Your an expert if you answer this S.c Quesiton

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The Correct choice can have two interpretations, so why is it not an ambiguous answer, and consequently the wrong one?

There is no consensus on what role. if any, is played by acid rain in slowing the growth or damaging forests
in the eastern United States.
(A) slowing the growth or damaging
(B) the damage or the slowing of the growth of
(C) the damage to or the slowness of the growth of
(D) damaged or slowed growth of
(E) damaging or slowing the growth of

OA is E.

However, it can have two interpretations when the compund subject is broken down

1.There is no consensus on what role, if any, is played by acid rain in damaging forests in the eastern United States.

the other,if the break point is put before "the growth of...."
2.There is no consensus on what role,if any, is played by acid rain in damaging the growth of forests in the eastern United States.

which is clearly illogical as growth is not tangible so it cant be damaged-though it can be hampered but thats not relevant here. The official guide guide has eliminated options on the basis of illogical modification and ambiguity caused by dual meanings numerous times. Then why not this one?

Nevertheless the sentence can have two interpretations, so why is it not an ambiguous answer, and consequently the wrong one?
Source: — Sentence Correction |

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