A former director of the Central Intelligence Agency

by JC Tue Aug 21, 2007 11:19 pm

A former director of the Central Intelligence Agency has said that the surveillance capabilities of United States satellites would enable a skilled photographic interpreter to distinguish between Guernsey and Hereford cows grazing in a meadow.

A) between Guernsey and Hereford cows grazing
B) between Guernseys and Hereford cows that graze
C) among Guernseys and Hereford cows that are grazing
D) among Guernsey and Hereford cows as they graze
E) Guernseys from Hereford cows grazing

I narrowed it down to A & E since C & D are obviously wrong.

Can someone please tell me why E is not the right answer? I thought there is an idiom for "distinguishes X from Y"

Thanks!

by **Guest** Tue Aug 21, 2007 11:47 pm

Is the answer B?

by **ratheen22** Wed Aug 22, 2007 1:41 am

I think answer is A

by HJ Wed Aug 22, 2007 6:44 pm

I think the answer is E

My explanation:
Distinguish X from Y --> in this case : distingush Guernseys from Hereford cows

What's the correct answer?

by **givemeanid** Wed Aug 22, 2007 7:53 pm

HJ Wrote:I think the answer is E

My explanation:
Distinguish X from Y --> in this case : distingush Guernseys from Hereford cows

What's the correct answer?

distinguish X from Y
distinguish between X and Y

Both are correct idioms.

by JC Thu Aug 23, 2007 1:13 am

givemeanid Wrote:
HJ Wrote:I think the answer is E

My explanation:
Distinguish X from Y --> in this case : distingush Guernseys from Hereford cows

What's the correct answer?

distinguish X from Y
distinguish between X and Y

Both are correct idioms.

Answer is A.

by **StaceyKoprince** Thu Sep 20, 2007 11:44 pm

I assume the original underline includes "between"?

Givemeanid is right - you can "distinguish X from Y" or "distinguish between X and Y." Remember that X and Y must be parallel. Only A and D correctly name the breed alone (Guernsey). The others say "GuernseyS" which means "Guernsey cows" - but it already says "Guernsey and Hereford cows" so we don't want to repeat that.

And then D uses "among" for two things; among is used for 3 or more things.

Also, just generally, this test seems to prefer "distinguish between X and Y." But do check the rest of each answer choice to make sure the other parts are all correct!