An effort to control the crippling effects of poverty in Brazils inte

Question

An effort  to control the crippling effects of poverty in Brazil’s interior cities, begun almost thirty years ago,  has been partially successful, despite the setback of a major drought and the interruption of aid during an extended economic crisis.

(A) to control the crippling effects of poverty in Brazil’s interior cities, begun almost thirty years ago,

(B) begun almost thirty years ago for controlling the crippling effects of poverty in Brazil’s interior cities,

(C) begun for controlling the crippling effects of poverty in Brazil’s interior cities almost thirty years ago,

(D) at controlling the crippling effects of poverty in Brazil’s interior cities begun almost thirty years ago,

(E) that has begun almost thirty years ago to control the crippling effects of poverty in Brazil’s interior cities,

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saisandeep1997 · Answer

Why the option A is right? begun almost thirty years ago is a past participle modifier with a comma before it.. it should be referring to the nearest noun which is interior cities not the effort.

Any experts please tell me whether I'm wrong or right?

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bb · Answer

That would be because it refers back to the noun phrase The effort .... so the rest of that whole phrase including cities is a part of a bigger noun phrase.

RohiniK · Answer

how do we know that it is referring back to the noun phrase 'The effort..' and not to the cities? Because if we consider it is referring to cities then the choice is incorrect but if we consider it as referring to the 'The effort', the choice is correct.

how do we find or know the proper referent? finding the proper referent makes all the different between a correct and incorrect choice.

ExpertsGlobal5 · Answer

Hello  RohiniK ,

We hope this finds you well.

To answer your query, the main noun of the noun phrase that proceeds the comma is "effort", and "cities" is a noun connected to the main via a preposition ("in" in this case)' in such a construction, the modifier after the comma modifies the main noun.

For example, "The King of England, who took power last year, is not very popular."

Here, "who" modifies not "England", but "King".

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

Bunuel · Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

A

This is an idiom question. Do you attempt to do something, do you attempt  at  something, or do you attempt  for  something? Choice E uses the idiom correctly but creates a new tense error.  The best answer is A.

An effort to control the crippling effects of poverty in Brazils inte

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An effort to control the crippling effects of poverty in Brazils inte

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