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at.ouchen
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question about relative pronouns

by at.ouchen Thu Apr 03, 2014 8:44 am

Good day
(source LSAT)
Some environmentalists question the prudence of
exploiting features of the environment, arguing that
there are no economic benefits to be gained from
forests, mountains, or wetlands that no longer exist

My question is: Does "That no longer exist" apply to wetlands or to the other elements on the list as well? (can I generalise the answer to the other relative prounouns???)
Many thanks in advance
RonPurewal
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Re: question about relative pronouns

by RonPurewal Fri Apr 04, 2014 1:57 am

As with any modifier that has more than one possible function, you need to use common sense.

Is the sentence talking about ...
... two things that exist, and one that doesn't anymore?
or...
... three things that are gone?

It's pretty clear.
RonPurewal
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Re: question about relative pronouns

by RonPurewal Fri Apr 04, 2014 1:57 am

But, yes, this kind of modifier can also go the other way. E.g., if I write whales, dolphins, and other creatures that resemble those two, then "that resemble those two" only applies to "other creatures". (I'm certainly not talking about whales and dolphins that resemble whales and dolphins.)
RonPurewal
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Re: question about relative pronouns

by RonPurewal Fri Apr 04, 2014 1:59 am

And, of course, the obligatory warning: Be very circumspect about using LSAT material to practice for the GMAT.
Especially in critical reasoning, the two exams don't work the same way, nor do they test the same skill sets or types of thinking.