Sentence Correction

258. The British sociologist and activist Barbara Wootton once noted as a humorous example of income
maldistribution that the elephant that gave rides to children at the Whipsnade Zoo was earning annually
exactly what she then earned as director of adult education for London.
(A) that the elephant that gave rides to children at the Whipsnade Zoo was earning
(B) that the elephant, giving rides to children at the Whipsnade Zoo, had been earning
(C) that there was an elephant giving rides to children at the Whipsnade Zoo, and it earned
(D) the elephant that gave rides to children at the Whipsnade Zoo and was earning
154
(E) the elephant giving rides to children at the Whipsnade Zoo and that it earned

imo: A

anju wrote:imo: A

Can you please explain this?

somebody,explanation please.

Though I am not a huge Fan of A , But i will stick with it since other choices are akward.
b. had been earning...wrong..,
c. there was an elephant...wordy and unnecssary
d. 'and' is probelm here.
e. Improper tense usage. givin rides...present progressive tense and then..it earned...past tense.

So, All other choices are akward so A.
that the elephant that gave rides to children at the Whipsnade Zoo(SOMETHING HAS TO BE ADDED HERE) was earning

Taking out all the aux clauses:

with (A) Barbara once noted that the elephant was earning exactly what she then earned
with (C) Barbara once noted that there was an elephant, and it earned exactly what she then earned

According to the above (C) is more awkward because it first says that the elephant exists and than states that it earns more.

Does that sound reasonable?

d

My answer A

It is having all tenses in proper position:
This has to be in Past perfect tense

If more than One action occurred in the past then you must use the past perfect tense for the earlier action and simple past for the later action.

Past Perfect = Had + Past participle

Eg: Several Teachers thought that Jim had cheated on the exam

(A) that the elephant that gave rides to children at the Whipsnade Zoo was earning

(D) the elephant that gave rides to children at the Whipsnade Zoo and was earning
154

What is this 154?
Did the sentence say that it was earning 154??
We must not change the original meaning of the sentence

(C) that there was an elephant giving rides to children at the Whipsnade Zoo, and it earned

Its giving ride==> present perfect

Earning(an event occurring after giving ride) ==> past perfect

Is this possible??


In E, same problem.

(B) that the elephant, giving rides to children at the Whipsnade Zoo, had been earning

Consider A and B and see the Bold part.

Elephant was initially giving ride and then Earning.
Although not the perfect answer but yet the best among the given choices



Hope now its clear.

Karan

A must be the answer.

OA pls..

OA: A

all options with GIVING rides are wrong..as the say...that elephant is giving rides... at present...

So A

(D) the elephant that gave rides to children at the Whipsnade Zoo and was earning
154
What is this 154?
Did the sentence say that it was earning 154??
We must not change the original meaning of the sentence

Karan, if there were no "154", could D be the correct answer?

Thanks

Hello Feruza,

The British sociologist and activist Barbara Wootton once noted as a humorous example of income maldistribution that the elephant that gave rides to children at the Whipsnade Zoo was earning annually

humorous example ==> That

So this" That" is Very Important.

that the elephant that gave rides to children at the Whipsnade Zoo was earning

This is the original Sentence.Take a look at the bold face.

That is used for essential clause.

(D) the elephant that gave rides to children at the Whipsnade Zoo and was earning

Over here That is not there

So the absence of that brings a run-on sentence in both the cases where that is missing

Is this clear to you now?

Karan

Hey Karan,

I didn't notice that "that" is required after "note".

Thanks a lot

You are welcome!!