GWD26-Q20-问下代词的指代

GWD26-Q20

In 1981 children in the United States spent an average
        of slightly less than two and a half hours a week doing
        household chores; by 1997 they had spent nearly six hours a week.

A.    chores; by 1997 they had spent nearly six hours
        a week

B.    chores; by 1997 that figure had grown to nearly
        six hours a week

C.    chores, whereas nearly six hours a week were
        spent in 1997

D.    chores, compared with a figure of nearly six hours a week in 1997

E.  chores, that figure growing to nearly six hours a week in 1997

答案是B

偶的疑问是

我觉得A中的they是很明确指代children的,但是有人说they有歧义,有可能指代chores,纳闷ing,代词不是应该优先指代主语的吗?望牛人能指导一下代词的用法,GMAT中考得非常多

另外,其实这个题目争议好象挺大的,都没有一个定论(详见http://forum.chasedream.com/dispbbs.asp?boardid=23&replyid=3079189&id=330177&page=1&skin=0&Star=1)

希望大家继续讨论

个人认为，GMAT中，只要代词前边有多于一个可以代替的对象，就会产生歧义。按照我们个人的想法，这个they很明显是指代children，但在做题中，最好不要加入个人的想法。

明白了,还是谨慎为妙

同意！