souvik101990 wrote:
Researchers have discovered a new species of sparrow
that lives only in cypress groves, almost wholly dependent on the berries of a certain type of vine that grows on cypress trees and whose coloring is completely different from all other sparrows.[/quote]
let's understand the meaning first.
Researches have discovered a new species of sparrow
this new species:
a) lives only in cypress groves
b) is almost wholly dependent on the berries of a certain type of vine "that" correctly modifies certain type. this certain type of vine grows on cypress trees.
c) has color completely different from the colors of other sparrows.
let's do the error analysis:
"almost wholly".. looks like a modifier, but what actually it modifies? the fact that it lives in the cypress groves makes it wholly dependent? no? the fact that its colors are different from those colors of other sparrows? no. thus incorrect.
comparison error - compares colors with sparrows. incorrect.
A. that lives only in cypress groves, almost wholly dependent on the berries of a certain type of vine that grows on cypress trees and whose coloring is completely different from
incorrect as mentioned.
B. that lives only in cypress groves, is almost wholly dependent on the berries of a certain type of vine that grows on cypress trees, and has coloring completely different from that of
looks good, that lives, "that" is already implied so "is almost.." is correct. and perfectly connects the list. comparison error now removed. looks like a good candidate for correct answer.
C. living only in cypress groves, is almost wholly dependent on the berries of a certain type of vine that grows on cypress trees, and whose coloring is completely different from
is almost now looks like 2 IC clauses are not properly connected. in addition, who is almost wholly dependent? who is the subject?
living acts as an ing modifier, which modifies the closest noun new species. this is not incorrect, but the whole sentence now is not structurally correct. moreover, the comparison error is present.
D. that lives only in cypress groves, almost wholly dependent on the berries of a certain type of vine that grows on cypress trees, and whose coloring is completely different from that of
same modifier error as in A.
E. living only in cypress groves, depending almost wholly on the berries of a certain type of vine that grows on cypress trees, and having coloring completely different than
same errors as in C.
depending is an ing modifier that modifies the whole clause "researchers have discovered a new species". this is illogical as it does not present reasoning nor result of the clause.
comparison error is still present.
B looks to be the correct answer.