The Navajo people adapted to life in captivity in New Mexico in the se

Question

The Navajo people adapted to life in captivity in New Mexico in the second half of the nineteenth century, bringing  a distinctive weaving style with them, through which was maintained both a livelihood and  a way of preserving their traditional culture.

(A) a distinctive weaving style with them, through which was maintained both a livelihood and

(B) a distinctive weaving style with them, and through which maintaining both a livelihood and

(C) with them a distinctive weaving style, through which they maintained both a livelihood and

(D) with them a distinctive weaving style, through which maintains both a livelihood and

(E) with them a distinctive weaving style, and maintaining through it both a livelihood and

Bunuel · Accepted Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

C

The first apparent difference in the choices is between starting with "a distinctive weaving style" and starting with "with them". The latter is correct, because the phrase following the comma ("through which. . .") refers to the weaving style. Therefore, we want the phrase "weaving style" to be as close to "through which" as possible. That eliminates (A) and (B).

(D) is incorrect because of the present tense "maintains", which conflicts with the past tense "adapted" at the beginning of the sentence. That leaves "through which they maintained both a livelihood" and "and maintaining through it both a livelihood". The key difference is 'which" instead of "it". "It" could refer to any singular noun in the sentence ("The Navajo people", "life in captivity", etc.), while "which' can only refer to the subject that precedes it. (C) is clear, so it is correct.

AkashM · Answer

Eliminate A because sentence would be better framed if 'distinctive weaving style' is close to 'through which'. Also, 'maintained both a livelihood and a way of preserving their traditional culture.' is awkward.

Eliminate B because it is not clear what 'through which' is referring to.

Eliminate D because 'maintains' is in the wrong tense and lacks a subject.

Eliminate E because 'it' lacks a clear antecedent.

C remains and is the correct answer.

AnirudhaS · Answer

(A) a distinctive weaving style with them, through which was maintained both a livelihood and
 modifier error

(B) a distinctive weaving style with them, and through which maintaining both a livelihood and
 modifier error

(C) with them a distinctive weaving style, through which they maintained both a livelihood and

(D) with them a distinctive weaving style, through which maintains both a livelihood and
 who maintains? Not a good way.

(E) with them a distinctive weaving style, and maintaining through it both a livelihood and
 wrong usage of "it"

rvgmat12 · Answer

The Navajo people adapted to life in captivity in New Mexico in the second half of the nineteenth century, bringing a distinctive weaving style with them, through which was maintained both a livelihood and a way of preserving their traditional culture.

(A) a distinctive weaving style with them, through which  was maintained both a livelihood and 
Incorrect

(B) a distinctive weaving style with them, and through which  maintaining both a livelihood and 
Incorrect

(C) with them a distinctive weaving style, through which they maintained both a livelihood and
Correct

(D) with them a distinctive weaving style,  through which maintains both a livelihood and 
Incorrect

(E) with them a distinctive weaving style,  and maintaining through it both a livelihood and 
Incorrect

winterschool · Answer

The Navajo people adapted to life in captivity in New Mexico in the second half of the nineteenth century, bringing a distinctive weaving style with them, through which was maintained both a livelihood and a way of preserving their traditional culture.

(A) a distinctive weaving style with them, through  which was maintained  both a livelihood and  Incorrect

subject missing in modifier

(B) a distinctive weaving style with them,  and  through which maintaining both a livelihood and  Incorrect

and uses changes intended meaning

(C)  with them a distinctive weaving style, through which they maintained both a livelihood and   Correct

(D) with them a distinctive weaving style, through  which maintains  both a livelihood and  Incorrect

who maintains? subject missing

(E) with them a distinctive weaving style,  and  maintaining through it both a livelihood and  Incorrect

and uses changes intended meaning; it refers to what

The Navajo people adapted to life in captivity in New Mexico in the se

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GMAT Sentence Correction (SC - EA only) Questions

The Navajo people adapted to life in captivity in New Mexico in the se

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

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My Rewards