imo 2 is the answer

4 and 5 changes the meaning of sentence. to be contributed and to have been contributed means it has to be done.but this has already been done

IMO 1

I believe 4 and 5 incorrectly modify United States.... havING

What does having refer to? Who/What has the largest share?

kevincanspain wrote:What does having refer to? Who/What has the largest share?

Kevin,

That's what I am not sure about. How do we know "having" is referring to US and not Mexico or any other word.

I realize this is a fundamental question, but it would be great if you can help me answer this one.

Please provide the source when you post a Q. Some ppl (me would like to focus practice on official questions

This is from some paper tests I got from a friend. Sorry, but am not sure if this is an official question.

Thanks neonite

IMO B......

since a time....

Kevin's dead-on.

We can also be suspicious of D and E because they use the passive voice ("contributed by"). In general, choices with "by" are often wrong because "by" is used in a passive construction, whereas an alternative choice will offer a more concise active construction...such as choice B!

We want to say "Billy kicked the ball" (subject before verb--focus on actor not action--active)

and not

"The ball was kicked by Billy" (subject after verb--focus on action not actor--passive).

Likewise, we want to say:

"share that...country...contributed"

and not

"share contributed by country".

Takeaways:

--cross out choices that use a passive construction, if a more concise and correct active construction is available.
--be wary of "by"--a passive construction may be signalled BY it!