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Modifiers, please explain

Expert replies
by Ancientmtk » Wed Sep 03, 2008 6:43 am
Scientists have observed large concentrations of heavy-metal deposits in the upper twenty centimeters of Baltic Sea sediments, which are consistent with the growth of industrial activity there.
(A) Baltic Sea sediments, which are consistent with the growth of industrial activity there
(B) Baltic Sea sediments, where the growth of industrial activity is consistent with these findings
(C) Baltic Sea sediments, findings consistent with its growth of industrial activity
(D) sediments from the Baltic Sea, findings consistent with the growth of industrial activity in the area
(E) sediments from the Baltic Sea, consistent with the growth of industrial activity there


I need some xplaination on how modifiers work. For example, what do these options modify:
Scientists have observed concentration, consistent/findings/(making) ...

What does each of the 3 options refer to?
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Source: — Sentence Correction |

by drgmatIL » Tue Sep 09, 2008 2:58 am
looking for an explanation too
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by Vignesh.4384 » Tue Sep 09, 2008 6:41 am
Is the answer E ?
i will explanations if answer is right
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by drgmatIL » Tue Sep 09, 2008 7:58 am
answer is D
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by java_ka_jalwa » Tue Sep 09, 2008 8:57 am
A is wrong because it implies that the sediments are consistent with the growth.
B is wrong because it implies the industrial growth is located in the sediments
C is wrong beacause "its" doesnt refer to Baltic Sea.
E is wrong because , it does not answer what is consistent with industrial growth.

D is correct
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by sumithshah » Tue Sep 09, 2008 9:44 am
(A) Baltic Sea sediments, which are consistent with the growth of industrial activity there
(B) Baltic Sea sediments, where the growth of industrial activity is consistent with these findings
(C) Baltic Sea sediments, findings consistent with its growth of industrial activity
(D) sediments from the Baltic Sea, findings consistent with the growth of industrial activity in the area
(E) sediments from the Baltic Sea, consistent with the growth of industrial activity there


Now, a modifier modifies what every is close to it - so a correct modifier should be placed AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE to the thing that it modifies.

In B, we are saying it is in teh Baltic Sea Sediments where the growth of industrial activity is high - doent make sense
In A we are saying Baltic Sea Sediments are consistent with the growth of industrial activities

In C - which findings is fine - but its refers to a questionable subject
D is good
E - sediments from baltic sea are consistent with the growth of industrial activities - doesnt make sense
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