Updated: Exam Techniques: How to answer question about "as, like, as if..." By Million Abebe (MA in English and B. Ed. Degree in Pedagogy): 2022

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Smart Explanations and Smart Exam Taking Strategies 

Overview

These explanations show you how to answer generally, any multiple choice question in any subject and specifically, any question about "as, like, as if, as though, just like..." by applying RET (Reason + Elimination Techniques). Thus, this material/post has 4 sections: the techniques, the practice questions, explanations and summary!

1. Rule + Elimination Techniques

Before giving/choosing the correct answer, look for a "clue" (Note: There is no question without clue!) that could be used as "reason" either to choose the correct answer or to eliminate the wrong choices. 

For example, to answer any question about "as, like, as if, as though, just like...", follow the next two simple steps:

☞ Asking and answering: First you have to ask and 

answer the question: About which function (of as, like, as if, as though, just like...) does the question ask?"

☞ Cross-checking and eliminating: Cross-check the 

rules with the given choices and then eliminate all unrelated choices.

Note: See the next summart summary and/or read the

the Special Handout: on As, like, as if, as though, alike, unlike.. !

2. Practice Questions 

Look the next questions, the first two questions are taken from Entrance Exams: ENGLISH  (Ethiopia)!

1. She has just had a haircut; she _______ 20 in this 

new hair style, doesn't she? (G-12: 2014)
A. looks at                     

B. look like  
C. as if she becomes      

D. looks as if she were

2. Our housemaid is really a nice woman. She 

______ a mother. (G-12: 2014)

A. is as     B. is like  

C. acts     D. looks

3. Gelane works in international television station _____ 

her elder sister.

A. as        B. as though   

C. as if    D. like

4. Gelane works in international television station 

_____ her elder sister does.

A. as if      B. like  

C. as         D. just like

5. Gelane works in international television

station _____ journalist.

A. as         B. just like  

C. as if     D. like

 6. Gelane works in international television station _____ 

her elder sister always suggests.

A. as if       B. like  

C. as          D. just like

7. Gelane has been dreaming to work in 

international television stations _____ BBC, CNN, Aljazzera, CGTN...

A. as if    B. like    

C. as       D. just like

8. Joe Biden has been elected _____ the 46th US President; 

it is expected that he will have more positive impacts _____ his friend Obama.

A. like/as      B. as/as 

C. as/like      D. like/like

9. Some politicians and activists surprise me when they 

talk _______ the whole society assigned them although they know that no one has assigned them to fight us.

A. as         B. just like  

C. as if      D. like

10.I like my cycle very much as I use it for 

various transportations ____ car to carry materials.

A. like     B. looks like 

C. as      D. just like 

3. Explanations

Q. Our housemaid is really a nice woman. She 

______ a mother. (G-12: 2014)
A. is as     B. is like 
C. acts     D. looks

Explanation 1

This question could go in line with the rules "to show comparison/similarity" or to talk about "unreal situation"!
Look the rules:

☞ subject + act: "to show unreal situation"
☞ like + phrase: "to show unreal situation" or

"to show comparison/similarity"

☞ subject + look: "to show unreal situation" or 

"to show real situation"

☞ subject + look like: "to show unreal situation" or 

"to show real situation"

☞ as + clause: "to show comparison/similarity"
☞ as + phrase/clause: "to show real situation"

So, based on the above rules, all the choices should be eliminated except B.

Ans. B

Q. She has just had a haircut; she _______ 20 in this 

new hair style, doesn't she? (G-12: 2014)
A. looks at                    
B. looks like 
C. as if she becomes     
D. looks as if she were

Explanation 2

This question is about "unreal situation". From the context, she is NOT 20 years old but her new hair style made her looks like that!
All the structures which are given on each choice could be used to talk about "unreal situation".
Look the rules: 

☞ subject + look
☞ subject + look like
☞ as if + subject + present/future tense
☞ as if + subject + past tense

Although all these structures could be used to talk about "unreal situation", the first 3 structures could be used to talk about both "unreal situation" and "real situation"!

• as if + subject + present/future tense) is used to show that something has possibility to be real!
• For the first and the second structures, look under explanation-1.

The fourth structure (as if + subject + simple past tense) is used to talk about present unreal situation!
Therefore, eliminate all the choices except D.

Ans. D

Examples:

• Melaku looks like his father, in his behaviors and physical appearance.
• Melaku looks like happy person when he talks.
• Melaku looks good in his new suit. 
  

Q. Gelane works in international television station _____ 

her elder sister.

A. as        B. as though   

C. as if    D. like

Explanation-3

This question is about "similarity" (clue: comparison between Gelane and her sister) and also the blank space is followed by "phrase" (clue: her elder sister). So, based on the above rules (see smart summary), all the choices will be eliminated except D.

Ans. D

Tip: Using blank space + elimination techniques

To answer any question that deal with 'similarity/ comparison' ( about "as, like, as if, as though, just like..."), you can use the blank space as clue!
Rules: To show similarity/make comparison:

•  "as" + clause
• - "like"/"just like" + phrase

Note: See the next question and identify the difference!
Q. Gelane works in international television station 

_____ her elder sister does.

A. as if      B. like  

C. as         D. just like

Q. Gelane works in international television

station _____ journalist.

A. as         B. just like  

C. as if     D. like

Explanation-4

The above question is about profession (clue: "journalist"). We use "as" to show profession/job/authority... Based on this rule, eliminate all the choices will be eliminated except A.

Ans. A

Q. Gelane works in international television station _____ 

her elder sister always suggests.

A. as if       B. like  

C. as          D. just like

Explanation-5

This question is about "verbs of saying" (clue: "suggests"). With the verbs of saying or state verbs, we use "as" (see...). So, you can eliminate all the choices except C.  

Ans. C

Q. Some politicians and activists surprise me when 

they talk _______ the whole society assigned them although they know that no one has assigned them to fight us.

A. as        B. just like  

C. as if    D. like

Explanation-6

This question refers/about "unrealistic comparison" (clue: "no one has assigned them..."). For unreal situations, both "like", "as if" & "as though" could be used. Based on the next rules, all the choices will be eliminated except C.
Rules: "like" + noun/phrase, "as if" & "as though" + clause (with verb2).

Ans. C

Q. I like my cycle very much as I use it for 

various transportations ____ car to carry materials.
A. like     B. looks like 

C. as      D. just like

Explanation-7

Look this question; it is about the function (clue: "I use it for various transportations..."). To express the functions, we use "as".

Ans. C

Q. Gelane has been dreaming to work in 

international television stations _____ BBC, CNN, Aljazzera, CGTN...

A. as if  B. like  C. as  D. just like

Explanation-8

The above question is about giving examples (clue: "BBC, CNN, Aljazzera, CGTN..." are examples of "international television stations".). We use "like" to give examples. Thus, eliminate all the choices will be eliminated except B.

Ans. B

Q. Joe Biden has been elected _____ the 46th US 

President; it is expected that he will have more positive impacts _____ his friend Obama.

A. like/as    B. as/as 

C. as/like   D. like/like

Explanation-9

The first blank space refers to position/job/authority (clue: "US President"); the blank space needs "as". So, eliminate all the choices that don't begin with "as". Choices A&D will be eliminated. The second blank space refers to "similarity" but it is followed by "phrase"; therefore, choice B should be eliminated (clue: as + clause; like + phrase).

Ans. C

Note: Look these questions:

Q. It is interesting! Joe Biden has been elected _____ 

the 46th US President; it is expected that he will have more positive impacts _______ his friend Obama did some years ago.

A. like/as     B. as/as 

C. as/like    D. like/like

Q. It is expected that Biden will appoint Obama ______ 

one of his advisers ______ Obama did during his Presidency.

A. like/like      B. like/as 

C. as/like       D. as/as

4. Summary: 3 Common Exam Taking Strategies & their Benefits

Integrated Materials 

• New 2014EC Grade 12 Entrance Exam English Questions Worksheet on comparison, as, like, as if, as though, alike, unlike.
• Worksheet on "as, like, as if, as though.
• Handout: on As, like, as if, as though, alike, unlike.. ! 
• English Worksheet for Grades 9-12 Students on "as, like..."
• Smart Exam Techniques Part ONE: How to answer any question about quantifiers
• Smart Exam Strategy/Techniques Part TWO for Grades 9-12.pdf
• Smart Exam Techniques Part FOUR: How to answer any question about tense
• Smart Exam Techniques Part FIVE: Explanation and Techniques how to answer any question about adverbial clauses