OG11紫色79题

79．  Scientists have observed large concentrations of heavy-metal deposits in the upper twenty centimeters of Baltic Sea sediments，which are consistent with the growth of industrial activity there.

(A)  Baltic Sea sediments，which are consistent with the growth of industrial activity there

(B)  Baltic Sea sediments，where the growth of industrial activity is consistent with these findings

(C)  Baltic Sea sediments，findings consistent with its growth of industrial activity

(D)  sediments from the Baltic Sea，findings consistent with the growth of industrial activity in the area

(E)  sediments form the Baltic Sea．Consistent with the growth of industrial activity there

Grammatical construction + Logical predication

This ambiguous sentence can be clarified by asking a series of questions：The are in the upper twenty centimeters of what? Of the sediments, not of the Baltic Sea, so it is dearer to place sediments direly after centimeters．As the sentence is written，which seems to refer back to the whole previous clause．Substituting a noun，findings, makes the reference clear．Where has the growth of industrial activity taken place? There is too vague and makes it seem that the industry is taking place in the sediments．Replacing there with the more specific in the area solves this problem．

A  Baltic Sea sediments is hard to understand；which has no logical referent；there is too vague.

B  Baltic Sea sediments is hard to understand；where has no logical referent．

C  Baltic Sea sediments is hard to understand；its does not have a referent．

D  Correct．This sentence is logical and clear．Sediments from the Baltic Sea is a clear reference；findings refers back to the scientists’ observations；in this area identifies a place more specifically．

E  The phrase beginning with consistent illogically describes the Baltic Sea．

The correct answer is D．

请教的是,题干中逗号前后两句话是什么关系，WHICH是指代什么，修饰什么的?解释中强调的位置的问题,是依据什么判断?

1，前后2句的关系：scientists have observed ...concentrations...., findings consistent with(同位语从句，解释concentrations);

2, which的修饰。原句中which 修饰容易产生歧义，可以看成是修饰sediments, 或者concentrations,所以不好；

3，改成In the area 要比there 好，因为there 可能是 the uppper centimeters,也可能是Baltic sea sediments.

我的粗浅理解。共同探讨。