(A) Certain pesticides can become ineffective if used repeatedly in the same place; one reason is suggested by the finding that there are much larger populations of pesticide-degrading microbes in soils with a relatively long history of pesticide use than in soils that are free of such chemicals.
(B) If used repeatedly in the same place, one reason that certain pesticides can become ineffective is suggested by the finding that there are much larger populations of pesticide-degrading microbes in soils with a relatively long history of pesticide use than in soils that are free of such chemicals.
(C) If used repeatedly in the same place, one reason certain pesticides can become ineffective is suggested by the finding that much larger populations of pesticide-degrading microbes are found in soils with a relatively long history of pesticide use than those that are free of such chemicals.
(D) The finding that there are much larger populations of pesticide-degrading microbes in soils with a relatively long history of pesticide use than in soils that are free of such chemicals is suggestive of one reason, if used repeatedly in the same place, certain pesticides can become ineffective.
(E) The finding of much larger populations of pesticide-degrading microbes in soils with a relatively long history of pesticide use than in those that are free of such chemicals suggests one reason certain pesticides can become ineffective if used repeatedly in the same place.
Solution:
Awkwardness + Modifier
B is awkward in the use of “If used repeatedly in the same place, one reason…”
C is awkward in the use of “If used repeatedly in the same place, one reason…”
D is passive.
E awkward in the use of “finding of” and passive.
A is the best choice.
OG Solution:
Choice A, the best answer, is the only one that manages syntactic control of the sentence. The sentence consists of two independent clauses, beginning Certain pesticides ... and one reason, which are connected by a semicolon. Dangling or misplaced modifiers plague choices B, C, and D: in each case, the phrase if used repeatedly in the same place illogically modifies one reason rather than certain pesticides. In choice E, The finding of much larger populations .. . than in those that is an improperly constructed comparison.
Sentence Correction - 1000 Questions with Solution:
