According to scientists there were three key ingredients

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION





• Split #1: Pronouns

The modifier with climate change figuring prominently in option A (with similar meaning in other options) describes one of the three key ingredients, plural.
→ → Climate change figured prominently among the three ingredients that were key to the disastrous wildfire.
→ → Climate change figured prominently among them.
The noun ingredients requires the plural pronoun them.

Options A and C use the pronoun it.
Singular it does not agree with plural ingredients.
(Option C has another problem. In terms of diction and style, the word "what" creates a sluggish and not-concise sentence.)
ELIMINATE A AND C

• Split #2 - Comma splice

In option B, these two are independent clauses (full sentences with subjects and verbs that can stand on their own):
(1) . . . there were three key ingredients to the disastrous wildfire catastrophe in Australia, and
(2) [C]limate change figures prominently among them.

We cannot simply "stick" two ICs together with nothing more than a comma.
Doing so creates a run-on sentence. In the specific case in which nothing more than a comma is used, the result is called a "comma splice."

How to "stick" ICs together?
We can use a period.
We can use a semicolon. (Yes, without a conjunction. And with a conjunctive adverb such as however,.)
We can use a comma + conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)

Option B does none of these things.
It impermissibly "sticks" two independent clauses together.
ELIMINATE B

• Split #3 - working verbs

Option D contains no working verb.
Figuring is not a working verb.
The working form of the verb is figure.
Because it lacks a working verb, the sentence is a fragment.
Eliminate D

The answer is E.
→ plural them correctly refers to plural ingredients
→ The comma after the first full clause is followed by the conjunction and; the sentences are properly joined.


COMMENTS

asishron29181 , welcome to SC Butler.

We are always glad to have new posters join us.
For all aspirants, there is a standing invitation to post.

These answers are consistent and consistently good.
Nice work.

A) with climate change figuring prominently among it
"Among it " is wrong

B) climate change figures prominently among them
Connector is missing; i.e two ICs are connected without connector

C) and what figures prominently among it is climate change
Stylistically wrong and Pronoun "it" do not agree in number

D) and climate change figuring prominently among them
No verb

E) and climate change figured prominently among them

E is the best in the lot

My answer is (E).

(A) "among it" should be "among them".
(B) Comma splice.
(C) "among it" should be "among them".
(D) "climate change figuring prominently among them" is not a clause (for lack of main verb).

IMO E

According to scientists, there were three key ingredients to the disastrous wildfire catastrophe in Australia, with climate change figuring prominently among it.


A) with climate change figuring prominently among it - With Climate Change .. among it is unidiomatic

B) climate change figures prominently among them - Run On Sentence.

C) and what figures prominently among it is climate change - the part before comma talks about 3 things while it is singular we want them - hence incorrect Option.

D) and climate change figuring prominently among them - Figuring is incorrect

E) and climate change figured prominently among them - Correct Answer.

According to scientists, there were three key ingredients to the disastrous wildfire catastrophe in Australia, with climate change figuring prominently among it.

Pre-thinking: Pronoun agreement - Plural subject 'key ingredients' requires plural pronoun 'them' - Eliminate Option A.

A) with climate change figuring prominently among it
Pronoun agreement error.

B) climate change figures prominently among them
Missing conjunction. 'and' should be present before climate.

C) and what figures prominently among it is climate change
Too wordy.

D) and climate change figuring prominently among them
Usage of 'figuring' is incorrect. Should be in the verb form 'figured'.

E) and climate change figured prominently among them

IMO answer should be Option E.
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According to scientists, there were three key ingredients to the disastrous wildfire catastrophe in Australia, with climate change figuring prominently among it.


A) with climate change figuring prominently among it
'it' should be 'them'

B) climate change figures prominently among them
run-on sentence.

C) and what figures prominently among it is climate change
Same as 'A'

D) and climate change figuring prominently among them
This clause lacks a main verb.

E) and climate change figured prominently among them
Correct

Choice E is the answer.

According to scientists, there were three key ingredients to the disastrous wildfire catastrophe in Australia, with climate change figuring prominently among it.

A) with climate change figuring prominently among it -> "it" is incorrect. We need "them".

B) climate change figures prominently among them -> we have past tense, "there were...", so use of present tense "...figures" is incorrect.

C) and what figures prominently among it is climate change -> Same as A. Incorrect.

D) and climate change figuring prominently among them -> We don't have a verb. Incorrect.

E) and climate change figured prominently among them -> It is better.

So, I think E.

According to scientists, there were three key ingredients to the disastrous wildfire catastrophe in Australia, with climate change figuring prominently among it.


A) with climate change figuring prominently among it - with is incorrect usage here. Incorrect

B) climate change figures prominently among them - incorrect

C) and what figures prominently among it is climate change - 'it' is incorrect here. Them should be used.

D) and climate change figuring prominently among them - 'figuring'is incorrectly used. Incorrect

E) and climate change figured prominently among them - Correct

IMO E

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The official explanation is here.
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