Sentence Correction: Participial Modifiers

CAT 1999 Slot 1 · VARC · Medium · Verbal Ability

In the following sentence, a part of the sentence is underlined. Choose the best alternative among the four.

His mother made great sacrifices to educate him, moving house on three occasions, <u>and severing the thread on her loom's shuttle whenever Mencius neglected his lessons to make him understand the need to persevere.</u>

  1. A.

    severing the thread on her loom's shuttle whenever Mencius neglected his lessons to make him understand the need to persevere.

  2. B.

    severed the thread on her loom's shuttle whenever Mencius neglected his lessons to make him understand the need to persevere.

  3. C.

    severed the thread on her loom's shuttle whenever Mencius neglected his lessons to make him understand the need for persevering.

  4. D.

    severing the thread on her loom's shuttle whenever Mencius neglected his lessons to make them understand the need to persevere.

Answer

A

Explanation

The participial phrase 'severing...' is parallel with 'moving house...' modifying 'made great sacrifices'. Option A correctly retains 'him'.

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