did its return in 1910-1911.

The main verb here is DID CAUSE - or in other words - CAUSED
Who or what DID CAUSE - The Halley's comet

So we can write this sentence as follows:

Halley's comet did cause (or caused) such a world wide sensation in no other historical sighting as did its return in 1910-1911.

So here is what we did - we identified the verb and then the subject and then we wrote the sentence in the right order - Subject verb - object (if applicable). In this sentence there is an object - such a worldwide sensation - explaining what was caused by Halley's comet. Also, the phrase ' in no other historical sighting" explains the timing of the verb - caused or did cause, explaining when the world wide sensation was caused.

Now on similar lines, lets also "straighten" second part of the sentence. "as did its return in 1910-1911". In this part, the verb is "did". The subject is "its return". And note carefully now the phrase - in 1910-1911 - modifies - its return.

Now lets write down the complete "straightened" sentence:

Halley's comet did cause such a world wide sensation in no other historical sighting as its return in 1910-1911 did.

Clause 1 = Halley's comet did cause such a world wide sensation in no other historical sighting
Clause 2 = as its return in 1910-1911 did.

This sentence now compares "Halley's comet" with "its return". This is not logical comparison.

Alternatively, per our meaning analysis the sentence compares 'sensation' or impact between two different instances when Comet appeared. - the two different instances in green and brown fonts should be compared. This comparison is not obvious. First of all they are NOT playing the same role in the sentence. In Clause 1, this is modifying the verb but in clause 2, its modifying the noun - its return. Secondly and more importantly the comparison is clearly set up between comet and its return as discussed above and this is illogical.

With this analysis, I am sure you can now figure out why choices D and E are incorrect. Choice D is similar to A with just different placement of "did".

Choice E sets up comparison between "in no other historical sighting" and "its return in 1910-1911".i.e. between prepositional phrase and a noun.

So see how by understanding the structure of choice A, you could solve the complete question without going back and forth.

[voodoo_child]

thanks e-gmat. Could you please also answer my question related to "like" in E) ? I believe that you forgot to answer that

Thanks

[e-GMAT]

Is your question as follows:
Will choice E be correct if instead of "As" we used "like".

If this is your question, then I already responded to your question (see first 3 lines of my response)
"The short answer to your question is that choice E is incorrect because it makes a comparison between prepositional phrase and a noun -
Element 1 = in no other historical sighting
Element 2 = its return "

If my understanding of your doubt is not correct, then please elaborate your question further so that I can respond.

[voodoo_child]

Is your question as follows:
Will choice E be correct if instead of "As" we used "like".

If this is your question, then I already responded to your question (see first 3 lines of my response)
"The short answer to your question is that choice E is incorrect because it makes a comparison between prepositional phrase and a noun -
Element 1 = in no other historical sighting
Element 2 = its return "

If my understanding of your doubt is not correct, then please elaborate your question further so that I can respond.

I think it makes sense now. Can you please give me another example so that I can fix the concept in my head...Thanks so much, for your help ....