A study states that, in Germany, a lack of genetic strand variation in the Argentine ant has allowed the species to spread; due to their being so genetically similar to one another, the ants consider all their fellows to be a close relative and thus do not engage in the kind of inter-colony struggles that limits the spread of this species.

A study states that, in Germany, a lack of genetic strand variation in the Argentine ant has allowed the species to spread; due to their being so genetically similar to one another, the ants consider all their fellows to be a close relative and thus do not engage in the kind of inter-colony struggles that limits the spread of this species.

A. due to their being so genetically similar to one another, the ants consider all their fellows to be a close relative and thus do not engage in the kind of fierce inter-colony struggles that limits
B. due to its being so genetically similar the ant considers all its fellows to be a close relative and thus does not engage in the kind of fierce inter-colony struggles that limit
C. because it is so genetically similar, the ant considers all its fellows to be close relatives and thus does not engage in the kind of fierce inter-colony struggles that limits
D. because they are so genetically similar to one another, the ants consider all their fellows to be close relatives and thus do not engage in the kind of fierce inter-colony struggles that limit
E. because of being so genetically similar to one another, the ants consider all their fellows to be a close relative and thus do not engage in the kind of fierce inter-colony struggles that limits

Right Answer: D

Error Identification

Explanation: 

‘Being’ is used incorrectly here. It should only be used when describing the state of existence. ‘Close relative’ cannot be used in conjunction with ‘all their fellows’. ‘Due to’ should be used for cause and effect and not for explanations. ‘That limit’ is the correct form since ‘intercontinental struggles’ is plural. 

A – ‘being’ is incorrect; ‘that limit’ is incorrect; ‘due to’ is incorrect; ‘limits’ is incorrect. 

B – ‘being’ is incorrect; ‘that limit’ is incorrect; ‘due to’ is incorrect.

C – ‘limits’ is incorrect. 

D – This is the correct answer. 

E – ‘being’ is incorrect. ‘limits’ is incorrect. 

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