The new image of Stone Age people as systematic hunters of large anima

The new image of Stone Age people as systematic hunters of large animals, rather than *merely scavenging for meat, have emerged from the examination of tools found in Germany, including* three wooden spears that archaeologists believe to be about 400,000 years old.

To Identify the clues from the given information :
The new image - Singular . Now, search for singular verb in option choices.
A- have (plural), B-have(plural). A and B can be eliminated .
(A) merely scavenging for meat, have emerged from the examination of tools found in Germany, including



(B) as mere scavenging for meat, have emerged from examining tools found in Germany, which include

(C) as mere meat scavengers, has emerged from examining tools found in Germany that includes
The new image (singular) - prepositional phrase ..., rather than (modifier)..., has emerged .
Looks good at first instance. Keep C

(D) mere scavengers of meat, has emerged from the examination of tools found in Germany, which includes
Germany, which -- A big error . which refers back to Germany here .Whether Germany includes wooden spears. Illogical .
D is out

(E) mere scavengers of meat, has emerged from the examination of tools found in Germany, including
Looks good . Keep E
Now , compare C and E .
has emerged from examining tools found in Germany that includes
that is the antecedent of tools . tools - plural , so, we should use include instead of includes . So, eliminate C.
Answer is E

in this question "including" won't modify the closest noun , that is - germnay?

very confused as i feel including is only present participle which modifies noun just before it

Hello Jatin108,

We hope this finds you well.

To answer your query, here "including..." modifies the noun phrase "tools found in Germany"; the main noun of the phrase is "tools", and "found in Germany" is just a modifier that acts upon "tools".

We hope this helps.
All the best!
Experts' Global Team

Hi Jatin108, including can modify the Noun or Noun-Phrase (whichever makes sense) immediately before the word including.

p.s. Our book EducationAisle Sentence Correction Nirvana discusses this aspect of "including”. Have attached the corresponding section of the book, for your reference.

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