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Verbal Review # 56: Usage of avoid

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by JK. » Sun Dec 05, 2010 9:21 pm
Archaeologists in Ireland believe that a recently discovered chalice, which dates from the eighth century, was probably buried to keep from being stolen by invaders.

(A) to keep from
(B) to keep it from
(C) to avoid
(D) in order that it would avoid
(E) in order to keep from


OA is B

I am fine with OA. But official explanation for C says "Option C suggests that the chalice acts to prevent its own theft. The pronoun it is needed for clarity."
I don't see how C suggests that the chalice acts to prevent its own theft. Please help.
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Source: — Sentence Correction |

by amir_hatef » Sun Dec 05, 2010 11:18 pm
Can an expert come and rule out this for us? Why A is wrong?? Nazar7ft, gmat_perfect???
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by nazar7ft » Mon Dec 06, 2010 12:03 am
Archaeologists in Ireland believe that a recently discovered chalice, which dates from the eighth century, was probably buried to keep from being stolen by invaders.

(A) to keep from
(B) to keep it from
(C) to avoid
(D) in order that it would avoid
(E) in order to keep from

First split:

Avoid:

We usually use "AVOID X", where X is a NOUN.

This eliminates C and D.

D has another error in using "it". What does "it" refer? If it refers to "chalice", it means that "chalice itself would avoid being stolen". It changes the meaning of the sentence.

Second split:

What has been kept is NOT clear in the options A and E? It is not clear what has been kept from being stolen.

Answer is B.
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