Although blue herons can still be found along the Maine coast, their population has declined dramatically when compared

[BTGmoderatorDC]

Although blue herons can still be found along the Maine coast, their population has declined dramatically when compared to the 1970’s, a period in which there were fewer bald eagles competing with them for food and nesting sites.

A)their population has declined dramatically when compared to the 1970s
B) their population has declined dramatically compared with the 1970s
C)their populations have declined dramatically since the 1970s
D) their populations have declined in comparison to those of the 1970s
E) their population has declined in comparison with that of the 1970s



OA C

Source: Veritas Prep

[deloitte247]

This sentence doesn't really compare the time period appropriately.

Option A - Incorrect
This compares the population of the blue heron to the 1970s.

Option B - Incorrect
This option compares the population of the birds to the 1970s

Option C - Correct
It completely avoids the wrong comparison by explaining the sentence in a correct manner both grammatically and logically.

Option D - Incorrect
Using words like 'those and that' in making a comparison creates a new copy so you have to add additional info as to why the new copy is different from the other one.

Option E - Incorrect
It has the same issue as option D. The use of 'that' creates an ambiguous statement.