<p>While doing my SAT Princeton 11 Practice Tests I encountered a really strange problem. </p>
<p>Opponents of nonsmoking airports argued that no one would fly if smoking were not permitted, then they became aware that anti-smoking laws did not affect air travel.</p>
<p>(A) permitted, then they became aware - does not show needed contrast
(B) permitted, but soon they became aware -- my answer
(C) permitted, and soon became aware - comma splice, incorrect
(D) permitted; still, soon they became aware - wordiness, incorrect
(E) permitted; however, soon becoming aware - incomplete cause, incorrect</p>
<p>However, when I first did the problem, it seemed that "they" could refer to the "Opponents" OR the "no one" -- making it ambiguous. This would eliminate all but C and E with E being incomplete -- making C the logical answer. However, obviously, this is not correct. Can anybody explain why the use of "they" in this case is not ambiguous?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>