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.

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

In-depth Explanation and Correct Answer Below (so you don’t see it while reviewing the question)

One of the primary distinctions between our intelligence… Explanation

This sentence correction comparison question comes down to a key GMAT parallel/idiom comparison structure: between x and y. It’s 99.9999% arranged that way on the GMAT.

The basic comparison idea still applies:

1. Identify the comparison.

2. Ensure parallel structure and like things

This time though we don’t have a verb v. no verb or dis-similar things but an idiomatic structure.

Not many GMAT questions come down to idioms. And you don’t have to memorize an idiom list. But there are a few idioms worth knowing and between x and y is certainly one them.

More below.

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

Between x AND y. We need “lie” not “lay”.
(B) between our intelligence with that of other primates may lie not so much in any specific skill but instead

Between x AND y

(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

Distinction between x and y.

(E) of our intelligence to that of other primates may lay not in any specific skill but

We need “lie” not “lay”

Correct Answer: C

Explanation Summary

1. There are some very common idioms worth knowing. Between x and y is near the top of that list.

2. Not all comparisons deal in like things and parallel structure so be flexible.

3. Again, be flexible. On this one, for many, lie vs lay is a great place to start.

Additional Challenging GMAT Sentence Correction Comparison Questions

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

While it costs about the same to run nuclear plants as other types of power plants, it is the fixed costs that stem from building nuclear plants that makes it more expensive for them to generate electricity.

Inuits of the bering sea were in isolation from contact with europeans longer than Aleuts or Inuits of the north pacific and northern Alaska.

For some zoomed out SC strategy, here’s a post on GMAT sentence correction.