Entomologists have recently discovered what appears to be a global mega-colony of ants, a massive complex that consists of over 22 million interconnected anthill networks constructed by over 200 billion Argentinean ants some 100 years ago and
sprawling across the Americas, Europe, Australia, and Asia.
(A) sprawling -
Correct. Since sprawling is preceded by
and it means it is a part of a parallel list. Going back in the clause, we can see that the list is forming at -
22 million interconnected anthill networks constructed by ....
and sprawling ..... . This is a parallel construction that states two characteristics of
anthill networks.
(B) sprawls
Incorrect. Once we identify that the two parallel items denotes characteristics of
anthill networks we can say that this is incorrect choice as this choice uses singular verb
sprawls for plural noun
networks .
(C) sprawled
Incorrect.. Since the discovery has been stated in present tense (passage states -
what appears to be), use of past tense is incorrect.
(D) it sprawled
Incorrect. Since the discovery has been stated in present tense (passage states -
what appears to be), use of past tense is incorrect.
(E) is sprawling.
Incorrect. This choice uses singular verb
is sprawling for plural noun
networks