In fine lacquering, which is an ornamentation process,

Hi maglian,

The question is about the clarity of meaning and most of the choices do not contain any pronoun errors. The correct answer (B) expresses the thought clearly. Other choices are either awkwardly constructed or ambiguous in meaning.

In fine lacquering, which is an ornamentation process, artisans paint natural lacquer obtained from trees on objects, allowing it to dry, and then smoothing it with a whetstone before the application of further coats.


a. In fine lacquering, which is an ornamentation process, artisans paint natural lacquer obtained from trees on objects, allowing it (lacquer, correct) to dry, and then smoothing it (lacquer, correct) with a whetstone before the application of further coats.


b. Fine lacquering is a process of ornamentation in which artisans paint objects with natural lacquer obtained from trees, allow it (lacquer, correct) to dry, and then smooth it (lacquer, correct) with a whetstone before applying further coats.


c. When fine lacquering, artisans do a process of ornamentation by painting on objects natural lacquer obtained from trees, allowing it (lacquer, correct) to dry, and then smooth it with a whetstone before they (artisans, correct) apply further coats.


d. Fine lacquering is an ornamentation process in which artisans, painting natural lacquer obtained from trees on objects, allow it(lacquer, correct) to dry, and then smooth it(lacquer, correct) with a whetstone before they(artisans, correct) apply further coats.


e. The ornamentation process of fine lacquering is one in which artisans paint natural lacquer obtained from trees on objects, allow them(objects, incorrect) to dry, then smoothing it(ambiguous, should be them from the context, but it should be lacquer if we consider meaning) with a whetstone before applying further coats.

It took me 2 minutes but I got the answer right

a. In fine lacquering, which is an ornamentation process, artisans paint natural lacquer obtained from trees on objects, allowing it to dry, and then smoothing it with a whetstone before the application of further coats. - I think this is a good choice, but for the use of "in" at the start. The modifier is trying to modify fine lacquering by use of which. But the prepositional phrase is suffixed by a noun modifier which makes the construct obscure. No pronoun ambiguity.

b. Fine lacquering is a process of ornamentation in which artisans paint objects with natural lacquer obtained from trees, allow it to dry, and then smooth it with a whetstone before applying further coats. - Better choice than A. The author intends to say "process of ornamentation" rather than "ornamentation process". No pronoun ambiguity.

c. When fine lacquering, artisans do a process of ornamentation by painting on objects natural lacquer obtained from trees, allowing it to dry, and then smooth it with a whetstone before they apply further coats. - The adverb "when" should not be used. It implies only when this process is underway, do the artisans try some sort of ornamentation.

d. Fine lacquering is an ornamentation process in which artisans, painting natural lacquer obtained from trees on objects, allow it to dry, and then smooth it with a whetstone before they apply further coats. The author intends to say "process of ornamentation" rather than "ornamentation process". A bigger error is pronoun ambiguity at the end which uses "they". "they" does not have a clear referrent.

e. The ornamentation process of fine lacquering is one in which artisans paint natural lacquer obtained from trees on objects, allow them to dry, then smoothing it with a whetstone before applying further coats. - This suggests that you are ornamenting fine lacquering. Does not make sense.

Can you please explain why option A is wrong. Use of in with modifier thing. If possible with one example.

And option B has many singular pronouns and why still has no pronoun error ?

The key here is really to focus on verb and how it translates into the intended meaning.

Try to dissect each answer and ask your-self if the meaning is sounding. As far as you are concerned with (A) and (B), let's give them a shout:

a. In fine lacquering, which is an ornamentation process, artisans paint natural lacquer obtained from trees on objects, allowing it to dry, and then smoothing it with a whetstone before the application of further coats.


Putting it simple: Artisans paint X, allowing X to dry, and then smoothing X. NO! This sentence gives the impression that the artisans are doing everything a the same time, while it should be sequential. Look at what (B) says:

b. Fine lacquering is a process of ornamentation in which artisans paint objects with natural lacquer obtained from trees, allow it to dry, and then smooth it with a whetstone before applying further coats.

Putting it simple: Artisans paint ..., allow... and then smooth. OK, this makes sense now...

In fine lacquering, which is an ornamentation process, artisans paint natural lacquer obtained from trees on objects, allowing it to dry, and then smoothing it with a whetstone before the application of further coats.
Parallelism is very beautiful and useful tool in the SC. Whenever you come across Parallelism marker in a problem, Identify the parts which the marker is trying to make parallel(Structurally and Logically) and then use it to eliminate incorrect problems.
How useful it is, you didn’t even need to see the splits in the choices and you are ready to eliminate 2-3 choices.
Here, the marker “and ” is trying to make two components “allowing” and “smoothing” parallel. Since, both are actions done after paint.

a. In fine lacquering, which is an ornamentation process, artisans paint natural lacquer obtained from trees on objects, allowing it to dry, and then smoothing it with a whetstone before the application of further coats.

b. Fine lacquering is a process of ornamentation in which artisans paint objects with natural lacquer obtained from trees, allow it to dry, and then smooth it with a whetstone before applying further coats.
“Fine lacquering is a process of ornamentation” means ? – Are there other processes too in ornamentation? – Incorrect.
Meaning is of utmost importance in SC.

c. When fine lacquering, artisans do a process of ornamentation by painting on objects natural lacquer obtained from trees, allowing it to dry, and then smooth it with a whetstone before they apply further coats.
Parallelism Issue – Incorrect.

d. Fine lacquering is an ornamentation process in which artisans, painting natural lacquer obtained from trees on objects, allow it to dry, and then smooth it with a whetstone before they apply further coats.
“painting natural lacquer obtained from trees on objects” – seems to modify the artisans which is not the intended meaning here. So Incorrect.

e. The ornamentation process of fine lacquering is one in which artisans paint natural lacquer obtained from trees on objects, allow them to dry, then smoothing it with a whetstone before applying further coats.
“The ornamentation process of fine lacquering” means there are other processes too of fine lacquering? – Incorrect due to meaning change.

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