He was both a writer and a politician, but he was better ........ a singer

Analyze the question: The sentence says he was a writer and a politician, "but he was better ........ a singer." We need the word or phrase that correctly completes the comparison.

Explain the concept: The phrase "better known as" means "most famous in the role of." We use as to show the role or capacity in which someone is known. Like is used for comparing similarities between different things ("He sings like a bird"). As is used for a role, function, or identity ("He works as a teacher").

Show the solution:

• The sentence is incomplete: it is missing "known" in "better known as." The options only supply the connecting word.
• A. "As if" suggests a hypothetical or pretended situation ("He behaved as if he were a singer"). This doesn't fit.
• B. "Like" would mean he resembles a singer, not that he is one. It fits poorly. "Better like a singer" doesn't make sense.
• C. "As" shows the role, so the meaning is "better (known) as a singer." This is correct.
• D. "To be" gives "better to be a singer," which breaks the grammar and meaning.

Note that the sentence as printed seems to omit the word "known." The full original is probably "he was better known as a singer." Among the options given, "as" is the only one that works.

Answer: C. As

Tip: Remember the difference: as = role or job ("as a teacher," "known as"), while like = similarity ("like a teacher"). If you can replace the word with "in the role of," use as.