<p>Here's the question:
The vast library of aleexandria, whose ruins HAVE NEVER BEEN RECOVERED, THRIVED FROM 295 B.C. UNTIL THE FOURTH CENTURY A.D. ON THE COAST OF EGYPT when it burned to the ground.</p>
<p>What is the difference between Choice A and Choice E</p>
<p>A) have never been recovered, thrived from 295 B.C. until the fourth century A.D. on the coast if Egypt.</p>
<p>E) have never been recovered, thrived on the coast of Egypt from 295 B.C. until the fourth century A.D</p>
<p>The vast Library of Alexandria, whose ruins [have never been recovered, thrived from 295 B.C. until the fourth century A.D. on the coast of Egypt] when it burned to the ground.</p>
<p>A.) (as it is)</p>
<p>E.) have never been recovered, thrived on the coast of Egypt from 295 B.C. until the fourth century A.D.,</p>
<p>With choice (A) there is a problem with the clause “when it burned to the ground”. The intent of the sentence is to state that the time of the burning is "fourth century A.D. In choice A), because of the separation of the time period from the “when”, this is ambiguous.</p>
<p>Also there is a need to separate the “when clause” from the main sentence. The comma does that. Try replacing the “when” with “and then”. It may make this more clear.</p>
<p>^ thanks. I get it now</p>