OG11－104

Nuclear fusion is the force that powers the Sun, the stars, and hydrogen bombs, merging the nuclei of atoms and not splitting them apart, as in nuclear reators.

(A) merging the nuclei of atoms and not splitting them apart, as in nuclear reators

(B) merging the nuclei of atoms instead of splitting them apart, like nuclear reators

(C) merging the nuclei of atoms rather than splitting them apart, as nuclear reators do

(D) and merges the nuclei of atoms but does not split them apart, as is done in nuclear reactors

(E) and merge the nuclei of atoms, unlike atomic reactors that split them apart

The key  is C.

I have two questions about this SC.

First, I cannot understand why B is wrong, though OG gives the explaination to it.

"(B) Although like can grammatically be followed by a noun phrase such as nuclear reactors, here the basis of comparison is unclear , and the usage is in correct".

Second, what does "do" in choice C refer to? merge or split? and why?

Thanks!