Among the Tsonga, a Bantu-speaking group of tribes in southeastern Africa, dance teams represent their own chief at the court of each other, providing entertainment in return for food, drink, and lodging.
(A) the court of each other, providing entertainment in return for
(B) the court of another and provide entertainment in return for
(C) the court of the others, so as to provide entertainment as a return on
(D) each other's court, entertainment being provided in return for
(E) another's court and provide entertainment as a return on
Let’s look at options A and D
the court of each other [D: each other's court], providing entertainment in return for [D: entertainment being provided in return for; this is passive voice]
Between A and D – A is preferred
(A) the court of each other, providing entertainment in return for
(B) the court of another and provide entertainment in return for
(C) the court of the others, so as to provide entertainment as a return on
(D) each other's court, entertainment being provided in return for(E) another's court and provide entertainment as a return on
Let’s look at option C
the court of the others, so as to provide entertainment as a return on
so as to (used for showing intention or purpose); while the intention is to get food in return
correct version should be
the court of the others, so as to get food in return of entertainment
this eliminates C
IMP: USE just ‘to’ in place of ‘so as to’
IMP: DON’T USE ‘to’ in place of ‘so + adverb/adjective + as to’
Also, this option has ‘a return on’ phrasing, which is wrong discussed below.
(A) the court of each other, providing entertainment in return for
(B) the court of another and provide entertainment in return for
(
C) the court of the others, so as to provide entertainment as a return on
(D) each other's court, entertainment being provided in return for(E) another's court and provide entertainment as a return on
Let’s look at option E
another's court and provide entertainment as a return on
‘in return for X’ and ‘a return on X’ mean different
He lends in return for interest and original principal amount
He earns interest as a return on original principal amount
(A) the court of each other, providing entertainment in return for
(B) the court of another and provide entertainment in return for
(C) the court of the others, so as to provide entertainment as a return on
(D) each other's court, entertainment being provided in return for
(E) another's court and provide entertainment as a return onNow between A and B
(A) the court of each other, providing entertainment in return for
providing entertainment – means the teams (dance teams) are providing entertainment
see this
The dance performed in the competition, providing entertainment in return for some prize (cash prize)
This is typical modifier question type situation --- can in the above sentence, the verb+ing modifier is a result of the preceding clause – performance leads to providing entertainment
Which is very correct
But our situation is different
Presenting the chief --- leads to --- providing entertainment
I don’t think
Author wants to say two events happen in parallel
The team teams present the chief and provide entertainment
(B) the court of another and provide entertainment in return for
Is better than A abased on the above
The quick feedback in that
When to select a modifier clause (the verb+ing clause is a result of the preceding clause) vs. a parallel clause (two events are parallel and independent)
Finally,
(A) the court of each other, providing entertainment in return for(B) the court of another and provide entertainment in return for
(C) the court of the others, so as to provide entertainment as a return on
(D) each other's court, entertainment being provided in return for
(E) another's court and provide entertainment as a return onFinal NOTE:
At the courts of each other
At the court of another
At the courts of others
Other/others is always plural
Another (another, one additional, one more) is singular
This also makes B correct