To do?

[syflysun]

During the nineteenth century Emily Eden and Fanny Parks journeyed throughout India, sketching and keeping journals forming the basis of news reports about the princely states where they had visited.
(A) forming the basis of news reports about the princely states where they had
(B) that were forming the basis of news reports about the princely states
(C) to form the basis of news reports about the princely states which they have
(D) which had formed the basis of news reports about the princely states where they had
(E) that formed the basis of news reports about the princely states they

OA- E

For C, no doubt, the present perfect "have visited" does not agree with the past tense journeyed. However, in og's explanation, "Choice C is unclear because to form could be read as either in order to form or so as to form, and the present perfect have visited does not agree with the past tense journeyed."
My understanding of its explanation is that "to form" could have two meanings: one is in order to form [express intention]; another is so as to form [express result].
Right?
My stupid question is that do we need to consider the implied ambiguous meaning when selecting "to do" every time? Or, "to do" is an incorrect form since it has two meanings. But we do choose "to do".

Any comments

[syflysun]

Sorry for pushing this thread up. really need some help. thank you.

[pradeepsarathy]

IMO E as well.

Here is how i weeded out the OA -

A - ".....princely states where they had" - implies as if Emily and Fanny had visited the princely states before they journeyed India.Incorrect use of Past Perfect Tense

B - "....about the princely states visited" - who visited these states - lacks clear referrent.

C - "....where they have" - incorrect tense

D - "which had formed the basis....where they had" - same as A - Incorrect use of tense.

That leaves us with E.