求教NN prep的一道语法题

wwc008love

70.(28271-!-item-!-188;#058&003560)

It is unclear whether chimpanzees are unique among nonhuman species in their ability to learn behaviors from one another, or if, when other animals are studied in as much depth, similar patterns would be found.

(A) if, when other animals are studied in as much depth, similar patterns would be found

(B) if other animals were studied with as much depth they would exhibit similar patterns

(C) would similar patterns be found in other animals if they were studied in as much depth

(D) whether similar patterns would be exhibited in other animals that were studied with as much depth

(E) whether other animals would exhibit similar patterns if they were studied in as much depth

答案选E。。请问选项E的they存在指代不清的问题吗？不是代词有个就近指代的原则，那么能不能指代patterns呢？谢谢

kyle7

从句中作为主语的代词优先指代主句的主语～
在OG中有些题中未划线部分给出了代词they，而正确答案就是主句中的主语是they所指代的那个选项～

李学子

就近指代原则是不准确的，一般从句的代词作主语优先指代主句主语，就近指代一般是存在于一句话的状语宾语之间的