Question

SAT Grammar Question

Answer 1

The correct answer is D.
Looking at our options ... :
a/b. The idiomatic phrase 'whether' and 'or' seems to come into play, here. We're using the affirmative (they did) and the negative (they didn't), and just need that basic 'yes or no', if that makes sense. Basically 'did' in 'did not' is repetitive, since we already know what 'not' is referring to. So a and b are incorrect.
c. This option simply doesn't make sense and is completely awkward; ie the actuality OF the sailing BY the Egyptians is really wordy and unnecessary. You would never say this is normal writing/speech.
d. This is fine. 'That' refers clearly to the contested fact, and if you rearrange the sentence to 'It is uncertain that the ancient Egyptians actually sailed to South America,' you can see that it makes sense.
e. There's no point to have a possessive (their) over 'sailing', when the subject is right there. This is a fragmented sentence, because the two ideas of the Ancient Egyptians and their sailing aren't properly connected. This sentence is just awkward.

Does that sort of make sense? 'Awkward' sentences are difficult to pin because many times, they follow rules.

Answer 2

Yeah, thanks again, grammar is hard to fathom but I'm getting it.