Standing waves: Experts Please resolve.

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Source Official guide. Please explain why OA is correct.

The peaks of a mountain range, acting like rocks in a
streambed, produce ripples in the air flowing over
them; the resulting flow pattern, with crests and
troughs that remain stationary although the air
that forms them is moving rapidly, are
known as
"standing waves."
(A) crests and troughs that remain stationary
although the air that forms them is moving
rapidly, are
(B) crests and troughs that remain stationary
although they are formed by rapidly moving
air, are
(C) crests and troughs that remain stationary
although the air that forms them is moving
rapidly, is
(D) stationary crests and troughs although the air
that forms them is moving rapidly, are
(E) stationary crests and troughs although they are
formed by rapidly moving air, is
Source: — Sentence Correction |

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by sam2304 » Wed Mar 21, 2012 1:54 am
A/B/D - SV error. The resulting flow pattern is singular and needs singular verb IS.
E - although joins a noun phrase and a clause and the passive voice makes no sense at all.

IMO C.
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by Gaurav 2013-fall » Wed Mar 21, 2012 3:35 am
Thaks Sam for the answer. I am not convinced with C because of the construction 'air that forms them is moving rapidly'. Shouldnt it have been 'air that forms them moves rapidly'. Why at all the 'present continuous' is being used here? Kindly explain.

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by sam2304 » Wed Mar 21, 2012 5:00 am
The peaks produce ripples in the air flowing over them - main clause

We are describing the result which happens at the same time - simultaneous action, so we need the present continuous tense.
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by GMATGuruNY » Wed Mar 21, 2012 5:15 am
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by Gaurav 2013-fall » Wed Mar 21, 2012 6:17 am
Hey Mitch, I saw your explanation but still unable to digest 'air is moving rapidly'. Dont know why it is not making sense. May be there is something fundamental I am missing.

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