Register    Login    Search    Rss Feeds

Forums Home » Ask An Instructor » GMAT Verbal » Manhattan GMAT Verbal Strategy Guides


 Page 1 of 1 [ 2 posts ] 



  Print view Print view Previous topic Previous topic | Next topic Next topic
 

Circus clowns- SC -Page 135 Problem 9

Author Message
virendra.palande
 Post subject: Circus clowns- SC -Page 135 Problem 9
 Post Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2009 2:49 pm 
Offline
Course Students


Posts: 15
After correcting the answer, the sentence reads,

In contrast to trapeze artists, who fumbled their routine, the circus clowns kept the audience entertained for hours with their antics.

How are we sure that "their" does not refer to audience but to clowns.
While it is common knowledge that the antics belong to clowns, what is the grammatical rule to understand what "their" refers to.
Imagine you don't know what antics is.

Please provide link/s if this is already answered somewhere.

Thanks
Top 
esledge
 Post subject: Re: Circus clowns- SC -Page 135 Problem 9
 Post Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 4:51 pm 
Offline
ManhattanGMAT Staff


Posts: 903
Location: St. Louis, MO
Good question. The pronoun is clear because of the where/how it is used (structure of the sentence, not the meaning).

the circus clowns = Subject
kept (entertained) = Verb
the audience = Object
for hours = Adverbial Modifier (i.e. "kept entertained how?")
with their antics = Adverbial Modifier (i.e. "kept entertained how?")

Because "with their antics" describes the action, and the action was done by the clowns, "their" refers to "clowns."

_________________
Emily Sledge
Instructor
ManhattanGMAT
Top 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
 
 Page 1 of 1 [ 2 posts ] 





Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests

 
 

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: