Question Explanation
The underlined portion of the sentence contains the verb leaves, so look for a subject-verb agreement error. As written, the sentence pairs the verb leaves with over three-quarters of its land, indicating that the larger portion of land is taking the action of leaving the smaller portion of land available. Thus, the clause leaves only a small portion of land available for cultivation incorrectly modifies three-quarters of its land. Eliminate choice A and look for obvious repeaters. The remaining answer choices are complex and require evaluation of the full sentence, so there are no obvious repeaters. Now, evaluate the remaining choices individually looking for reasons to eliminate each answer.
Choice B corrects the error in the original sentence by replacing the coordinating conjunction and with the relative pronoun which. The referent of the pronoun which is the state of affairs described by the clause that precedes the pronoun, over three-quarters…is not being used for agricultural purposes. This state of affairs leaves only a small portion of land available for cultivation. Keep choice B. Choice C corrects the original error but creates a modifier error. The sentence now begins with the dependent clause although it is called the “Garden State,” which is immediately followed by the noun over three-quarters of New Jersey. Thus, choice C suggests that over three-quarters of New Jersey is called the “Garden State”. Eliminate choice C. Choice D corrects the original error but introduces a modifier error by separating the prepositional phrase with over three-quarters of its land from the noun it is intended to modify, New Jersey. This indicates that the lack of agricultural land is part of the name “Garden State”. Eliminate choice D. Choice E alters the structure of the sentence, eliminating the original error, but creates an error by introducing the pronoun their, the referent of which is ambiguous. Eliminate choice E.
Choice A: No. The phrase leaves only a small portion of land available for cultivation incorrectly modifies three-quarters of its land. Misplaced modifier.
Choice B: Correct.
Choice C: No. The dependent clause although it is called the “Garden State” incorrectly modifies the noun over three-quarters of New Jersey. Misplaced modifier.
Choice D: No. Over three-quarters of its land not used for agriculture is incorrectly referenced as part of the name “Garden State”. Misplaced modifier.
Choice E: No. The referent of the pronoun their is ambiguous. Pronoun ambiguity.
The correct answer is choice B.