Handwriting analysis has recently been boosted by the invention of 3D micro-profilometry, which can be used to calculate the pressure used at a crossover point such as the center of a figure eight, and to detect the starting and ending points of strokes not detectable via conventional 2D analysis.

(A) the starting and ending points of strokes
(B) the locations of starting and ending points of strokes that are
(C) where starting and ending points are located, which are
(D) where starting and ending points are located
(E) where the starting and ending points are located, which are

Will provide the OA in couple of days. Give reasons for your choice.

I'll take B on this one.

(B) the locations of starting and ending points of strokes that are

'the locations of starting and ending points' is modified by 'to detect' and 'that are' modifies strokes.

Handwriting analysis has recently been boosted by the invention of 3D micro-profilometry, which can be used to calculate the pressure used at a crossover point such as the center of a figure eight, and to detect the starting and ending points of strokes not detectable via conventional 2D analysis.

I hate questions like this one! All the choices are wrong and you somehow have to figure out, which is the "least wrong" according to the twisted mind of the writer!


(A) the starting and ending points of strokes - it is not clear whether the points or the strokes are not detectable.

(B) the locations of starting and ending points of strokes that are - even worse: the locations, the points, or the strokes? "That are" is a bit out of place.

(C) where starting and ending points are located, which are - Lack of "the" before "starting" implies that a single stroke may have more than a pair of starting and ending points. I think "which are" should be replaced by "which is", so that the "is" can refer to the "where".

(D) where starting and ending points are located - "not detectable" after "are located" sucks. It just does and you know it.

(E) where the starting and ending points are located, which are - I'd put a "which is" instead of "which are" at the end. Wouldn't make it right though.


I choose (A) from what we have to work with. I am very probably wrong.

I prefer A over B because "that" in B refers to strokes, which are not the sentence talking about not detectable via conventional 2D analysis but the starting and ending points of the strokes are not detectable via conventional 2D analysis.

B?
I think it's parallel but A is shorter and more concise.

I'll stick with B and wait for the OA.