SC: public access cable television

[imtrying]

The explanation of this problem states that 'although the phrase "from laying private television cables" may sound preferable to the phrase "from THE laying OF private television cables" in the original sentence, there is actually no grammatical reason to prefer one or the other in this context; both are gerund phrases (in which an "ing" form is used as a noun)'.

I'm still a bit unclear between the two usages: 'the laying of cables' and 'laying cables' as the object that the subject is derived from. Though both are gerunds, I think there is a difference between these two, as in the example:

a. The public is outraged at the killing of the two bear cubs.

b. The public is outraged at killing the two bear cubs.

I would have no problem going with a over b. can someone explain the subtlety here?

[esledge]

Please post the text of the entire question and all 5 choices. For a quick reminder of posting guidelines, please see the "sticky" in this folder. Thanks!