大全226,distinction of being...& like/as用法

大全226，Cooperative apartment houses have the peculiar distinction of being dwellings that must also operate as businesses.

                   (A) of being dwellings that must also operate as businesses

                   (B) of dwellings that must also operate like business

                   (C) that they are dwellings that must operate like business

                   (D) that, as dwellings, they must also operate like businesses

                   (E) to be a dwelling that must also operate as a business
        

答案：A

我对B有两个疑问：1，distinction of being sth是固定用法吗？

                                     2，operate as businesses和operate like businesses这两种用法都可以吗？有何区别？请高手指教

1.   distinction:  ▶BEING SPECIAL◀
[singular]the quality of being special in some way

have/earn/achieve etc the distinction of doing something
            

At that time, it had the distinction of being the largest bridge in the UK.

The US enjoys the dubious distinction of being the lawsuit capital of the world.

2.  operate as something
to have a particular purpose
The foam operates as a very effective filter. The car's service manual is designed to operate as a guide for owners.