600-700 Space missions

[challenger63]

Most space missions that seek to map cosmological expansion involve studying red-shift induced changes in the spectral content of supernovae, but a number of recent proposals would suggest tracing baryon acoustic oscillations as indicators of age.

A would suggest tracing
B are offering the suggestion of tracing
C trace
D offer the tracing
E offer the alternative of tracing

OA will be later

[srcc25anu]

Is it C?

[sana.noor]

Okay here are my views
a number of recent PROPOSALS ( proposals either suggest or offer but proposals cant trace)
A: wrong due to use of would
B: proposals: are offering the suggestion of tracing (its too wordy and awkward)
C: trace: proposals cant trace things themselves
D: offer the tracing: it could be one of the right option because "a number of" require plural verb: "offer" and proposals usually offer or suggest. tracing is parallel to studying.
E: it could be one of the option but i am confused due to the usuage of "alternative" however, the usuage of "BUT" that is a cordinating conjuction is enough to satisfy the usuage of "alternative"

I will go with "E" or "D"

OA please

[Tommy Wallach]

Hey All,

I'll weigh in, though there's already been some good conversation:

Most space missions that seek to map cosmological expansion involve studying red-shift induced changes in the spectral content of supernovae, but a number of recent proposals would suggest tracing baryon acoustic oscillations as indicators of age.

A would suggest tracing
B are offering the suggestion of tracing
C trace
D offer the tracing
E offer the alternative of tracing

(A) "Would" implies that this is conditional, rather than definitive. The meaning here, however, is that the proposals already exist, and so the proposals simply "suggest tracing" (which would be my favorite answer, if it were here).
(B) Redundant to "offer the suggestion". Why not just suggest?
(C) "Trace" would simply modify proposals. But a proposal can't actually do this...the mission itself would do it.
(D) The proposals don't "offer the tracing". I'm not even sure what that would mean. How can you offer the tracing? That's like saying: "I offer you the massaging of your back."
(E) Correct. "Of tracing" modifies "alternative," describing exactly what kind of alternative it is. Perfecto.

Hope that helps!

-t