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Sentence Corection

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by [email protected] » Fri May 31, 2013 11:14 pm
In late 1997, the chambers inside the pyramid of the
Pharaoh Menkaure at Giza were closed to visitors for
cleaning and repair due to moisture exhaled by
tourists, which raised its humidity to such levels so
that salt from the stone was crystallizing
and fungus
was growing on the walls.
(A) due to moisture exhaled by tourists, which
raised its humidity to such levels so that salt
from the stone was crystallizing
(B) due to moisture that tourists had exhaled,
thereby raising its humidity to such levels that
salt from the stone would crystallize
(C) because tourists were exhaling moisture, which
had raised the humidity within them to levels
such that salt from the stone would crystallize
(D) because of moisture that was exhaled by tourists
raising the humidity within them to levels so high
as to make the salt from the stone crystallize
(E) because moisture exhaled by tourists had raised
the humidity within them to such levels that salt
from the stone was crystallizing


Can any body tell me please in option "E", how the word "them" indicates the chamber of pyramid and not the tourists. It is so confusing.

Because of only this confusion, I marked wrong answer.
If any body can explain then please.
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Source: — Sentence Correction |

by bubbliiiiiiii » Sat Jun 01, 2013 12:41 am
Antecedent of pronoun 'them' can be decided with the help of 'within' before 'them' in option E.

As per rule, I agree that them could refer to nearest preceding plural noun. However, if we refer to tourists sentence becomes illogical.

Another reason for chosing E is usage of 'because of'.

Hope it helps.
Regards,

Pranay
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by [email protected] » Sat Jun 01, 2013 1:20 am
Thank for the reply. But, I am still confused as if we will read the whole sentence ten withih them seems related with tourists. Big time confused I am. could you please elaborate the explanation of could you please in some other way. It will be a great help.

Thanks
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by bubbliiiiiiii » Sat Jun 01, 2013 10:50 am
Lets rewrite the original question by plugging in option E into it.

In late 1997, the chambers inside the pyramid of the Pharaoh Menkaure at Giza were closed to visitors for cleaning and repair because moisture exhaled by tourists had raised the humidity within them to such levels that salt from the stone was crystallizing and fungus was growing on the walls.

Lets replace them with tourists and rewrite

In late 1997, the chambers inside the pyramid of the Pharaoh Menkaure at Giza were closed to visitors for cleaning and repair because moisture exhaled by tourists had raised the humidity within tourists to such levels that salt from the stone was crystallizing and fungus was growing on the walls.

Lets replace them with chambers and rewrite

In late 1997, the chambers inside the pyramid of the Pharaoh Menkaure at Giza were closed to visitors for cleaning and repair because moisture exhaled by tourists had raised the humidity within chambers to such levels that salt from the stone was crystallizing and fungus was growing on the walls.

You notice the difference? humidity within tourists does not appear to make sense while humidity within chambers does.

Hope it helps. :)
Regards,

Pranay
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by [email protected] » Sat Jun 01, 2013 11:32 pm
Now, it is crystal clear..... Thanks for the help. The explanation was awesome. You gave me a new way to think. Thanks
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