participle modifier modifies the subject of d nearest noun?

[divineacclivity]

[deleted because problem is from a banned source - see below]

A: [Wrong]: Brightened, knocking - not parallel
"which brightened.." is incorrectly modifying earth and not sun
B: [wrong]: sun what recently triggered - awkward
it - incorrectly refers to earth
triggered, and brightened and also knocked - not parallel
triggered, brightened, and also knocked - would be a correct usage
E: [wrong]: no obvious antecedent to "it"

My query:
C.
[OA CORRECT] but what does "brightening .." modify - cloud or the sun???

D.
Why is this option wrong???
It clearly states that magnetic file surrounds Earth and storm recently triggered by smthing, brightened and knocked.. - this is parallel as well.
Why should one prefer C over D?

[michelle.feng.cn]

The reason why D is wrong is that the it refer to a large storm but actually should refer to an expanding cloud.
Besides, I believe that the subject of brightening is cloud instead of sun, as the sun is in the preposition phrase and the an expanding cloud seems reasonable to be the subject of knocking out a communication satellite[/color] as well.

[divineacclivity]

Experts???

[michelle.fx.fung]

？？？？

[vivs.gupta]

The reason why D is wrong is that the it refer to a large storm but actually should refer to an expanding cloud.
Besides, I believe that the subject of brightening is cloud instead of sun, as the sun is in the preposition phrase and the an expanding cloud seems reasonable to be the subject of knocking out a communication satellite[/color] as well.

the following modifier modifies the nearest know i.e. 'earth'
"recently triggered by an expanding cloud of energized particles"

[tim]

As per the forum rules, we need a verifiable source for the problem before we can deal with this question. If the question is not one of ours or one that is copyright-free, we will have to delete the question..

[sandeeps.gmat]

This is OG-13 , sentence correction, Q. No. 87
I also have the same confusion,
1. Scientists were monitoring what? Expanding cloud or A large storm
2.What brightened the Northern lights? A large storm or Expanding cloud?

Will be thankful for reply
Regards

[tim]

OG is a banned source; it is illegal to post OG questions anywhere on the web. If you are in one of our classes, please ask OG questions during office hours or before/after class..