Maritime code

[AnjaliOberoi]

Because there are provisions of the new maritime code that provide that even tinv islets can be the basis for claims to the fisheries and oil fields of large sea areas, they have already stimulated international disputes over uninhabited islands.


(A) Because there are provisions of the new maritime
code that provide that even tiny islets can be the
basis for claims to the fisheries and oil fields of
large sea areas, they have already stimulated

(B) Because the new maritime code provides that
even tiny islets can be the basis for claims to the
fisheries and oil fields of large sea areas, it has
already stimulated

(C) Even tiny islets can be the basis for claims to the
fisheries and oil fields of large sea areas under
provisions of the new maritime code, already
stimulating

(D) Because even tiny Islets can be the basis for
claims to the fisheries and oil fields of large sea
areas under provisions of the new maritime
code, this has already stimulated

(E) Because even tiny islets can be the basis for
claims to the fisheries and oil fields of large sea
areas under provisions of the new maritime
code, which is already stimulating

OA B

In B, how is "it" going to the new maritime code
and In D, why "this" is not going to new maritime code

How can we use "this" in the sentence. Since B is the correct answer choice, so from this i can understand that usage of this and which is not same, but can someone explain this usage by giving examples.

[ilyana]

Because there are provisions of the new maritime code that provide that even tiny islets can be the basis for claims to the fisheries and oil fields of large sea areas, they have already stimulated international disputes over uninhabited islands.

(A) Because there are provisions of the new maritime code that provide that even tiny islets can be the basis for claims to the fisheries and oil fields of large sea areas, they have already stimulated
--- repetition "that-that" (90% guarantee that the answer is incorrect) + repetition "provisions-provide"
--- "Because there are provisions, they have already stimulated" - the cause and effect relationship is not clear

(B) Because the new maritime code provides that even tiny islets can be the basis for claims to the fisheries and oil fields of large sea areas, it has already stimulated
--- correct. "It" refers to "the new maritime code" (the subject of the main clause)

(C) Even tiny islets can be the basis for claims to the fisheries and oil fields of large sea areas under provisions of the new maritime code, already stimulating (COMMA + ING-modifier -- applies to the subject of the preceding clause)
--- "tiny islets" (the subject) themselves don't stimulate anything, the new maritime code (or its provisions) does.

(D) Because even tiny islets can be the basis for claims to the fisheries and oil fields of large sea areas under provisions of the new maritime code, this (demonstrative pronoun "this" can't refer to a clause) has already stimulated

(E) Because even tiny islets can be the basis for claims to the fisheries and oil fields of large sea areas under provisions of the new maritime code, which is already stimulating 
--- no main clause

In B, how is "it" going to the new maritime code
and In D, why "this" is not going to new maritime code

How can we use "this" in the sentence. Since B is the correct answer choice, so from this i can understand that usage of this and which is not same, but can someone explain this usage by giving examples.

The main difference between it/which and this/that/those:
"It" and "which" refer back to THE SAME item. "This/that/those" are demonstrative NEW COPY pronouns.

Yesterday I read a book; it was marvelous. IT = the same book.
Yesterday I read a book, which was marvelous. WHICH = refers back to the same book.
Mary's books and those of Irene are of two different genres. THOSE = books, but not the same books mentioned earlier.

Edited: I agree with Mitch (see the post below). THIS on the GMAT is usually close to an adjective, not a demonstrative pronoun.

[GMATGuruNY]

Because there are provisions of the new maritime code that provide that even tinv islets can be the basis for claims to the fisheries and oil fields of large sea areas, they have already stimulated international disputes over uninhabited islands.


(A) Because there are provisions of the new maritime
code that provide that even tiny islets can be the
basis for claims to the fisheries and oil fields of
large sea areas, they have already stimulated

(B) Because the new maritime code provides that
even tiny islets can be the basis for claims to the
fisheries and oil fields of large sea areas, it has
already stimulated

(C) Even tiny islets can be the basis for claims to the
fisheries and oil fields of large sea areas under
provisions of the new maritime code, already
stimulating

(D) Because even tiny Islets can be the basis for
claims to the fisheries and oil fields of large sea
areas under provisions of the new maritime
code, this has already stimulated

(E) Because even tiny islets can be the basis for
claims to the fisheries and oil fields of large sea
areas under provisions of the new maritime
code, which is already stimulating

OA B

In B, how is "it" going to the new maritime code
and In D, why "this" is not going to new maritime code

How can we use "this" in the sentence. Since B is the correct answer choice, so from this i can understand that usage of this and which is not same, but can someone explain this usage by giving examples.

Because THE NEW MARITIME CODE provides that even tiny islets can be the basis for claims to the fisheries and oil fields of large sea areas, IT has already stimulated international disputes.
Here, it serves as the subject of stimulated.
The default referent for a subject pronoun is the SUBJECT OF THE PRECEDING CLAUSE.
Here, the preceding subject is the new maritime code.
Thus, the default referent for it (subject of the main clause) is the new maritime code (subject of the preceding clause).

This has already stimulated disputes.
On its own, this cannot serve as a subject.
On the GMAT, this can serve only as a MODIFIER.
Correct: THIS BOOK is popular.
Here, book is the subject, while this correctly serves as an adjective describing the book.

[sw222]

Hello Mitch,

For this question -
I eliminated choice A and B considering that "They have already stimulated international disputes over uninhabited islands." - to be a complete sentence and same for choice B. I am clearly wrong. But, I am not sure why they are not complete sentences - they both has a pronoun and a verb.

Can someone please explain.

Thanks

[sw222]

I figured out my mistake. They indeed are complete sentences! but the first one is not - as its starting with "Because". Thus, we need at least one complete sentence or main clause in our sentence.

Thanks