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Guys, some hints from the author of the question

The idiom is "declare X Y" not "declare X to be Y"

By making paralell the two actions "declared" and "prompted" as in D the meaning is changed. The promting came after the declaration, therefore E is correct.

This one was hard for me.

Good luck
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Bull78
Nearly 2000 years after its initial construction, the United Nations declared the Roman aqueduct of Segovia to be a Heritage of Humanity in 1985, prompting the Spanish government to begin renovations on the aqueduct, which had been deteriorating.


Please your help

Nearly 2000 years after its initial construction, the United Nations declared the Roman aqueduct of Segovia to be a Heritage of Humanity in 1985, prompting the Spanish government to begin renovations on the aqueduct, which had been deteriorating. Incorrectly modifies The UN

Since its initial construction nearly 2000 years earlier, the Roman aqueduct of Segovia had been deteriorating, prompting the Spanish government to begin renovations after the United Nations declared the aqueduct to be a Heritage of Humanity in 1985. This one changes the meaning and also sounds like an awkward construction.

After being declared a Heritage of Humanity by the United Nations in 1985, the Spanish government began renovations on the Roman aqueduct of Segovia, which had been deteriorating since its initial construction nearly 2000 years earlier. This incorrectly modifies Spanish Govt.

In 1985, the United Nations declared the Roman Aqueduct of Segovia to be a Heritage of Humanity and prompted the Spanish government to begin renovations on the aqueduct, which had been deteriorating since its initial construction nearly 2000 years earlier.

In 1985, the United Nations declared the Roman aqueduct of Segovia a Heritage of Humanity, prompting the Spanish government to begin renovations on the aqueduct, which had been deteriorating since its initial construction nearly 2000 years earlier


D and E are contenders. To pick out the correct AO, one should know the intended meaning.
According to D, UN declared and prompted the renovation. Wrong.
E, UN only "declared" and this declaration lead to the renovation. Hence the correct construction is declared ...., prompting .....
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Declare X,Y is a correct idiom . Only Option E correctly fills the gap.

Nearly 2000 years after its initial construction, the United Nations declared the Roman aqueduct of Segovia to be a Heritage of Humanity in 1985, prompting the Spanish government to begin renovations on the aqueduct, which had been deteriorating.


(A) Nearly 2000 years after its initial construction, the United Nations declared the Roman aqueduct of Segovia to be a Heritage of Humanity in 1985, prompting the Spanish government to begin renovations on the aqueduct, which had been deteriorating.

(B) Since its initial construction nearly 2000 years earlier, the Roman aqueduct of Segovia had been deteriorating, prompting the Spanish government to begin renovations after the United Nations declared the aqueduct to be a Heritage of Humanity in 1985.

(C) After being declared a Heritage of Humanity by the United Nations in 1985, the Spanish government began renovations on the Roman aqueduct of Segovia, which had been deteriorating since its initial construction nearly 2000 years earlier. (awkward construction)

(D) In 1985, the United Nations declared the Roman Aqueduct of Segovia to be a Heritage of Humanity and prompted the Spanish government to begin renovations on the aqueduct, which had been deteriorating since its initial construction nearly 2000 years earlier.

(E) In 1985, the United Nations declared the Roman aqueduct of Segovia a Heritage of Humanity, prompting the Spanish government to begin renovations on the aqueduct, which had been deteriorating since its initial construction nearly 2000 years earlier.
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Hello, people, let’s knock this one out. First off, take a read through of the first answer choice to get the gist of what is trying to convey. Don’t worry too much about the rest. Now dive into the nitty gritty.

Nearly 2000 years after its initial construction, the United Nations declared the Roman aqueduct of Segovia to be a Heritage of Humanity in 1985, prompting the Spanish government to begin renovations on the aqueduct, which had been deteriorating.

(A) Nearly 2000 years after its initial construction, the United Nations declared the Roman aqueduct of Segovia to be a Heritage of Humanity in 1985, prompting the Spanish government to begin renovations on the aqueduct, which had been deteriorating.

The first thing that should be ringing in your ears as you read through this is the dangling modifier. Nearly 2000 years after its initial construction ...modifies... the United Nations? – Nope. Nonsensical. Freebie elimination. Next!

(B) Since its initial construction nearly 2000 years earlier, the Roman aqueduct of Segovia had been deteriorating, prompting the Spanish government to begin renovations after the United Nations declared the aqueduct to be a Heritage of Humanity in 1985.
Since is generally linked with either has or have. So, if you were being conservative keep this, but post a yellow flag on it.

(C) After being declared a Heritage of Humanity by the United Nations in 1985, the Spanish government began renovations on the Roman aqueduct of Segovia, which had been deteriorating since its initial construction nearly 2000 years earlier.
Dangling modifier again, people. Was the Spanish government declared a Heritage or Humanity? Clearly not, so it’s out.

(D) In 1985, the United Nations declared the Roman Aqueduct of Segovia to be a Heritage of Humanity and prompted the Spanish government to begin renovations on the aqueduct, which had been deteriorating since its initial construction nearly 2000 years earlier.

This is a close one frankly. The only real difference is that if you are being VERY harsh, you might say that what comes after DECLARED and what comes after PROMPTED do not share the same object. So, the aqueduct mentioned in the first part does not cross over into the second; thus making the sentence nonsensical. Effectively, if a computer that was taught the rules of grammar were to read this, it would ask: Prompted ... to begin renovations on which aqueduct?

(E) In 1985, the United Nations declared the Roman aqueduct of Segovia a Heritage of Humanity, prompting the Spanish government to begin renovations on the aqueduct, which had been deteriorating since its initial construction nearly 2000 years earlier.

Clear and with no modifier errors. Still, this was a close one between (D) and (E)
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IMO E

(A) Nearly 2000 years after its initial construction, the United Nations declared the Roman aqueduct of Segovia to be a Heritage of Humanity in 1985, prompting the Spanish government to begin renovations on the aqueduct, which had been deteriorating.

(B) Since its initial construction nearly 2000 years earlier, the Roman aqueduct of Segovia had been deteriorating, prompting the Spanish government to begin renovations after the United Nations declared the aqueduct to be a Heritage of Humanity in 1985.

(C) After being declared a Heritage of Humanity by the United Nations in 1985, the Spanish government began renovations on the Roman aqueduct of Segovia, which had been deteriorating since its initial construction nearly 2000 years earlier.

(D) In 1985, the United Nations declared the Roman Aqueduct of Segovia to be a Heritage of Humanity and prompted the Spanish government to begin renovations on the aqueduct, which had been deteriorating since its initial construction nearly 2000 years earlier.

(E) In 1985, the United Nations declared the Roman aqueduct of Segovia a Heritage of Humanity, prompting the Spanish government to begin renovations on the aqueduct, which had been deteriorating since its initial construction nearly 2000 years earlier.

In A and C modifiers are modifying wrong subjects which are not making sense

D says the UN prompted Spanish govt is wrong

In B it says deterioration prompted the Spanish govt is wrong

Hence E

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(A) Nearly 2000 years after its initial construction, the United Nations declared the Roman aqueduct of Segovia to be a Heritage of Humanity in 1985, prompting the Spanish government to begin renovations on the aqueduct, which had been deteriorating.
This sentence incorrectly conveys United nations was constructed 2000 years back

(B) Since its initial construction nearly 2000 years earlier, the Roman aqueduct of Segovia had been deteriorating, prompting the Spanish government to begin renovations after the United Nations declared the aqueduct to be a Heritage of Humanity in 1985.
This sentence incorrectly conveys Deterioration of Roman aqueduct PROMPTED Spanish government, but actually it the UN declaration which prompted

(C) After being declared a Heritage of Humanity by the United Nations in 1985, the Spanish government began renovations on the Roman aqueduct of Segovia, which had been deteriorating since its initial construction nearly 2000 years earlier.
This sentence incorrectly conveys the Spanish government was declared a Heritage of Humanity

(D) In 1985, the United Nations declared the Roman Aqueduct of Segovia to be a Heritage of Humanity and prompted the Spanish government to begin renovations on the aqueduct, which had been deteriorating since its initial construction nearly 2000 years earlier.
United Nations didn't prompt the Spanish government, the act of declaration of the Roman aqueduct of Segovia a Heritage of Humanity did

(E) In 1985, the United Nations declared the Roman aqueduct of Segovia a Heritage of Humanity, prompting the Spanish government to begin renovations on the aqueduct, which had been deteriorating since its initial construction nearly 2000 years earlier.
No meaning ambiguity
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Hello, people, let’s knock this one out. First off, take a read through of the first answer choice to get the gist of what is trying to convey. Don’t worry too much about the rest. Now dive into the nitty gritty.

Nearly 2000 years after its initial construction, the United Nations declared the Roman aqueduct of Segovia to be a Heritage of Humanity in 1985, prompting the Spanish government to begin renovations on the aqueduct, which had been deteriorating.

(A) Nearly 2000 years after its initial construction, the United Nations declared the Roman aqueduct of Segovia to be a Heritage of Humanity in 1985, prompting the Spanish government to begin renovations on the aqueduct, which had been deteriorating.

The first thing that should be ringing in your ears as you read through this is the dangling modifier. Nearly 2000 years after its initial construction ...modifies... the United Nations? – Nope. Nonsensical. Freebie elimination. Next!

(B) Since its initial construction nearly 2000 years earlier, the Roman aqueduct of Segovia had been deteriorating, prompting the Spanish government to begin renovations after the United Nations declared the aqueduct to be a Heritage of Humanity in 1985.
Since is generally linked with either has or have. So, if you were being conservative keep this, but post a yellow flag on it.

(C) After being declared a Heritage of Humanity by the United Nations in 1985, the Spanish government began renovations on the Roman aqueduct of Segovia, which had been deteriorating since its initial construction nearly 2000 years earlier.
Dangling modifier again, people. Was the Spanish government declared a Heritage or Humanity? Clearly not, so it’s out.

(D) In 1985, the United Nations declared the Roman Aqueduct of Segovia to be a Heritage of Humanity and prompted the Spanish government to begin renovations on the aqueduct, which had been deteriorating since its initial construction nearly 2000 years earlier.

This is a close one frankly. The only real difference is that if you are being VERY harsh, you might say that what comes after DECLARED and what comes after PROMPTED do not share the same object. So, the aqueduct mentioned in the first part does not cross over into the second; thus making the sentence nonsensical. Effectively, if a computer that was taught the rules of grammar were to read this, it would ask: Prompted ... to begin renovations on which aqueduct?

(E) In 1985, the United Nations declared the Roman aqueduct of Segovia a Heritage of Humanity, prompting the Spanish government to begin renovations on the aqueduct, which had been deteriorating since its initial construction nearly 2000 years earlier.

Clear and with no modifier errors. Still, this was a close one between (D) and (E)

I though think E is the best option but doesn't it change the meaning a little? in the original sentence, the deterioration is not happening since its construction 2000 years ago. it is the declaration that happened 2000 years after it was constructed, in 1985. in E it suggests that the deterioration was happening for 2000 years which is clearly a deviation from the original meaning.
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gmatknightDOTcom
Hello, people, let’s knock this one out. First off, take a read through of the first answer choice to get the gist of what is trying to convey. Don’t worry too much about the rest. Now dive into the nitty gritty.

Nearly 2000 years after its initial construction, the United Nations declared the Roman aqueduct of Segovia to be a Heritage of Humanity in 1985, prompting the Spanish government to begin renovations on the aqueduct, which had been deteriorating.

(A) Nearly 2000 years after its initial construction, the United Nations declared the Roman aqueduct of Segovia to be a Heritage of Humanity in 1985, prompting the Spanish government to begin renovations on the aqueduct, which had been deteriorating.

The first thing that should be ringing in your ears as you read through this is the dangling modifier. Nearly 2000 years after its initial construction ...modifies... the United Nations? – Nope. Nonsensical. Freebie elimination. Next!

(B) Since its initial construction nearly 2000 years earlier, the Roman aqueduct of Segovia had been deteriorating, prompting the Spanish government to begin renovations after the United Nations declared the aqueduct to be a Heritage of Humanity in 1985.
Since is generally linked with either has or have. So, if you were being conservative keep this, but post a yellow flag on it.

(C) After being declared a Heritage of Humanity by the United Nations in 1985, the Spanish government began renovations on the Roman aqueduct of Segovia, which had been deteriorating since its initial construction nearly 2000 years earlier.
Dangling modifier again, people. Was the Spanish government declared a Heritage or Humanity? Clearly not, so it’s out.

(D) In 1985, the United Nations declared the Roman Aqueduct of Segovia to be a Heritage of Humanity and prompted the Spanish government to begin renovations on the aqueduct, which had been deteriorating since its initial construction nearly 2000 years earlier.

This is a close one frankly. The only real difference is that if you are being VERY harsh, you might say that what comes after DECLARED and what comes after PROMPTED do not share the same object. So, the aqueduct mentioned in the first part does not cross over into the second; thus making the sentence nonsensical. Effectively, if a computer that was taught the rules of grammar were to read this, it would ask: Prompted ... to begin renovations on which aqueduct?

(E) In 1985, the United Nations declared the Roman aqueduct of Segovia a Heritage of Humanity, prompting the Spanish government to begin renovations on the aqueduct, which had been deteriorating since its initial construction nearly 2000 years earlier.

Clear and with no modifier errors. Still, this was a close one between (D) and (E)

I though think E is the best option but doesn't it change the meaning a little? in the original sentence, the deterioration is not happening since its construction 2000 years ago. it is the declaration that happened 2000 years after it was constructed, in 1985. in E it suggests that the deterioration was happening for 2000 years which is clearly a deviation from the original meaning.

pranayeekarmakar, there is nothing wrong with changing the meaning as long as the meaning is logical. The only original part of a SC question is the non-underlined portion.
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^ Another nagging difference between the sentences E and D: D says "the United Nations declared the Roman Aqueduct of Segovia to be a Heritage of Humanity and prompted the Spanish government", while E says "the United Nations declared the Roman aqueduct of Segovia a Heritage of Humanity, prompting the Spanish government to begin renovations on the aqueduct"

Is there a change in meaning here? As in the case of D, the UN has directly prompted the Spanish government to begin renovations. But in E, the act of declaring the Roman aqueduct a heritage prompted the Spanish government to take action. Does this subtle change speak against D? Or am I reading too much here? Please advice.

I am guessing people who thought along these lines were confused between D and E? In these cases I always look at the original sentence (Choice A). So after comparing the 2, choose the one that is most similar. UN didn't prompt the Spanish Government in A. Hence E would be more appropriate.

Additional tip: If there is still confusion between 2 answer choices, then look for another split/error.
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The correct answer choice is logically flawed, it implies that the city started deteriorating directly after being constructed!
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