Is A wrong because reporting refers to scientists and not the entire cluase?
Question No.20: Data gathered by weather satellites has been analyzed by scientists, reporting that the Earth’s northern latitudes have become about ten percent greener since 1980, due to more vigorous plant growth associated with warmer temperatures and higher levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
A. Data gathered by weather satellites has been analyzed by scientists, reporting that the Earth’s northern latitudes have
B. Data gathered by weather satellites has been analyzed by scientists, and they report the Earth’s northern latitudes as having
C. After analyzing data gathered by weather satellites, scientists report that the Earth’s northern latitudes have
D. After analysis of data, gathered by weather satellites, scientists report the Earth’s northern latitudes as having
E. After data gathered by weather satellites was analyzed by scientists, who report that the Earth’s northern latitudes have
Hi Vihar,
An “ing” modifier ending a clause modifies the entire preceding clause but applies to the subject (main actor) of the clause. In option A, the sentence is constructed in passive voice
“Data gathered by weather satellites has been analyzed by scientists” – Data becomes the main actor here and hence the “ing” modifier “reporting” applies to data even though it modifies the entire preceding clause. Using the data scientists have reported. It isn’t the data that reported.
Hope this helps!