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daagh
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Question is edited with correct format.

My input in color below.

daagh
Although the United Nations played an important part in the politics within the country, especially in the delicate negotiations between rival Somali factions, their roles were soon overshadowed by the U.S. military and diplomatic power.

(A)Although the United Nations played an important part in the politics within the country, especially in the delicate negotiations between rival Somali factions, their roles were soon overshadowed by the U.S. military and diplomatic power
the use of "their" is wrong as "United Nations" is a singular organization not a plural. If we assume that "their" is referring to Somali factions, then again the usage is wrong as this will distort the meaning of the sentence.

(B)Although the United Nations played an important part in the politics within the country, especially in the delicate negotiations between rival Somali factions, its role was soon overshadowed by the U.S. military and diplomatic power.
Correct! Though I am doubtful that "its" is referring to "united nations" or "country". But still this is the best available option.

(C)Although the United Nations played an important part in the politics within the country, especially in the delicate negotiations between rival Somali factions, the U.S. military and diplomatic power overshadowed them soon
again the use of "them" is wrong. "them" is wrongly referring to "united Nations"

(D)Despite playing an important part in the politics within the country by the United Nations, especially in the delicate negotiations between rival Somali factions, the U.S. military and diplomatic power overshadowed them soon
same reason as in "C"

(E) In spite of playing an important part in the politics within the country by the United Nations, especially in the delicate negotiations between rival Somali factions, their roles were overshadowed by the U.S. military and diplomatic power soon
same reason as in option A
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Hussain15
Question is edited with correct format.

My input in color below.

daagh
Although the United Nations played an important part in the politics within the country, especially in the delicate negotiations between rival Somali factions, their roles were soon overshadowed by the U.S. military and diplomatic power.

(B)Although the United Nations played an important part in the politics within the country, especially in the delicate negotiations between rival Somali factions, its role was soon overshadowed by the U.S. military and diplomatic power.
Correct! Though I am doubtful that "its" is referring to "united nations" or "country". But still this is the best available option.



Pronoun case will help to resolve your doubt.
United Nations is the subject of the first clause
Country is the object of the first clause

Looking at the second clause, we see that country is closer to its , hence it makes sense that 'its' refers to country. However its is used as subject of the last clause.
Case method states that a pronoun in subject position can refer to the subject of a parallel clause even the pronoun is far from the subject <MGMAT pronouns strategy>.
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gsothee
Hussain15
Question is edited with correct format.

My input in color below.

daagh
Although the United Nations played an important part in the politics within the country, especially in the delicate negotiations between rival Somali factions, their roles were soon overshadowed by the U.S. military and diplomatic power.

(B)Although the United Nations played an important part in the politics within the country, especially in the delicate negotiations between rival Somali factions, its role was soon overshadowed by the U.S. military and diplomatic power.
Correct! Though I am doubtful that "its" is referring to "united nations" or "country". But still this is the best available option.



Pronoun case will help to resolve your doubt.
United Nations is the subject of the first clause
Country is the object of the first clause

Looking at the second clause, we see that country is closer to its , hence it makes sense that 'its' refers to country. However its is used as subject of the last clause.
Case method states that a pronoun in subject position can refer to the subject of a parallel clause even the pronoun is far from the subject <MGMAT pronouns strategy>.

So what's your conclusion? What is the antecedent of "its"?
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IMO United Nations is the correct antecedent of its..

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It was pretty easy. B. All others are way too wordy and wrongly phrased
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Its refers to united nations.....B is answer
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+1 B

United Nations is singular.
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hirendhanak
answer is B, i got it correct , but it was a good guess.

how to decide that whom does ITS pronoun refer to ?

The simple way to check this is to find out - whose role are we referring to. It has to be The United Nations, which is the subject of the main clause.
Correct answer is B therefore as all other sentences uses a plural pronoun to refer to a singular noun.
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I agree with gsothee. This is very important rule to decide antecedent of pronoun.



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