Question

Simplify the underlined part of the given sentence (if necessary):
Digging in sediments in northern China, evidence has been gathered by scientists suggesting that complex life-forms emerged much earlier than they had previously thought.

• A. evidence has been gathered by scientists suggesting that complex life-forms emerged much earlier than they had
• B. evidence gathered by scientists suggests a much earlier emergence of complex life-forms than had been
• C. scientists have gathered evidence suggesting that complex life-forms emerged much earlier than
• D. scientists have gathered evidence that suggests a much earlier emergence of complex life-forms than that which was
• E. scientists have gathered evidence which suggests a much earlier emergence of complex life-forms than that

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

scientists have gathered evidence suggesting that complex life-forms emerged much earlier than

The given sentence talks about how digging of sediments in northern China has contributed to the study of scientists. The first part of the underlined sentence 'evidence has been gathered by scientists' can be simplified to 'scientists have gathered evidence'. The second part of the underlined sentence 'much earlier than they had' can be simplified to 'much earlier than'.

Therefore, the correct answer is option C).