SC: OG# 9 - Protecting/to protect

Question

This is a OG# 9 SC question and I have the OA/OE too. However I couldn't completely understand the OE. Could someone explain?

For members of the 17th century Ashanthi nation in Africa, animal-hide shields with wooden frames were essential items of military equipment,  a method to protect  warriors against enemy arrows and spears.

1) a method to protect
2) as a method protecting
3) protecting
4) as a protection of
5) to protect

GMATT73 · Answer

I think it is C for the subordinate clause. If I`m right, I`ll try to explain further...

todinesh · Answer

There are 2 choices 

C & E

E would be better if it is 'USED' to protect

I would go with C

sudhagar · Answer

OA is C (3). 

Could you please explain in simple terms (I am weak in Grammar)?

nakib77 · Answer

It is a straight C. The reason is that whenever we use a modifier it needs to be in present participle form.
In this question protecting is modifying the animal-hide-shield. so animal hide shield is not a method, so A , B and D is out.
E is out because it needs to be in particlple form because of the modifier.

So C is the only choice.

ywilfred · Answer

1) 'a method' is redundant
2) same as A
3) protecting 
4) 'of' is not appropriate
5) to protect

Go with C. 'to protect' would not be good with the comma in front of it (as in the original sentence)

krisrini · Answer

I thought it should be E. since we are talking about members of 17th century its a past tense, and hence to protect would be the right usage. Can someone correct my mistake. 

Thanks
Sreeni

ong · Answer

For members of the 17th century Ashanthi nation in Africa, animal-hide shields with wooden frames were essential items of military equipment, a method to protect  warriors against enemy arrows and spears. 


1) a method to protect ---- which was a method of protect  modify military equipment, however millitary equipment is not a method.
2) as a method protecting --- as+ clause
3) protecting--suboninate clause --which protects warriors against.........
4) as a protection of --- as +clause
5) to protect--If you delete comma behind equipment, a sentence will be corrected and better than choice C

ong · Answer

Sorry a little confuse!!!!
For members of the 17th century Ashanthi nation in Africa, animal-hide shields with wooden frames were essential items of military equipment,a method to protect warriors against enemy arrows and spears. 


1) a method to protect ----which was a method  to  protect modify military equipment, however millitary equipment is not a method. 
2) as a method protecting --- as+ clause ---like is better, you must delete  a method  but still wordy
3) protecting--suboninate clause --which  protected  warriors against......... 
4) as a protection of --- as +clause---like is better,but still wordy
5) to protect--If you delete comma behind equipment, a sentence will be corrected and better than choice C

SC: OG# 9 - Protecting/to protect

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