Researchers have discovered a new species of sparrow that lives only in cypress groves, almost wholly dependent on the berries of a certain type of vine that grows on cypress trees and whose coloring is completely different from all other sparrows.
(A) that lives only in cypress groves, almost wholly dependent on the berries of a certain type of vine that grows in cypress trees and whose coloring is completely different from
(B) that lives only in cypress groves, is almost wholly dependent on the berries of a certain type of vine that grows on cypress trees, and has coloring completely different from that of
(C) living only in cypress groves, is almost wholly dependent on the berries of a certain type of vine that grows on cypress trees, and whose coloring is completely different from
(D) that lives only in cypress groves, almost wholly dependent on the berries of a certain type of vine that grows on cypress trees, and whose coloring is completely different from that of
(E) living only in cypress groves, depending almost wholly on the berries of a certain type of vine that grows on cypress trees, and having coloring completely different than
This question is based on Parallelism, Comparison and Idiomatic Usage.
This question gives us a number of ways to eliminate options:
1. Parallelism – the sentence gives three descriptions of the new species of sparrow, so all three descriptions must be parallel in form. The three descriptions should be as follows: that lives only in cypress groves, that is almost wholly dependent on the berries of a certain type of vine that grows on cypress trees and that has coloring….
2. Comparison – if we look at the end of the sentence, we see the phrase “different from all other sparrows". To make the comparison parallel, we must identify what is being contrasted with what – is the coloring being compared to sparrows or is the coloring of the new species of sparrow being compared to the coloring of all other sparrows. The latter is more appropriate.
3. Idiomatic Usage – A vertical scan of the last part of the options shows us the choice between ‘different from’ and ‘different than’. The phrase “different from” is idiomatically appropriate.
Option A lacks parallelism - (A) that lives only in cypress groves, almost wholly dependent on the berries of a certain type of vine that grows in cypress trees and whose coloring is completely different from
In this option, the second description is in the form of a participle modifier and the second description is in the form of an adjective clause. As can be seen, the three descriptions are not parallel in structure to each other. To be parallel, all three descriptions must start with the relative pronoun ‘that’ followed by a verb + phrase.
This option also indicates that the comparison is between the coloring of the new species and all other sparrows. So, Option A can be eliminated.
In Option C, the error of comparison is repeated. Furthermore, this option also lacks parallelism. In this option, it is the first description that is in the form of a participle phrase, but the last description is not in the same form. So, Option C can also be eliminated.
Option D is almost identical to Option A, except that the error of comparison has been corrected in the option. However, the lack of parallelism is still present in this option. So, Option D can also be eliminated.
In Option E, the three descriptions are parallel in form to each other. However, this option contains an idiomatic error. The phrase “different than” is idiomatically inappropriate.
(B) that lives only in cypress groves, is almost wholly dependent on the berries of a certain type of vine that grows on cypress trees, and has coloring completely different from that of – In this option, the three descriptions are parallel in structure. The relative pronoun ‘that’ is not repeated but has been used once at the beginning. Thus, parallelism is maintained.
This option also contains the logical comparison between the coloring of the new species of sparrow and that of all other sparrows.
Therefore, B is the most appropriate option.