This question is based on Modifiers and Parallelism.

Option A contains an error of modifier. It is not the Wind River Range that follows an ancient rhythm. Since the modifier does not have an appropriate subject, Option A can be eliminated.

In Option B, the modifier is placed next to its appropriate subject – bighorn sheep. However, this option lacks parallelism. At the end of the sentence is a list of clauses that state why the bighorn sheep migrate to the south. The list is not parallel in this option - where the elevation is lower, winter is milder, and where grass is easier to find. The adverb ‘where’ is unnecessarily repeated and affects parallelism. So, Option B can be eliminated.

In Option C, the meaning is distorted by the phrase - follow an ancient rhythm by migrating. They do not follow an ancient rhythm by migrating. The intended meaning is that in migrating, they follow an ancient rhythm. This option also contains an idiomatic error – the phrase “easier for finding” is idiomatically inappropriate. So, Option C can be eliminated.

Option D also lacks parallelism - where the elevation is lower, winter is milder, and where grass is easier to find. The repetition of the adverb ‘where’ is unnecessary. So, Option D can also be eliminated.

Option E maintains parallelism - where the elevation is lower, winter is milder, and grass is easier to find. In this option, the adverb 'where' has been used once at the beginning of the list. The modifier - Following an ancient rhythm – is also placed next to its appropriate subject – bighorn sheep. Therefore, E is the most appropriate option.

Jayanthi Kumar.
_________________

Following an ancient rhythm, the Wind River Range is where bighorn sheep migrate more than 300 miles to the south and where the elevation is lower, winter is milder, and grass is easier to find.

KEY:
1. Modifier Following an ancient rhythm modifies bighorn sheep
2. Parallelism shall be there for the elevation is lower, winter is milder, and grass is easier to find

A. Following an ancient rhythm, the Wind River Range is where bighorn sheep migrate more than 300 miles to the south and where the elevation is lower, winter is milder, and grass is easier to find.
Modifier error as mentioned in sr. no. 1 above

B. Following an ancient rhythm, bighorn sheep in the Wind River Range migrate more than 300 miles to the south, where the elevation is lower, winter is milder, and where grass is easier to find.
Parallelism error as mentioned in sr. no. 2 above

C. Bighorn sheep in the Wind River Range follow an ancient rhythm by migrating more than 300 miles to the south, where the elevation is lower, winter is milder, and grass is easier for finding.
Change in meaning, sequence is changed

D. Bighorn sheep, following an ancient rhythm, migrate more than 300 miles to the south in the Wind River Range, where the elevation is lower, winter is milder, and where grass is easier to find.
Parallelism error as mentioned in sr. no. 2 above

E. Following an ancient rhythm, bighorn sheep in the Wind River Range migrate more than 300 miles to the south, where the elevation is lower, winter is milder, and grass is easier to find.
No Remarks
_________________

VERITAS PREP OFFICIAL SOLUTION:

Whenever the entire sentence is underlined, try to find one concrete decision point that allows you to quickly eliminate several answers. In this problem, the most obvious difference is the change of the subject between (A) and (B) from “the Wind River Range” to “bighorn sheep.” Since each of these choices starts with the modifying phrase “Following an ancient rhythm, “ you should see that that (A) is incorrect, as this phrase cannot logically modify a mountain range. This only allows you to eliminate (A), however, so you must look for another decision point.

Since the remaining choices of structure at the start of the sentence are difficult to assess, look elsewhere. Anytime you have a series of elements linked together (as you do in the end of this sentence), look for decision points there. In (B) and (C), you have the non-parallel and incorrect series “where x is this, y is this, and where z is this.” It should be: “where x is this, y is this, and z is this” so those two answers can be eliminated based on that error.

In examining the remaining differences between (C) and (E), there are two: (C) uses the different opening structure with the active verb “follow” and uses the clause “where grass is easier for finding” instead of “where grass is easier to find.” Both of these create problems in (C) but the latter is more important: “easier for finding” is a concrete diction error and the primary reason for eliminating that answer. The use of the verb “follow” at the beginning of (C) also makes the order of presentation awkward and illogical: they migrate by following an ancient rhythm, not the other way around. Only (E) contains a logical modifier structure and gets the series right at the end using proper diction for the final element.
_________________