Dear Friends,
Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
neeshpal wrote:
The woodland sub-species were in isolation from contact with humans longer than either their marsh cousins or the tree-dwelling sub-species.
(A) in isolation from contact with humans longer than
(B) isolated from contact with humans longer than
(C) in isolation from contact with humans longer than were
(D) isolated from contact with humans longer than were
(E) in isolation and without contacts with humans longer than
Choice A: This answer choice utilizes the phrase "in isolation from contact with humans" rather than the far more concise "isolated from contact with humans" or "isolated from human contact", making the answer choice needlessly wordy. This answer choice also suffers from an error of meaning, as it incorrectly compares the length of "the woodland sub-species'" isolation to "their marsh cousins" and "the tree-dwelling sub-species". Thus, this answer choice is incorrect.
Choice B: This answer choice repeats the meaning error found in Option A. Thus, this answer choice is incorrect.
Choice C: This answer choice correctly compares the length of the isolation that the three sub-species experience, due to the inclusion of the helping verb "were". However, as the answer choice also uses the phrase "in isolation from contact with humans", it is needlessly wordy. Thus, this answer choice is not a very good one.
Choice D: This answer choice is quite concise and maintains proper comparison. Thus, this answer choice is correct.
Choice E: This answer choice repeats the meaning error found in Options A and B. This answer choice is also needlessly wordy and redundant due to the use of the phrase "in isolation and without contacts". Thus, this answer choice is incorrect.
Hence, D is the best answer choice.All the best!
Experts' Global Team