sharkin wrote:

Organized in 1966 by the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Breeding Bird Survey uses annual roadside counts
along established routes for monitoring of population changes of as many as. or of more than 250 bird
species, including 180 songbirds.
(A) for monitoring of population changes of as many as, or of
(B) to monitor population changes of as many, or
(C) to monitor changes in the populations of
(D) that monitors population changes of
(E) that monitors changes in populations of as many as, or

Couldn't find a satisfactory explanation in any of the previous posts and my doubt stands like this:

OG Expl'n:

1. for monitoring of in A is less concise and idiomatic than to monitor, and population changes in B is less precise than changes in population.
- HOW??

2. In D and E, the pronoun that has no singular noun (required by the verb monitors) to which it can logically or grammatically refer. Survey already has its verb in uses, and no other noun can perform the action of monitors
- THAT APPEARS TO BE REFERRING TO SURVEY (NOUN) ??
Please elaborate on the possible uses of "THAT" besides: 1. being used to introduce a clause

Hi, following is an explanation covering all the answer choices:

A. 'For monitoring' is an incorrect idiom. Infinitives (to + verb) should be generally used as an object in the sentence..hence, "to monitor". A gerund (noun+ ing verb) can be used as a subject. For example: 'Running is healthy' makes more sense than 'To run is healthy'. But "John likes to run" rather than "John loves running"

B. the correct phrase is 'as many as'....this option contains only 'as many' which is an incorrect idion

C. Correct choice....uses the right form 'to monitor'. Also, "changes in the populations of" is correct...the changes are happening in the populations

D & E. "that" follows routes and seems to suggest that routes monitor the changes, which is incorrect. Further, "monitors " does not agree with 'routes (plural)'

Hope that helps,