What does this question test?
This question tests your understanding of pronoun reference and idiomatic usage of “due to”.
What does this sentence mean?
This sentence presents a belief of the Quechuans. They believed that all things participate at both the following levels of reality:
- The material level
- The mystical level
Furthermore many Quechuans claimed that they contacted the mystical level of reality through a dream experience.
What are the errors in the original sentence?
In this sentence, the reference of the pronoun “it” is not clear. From the meaning of the sentence, it can be inferred that “it” refers to the mystical level of reality. However, the presence of another singular antecedent at the same grammatical level in the sentence – ‘material level’ – creates ambiguity in this pronoun reference.
Answer Choice Analysis:
Choice A: Pronoun Reference Error.
Choice B: Pronoun Reference Error as in Choice A.
Choice C: The use of expression “with the last” is un-idiomatic.
Choice D: No errors.
Choice E: Use of “due to” changes the meaning of the sentence. The sentence now implies a cause and effect sequence – dream experience was the reason for the contact with mystical level of reality. The intended meaning however is that the contact with the mystical level of reality happened through the dream experience.
Thus, Choice D is the correct answer.
What are the key take-away messages?
- Pronoun – Antecedent reference should be clear.
- “Due to” established a cause & effect relationship. It should be used only when the intended meaning requires such relationship.
