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Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
rohansherry wrote:
Scientists have observed large concentrations of heavy-metal deposits in the upper twenty centimeters of Baltic Sea sediments, which are consistent with the growth of industrial activity there.
(A) Baltic Sea sediments, which are consistent with the growth of industrial activity there
(B) Baltic Sea sediments, where the growth of industrial activity is consistent with these findings
(C) Baltic Sea sediments, findings consistent with its growth of industrial activity
(D) sediments from the Baltic Sea, findings consistent with the growth of industrial activity in the area
(E) sediments from the Baltic Sea, consistent with the growth of industrial activity there
Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of this sentence is that scientists have observed large concentrations of heavy-metal deposits in the upper twenty centimeters of sediments from the Baltic Sea, and these observations are findings consistent with the growth of industrial activity in the area.
Concepts tested here: Meaning + Modifiers + Pronouns• "who/whose/whom/which/where", when preceded by a comma, refer to the noun just before the comma.
• "where" is only used to refer to a physical location.
A: This answer choice suffers from a pronoun error, as the pronoun "there" lacks a logical referent. Further, Option A incorrectly refers to "Baltic Sea sediments" with the phrase "which are consistent with the growth of industrial activity", illogically implying that the
Baltic Sea sediments are consistent with the growth of industrial activity; the intended meaning is that
the scientists' observations regarding large concentrations of heavy-metal deposits are consistent with the growth of industrial activity; please remember, "who/whose/whom/which/where", when preceded by a comma, refer to the noun just before the comma.
B: This answer choice incorrectly refers to "Baltic Sea sediments" with "where"; please remember, "where" is only used to refer to a physical location.
C: This answer choice suffers from a pronoun error, as the pronoun "its" lacks a logical referent.
D: Correct. This answer choice avoids the pronoun errors seen in Options A, B, C, and E, as it employs no pronouns. Further, Option D uses the phrase "findings consistent with the growth of industrial activity in the area", conveying the intended meaning - that
the scientists' observations regarding large concentrations of heavy-metal deposits are consistent with the growth of industrial activity.
E: This answer choice suffers from a pronoun error, as the pronoun "there" lacks a logical referent.
Hence, D is the best answer choice.To understand the concept of "Which, Who. Whose, and Where" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):
All the best!
Experts' Global Team