550. Once common throughout the Western plains, black-footed ferrets are thought to have declined in number as a result of the poisoning of prairie dogs, their prey.
(A) black-footed ferrets are thought to have declined in number as
(B) it is thought that the decline in number of black-footed ferrets is
(C) the decline in the number of black-footed ferrets is thought of as
(D) that black-footed ferrets have declined in their numbers is thought to be
(E) the numbers of the black-footed ferret are thought to have declined as
Solution:
Modifier + Awkwardness
“Once common throughout the Western plains” must modify the “black-footed ferrets” that must be place right after the coma.
Hence, A is the best choice.
B: “Once…plains” incorrectly modifies “it is thought…” instead of “black-footed ferrets”.
C: instead of “ferrets”, “the decline…” is modified by the introductory phrase.
D: “that” incorrectly used. It makes the sentence awkward.
E: instead of “ferrets”, “the numbers” is modified by the introductory phrase.
Sentence Correction - 1000 Questions with Solution:
(A) black-footed ferrets are thought to have declined in number as
(B) it is thought that the decline in number of black-footed ferrets is
(C) the decline in the number of black-footed ferrets is thought of as
(D) that black-footed ferrets have declined in their numbers is thought to be
(E) the numbers of the black-footed ferret are thought to have declined as
Solution:
Modifier + Awkwardness
“Once common throughout the Western plains” must modify the “black-footed ferrets” that must be place right after the coma.
Hence, A is the best choice.
B: “Once…plains” incorrectly modifies “it is thought…” instead of “black-footed ferrets”.
C: instead of “ferrets”, “the decline…” is modified by the introductory phrase.
D: “that” incorrectly used. It makes the sentence awkward.
E: instead of “ferrets”, “the numbers” is modified by the introductory phrase.
Sentence Correction - 1000 Questions with Solution: